Video jerky on MPC-HC

[bapalaps]

Hi folks,

I've recently upgraded to Windows 7 64bit from Windows XP. All video playback was perfectly fine on XP, but given the upgrade to W7 several things have changed, the result being video is now periodically jerky.

Current Setup

Windows 7 64bit
Athlon 64 X2 5200+
Geforce 8600GTS
Media player classic - home cinema 64bit
CoreAVC
Haali media splitter

Running in dual display, with Samsung TV spanned. Video is playing fullscreen on this display.

Most of the time video playback is smooth. Every few minutes the frame rate appears to drop and the playback gets choppy for maybe 15-20 secs on average, then returns to normal. This happens when there is nothing else running on the machine apart from the usual small tray applications. It also happens with .avi (xvid/divx) and mkv files.

I've checked Task Manager while the problem occurs, MPCHC sits around 10%-18% CPU usage on average while playing 1080p mkv. It rarely goes over 20%, and there's nothing noticably different when this problems occurs. Machine has around 1Gb 'available' RAM and 300Mb+ free RAM when there's nothing running but MPCHC. Doesn't look like a resource problem to me, sound about right?

I'm hoping this is just a simple problem with MPC not configured correctly as I don't quite get how the filters etc. are set up. Screenshots of my config windows included. CoreAVC and Haali media splitter are running during playback.



Any suggestions would very much be welcome, I've tried many different configurations and suggestions from many threads on several forums all with the same result. Can't seem to get this resolved and not sure what else to try. Any thoughts you guys have would be helpful.

Many thanks,

Baps.

[davexnet]

Does the problem occur if you use the internal source/splitter filter and internal H264 dxva filters?

[jagabo]

Every few minutes the frame rate appears to drop and the playback gets choppy for maybe 15-20 secs on average, then returns to normal. This happens when there is nothing else running on the machine apart from the usual small tray applications. It also happens with .avi (xvid/divx) and mkv files.

Windows is always running stuff in the background. The jerky playback probably has nothing to do with MPCHC but some background process that hogs up CPU or disk I/O every now and then. Bring up Task Manager and watch what's using CPU when the problem happens. Be sure to enable Show Processes From All Users.

[bapalaps]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciate your input. Sorry for the delay in reply, I ordered more RAM which I wanted to rule out. Now running 4Gb so it's not a lack of RAM.

Does the problem occur if you use the internal source/splitter filter and internal H264 dxva filters?

Yes, I've tried different combinations of filters and splitters. Some prove better than others but none of them solved the problem. Haali and CoreAVC always worked fine in the past.

Windows is always running stuff in the background. The jerky playback probably has nothing to do with MPCHC but some background process that hogs up CPU or disk I/O every now and then. Bring up Task Manager and watch what's using CPU when the problem happens. Be sure to enable Show Processes From All Users.

The 20% figure was processes from all users.

I do seem to have resolved the issue though, thought it might not hurt to post in case anyone might find it useful.

Everywhere I read said use EVR Custom Pres. for video output with this setup when possible. Changing this option to Overlay mixer appears to have solved the playback issues completely for me. It's worth trying if anyone has similar issues.

Thanks again for your suggestions guys.

Baps.

[garryward]

Try Shark codec pack
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/327403-Playback-advice-on-x264-video?p=2029150

[jagabo]

Everywhere I read said use EVR Custom Pres. for video output with this setup when possible. Changing this option to Overlay mixer appears to have solved the playback issues completely for me.

You won't be able to see subtitles or get screen caps if you use Overlay Mixer.

[DarrellS]

The first thing I do when I install MPC-HC is turn off all internal filters and only add something if I need it. I prefer to install my own codecs and splitters.

I thought I read a bunch of threads the other day about people having issues with COREAVC and Windows 7. Might try turning it off and using ffdshow.