View Full Version : HTPC's
punx223
07-16-2010, 07:54 PM
I have a Sempron 140 unlocked at 3.6 in my HTPC. No trouble at all with 1080P blu-ray as long as you run a card with hardware acceleration (I have a silent pipe 4550HD). I think even Atom can do HTPCs fine.
One of those i3 530 + H55 deals from frys or microcenter are perfect for HTPCs.
Im trying to decide if I want to grab one of the X58 LEs for $80, or run 2 hours to MC for an ASUS P55 with 8x8 and SATA3 for $90 with an i5 650 for $140.
Problem with B stock is no extras and 90 day warranty.
cecil,
what software do you run for blu ray playback?? I just built a P55 HTPC with a maximus III gene and X3440 SSD raid 0+1 for OS and 3 WD 1TB blacks for storage. and prolly goin with a 460 0nce i figure out which model I want....
but trying to figure out the software side is problematic
Cecil
07-16-2010, 08:07 PM
cecil,
what software do you run for blu ray playback?? I just built a P55 HTPC with a maximus III gene and X3440 SSD raid 0+1 for OS and 3 WD 1TB blacks for storage. and prolly goin with a 460 0nce i figure out which model I want....
but trying to figure out the software side is problematic
You can use VLC, Media Player, or Media Player classic. I just started using Media Player classic and like it the best. A lot of blu-ray movies when I rip them, wont have audio unless being played with VLC or MPC, and VLC doesnt have hardware acceleration as far as I know. Everytime I use it, there are moments where it freezes to sync up, and CPU usage is around 45%. With MPC it stays under 5% and no problems.
There are some codecs and what not you need though, Ill list them in a bit. I dont remember exactly what I used, but have them saved to a USB drive.
You can use VLC, Media Player, or Media Player classic. I just started using Media Player classic and like it the best. A lot of blu-ray movies when I rip them, wont have audio unless being played with VLC or MPC, and VLC doesnt have hardware acceleration as far as I know. Everytime I use it, there are moments where it freezes to sync up, and CPU usage is around 45%. With MPC it stays under 5% and no problems.
There are some codecs and what not you need though, Ill list them in a bit. I dont remember exactly what I used, but have them saved to a USB drive.
I just use Combined Community Codec Pack
http://www.cccp-project.net/
Cecil
07-16-2010, 10:11 PM
Ive got avisynth, halli media splitter and ffd show on here.
DrNip
07-17-2010, 02:51 AM
How would a i5 670 or similar fare in a rig such as that? Reason I ask is they clock so well with less heat, even on air and good mb's are dirt cheap for these chips.
Dunno, prolly well though. Just get a micro mobo with it. I have an i3 in this one. Love this little cpu.
Kal-EL
07-17-2010, 04:32 AM
Moved into new thread since its an attention getting topic. :D
I use the K-lite mega codec pack. It uses media player classic, and adds enough codecs and software that Media Center can play back bluray. MKV format rips have to be played through Media Player Classic or VLC. ;)
LINK (http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_mega_codec/)
Splave
07-17-2010, 05:14 AM
guys is there anyway to get a nvidia card to scale 1080p properly? On my 46incher the only way is to set 1920x1080 (it will be zoomed in and not all screen viewable) then use Control panel to scale it back to 1782x1030 or something like that and causes text to be blurred and its not sharp at all. OS win7, tryed old drivers new drivers everything. messed with refresh rate etc. This is using hdmi to hdmi chord (not using hdmi sound either)
Tryed on 8800gts, gtx-2600, 8600gt all do the same exact thing. Plugged my 4870 in and bam no issues at all.
It probably has less to do with the card, but more on how the card sees your lcd panel.... Look for an overscan or underscan setting in the nvcontrol panel, if not, then make sure you have the right aspect set in your tv menu (not in the computer). A lot of tv's have over/under scan settings in them as well.
Edit: With Nvidia on my tv I have to underscan, with ATI I have to overscan. That is through hdmi.
