high cpu usage while Sage is running - normal?

metropole · #1 10-05-2003, 06:09 PM

I noticed that the CPU usage goes is around 50% when SageTV is running. I'm using a PVR350 in a 1.7GHz P4 machine.
Looking at the processors it looks like Sage is taking around 35%.
Is this normal with a hardware encoder/decoder card?

mlbdude · #2 10-05-2003, 06:56 PM

It is normal for a hardware encoder setup but not sure about decoder. Are you sure you are using the 350's decoder for video output?

fidget · #3 10-05-2003, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mlbdude
Are you sure you are using the 350's decoder for video output?

Also, do you have the software decoder disabled? With my Athlon 2500+, I get between 25 and 35% CPU loading using the software decoder. With my EPIA system (1 GHz C3 processor), I get about 15-25% CPU loading with hardware decoding enabled and software loading disabled. Software decoding on the EPIA system is about 70% loading.

metropole · #4 10-05-2003, 09:22 PM

I'm actually using the TV out of the 350.
How can I check if I use hardware or software decoding?

fidget · #5 10-05-2003, 09:40 PM

You get software decoding automatically and it can be disabled in the Sage.properties file. Look for the line

videoframe/disable_sw_decoding=

and it should be set to false. Setting it to true will disable the software decoding. You can still see the on screen displays, you just won't be able to see any programs.

metropole · #6 10-05-2003, 11:10 PM

It is set to false.

turak · #7 10-06-2003, 12:50 AM

While watching "live tv" my cpu usage is usually between 10% and 15%. I'm using the cyberlink power dvd 5 decoders with hardware decoding. Hardware:

AMD 2700+ (running at 12x200)
PVR-250
Creative DVCR (hate this card)
sagetv dedicated 120gb Seagate baracuda 7200rpm SATA
60 gb Seagate baracuda system drive (using SATA converter)
2x512mb Corsiar XMS 3200 CL2
Abit NF7-S mobo (nforce2)
Gainward GF4 Ti4600
H20 Cooled CPU, Northbridge and Video card

mlbdude · #8 10-06-2003, 06:12 AM

You are actually not using hardware decoding. Just hardware assist. I am doing the same with my Radeon and get below 10% when using the Intervideo filters.

I would think that a true hardware decoder like the 350 should be less than that.

metropole · #9 10-06-2003, 06:17 AM

How can I switch it to use the hardware support?

fidget · #10 10-06-2003, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by metropole
How can I switch it to use the hardware support?

Narflex posted that information here. I have enabled it on my GeForceFX 5200 and it did make a difference. I was having some picture quality issues so turned it off. I have also discovered that I get better performance by using Overlay rather than VMR (25-30% vs. 70-80% CPU). But I am just a sample size of one.

mlbdude · #11 10-06-2003, 07:00 AM

I was referring to turak's post sorry. It sounds like you have everything enabled for the 350 propertly.

I also agree with fidget about the image quality going down with the Intervideo filters and hardware assist enabled. I usually go with a different filter and just take the 40% CPU usage during playback. I don't usually do anything else while watching a show anyway.

mikejaner · #12 10-07-2003, 04:41 PM

Quick question

New pvr 350
Turned off messenger service
When I turn off the software decoding in the sage.properties file I lose audio

Any quick answers?

NEVERMIND:::
It helps when you conect the decoder card's audio outputs to the tv. LOL

mikejaner

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