[Stealth5325]

I'm having the hardest time getting any of my higher bitrate VC-1 files to play without stuttering on my HTPC. First off, specs:

Phenom II x4 925 (2.8gHz)

4GB ram (32 bit Windows 7 limits this to 3.25GB usable)

5670 512MB

Gigabyte 785 motherboard

Linksys Wireless-G network to media server

1GB WD green.


I would think this machine is capable of playing 1080p VC-1 content. First off, am I wrong?


I've tried both MPC-HC and WMC (the two players I want to be able to use), and I've tried both a network connection and the local hard disk, to no effect. i get stuttering and audio/video lag.


I've used FFDshow (didn't work for obvious reasons of CPU intensity), FFDShow's new DXVA decoder, Microsoft's decoder, the decoder in MPC that uses DXVA, and ATI's video decoder. None work well enough to call the video 'smooth'. I've turned on and off all deinterlacing effects in both software and hardware many times, etc etc etc.


Anybody out there with a suggestion? I just want to be able to play everything I've got (and VC-1 1080p files are the most intense) in WMC without having to reconfigure codecs each time I pick a different filetype.

 

[kemist1117]

not sure if its possible with vc-1 but i know that some h.264 encoded files use too high of an encoding profile (technically not compliant with blu-ray spec) and the ATI cards had problems playing them back. Maybe this is the problem?

 

[underzone]

This spec PC with MPC-HC should be 100% fine. Just make sure the gfx card does the heavy lifting (under internal filters(in options), select all BOLD items in the internal filters setup. Then when playing HD sources 'MPC video decoder' will be displayed. .).

 

[protovision]

I'm getting a similar issue when I rip blu to .m2ts (no re-encode)


I can playback fine, unless the .m2ts has vc-1 in it, in which case, MPC-HC and even powerDVD in file mode can't playback without skipping, on a q6600 quad core. If its h.264 or avc or mpeg, no problems, just vc-1 is giving issues.


If I rip to a new blu ray structure with the .m2ts, and make a blu ISO from it, it works fine in PowerDVD.

 

[underzone]



Quote:
Originally Posted by protovision /forum/post/18102593


I'm getting a similar issue when I rip blu to .m2ts (no re-encode)


I can playback fine, unless the .m2ts has vc-1 in it, in which case, MPC-HC and even powerDVD in file mode can't playback without skipping, on a q6600 quad core. If its h.264 or avc or mpeg, no problems, just vc-1 is giving issues.


If I rip to a new blu ray structure with the .m2ts, and make a blu ISO from it, it works fine in PowerDVD.

Have you done this: "select all BOLD items in the internal filters setup". My Core2Duo E8500 has zero problems...

 

[Stealth5325]

@underzone:

I appreciate the advice, but I've tried that. The bold filters are simply the ones that have property pages associated with them.

 

[kegobeer]

What video card do you have?

 

[Shark007]

1st of all, i assure you that the Shark007 software uninstalls cleanly leaving no foul residue. Uninstalls can only be performed using the uninstall button provided on the Help tab of the settings application because I wrote my own uninstall routine just to be able to make the previous statement.


I know codecpacks are frowned upon, but I think I can solve your issue. Uninstall anything and everything codec releated. All of it. haali, ffdshow, real alternative, everything you have including standalone codecs that you reg'd on your own. Reboot your system. Install the current release of the Win7codecs from majorGeeks, v237. At the bottom of the settings application, check the box for suggested settings. If you're an S/PDIF user, go to the Audio TAb and select ffdshow passthough. If you use Anolog speakers, it is auto configured. If your anolog setup is displayed wrong on the Audio TAB, then it is also setup wrong in the Control Panel / Sound applet. For TrueHD audio, you must select a Gabest splitter from the corresponding tab of the file extension.


Concerning the VC1 issue. If it is contained in any derivitive of TS file extensions, you need to disable Windows Media Foundation on the SWAP TAB. If this is an m2ts rip from a blu-ray disk, go to the MPG TAB and choose to use the blu-ray splitter. Finally, for VC1 playback, go the SWAP TAB and choose to use either FFDshow (not dxva) or the MPC-HC codec for WVC1.


If your system is x64, Media Center will require you to do the above setup in the x64 settings application as well. The x64 addon is a separate download and is currently at v241. This instruction should get the file playing in WMP or Media Center.


I dont usually chime in unless I spot that a user is already using my software,

but you seemed to need the assitance.

 

[renethx]

@Stealth5325


Specifically what VC-1 file(s) causes stuttering? A screenshot of MediaInfo may be helpful. Interlaced VC-1+MKV is no go whatever filters you use.


Try ArcSoft Video Decoder in TMT2 ( 113 ; then apply 119 patch ). You need to register VC-1 Tweaker first and add it in External Filter of MPC-HC. You may need to add "Write" permission to the MPC-HC folder.

 

[Stealth5325]

Everyone:

It was the wifi. I must have been doing something else with the hard drive when I tested the original from the hard drive. After copying over to local, rebooting, and doing nothing else, it plays acceptably with anything DXVA-enabled. Currently using FFDshow's DXVA decoder, because it's pretty OK, and I'd like to be all setup for when it really comes into it's own in a few releases.


Shark: Love your codec pack. I'm using it. It's the best way to get FFDshow working for WMC, IMO. Why no upgrades? I have to uninstall and reinstall like every third day when a new something or other comes out. In the same vein, kudos to you for keeping super up to date with everything. Thanks for trying to help.

 

[Shark007]

On the Misc TAB are tools to Save your settings before uninstall,

and then use the Restore button after a clean install. Clean installs = clean machines.


After a new install and a restore, i suggest re-saving your settings to pick up on newly added features.


BTW, the next release will have a tool to create playlists from anywhere, hdd's, networked drives etc, then these playlists can be played in WMP or Media Center with a doubleclick. If you wanted to, you can add the playlist file to the startup folder have your video(s) or audio plaing in Media Center on boot up.