FAQ: H.264 / HD codecs (tested on DVB Dream)

[maçoku]

Echo 3 and N 2 are the best spots for testing of HD and SD channels in the same time from two different providers and different MPEG files.
Next PC version is going to be PCI Express profile as a faster GPU.

Note: During this testing period with Genpix Skywalker-1 we have seen many missing features of Dvb Dream that need to be added in this so far so good piece of work for high definition issues.

[shahed26]

hi
i really want to use ATI's h.264 codec for hardware accelaration, but
with ATI's h.264 codec, the hd channels picture clarity is so much clearer and vivid, but the video on dvbdream is freezing every few 3-4 seconds, audio is perfect. is there a solution to this problem as i really want hardware acceleration. coreavc v1.6.5 works good but no dxva.
please help me here as am using the latest ati drivers (catalyst 8.3)

[shahed26]

hi
i just want to see how MainConcept work with hd channels. i downloaded a demo version MainConcept H.264 Encoder, but the codec does not appear on dvbdream. please give me a link to the download (obviously demo) so i can test to see if my hd channels appear better than coreavc
thanks

[Tarlock]

Hi, I just started using both Intervideo for audio and video; I downloaded and installed WinDVD to get it. the dates on the codecs in Dream are 3/4/2008. Whenever I select both it highlights the audio as having an incompatibility.

if i try to look at the options for the video by doubleclicking the active directshow filter it gives me two tabs in a window. the first tab is for capture. the second is ivivideo -- and selecting it results in a crash (but dream doesn't crash itself). However at this point I can't get rid of that options window so I have to kill dream. Any idea what's up with that???

I have a AMD 4400 X2 and a Nvidia 7950GT 512MB

[shahed26]

hi
i had the same problem. i used the latest windvd, and selected these intervideo codecs, as dvbdream recommends these codecs but no luck it crashes, and then i had to kill dvbdream through task manager. am currently using cyberlink codec (2008) from klite codec pack for video and ffdshow for audio. it works and picture clarity is very good with dxva disabled, with dxva enable, the deinterlacing problem comes and theres no fix for that, until ati gives me the fix which is very unlikely as so many people on this forum made complaints, and ati are not even listening to their customer

[Tarlock]

I finally got purevideo (I was surprised this wasn't just part of the nvidia drivers -- requires serial and everything!) solved all my problems.

One quirk people might not be aware of is that if you don't have an h264 codec installed, and if one is required for the channel you are watching, Dream will actually complain about the renderer, not the fact that there's no h264 codec! this through me for a loop for a long time.. I was starting from scratch, removed all the codec packs I had installed, windvd, all that crap.

Finally it's working with coreavc (sound is also purevideo) and arcsoft. I actually like coreavc a lot better (piicture quality) than arcsoft. But it isn't very smooth on my 4400+ x2 and 7950GT. CPU does range 60's/70's for both cores with either codec. Guess i'm getting 15-20 fps rather than 30. Arcsoft is silky smooth though, so i'll stick with that until I upgrade the hardware. It's just a little washed out, lines aren't very sharp compared to coravc. hope this helps!

[dishguy123]

has anyone tried apple's h.264 codecs? just wondering....

[djrh]

Tested PowerDVD 8 h.264 (had to edit Guids.ini) in Vista. Does not use the GPU at all (although it's supposed to).

any chances of getting it fixed soon?

[djrh]

I think I might have the answer why it's no workie ...

According to this thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=900747

the reason why h.264 does not do hardware acceleration is because we need to use Enchaced Video Renderer instead of VR and VR9.

Is there a way to get this in the list (the same way we can edit the codecs file)?

Thanks

[Professore]

Cyberlink (PDVD6.x)
- You might need to turn off the DxVA in the codec options depending on your video card & driver
- You might need to use overlay renderer depending on your video card & driver
- Audio sync problems
- VMR seem to need a DD restart to display the video on my PC (nVidia
8600GT)
www.cyberlink.com

I have an ati 3870 card and trying to use the dvxa to lower the cpu usage when i watch a h264 channel. DVXA is enabled.. but I am having 60-70% cpu usage at my AMD 4400+@2.76Ghz , is this normal? Also the picture is loosing frames. When i use coreavc this isnt happening..

when i play the recorded file i have 15-25% cpu usage..

[CommGuru]

I'm getting great results from ArcSoft (v2.25.83.43 - 4/21/2008) for h264 video and the latest AC3Filter combo. No stuttering and no sync problems. This on a E6600 C2D with a ATI 3650. VMR9 with Vista x64 btw.

[SteveOtoo]

I too am getting good results from the ArcSoft h264 codec and AC3filter on a single core, P4 3.o ghz. cpu, 1gig ram,ati2600hd pro, and stable at 94% to 99% cpu usage. Even changes channels without crashing. I'm still waiting for CoreAVC to support ati with HW acceleration which they have said they will support. Keeping my fingers crossed.......

[jerryt]

at 94% to 99% cpu usage.

WOW, That is alot of cpu.

[toshiba]

codec.kiev.ua is unavailable. Anyone know what's going on?

[Professore]

I'm getting great results from ArcSoft (v2.25.83.43 - 4/21/2008) for h264 video and the latest AC3Filter combo. No stuttering and no sync problems. This on a E6600 C2D with a ATI 3650. VMR9 with Vista x64 btw.

me too.. but sometimes it sticking the image.. with an reset of the codec it continues great..