New NVDVD is out...kinda

[stanger89]

Yeah, the problem with the software filter is that in the event that the content isn't film (which is pretty common with recoridngs) it has to fall back to simple bob or weave deinterlacing in software (neither of which are very good for video), where with the hardware vpp, when it falls back to video, you get Pixel Adaptive deinterlacing, which is very good.

[briands]

Originally Posted by mlbdude

The VPP is really for film content (DVD's). Using the decoder with DXVA will generally alwasy be better for video content (TV recordings).

Isn't most prime time TV shot on film (24fps)?

[stanger89]

Yeah, if you watch via Dscaler or the new decoders, both of which can detect poorly or non-flagged film, you'll see that quite a lot of what's on TV is actually film content.

[geogecko]

I just bought a package from pcalchemy, that included the NVDVD decoder. It came with version 1.00.58. Is there a way to upgrade to the latest version, or am I stuck with this?

Secondly, I had, I guess, a beta version before, being used with Sage, and it worked just fine. I uninstalled it, and installed the 1.00.58 version. Rebooted. Now, when I try and play a ripped DVD, it stops after the first 2-3 seconds of the movie, and just stays frozen. Any ideas here?

[Cayars]

Did you reboot after installing? Did you go back into Detailed Setup and choose the new decoder?

[geogecko]

Yep, did all that. I just got done uninstalling everything. Rebooted. Then I installed the latest version, 1.00.67 with my code from the .58 version, and that worked. I then went into Sage and made sure my detailed setup was the same as before (when everything worked) and it was. Video has the Nvidia Decoder and Audio is the SageTV Decoder.

Now, the video will play correctly with this version, but I get no audio?

I switch between SageTV audio decoder, and Nvidia audio decoder with no luck. I pull up the nVidia properties while playing a ripped DVD, and I see a bit rate in the audio, but no sound. Also, I did the "calibration" and could hear the test sound.

What's the difference between the nvidia video decoder and the nvidia post processor? The post processor is the one I'm not used to seeing.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by geogecko

I switch between SageTV audio decoder, and Nvidia audio decoder with no luck. I pull up the nVidia properties while playing a ripped DVD, and I see a bit rate in the audio, but no sound. Also, I did the "calibration" and could hear the test sound.

You need to set the decoder to S/PDIF output, go into (in the nVidia properties) Speaker Config, and select "a reciever" and then "via an S/PDIF cable". The decoders are locked to only S/PDIF output for DD/DTS.

What's the difference between the nvidia video decoder and the nvidia post processor? The post processor is the one I'm not used to seeing.

The Video Decoder is just that, the Post Processor is another filter that works in conjuction with the decoder:

Most PC decoders, actuall all other ones AFAIK, decide whether to use film or video mode based on flags in the MPEG stream. The new nVidia decoders (the ones you're using) have the capability of detecting film (24fps) and video (30fps) based on content. This is desireable since it is not unheard of for film content to be marked as video. This is one of the reasons PC MPEG decoders were not greatly respected in the HT world.

So with the nVidia decoders this feature is called "Smart" De-interlace control (set via the properties dialog). There are two ways to use it:
1) If you have a Geforce 5 or 6 series card, you can enable Smart control with Hardware Accelleration enabled (DXVA Mode) and the film detection is done in hardware on the GPU.
2) If you don't have one of the above cards, then you have to use the nVidia Video Post Processor filter to do the film detection in software mode.

Either way will work, but I'm rather fond of DXVA mode since it offers superb deinterlacing of video content that's not possible or not done in software mode AFIAK.

[geogecko]

So basically, you are saying that the new decoder will only work with the S/PDIF output cable? I'm currently using this on my PC, with only computer speakers hooked up, so that basically means I won't have sound until I actually setup my HTPC with the S/PDIF cable going to the receiver, right?

[stanger89]

With these decoders, yes. If you don't have any other DVD decoders, you may want to look at AC3Filter or Dscaler5, both are free, but neither support CSS.

[wazkaren]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but what is CSS?

[geogecko]

No, CSS is not a dumb question, I'd like to know as well.

Okay. I get the picture about these decoder. I just find it strange that previous versions, or beta version, worked the way you would think they should. If you select "computer speakers" it actually works, whereas now, none of that works, and the only thing that works is S/PDIF. It just seems like it's gone a step backward, instead of .67 being an official release. IMO, anyway.

