Playback not smooth after converting 1080p to AVI

[pdun459]

Hi. I have an older system with XP and old hardware that I use to watch movies but it can't play HD 1080p or 720p. For 720p I can convert to AVI at 1500 Kbps with XMedia Recode and they play fine, but 1080p still won't play smoothly even after conversion at the same settings. Would anyone know if there's something I can do in XMedia Recode to solve this, or is there another program that would do a better job? Or am just out of luck? I know upgrading to a newer system will solve it but that's not possible right now. I really just want to know if anyone knows how to convert 1080p for playback on older hardware. Thanks.

[poisondeathray]

Hi. I have an older system with XP and old hardware that I use to watch movies but it can't play HD 1080p or 720p. For 720p I can convert to AVI 1500 Kbps with XMedia Recode and they play fine, but 1080p still won't play smoothly even after conversion at the same settings. Would anyone know if there's something I can do in XMedia Recode to solve this, or is there another program that would do a better job? Or am just out of luck? I know upgrading to a newer system will solve it but that's not possible right now. I really just want to know if anyone knows how to convert 1080p for use on older hardware. Thanks.

You should change the title, because it's a playback issue, not a conversion problem

The answer is probably not, xvid is already pretty low in terms of resource consumption and more suitable for older computers than newer compression types like AVC, HEVC

What are your computer specs and GPU specs? You pretty much need at least a dual core for smooth 1080 playback from CPU decoding. If you have a compatible GPU, you might be able to get some GPU decoding working on some types of compression like MPEG2 maybe even AVC if your GPU is newer than your computer

[Bernix]

I think, you can try Tune -> fast decoding in Xmedia Recode, but I dont believe too much it will help. At least bit.

In Xvid you can try check turbo
But as mentioned by poisondeathray, MPEG2 could be best way.

BTW what videoplayer are you using ? Maybe there is some lightweight player.

Bernix

[Hoser Rob]

Well, you haven't actually said what your hardware is in this thread or in the other related threads you posted in that I looked at. But I strongly suspect your hardware just can't handle HD video.

I think finding a lighter player may be a good idea but all the good really light ones I know of are Linux programs. SMPlayer is available for Windows and it has very good performance. But while another player is worth trying I doubt it'd really work on old hardware.

What you should probably be doing IMO is downsampling the resolution when you convert. If it's 1080p or 720p and 16:9 aspect ratio I'd resize it to 720 x 400 pixels.

If you divide 720 by 1.777778 you actually get 404 pixels but it's better if the dimensions are evenly divisible by 16 ... all this is basically matrix processing.

[theewizard]

IMO
Your best option is to buy a low cost media player and a flash memory stick aka thumb drive
Just transfer the video to the flash memory and plug into th media player
And watch on your TV
No conversion needed
Media players have multiple video output a/v , composite, even hdmi
A $40 media player and a $10 memory stick
Would solve the problem completely

[Bernix]

There is Mplayer availaible for windows. Only problem is, it is cli, but drag drop video on Mplayer icon works well

[pdun459]

Speaking in terms of this thread, I haven't given my hardware profile because frankly I don't know what it is. It's a Dell Dimension 2400 desktop that was purchased around 2004 and it has all its original equipment. Secondly, I don't really see how it's relevant. My hardware plays 720p that has been converted with XMedia Recode, so why not 1080p?

I'm not an expert in these matters by any means and I'm confused mainly over this point: Doesn't re-encoding change HD to standard definition? If it can change 720p to standard definition so it can be played on older hardware, why can't it do the same thing with 1080p? Or maybe I'm just completely in the dark about the whole thing.

[Bernix]

It keeps the resolution and you have to change it. Apparently it can play avi 1280x720, but it cant handle 1920x1080. You have to change output resolution to 1280x720 then. In Filters/preview, or my translation is bad

Bernix

[pdun459]

Thank you Bernix. I'll try that and report back if it works.

[Bernix]

I bet it will be o.k. it is about 2,5 lesser than 1080p
good luck

[smrpix]

Your system came standard with a Pentium 4 and onboard graphics (and no slot to upgrade to a graphics card according to CNET.) You're underpowered.

[pdun459]

Well I tried one and this time it works. I don't think it was the resolution, I always use the XVid Home Profile & Level setting in the Video tab and it locks the resolution at 576x720. But I noticed I always use Keep Original for Framerate and I think that's what was doing it. I changed it to 23.976 and the output file plays smoothly. I believe I've got a much better understanding now of how it all works. Thank you thank you!