Problem Selecting H.264 Decoder in Sage

[Evil_Attorney]

Is there any way to determine which H.264 decoder Sage is using?

I recently picked up an HD-PVR and am having audio sync troubles. So, I wanted to try different decoders to see if that helped. Originally, I set my Sage client properties to include videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=ArcSoft Video Decoder . This uses about 50-60% CPU on my 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo processor with a GeForce 8500G and Vista Ultimate.

Next, I set the Sage client properties to videoframe/h264_video_decoder_filter=CyberLink H.264/AVC Decoder (PDVD8). However, I still get about 50-60% CPU usage, audio sync issues and no viewable picture difference.

Finally, I played back an HD-PVR encoded file in Cyberlink 8 and it played with about 15-20% CPU usage with a slightly better looking picture.

Additionally, I tried changing the Sage client properties to use a different AC3 decoder (cyberlink, arcsoft, etc.) but AC3filter is apparently used every time (icon shows up in taskbar).

Hence, I suspect Sage is ignoring the decoders, both audio and video for H.264. Am I missing something?

[Evil_Attorney]

It donned on me that I could confirm what decoder was being used by enabling debug logging. After doing that, I confirmed that Sage was using the h.264 decoder I specified.

So I tried changing the hardware acceleration settings on both Cyberlink 8 and Arcsoft, but there was no difference in CPU usage (both around 50-60%). However there was a difference when playing in Cyberlink 8.

So, the real question is has anyone been able to get h264 acceleration working through Sage?

[jphhughes]

There is a hardware acceleration setting in the Arcsoft software under the video play selection. Select the icon for setting the video and check Enable hardware acceleration. See if that helps.

[Evil_Attorney]

Yup, I tried checking that. No difference between checked and unchecked. Does anyone else see a difference between checked and uncheck HW acceleration in either Arcsoft or Cyberlink? What kind of CPU usage are you typically getting?

[Taddeusz]

I don't think you'll get H.264 hardware acceleration in Vista until the next version of SageTV. Rumor has it that EVR support will be added and that the beta for 6.5 will be beginning very soon.

[Evil_Attorney]

Thanks for the info. I'll stop tweaking and wait for the new beta.

[Beefcake550]

just to confirm....

HA doesn't work in SageTV due to lack of EVR support under Vista. My understanding is that using VRM9 udner WinXP will allow for hardware acceleration in H.264

-Brian

[Evil_Attorney]

Damn you Vista!!! Thanks for that info. I am now eagerly anticipating the next Sage beta.

[jimwhite]

It donned on me

What has happened to the English language? It's "It DAWNED on me..."

[Jesse]

Hi,

The new beta with EVR support is out. The bad news is that there is still no DXVA when using EVR/Vista.

Jesse