NVDVD Codec

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by sting7777

VPP make a noticeable difference? I am buying my activation key now for the latest greatest. Also - do the newer nvidia decoders still suck at the audio part? thanks for the help/info

It probably does if you're running in software mode, it would be especially usefull for those with ATI cards. For nVidia cards (5 or 6 series) it's more iffy since the nVidia card's DXVA implimentation offers the same thing as VPP.

As for audio, I don't know, it's impossible to use it for MPEG audio in Sage until nVidia unlocks MPEG Audio decoding.

[sting7777]

Originally Posted by stanger89

It probably does if you're running in software mode, it would be especially usefull for those with ATI cards. For nVidia cards (5 or 6 series) it's more iffy since the nVidia card's DXVA implimentation offers the same thing as VPP.

As for audio, I don't know, it's impossible to use it for MPEG audio in Sage until nVidia unlocks MPEG Audio decoding.

cool - so since i have a radeon 9600 in my HTPC - i shoudl select Nvidia VPP as my decoder? Any other setttings I should be aware of?

thanks again

[stanger89]

Well, you'll have to experiment to see what you like best. But suggestion would be to select nVidia Video Post Processor as the decoder in Sage, play something, and then go to the decoder properties (via the nV tray icon) and set "Deinterlace Control" to Smart.

[Pumpkinhead]

The nDVD codec given above works for me. The video quality with overlay looks good through my ATI9500 component adaptor with overlay (primary display), but it doesn't fill the screen horizontally on the left and right. The control panel in the tray crashes when I try to open the decoder properties and crashes Sage also. Sometimes the nDVD decoder fills screen horizontally but is squashed vertically. These aspect ratio problems never occur with ravesient, cyberlink, or cyberlink-ati. My Elecard, Ligos, and Nero decoders aren't showing in the Sage options. My old intervidea has the same problem. I'm unable to install the Hauppauge nonCCS intervideo decoder - crashes with both old and new version.

[kny3twalker]

set the decoder to default and then you should be able to access the task bar icon

nvidia decoder should be default

and when you access the icon change the aspect ratio in it

[Pumpkinhead]

Thanks. The nVDVD decoder was already default. I was able to change the aspect ratio to anamorphic/raw using Windows Media Player properties>advanced, and now it works in Sage correctly using overlay. (VMR9 was already ok, but the overlay was giving a better picture with my current settings.) I still can't use the system tray icon when using Sage, but looks like that doesn't matter now.

[stanger89]

I think what kny meant was select "Default" as the decoder in Sage, which will use nVDVD (because it's default).

[buck1952]

Since upgrading to 2.1, while watching live TV if I open up the NVIDIA DVD Decoder Version: 1.00.58 tray icon Sage will crash.

I had no problems opening up the tray icon with Sage version 2.0.

This is the error I get.
=============
AppName: sagetv.exe AppVer: 2.0.0.1 ModName: nvviddec.ax
ModVer: 4.0.58.0 Offset: 0000c2c5
=============

As Pumpkinhead mentioned NVDVD tray icon can still be opened in Windows Media Player.

[Rob]

I'm having the same trouble. I bought Theatertek 2.0 a few weeks ago and the Nvdvd codec worked fine in sage until today. Now it cannot connect to the video stream. I've switched back to sonic and it works, but the PQ is not nearly as good.

Someone mentioned activation or a trial expiring. I really do not want to pay for the NVDVD a second time.... Anyone know how I can get it working again? How can I activate the legal copy I own.....

By the way, the one issue I had when NVDVD was working with sage is that sage would revert to 4:3 aspect ratio whenever a commecial comes on (I have it set to fill screen for a 16:9 display). Sonic has never had this problem. I'm wondering if the problem is with the decoder or with Sage.

[Cayars]

Besides the DVD issue, are you guys finding this to work better then the stuff Intervideo stuff that comes with the Hauppauge boards?

Personally, I've always found the Intervideo codec that comes with WinDVD to give me the clearest/best picture at relatively low CPU cycles.

[sting7777]

Originally Posted by Cayars

Besides the DVD issue, are you guys finding this to work better then the stuff Intervideo stuff that comes with the Hauppauge boards?

Personally, I've always found the Intervideo codec that comes with WinDVD to give me the clearest/best picture at relatively low CPU cycles.

Sonic 1.5 with hardware DXVA VMR9 and set to weave deinterlacing looks way better than the Hauppauge stuff - on par with NVDVD - but the NVDVD decoders were unstable on my system... and sonic has very low CPU usage

[Rob]

Well a reboot and and an upgrade to 2.1 and now it connects to nvdvd again.

