Need to reinstall PC, which OS and codecs to choose ?

[boulder]

Because of a problem I need to reinstall my PC.
There are some questions I have, about what the ideal setup is (software wise), as I had some problem with video corruption, and the only 'solution' I have found is to use overlay instead of VMR7, VMR9, DirectX, ...
Nothing is overclocked in my system, but the graphics card is a completely passive model, so maybe it (videoram ?) is overheating.
But why then would it then not overheat when I choose overlay ?
The problem also only seems to occur when running in dual screen mode.

Anyway, I want to avoid these problems as much as possible.

So my configuration consists of an Asus P5W DH Deluxe, with a Nvidia Geforce GT7950 card (an MSI NX7950GT-VT2D512EZ-HD to be precise, completely passively cooled), an Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 and 2 Gb of RAM (2x1).


So what would you recommend for OS, codecs, etc. ?
My PC is mostly used for recording and playing back satellite TV programs (both SD and HD).

OS : I suppose Windows XP Professional with the latest service packs would be best ?
Before I used Windows XP MCE 2005, but was getting those video corruption problems.
(see : http://img513.imageshack.us/my.php?image=v...rruptionzc7.jpg)
Also, although I might give Mediaportal another try, I will not be using Mediacenter from Microsoft, as it is too limited in functionality (even when using DVBSBridge as an in-between)
Or would I be better off using Windows 7 beta ?

What about codecs ?
Which MPEG2 codec would you recommend, and which H264 ?
Could the Haali Mediasplitter which comes with the Coreavc code, somehow be the culprit of the issues I am encountering ?
Or should I use the ones from Cyberlink, or FFDShow or ????
Would I be better off using the CCCP codec pack ?

Anyway, my PC would server as a multimedia machine as a primary purpose.
I have many MPEG2 TV stations I regularly watch, but also some H264 ones, such as Arte HD, één HD, BBC HD, ITV HD.
I would like all of them to work well.
With BBC HD I had several issues in the past, including recordings that would hang after a couple of seconds playback.

Often people say that they tried several codecs (eg. Cyberlink, Coreavc and FFDShow), but in my experience this can screw up your system completely leading to another reinstall.

So this time I would like to know before installing it all.

[JohnnyMalaria]

So this is a homebrew? The MCE version of XP only came on complete systems with a specific set of hardware - i.e., MS only permits certain hardware/drivers to be used on MCE - a subset of those for XP Home/Pro. That isn't to say other hardware won't work but that it isn't guaranteed to perform the same.

If you really do suspect your video card, why not try a different one. If it doesn't solve the problem, take it back.

Before wiping your existing system, try dual booting. Personally, I wouldn't go anywhere near Windows 7 yet but if that's your only alternative...

[boulder]

Installed XP Pro SP2, and then installed the CCCP, which seems to be a very limited number of codecs, including the Haali Media Splitter.
I got the same artifacts again
Now, what should I do ?
Switch to the Cyberlink codecs ?

I mean, overlay does work with my current setup, but there are a couple of problems I have :

1) Some applications seem to use VMR9 by default, for instance Mediaportal, and then I get those artifacts, and it seems impossible to switch to overlay.
2) Some applications lack functionality in overlay mode.
MPCHC for example, does not allow for subtitles to be shown if it is in Overlay mode, and any other mode seems to result in those green flickering dots.

Is my system screwed up already, or could I install the Cyberlink codecs now without breaking everything installed ?

[JohnnyMalaria]

By default, applications should be using VMR7 both on XP and Vista. VMR9 is listed as a "do not use" filter. So it seems some of your apps are explicity using it instead of asking Windows for the prefered renderer.

Try removing the registry entries for the VMR9 filter (it is part of quartz.dll so you can unregister it in the more usual way with regsvr32). Copy and paste this code into a text file, save it with a .reg suffix and double-click on it. The entries will be removed though you'll get a confusing message stating that they have been entered(!)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{51B4ABF3-748F-4E3B-A276-C828330E926A}\InprocServer32]
@="C:\\WINDOWS\\system32\\quartz.dll"
"ThreadingModel"="Both"


[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{083863F1-70DE-11d0-BD40-00A0C911CE86}\Instance\{51B4ABF3-748F-4E3B-A276-C828330E926A}]
"FriendlyName"="Video Mixing Renderer 9"
"CLSID"="{51B4ABF3-748F-4E3B-A276-C828330E926A}"
"FilterData"=hex:02,00,00,00,00,00,20,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,30,70,69,33,\
  02,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,30,74,79,33,00,\
  00,00,00,38,00,00,00,48,00,00,00,76,69,64,73,00,00,10,00,80,00,00,aa,00,38,\
  9b,71,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00

To restore the VMR9, remove the hyphens before HKEY and repeat the above.

