CPU Utilization w/ HD Content: New CPU Needed?

[geogecko]

When I view HD files on my AMD 64 3000+ system, I get some stuttering in the video. I had thought, that it was probably my 6600GT (outputting 1080p), but this morning, I played an HD clip, and brought up task manager to look at CPU usage.

Well, the results were that the CPU was pegged the entire time the clip was running, from 90% up to as high (maybe higher) as 97%, so I'm thinking the problem is CPU power.

So, I'm looking around at possibilities for a CPU upgrade, but, had a question.

Basically, SageTV runs as a single task, or thread, am I right? So, if I were to buy a dual core processor at the same core speed (1.8GHz), I'd be stuck in the same boat, right?

So basically, I would need to look at a faster single core, or a dual core that has a faster core speed than 1.8GHz, right?

The dual cores get pretty expensive after about 1.8GHz, but I think I could afford a single core at 2.4GHz (4000+), or maybe 2.6GHz.

Oh, what's this all about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/AMD-ATHLON-64-Pr...QQcmdZViewItem

That's about $366 (including shipping), in USD. That's like half of what it's going for at Newegg. The guy has nearly perfect feedback, with 1 negative out of hundreds of feedback? Could these be counterfeit AMD chips (re-marked)?

[stanger89]

What decoder are you using? I see nothing like that on my similar, but slightly faster systems.

[geogecko]

Latest nvDVD or nVidia, whatever it's called.

I'm using VMR9 without FSE, but I've tried Overlay with and without FSE, and VMR9 with FSE, and it doesn't seem to make a difference. The color rendition in Overlay is horrible too (but because I probably calibrated my LCD when in VMR9).

I'm also running service mode, if that makes a difference. And Java 1.5.0_06.

[geogecko]

When I play an SD file, I see max CPU usage only go up to about 24%, but it's typically below that, around 18%.

Only when I play WMV HD files or recorded HD content, do I see the maxed out CPU.

[stefano540]

Don't buy that processor on eBay!!! AMD is lowering prices across the board on July 24, so look at this : http://www.dailytech.com/article.asp...hardware.co.uk

Stefano

[geogecko]

Thanks for pointing that out.

Well, now I'm not sure. Playing the Microsoft Step Into Liquid WMV HD file, I'm maxed out at 100% CPU. When I play a recorded HD file, I'm between 30 and 40% CPU.

So could it be that the 6600GT just can't handle HD content on a 1080p display?

[stanger89]

Something's not right, are you sure hardware accelleration is enabled? I get about 20-30% usage playing 1080i on my 6600GT.

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Something's not right, are you sure hardware accelleration is enabled? I get about 20-30% usage playing 1080i on my 6600GT.

What is your resolution set at?

3D accelleration is enabled.

These are my video settings:
Video Renderer: VMR9
MPEG2 Video Decoder Filter: NVIDIA Video Decoder
DXVA MPEG Mode: Default
DXVA Deinterlacing: Default
DScaler Deinterlacing Filter: Disabled

Should any of those be changed?

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by stefano540

Don't buy that processor on eBay!!! AMD is lowering prices across the board on July 24, so look at this : http://www.dailytech.com/article.asp...hardware.co.uk

Stefano

I had e-mailed the person on eBay, and the reason for the lower price, is the price cuts on Monday. Not sure why he can already sell them at that price, but that is what he stated...

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by geogecko

What is your resolution set at?

3D accelleration is enabled.

These are my video settings:
Video Renderer: VMR9
MPEG2 Video Decoder Filter: NVIDIA Video Decoder
DXVA MPEG Mode: Default
DXVA Deinterlacing: Default
DScaler Deinterlacing Filter: Disabled

Should any of those be changed?

Hardware accelleration (in the decoder), not 3D accelleration in Sage. I was running on my 1280x1024 LCD at the time/

[geogecko]

Probably been asked a thousand times, but how do I get to the settings?

[stanger89]

Probably easiest to play a sage recording in WMP and open them from the tray icon.

[geogecko]

Yep, just did that, and it is checked, Hardware Acceleration.

Funny thing though, playing that WMV HD file, the icon (nvidia) did not show on the system tray... I'll have to try an HD recording at some point, but I don't have one right now.

Do you have the option of running at 1080p? I'm interested if it's the display resolution that is causing the problem. When I had my SDTV, I could play any HD recording without issues. I guess one thing to try, would be to lower my output resolution, and see if that fixes the problems.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by geogecko

Yep, just did that, and it is checked, Hardware Acceleration.

Funny thing though, playing that WMV HD file, the icon (nvidia) did not show on the system tray... I'll have to try an HD recording at some point, but I don't have one right now.

It wouldn't with a WMV-HD file, those are WM9 encodings, the nVidia decoder is form MPEG-2

Do you have the option of running at 1080p?

Don't have anything that will accept that.

[geogecko]

So what would be used in the case of an HD show, recorded by SageTV? I assume that the file is really a TS file with an MPEG wrapper of some sorts?

[stanger89]

OTA HD is always MPEG-2

[heffe2001]

I'd say the main reason you get such poor performace with WMV-HD recordings is, it's not supported by Hardware accelleration? Everything is being done in CPU, with nothing being off-loaded onto the video card hardware.

I for some reason seem to recall that the newer generation cards will be doing WMV acceleration in the near future? Can't remember at the moment, brain's too fuzy .

Just looked, and looks like last year microsoft came out with an update that allows WMV-HD to play back with acceleration, but looks like it's only in Media Player. Here's a link to the release, see if you have it installed, and if not, if it helps you out any on CPU usage:

http://www.support.microsoft.com/def...b;en-us;888656

[geogecko]

I'm not really that concerned with WMV files, I was mearly using those to test, but now I see that wasn't such a bright idea.

My problem is, I would really like to make sure that buying a 7600GT would fix the issue [Sage recordings].

Problem is, I don't really know if there is an application out there that can tell you GPU loading? Anyone know? If I could tell that the GPU was being loaded up to 90% or more, then I'd feel pretty comfortable that all I need is a more powerful GPU.

[Humanzee]

geogecko,
I responded in my other thread about the 3200+ cpu. I really think its a combination of GPU and CPU. A 6600GT at 1920x1080 just falls short in vmr9. It works pretty smooth for me overclocked but only in overlay. My understanding is that what the GPU can't do falls back on the CPU. My 3200+ was getting pegged, so its not suprising that your 3000+ is too.

I would have already upgraded to a 7600GT but I am stuck with AGP so its not an option. Even if it was available, it would be a hard sell to purchase in AGP. Next step for me is to build a whole new machine. I'd say get the 7600 and try it, if it doesn't work you could return it or keep it and have a good card for a client machine or a gaming machine.

If you do get one, be sure to let us know if the 7600gt works for you. I have a media center friend who likes his 7600gs at 1080p, but I don't know if it is using directx or overlay.