I've used sonic for the last year, but the biggest difference to me is that nvdvd has smoother motion (especially pans). It also seems sharper on still pictures, so I'm happier all the way around.

The only trouble I'm having is the aspect ratio thing. Now that I've upgraded to 2.1, it does not fill the 16:9 display the way it does when using sonic (same aspect ratio settings (fill, horizontal stretch 107%, vertical stretch 107%). With 2.0, it would fill the screen most of the time and then "pop" out of full screen during commercials. Then after returning to the show for a minute or so, it would "pop" back to full screen. I'm hoping that sage just has not worked out everthing relative to the nvdvd decorer.

[stanger89]

In the nVidia control pannel, set the AR to Anamorphic/raw (I think)

[Pumpkinhead]

Anamorphic/raw worked for me as I mentioned a few posts back for outputting from ATI9500 Pro component adaptor to HDTV 480p 4X3 from cable recordings using NVDVD to fill the screen horizontally. If I want to watch 16:9, I just hit "full" or "just" on my TV, and Sage doesn't know any different. I prefer to keep it 4x3 - don't like that stretched look.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Pumpkinhead

Anamorphic/raw worked for me as I mentioned a few posts back for outputting from ATI9500 Pro component adaptor to HDTV 480p 4X3 from cable recordings using NVDVD to fill the screen horizontally.

-edit, actually I was replying to Rob. but FYI anyway

So you're running 720x480, right?

What I would do is use the internal Sage ARs. You're probably having trouble with source because Sage thinks you have a 1.5:1 TV, when it sounds like you have a widescreen (1.78:1). Try this:

Set up the AR's in Sage this way (you'll probably need to tweak them):
Fill (for anamorphic content), leave at default or adjust to your taste.
4x3 (for normal content) set it to about 85% horizontal stretch
16x9 (for letterbox content) set it to about 120% vertical zoom

Then just switch ARs in Sage.

Of course I'd run 1080i (probably 1776x1000i) to your TV and then you could probably just use source.

[Pumpkinhead]

Thanks. I knew you were talking to Bob, was just adding that changing to that setting resolved the horizontal stretch issue for me.

Right, 720x480 to a widescreen HDTV. Yeh, I'll have to experiment with those settings. But ever since I disconnected the s-video and switched to component, it looks as good as watching TV right off the cable. And it's filling the screen very well now.

[Rob]

Thanks for the help. I'm trying to make the change to anamorphic/raw and can't access the nVidia control panel.

I changed the registry so the tray icon is not disabled, but whenever I try to access it I get the message from microsoft about sending a trouble report. After responding to the message, sage closes. So, I never get a chance to change the setting. I tried doing it with Theatertek, but the tray icon is not available while running TT (TT actually changes the registry back to disabled).

I know I accessed the control panel while running sage with version 2.0. But can't with version 2.1. I've tried while video is actually playing and I've tried starting the video and then returning to the sage menu before trying to access the nVidia tray control panel. Both cause the sage crash.

Any ideas how I can get around this?

[Rob]

Thanks again for the help. I used windows media player to start a video and the nVidea control panel loaded and I was able to make the change. Works great.

By the way I agree it looks better without the stretch, but I've got an RPTV and my kids watch it all the time. I need the stretch to prevent the burn in.

By the way, one of the next items on the list is to setup the 1080i as Stranger suggested. Thanks again.

[doox00]

Originally Posted by Rob

Thanks for the help. I'm trying to make the change to anamorphic/raw and can't access the nVidia control panel.

I changed the registry so the tray icon is not disabled, but whenever I try to access it I get the message from microsoft about sending a trouble report. After responding to the message, sage closes. So, I never get a chance to change the setting. I tried doing it with Theatertek, but the tray icon is not available while running TT (TT actually changes the registry back to disabled).

I know I accessed the control panel while running sage with version 2.0. But can't with version 2.1. I've tried while video is actually playing and I've tried starting the video and then returning to the sage menu before trying to access the nVidia tray control panel. Both cause the sage crash.

Any ideas how I can get around this?

I have the same problem in sage 2.1, so I just open windows media player.. (close sage) and then go into the properties and make the changes, no crashes then.

ohh nm, you already did that

[buck1952]

I submitted a Support Request to Fry last weekend about opening the NVIDIA DVD Decoder Version: 1.00.58 tray icon crashing Sage.

They responded in less than 24 hours. I was impressed.
They suggested reinstalling NVDVD, I had already done that and it didn’t help.

I just sent support my Dr.Watson error log file, we’ll see what happens.
I will post any real solution.

Mike