New 2600Pro having stuttering issues in SageTV but not WMP

[m1abrams]

Ok so I installed an Sapphire AGP 2600 Pro. I made sure to use the latest Sapphire provided drivers since the ATI ones have issues with the AGP cards.

SageTV though has issues playing back HD video now, it stutters very badly even though when I look at the CPU load it is only about 15-20%.

The least amount of stuttering occurs when using the Nvidia Pure decoder. If I try to use the ATI video decoder it is a slide show. Interesting thing I noticed while playing with th decoders. If I set it to default it uses Nvidia and I get the NV tray icon, If I set it to Nvidia decoder I get no tray icon however the output remains the same. If I set it to Nvidia Post Processing (why do I have the option) I get the tray icon, however the output is very bad with an odd output almost like the video is slightly ghosted with a purple haze.

Now if I play back the exact same video file using Windows Media Player and Nvidia decoder it plays back beautifully.

Any ideas?

Note: I was able to play back HD content before with my ATI 9600XT with only very slight stutters on occasions, upgraded to reduce CPU load and to maybe get an HD optical drive.

[Ender]

A few things to ask.

What OS are you using? How about Chipset/CPU. My old nforce 3 motherboard had issues with my 2600 pro, but my new set up works well.

I am currently using an Intel E2180 processor on an Asrock 4CoreDual Sata-2 motherboard.

For video drivers I am using the Visiontek 8.43 drivers, Windows XP, and for Decoders I am using Power DVD 7.

Other than a little tearing issue when not in FSE mode, everything is great.

I tried Vista for about two hours, decided the drivers were not ready for prime time, was getting an atikmag error every few minutes, while viewing video.

[m1abrams]

Originally Posted by Ender

A few things to ask.

What OS are you using? How about Chipset/CPU. My old nforce 3 motherboard had issues with my 2600 pro, but my new set up works well.

I am currently using an Intel E2180 processor on an Asrock 4CoreDual Sata-2 motherboard.

For video drivers I am using the Visiontek 8.43 drivers, Windows XP, and for Decoders I am using Power DVD 7.

Other than a little tearing issue when not in FSE mode, everything is great.

I tried Vista for about two hours, decided the drivers were not ready for prime time, was getting an atikmag error every few minutes, while viewing video.

OS: XP Pro 32bit
CPU: Athlon X2 3800+
Chipset: VIA K8T800Pro

I may give PowerDVD a try today, does PowerDVD support VMR9? I seem to remember older ones not.

[kevine]

Yes, it does support VMR9.

Have you tried the tweaks in the AVSForum? Located here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2121

This thread has tweaks for the 2400/2600 cards. They helped me out. After I installed them I have no problems with the Sage decoder. That was before 6.3.1 when it supported DXVA. Now, my CPU is below 10% and no stutter.

[m1abrams]

Originally Posted by kevine

Yes, it does support VMR9.

Have you tried the tweaks in the AVSForum? Located here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showp...postcount=2121

This thread has tweaks for the 2400/2600 cards. They helped me out. After I installed them I have no problems with the Sage decoder. That was before 6.3.1 when it supported DXVA. Now, my CPU is below 10% and no stutter.

No I have not tried that reg tweak yet. Was about to post asking if anyone here has tried it. Are you running with VMR9 or overlay. In overlay I have no issues.

[kevine]

VMR9, Sage Decoder, AC3Filter, 3d acceleration, FSE=No

I have no problems with FSE either setting.

Hardware listed in sig.

I do have a problem with PowerDVD. I get stuttering.

If you would like me to try Overlay, I will.

[HawgGuy]

What is the source of your HD? Cable, OTA or Satellite?

[m1abrams]

Source is Cable via HDHR.

I tried the reg tweaks and that improved it to almost watchable with VMR9, however it still stutters enough that it would give me a headache. With Overlay it is just fine. Same result with or without FSE.

Note: this is with PowerDVD or with Purevideo, have not tried the Sage ones.

May just accept using Overlay only. Besides semi-transparent graphics what else is lost with Overlay?

[kevine]

Originally Posted by m1abrams

Besides semi-transparent graphics what else is lost with Overlay?

I have been told you may looks some deep colors and sharpness but I do not have an eye that can tell that difference and I have tried. Stick with Overlay but I would also try the Sage decoders.

[HawgGuy]

Originally Posted by m1abrams

Source is Cable via HDHR.

I tried the reg tweaks and that improved it to almost watchable with VMR9,

Which reg tweaks, the ones for the ATI card or the ones for SageTV? Specifically, have you tried increasing Mpeg Demux buffers from 40 to 80?

[m1abrams]

Originally Posted by HawgGuy

Which reg tweaks, the ones for the ATI card or the ones for SageTV? Specifically, have you tried increasing Mpeg Demux buffers from 40 to 80?

The ATI ones, I have not tried the Mpeg Demux buffer. Will try that.

[m1abrams]

Changed the Demux buffer to 80 and that seems to help out the VMR9 alot. However I have only tested against 720p so far, need to check 1080i content.

Still think some of the issues stem from bad drivers. Maybe ATI still needs to release a better driver.