Thanks for the help...

[buck1952]

CSS is DVD encryption scheme.
Here’s a brief explanation
HomeTheater Info, CSS encryption

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by geogecko

Okay. I get the picture about these decoder. I just find it strange that previous versions, or beta version, worked the way you would think they should. If you select "computer speakers" it actually works, whereas now, none of that works, and the only thing that works is S/PDIF. It just seems like it's gone a step backward, instead of .67 being an official release. IMO, anyway.

Here's the deal with the audio. The beta version was the 3.0 decoders. What happened, was it was decided that the 3.0 decoders would be OEM only, and that the new 4.0 decoders would be the ones that go to end users. However initially it appeared that due to Dolby licensing restrictions they would only be available bundled with stuff (like TheaterTek 2). Well when we were told that by the nV rep on AVS, a number of us (most probably) told him we'd rather have the decoder with S/PDIF only than no decoder at all.

Fortunately nVidia listened, and we have the decoder, but due to Dolby's restrictions, it's S/PDIF only. If you really want to be able to use the audio decoder for multichannel output, I suggest you request that Frey get Sage Dolby Certified so Sage will be allowed to use the full audio decoder.

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Fortunately nVidia listened, and we have the decoder, but due to Dolby's restrictions, it's S/PDIF only. If you really want to be able to use the audio decoder for multichannel output, I suggest you request that Frey get Sage Dolby Certified so Sage will be allowed to use the full audio decoder.

I understand now. However, what do you mean, if I want multichannel output?

Does that mean that the way the decoder is now, will only be stereo out, although it will be S/PDIF? If this is true, where do I start my soap box? This will not do, if I can't get my 5.1 surround sound from DVD's.

[stanger89]

No, if you want mulitchannel analog output, like to PC speakers, then it won't do that. It will pass DD/DTS in all their glory just fine, I've watched quite a few DVDs with them and my AVM-20 lights up Dolby Digital-5.1 or DTS just like it should. The decoders just won't decode them in non Dolby certified apps.

To expand a little, S/PDIF is genenerally not considered multichannel, since it can only transmit stereo or data. DD/DTS are transmitted as data and decoded by a processor, thus getting around the 2ch limitation of S/PDIF.

[geogecko]

So what you are saying, is that everything should be fine when I hook up to my receiver. I should be able to get DD and DTS in their 5.1 glory, as well as listening to my MP3 collection.

I see, about the S/PDIF. I'm glad they started putting this on motherboards to allow the application of HTPC's. Without a way to get digital audio to a receiver, it doesn't make for a very clean setup. Thank you for all your help.

[kerryp24]

geogecko
I also just purchased a bundle from PCAlchemy that included the 1.00.58 NVidia decoder.
Also, I currently am running the "trial" version of 1.00.67 (which expires in 20 days).
How did you use the code from 58 on 67?
Doesn't 67 ask for email address and credit card numbers?
Or does the "upgrade" from 58 to 67 handle the registration automatically?

Thanks in advance

[mikejaner]

Uninstall it, then reinstall, and it will ask for all the info you have for your 58 version. The upgrade is free, so they didn't change anything on the registration screens.

[kerryp24]

Mike
Did you use the "trial" version to do the upgrade?
Or is there another link somewhere to an upgrade version?

Thanks again

Kerry

SageTV 2.2.4b Server
Radeo 9200SE
AMD Athlon 2600+
512Mb DDR 400
Windows XP Pro
PVR-250MCE
PVR-150MCE
80GB C: Drive
120Gb D: Drive
DVD +-RW
CD R/RW
Snapstream
USB-UIRT

SageTV 2.1 HTPC Server
Radeo 9200SE
AMD Sempron 2200+
ABit VA-10 with 6-channel audio & S/PDIF
512Mb DDR 333
Windows XP Pro
PVR-150MCE
10GB C: Drive
80Gb D: Drive
DVD +-RW
Snapstream
Girder 3.3.7
Tira 2

SageTV Client 2.1
MediaMVP
ReplayTV 5504
SA8300HD DVR
GoVideo 2370

[stanger89]

You can download the non-trial version from the nVidia ftp IIRC:

ftp://download.nvidia.com