On Board Graphics not up to it?

[Shooty*]

I've got me one of these http://www.ebuyer.com/product/150278 in my htpc.

I'm scratching my head a wee bit at the moment. I'm getting choppy playback. Sound is fine, but image "jumps" every few seconds. This is on AVi files (mainly xvid over divx), DVD Rips (in video_ts) folders and now on my blu ray drive. SOMETIMES the xvids are OK. The blu ray seems to be constantly jumpy.

I'm using PowerDVD 8 for the blu ray. I have CCCP codec pack installed, with Divx7 and Xvid last build. My set up is the parts listed here http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...tpc-build.html

It's not a hard drive/ fragmentation issue as it applies to the main drive and any external ones I plug in, as well as the blu ray, obv.

I'm worried that either
1. my processor isn't up to it. But a dual core meter in sidebar doesn't show it maxed out.
2. I've got some kind of codec issue, but I've uninstalled and reinstalled loads of times in various configurations, with somethings, without others, and it's still a problem.
3. the onboard graphics struggle with 1080p.

I'm inclined towards 3, to behonest. The problem occurrs mainly during full screen playback, so sometimes it's having to expant a 512 x 384 avi file up to 1920 x 1080, and (and I freely admit I know f all about this) I wonder whether it struggles to blow the video up to that size while making it look good. Is that possible?

I've got a half height case, and am looking at video cards, but can't find any "low profile" or half height or whatever you call them.

For the record, I f***ing hate the catalyst control panel. Gimme Nvidia or give me death.

Tonight I think I shall try closing all extraneous background processes, and indeed Explorer to see if that helps. And I might try VGA output with optical sound out. will blu ray work over VGA?

it's not a virus or spyware issue, before anyone asks.

[GeorgeStorm]

3 does seem most likely, although its odd, as from wha I have read, the 3200 can cope with 1080p decoding.......
If it is struggling, then just get a cheap card like the 4650 maybe, as it will also be able to play the odd game if the want ever arised

[scaryjim]

I take it you're monitoring temps as well? I have this problem watching DVDs on my much older HTPC, and I believe it's being caused by my less-than-adequate cooling The 780G should be able to cope with 1080p playback *and* upscaling more than easily, assuming your software is utilising the hardware acceleration properly.

It's possible that this is caused by some kind of driver conflict (I've seen (well, heard) a similar thing happen with sound cards before that was caused by a sound driver update conflicting with *something* else...)

if you decide to go down the graphics card line there's a pretty good choice of Radeon HD4350 low profile cards, although tbh I doubt that'd really help - sounds more like a software / driver issue than a hardware one to me...

[Hawker1986]

What version of windows are you using? CCCP and other codecs dont like x64 much. I would recommend getting sharkys codec pack with the x64 components if your using x64. Otherwise I would recommend a sapphire 4550, comes low profile and they do a passive model, though you will need good airflow for that one. The active one is quiet too. Both are on the scan site.

That said the 780g shouldnt be having problems so I would be looking at the codecs. Sharkys will remove the need for divX, Xvid, CCCP, so just uninstall the lot and install that instead.

Hawker

[Shooty*]

I had found Sharky's site. I'm on 32 bit vista, but I'll have a look. Thanks all. Temps are OK, yeah, I'm monitoring them with TrueTemp or RealTemp or something, never above 50 degrees c

I think the mobo allows me to OC the GPU... I might try that as well if the codec thing doesn't work.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I think you have a software problem as Tom's Hardware got 1080p playback working smoothly with a Sempron:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...et,1785-3.html

[GoNz0]

HDMI handshake issue like i had for a guess, fixed it by using a VGA cable to the 1080p telly

[scaryjim]

... fixed it by using a VGA cable to the 1080p telly

Cool, VGA FTW!

[Shooty*]

grrrrrrrrrrr. Is there any downside to using VGA other than having to have separate audio? And, like, loss of boasting factor.

[Hawker1986]

grrrrrrrrrrr. Is there any downside to using VGA other than having to have separate audio? And, like, loss of boasting factor.

No

[scaryjim]

And, like, loss of boasting factor.

If you really want to boast, you need a big ass CRT monitor. Yes sirree bob, that's the thing...

[GoNz0]

VGA is fine up to 1920x1200 so it runs a 1080p LCD telly without issue, if you want epeen leave the hdmi plugged in and rename the input LOL

this also gets round the audio issue when you play something below 48,000hz like mp3's encoded at 44,000 over HDMI audio, it sounded like sh*t, almost like it was being sung by chipmunks with there testicals in a vice.

i have not looked back since swapping the input as the HTPC is working as it should

[Shooty*]

****ing toslink to mini plugs. Grrrrr. I've got a dual mini plug cable. Having to ebay a new one.

[Shooty*]

VGA is fine up to 1920x1200 so it runs a 1080p LCD telly without issue, if you want epeen leave the hdmi plugged in and rename the input LOL

this also gets round the audio issue when you play something below 48,000hz like mp3's encoded at 44,000 over HDMI audio, it sounded like sh*t, almost like it was being sung by chipmunks with there testicals in a vice.

i have not looked back since swapping the input as the HTPC is working as it should

Hang on... are you saying I can leave the HDMI plugged in for the audio, and tell the PC to use VGA?

Crap. Needn't have bought the cable.

[GoNz0]

noooooo you can leave the hdmi in and tell your mates its using that, but hdmi audio will not work unless thats the input your using

vga will need a audio cable

[Shooty*]

ARGH!

It sodding works. I've just sat through The Duchess in epilepsy and migraine inducing "stutter" mode, when I could have had it nice and smooth. For fvck's sake. The film was absolutely terrible anyway, but at least this would have made it physically watchable.