Explain 3D accelaration option in SageTV?

[steingra]

I was wondering if someone can explain what the main purpose of the 3D accelaration option is to be used for in Sage? Is it used in relation to the GUI of sageTV, or is related to something else? I dont understand what its purpose is, and how I can benefit from it.

ALso, it seems like it might be dependant upon having a specific kind of video card/chipset on the HTPC?

Thanks

[Opus4]

The 3D Acceleration option tells SageTV whether to use DirectX for drawing its UI. Also, if you have 3D Acceleration enabled, you can then choose to use VMR9 for video rendering if you wish, since that is part of DirectX. Some peope prefer overlay; some prefer VMR9.

With VMR9, SageTV can use a semi-transparent UI on top of any video that is playing. With overlay, there is a way to do pseudo-transparency over the video, but it is not true transparency using alpha-blending.

I'm probably skipping a lot in this comparison, so maybe others will add more.

- Andy

[lotusvball]

I tried to get 3D acceleration working with VMR9, but I kept getting stuttering. I am now using overlay with the transparency selected and it works great. I did not see a diference between 3D and VMR9 and overlay with respect to the transparency. Am I missing something?

[Narflex]

On interlaced displays the different between pseudo-transparency in Overlay and true VMR9 blending is not really noticable at all. So you're not missing anything.

[lotusvball]

So what you are saying is when I finally go to a HiDef TV I will notice the difference but for now It doesn't matter. By the way GREAT JOB on v4.0.

[steingra]

Originally Posted by Opus4

The 3D Acceleration option tells SageTV whether to use DirectX for drawing its UI.

So what is it using otherwise? If its not enabled? Is there a speed increase, less CPU usage? Just wondering what some of the other implications are to using it.

And I suppose you have to have everything enabled on the video card (like if you look in the Direct X testing program that is in the Windows Directory. I think there are 3 buttons that show if all that *stuff* is enabled or not.

Originally Posted by Opus4

Also, if you have 3D Acceleration enabled, you can then choose to use VMR9 for video rendering if you wish, since that is part of DirectX. Some peope prefer overlay; some prefer VMR9.

With VMR9, SageTV can use a semi-transparent UI on top of any video that is playing. With overlay, there is a way to do pseudo-transparency over the video, but it is not true transparency using alpha-blending.

So is it just matter of preference as to which one a person might choose to use? (Im assuming the said PC would support both)

Is there an easy way to tell if my system will support these features (besides just trying it of course

[RedCoat999]

I always thought (wrongly) that it was to do with the hardware acceleration of the video and had it enabled since I thought it may help with my very slow system (see sig). But turning this option off, helped speed things up for me!

[nielm]

Originally Posted by steingra

So what is it using otherwise? If its not enabled?

Java's internal drawing functions

Originally Posted by steingra

Is there a speed increase, less CPU usage?

yes, and better anti-aliasing (look at the edges of fonts and curves while toggling it) -- but only if your graphics card supports it, otherwise it may be slower...

A disadvantage of 3d accelleration when using Overlay rendere, is that you cannot use the semi-transparent blending effect (overlay color keying=on)

[Lodaka]

The other thing that at least I noticed was that Closed Captioning is available only when 3D is enabled.

[steingra]

Originally Posted by nielm

A disadvantage of 3d accelleration when using Overlay rendere, is that you cannot use the semi-transparent blending effect (overlay color keying=on)

What exactly is that, or what does the effect look like? I havent seen it yet because I dont think I have a suitable setup (yet) to enable it, but I am curious what it is supposed to look like.

Do you think the effect looks better than without it?