Hopefully, your troublesome apps will deal gracefully with the absence of the VMR9 and switch to another (ideally VMR7).

[boulder]

But take for instance, MPC HC, even if I choose VMR7 or Haali, I do get those green stripes or other similar patterns.
So the problem is not limited to VMR9.
It seems to affect all the filters except Overlay.

[JohnnyMalaria]

Have you tried lowering the hardware acceleration level under Display Properties\Settings?

[boulder]

Yes, I have tried lowering hardware acceleration, but the problems seemed to persist.

Now, after reinstalling my system, it seems the problems were there immediately after installing the CCCP.

So, please give me some advice.
I have a freshly installed Windows XP SP2.
Which codecs should I use for MPEG2, and which ones should I use for H264 ?
I need them both, in order to watch live satellite TV and recorded satellite TV.

Is the Haali Mediasplitter an option when using Coreavc or does it really depend on it ?
(because I have the impression that as soon as Coreavc is installed the problems begin)

Would Cyberlink H264 codecs be a better option ?
Or should I go for FFDSHOW ?
And what about MPEG2 ?
Should I use Nvidia's Purevideo ?

I am really confused as to what would work best.

[Krispy Kritter]

Another example of the problems that can occur when using codec packs. I would reinstall again to have a clean slate. The latest version of FFDshow should meet your needs.

[lordsmurf]

Is CCCP a codec pack? If so, that's why your system is all screwed up.

[freebird73717]

Is CCCP a codec pack? If so, that's why your system is all screwed up.

(Combined Community Codec Pack)
Yep. Stay away from codec packs. Get rid of the codec pack (you may very well have to re-install OS again) then install ffdshow as krispy kritter suggested.

[Skith]

I Googled the CCCP site, and it appears to be nothing more than a custom build/setup of ffdshow with an additional gui tool to simplify control on how various codecs are handled. If that is the case, I don't think it would qualify as the usual "Codec Pack" like K-light (sorry, that is the only one I can remember). If anyone wants to look at it, http://www.cccp-project.net/

[boulder]

Unfortunately it seems the problem is the videomemory.
That is probably why I can use overlay, but not VMR7, VMR9, EVR, etc.
I suppose overlay only uses a very small portion of the videoram and the other ones use a lot more.
I found a utility (hope it 's really what it claims to be : video ram stress tester) and it found masses of video errors.
I guess the fact that sometimes it works with VMR7, sometimes it doesn't is due to which portion of memory is being used.

I wonder if the problems I get now are due to the fact that this solution is completely silent, with a massive heatsink instead of a fan.
I never overclocked it, but maybe tit got too hot anyway (not enough airflow or something).

[Skith]

Have you tried using just one monitor (disabling dual monitor)?

I wonder if the problems I get now are due to the fact that this solution is completely silent, with a massive heatsink instead of a fan.
I never overclocked it, but maybe tit got too hot anyway (not enough airflow or something).

Those chips can get very hot. I know nvidia had some material problems during the 78xx-79xx production times. My EVGA 7900GT died in a littler over a year. I even started getting graphics corruption on the post screen.

[boulder]

Yes, with one screen it seems to work.
Mabye if I added another fan that blew over the graphics card it would cool down enough (unless those chips have been physically damaged already).
I bought this card exactly because it was silent, though, as my PC is attached directly to the TV.
Using only one screen is insufficient though, as I have another LCD screen where I do my normal work on.

[FulciLives]

I'd buy a new "cheap" video card.

Probably something like this ---> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822

Good Luck !!!

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[jagabo]

You might try underclocking the video card. If you have room you might try adding a PCI fan card to move more air over the heat sync.

[boulder]

The strange thing is that if you look at the videocard photo, you can see that where the videoram is, that is not covered by the heatsink, as if it is not important ?
Or am I wrong in thinking the videram are those 6 chips around the heatsink ?

[jagabo]

Here's the fanless card I have, an ASUS EN8600GT SILENT (image courtesy of NewEgg):



You could try adding some aftermarket RAM heat sinks. Something like these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118220