DrNip
07-17-2010, 05:50 AM
guys is there anyway to get a nvidia card to scale 1080p properly? On my 46incher the only way is to set 1920x1080 (it will be zoomed in and not all screen viewable) then use Control panel to scale it back to 1782x1030 or something like that and causes text to be blurred and its not sharp at all. OS win7, tryed old drivers new drivers everything. messed with refresh rate etc. This is using hdmi to hdmi chord (not using hdmi sound either)
Tryed on 8800gts, gtx-2600, 8600gt all do the same exact thing. Plugged my 4870 in and bam no issues at all.
Never had this problem on my 40" TV's. Sounds like it is a setting in your TV to me.
Cecil
07-17-2010, 10:27 AM
Its not the card or drivers. Go in to your TV's menu and set it to "just scan" instead of 16:9.
punx223
07-17-2010, 12:00 PM
Its not the card or drivers. Go in to your TV's menu and set it to "just scan" instead of 16:9.
definitely not teh card, could also be a EDID issue with the TV.... not sending info for card to pull from ;)
hey cecil and others.... have links to your Blu ray software you recommend?
i know VLC, but the classic player?
thanks guys.
I know I should be benching but sometimes I need a project to distract from madness
I thought I linked you to the pack I use w/ the player in it.... Here it is again
CLICK HERE SHANNON (http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_mega_codec/)
That should have all the x264/h264 encoding bs needed for BD playback
Splave
07-17-2010, 12:27 PM
I will look into that thanks guys tv is 4665f
Cecil
07-17-2010, 01:37 PM
You and I had the same tv, and I had the same thing happen when its not on just scan. Also, I havent used Nvidia for a while, but ATI has a slider to adjust for scan issues but keeps the res the same.
MPC - http://mpc-hc.sourceforge.net/
AVISynth - http://www.free-codecs.com/download/avisynth.htm
FFD Show - http://www.free-codecs.com/download/ffdshow.htm
Haali Media Splitter - http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Haali_Matroska_Splitter.htm
I use dvd fab platinum to rip, pm me if you want a link for that one.
punx223
07-17-2010, 05:38 PM
I thought I linked you to the pack I use w/ the player in it.... Here it is again
CLICK HERE SHANNON (http://www.filehippo.com/download_klite_mega_codec/)
That should have all the x264/h264 encoding bs needed for BD playback
wow pat if you linked taht in your original post then im sorry i prolly fail at reading as usual lol
wow pat if you linked taht in your original post then im sorry i prolly fail at reading as usual lol
:taunt: I remember when I learned how to read..... :laughing:
punx223
07-17-2010, 11:48 PM
:taunt: I remember when I learned how to read..... :laughing:
speaking of that what else did you do last week? :ohcrap::taunt:
:D Shit, not much... that's a lot to take in all at once. A.... B.... *dammit*.....
Neuromancer
07-18-2010, 09:14 AM
I use CCCP and manually register MPCvideodec.ax for DXVA playback (and disabled in CCCP). I also am using a unlocked sempron 140, but at 2.7GHz and CnQ enabled. I do not have a BDrom yet, but my 720P and 1080p files play back just fine on one monitor while I email and stuff on the other :) Slight skipping in the file if I am running a flash app.
The ATI drivers include VC1 acceleration I believe (BDrom ) so you just need WMP/WMC to play them back.
Oh... in windows 7 disable MPEG2 playback in CCCP also. Windows7 codec works just fine and replacing it with the inferior ffdshow codec is not advisable and can cause MC to crash.
punx223
07-18-2010, 03:53 PM
dude why is this so hard, i cannot get any of the listed programs to play a blue ray disk.... media player classic just says failed to render?? why is this so difficult?
DrNip
07-18-2010, 04:18 PM
User error... :laughing:
punx223
07-18-2010, 04:37 PM
User error... :laughing:
wow thanks travis.... :shock: