What are good MPEG2 Video Decoders to use?

[DSSavant]

Currently using SageTV with a non-HD TV.

When I use the default SageTV video decoder, I get a lot of vertical line artifacts in the video.

When I use my five year old CyberLink video decoder, I get a lot of artifacts in people's faces as they move; kind of like the skin moves a split second after the head moves.

When I use my Hauppauge video decode that came with my PVR150, faces look great but I still get some vertical like "jumping" like in the SageTV decoder.

I record my shows at DVD quality or higher. I do not care about compression or converting the recording to AVI or ... Once I watch the show, I delete it.

Question, what is a good, high quality decoder to use?

[Fuzzy]

I'd stick with the Sage decoder, and try enabling the Dscaler options.

[SWKerr]

Have you upgraded you video driver lately.

What are your system specs?

[sunray]

If you are running Windows XP the NVidia PureVideo decoders are generally considered the best. NVidia used to sell them separately but I don't think they do that any longer. But you can still get them by purchasing the DVD player program Theatertek (TT) which is still available. Once you install TT you can access the decoders in Sage. That's what I do. I don't believe TT or the decoders work under Vista or Win 7.

[rv73]

I swear by the Nvidia Purevideo decoder.
Tried all the others, and next closest was PowerDVD's, but it had an issue with resuming playback when you pause a DVD, stop it, exit and go to replay it.

[Fuzzy]

the problem with the Nvidia decoders is that they are actually quite dated. They don't really take full advantage of some of the newer GPU's. The newer Cyberlink decoders (9 series) are VERY good, and seem to be extremely stable.

[MitchSchaft]

I still use nvidia's purevideo. I'm switchin to Win7 soon, so that will change. I'll then use TMT or Cyberlink.

[MitchSchaft]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I'd stick with the Sage decoder, and try enabling the Dscaler options.

Isn't that decoder all software? It doesn't take advantage of your video card at all .

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by MitchSchaft

Isn't that decoder all software? It doesn't take advantage of your video card at all .

Nope. Choose the SageTV decoder and you get the option to have it use DXVA. ANd you can also enable dscaler options for more deinterlacing options.

Gerry

[MitchSchaft]

I should try that out instead of the pure platinum then.

[DSSavant]

After I posted this thread, I found a few other threads regarding decoders. Many people like the CyberLink and many swear by Sage.

My CyberLink is old but does fabulous with regard to vertical edges panning across the screen. The only problem deals with the people's faces moving after their body does. Very creapy.

I dorked around with Sage and found it works well in all situations except the vertical edges. It is almost as if it "jumps" using some of the deinterlacing options.

Question: What are the best deinterlacing options to use?

Currently I have:
- VMR9 renderer
- Sage TV Decoder
- DXVA (hardware acceleration)
- DScaler Deinterlacer enabled
--- Weave technique
--- Double Refresh Rate
--- Odd Field First

Honestly, I have no clue what half of these do. I will be Googling them later to learn more about them and how they apply.

Here is other information that I'm sure may apply:

Sage 6.6.2.218
Java 1.6.0.15
ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT, Drivers (8.650.0.0 - 8/13/09)
XP Pro SP3

[Fuzzy]

Using Weave is fine for SOME media, but the problem is it isnt' good for all media. I think Blended Clipping is probably the best fit for all, but i think it's the most processor intensive of the in-sage options. When i use the Sage+Dscaler options, i seem to get the best all around results with blended clipping, and double refresh turned off.

[blueroom]

Originally Posted by DSSavant

- DXVA (hardware acceleration)
XP Pro SP3

I was under the impression that DXVA on XP SP3 will not do hardware acceleration. This is only available in Vista or Win7

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by blueroom

I was under the impression that DXVA on XP SP3 will not do hardware acceleration. This is only available in Vista or Win7

DXVA2 on XP will not do hardware acceleration.

Gerry

[blueroom]

Which leads me to ask, can Sage use DXVA2 ?
Since Windows 7 came out Vista Home Basic goes for cheap.

[Fuzzy]

DXVA2 is technically supported in DirectShow AND Media Foundation on Vista and Win7. (Only when using the EVR). I'm not to sure on codec availability, or if the way sage manually creates graphs would work (might work with Default, therefore auto graph generation).

Use DXVAChecker to determine if you have the required video drivers and/or codecs. Load it up, and choose a file. It will tell you your capabilities.