Video Overlay Sucks: Alternatives

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VLSmooth
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Video Overlay Sucks: Alternatives

Post by VLSmooth »

Some information I dug up and sent to co-workers while investigating color banding during WMVHD playback of 1080p material.

I'll clean it up later provided I'm not too lazy (ha!)



Summary: Video Overlay Sucks

I figured out the reason for the banding and how to get rid of it last night.

By default, media players use video overlay; special hardware on display cards used from ~1995. This was to avoid taxing the CPU. Unfortunately, it's very old and definitely was never intended to work with WMVHD.

Luckily, there's only one overlay (typically) per card. So if you play the same video twice simultaneously, the 2nd opened one will use a different rendering technique in software. This is what led to my discovery (I occasionally compare videos from multiple subbers).

More info here: (I found it interesting)
http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/highlig ... nder.shtml

Note: Software rendering DOES use more CPU power!

After changing your rendering technique (details appended), you're golden!

Hope this helps,

ps. Video Overlay Sucks



*** How to change rendering technique:

Both Windows Media Player and Windows Media Player Classic allow you to change the rendering technique.

For Windows Media Player 9+:
1) right click on the menu bar
2) select "Tools" which expands
3) select "Options..."
4) select the "Performance" tab
5) select "Advanced..."
6) in "Video Acceleration": check "Use high quality mode"
7) in "Video Acceleration": uncheck "Use Overlays"
8) in "DVD video": uncheck "Use Overlays"

For Windows Media Player Classic: (ie. what you should be using)
1) right click on the player
2) select "View" which expands
3) select "Options..."
4) expand "Playback" on the left side if not already expanded
5) select "Output"
6) in "DirectShow Video": select VMR9 (renderless)*

* might want VM9 (windowless) if you plan on multitasking with video
you can also set "RealMedia" and "QuickTime" to use "DirectX 9" here



*** PureVideo

What is it?
A combination of hardware and software that offers numerous acceleration benefits for GeForce 6 and higher series cards; ultimately increasing quality and reducing CPU utilization.

Note, I said hardware AND SOFTWARE. Unfortunately, the software is NOT free and needs to be purchased from here:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html

AnandTech PureVideo Article
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2305

I'm especially interested since my Athlon64-3000+ stutters a few times during intense 1080p videos, such as the 1080p Alexander trailer.
Last edited by VLSmooth on Fri Oct 21, 2005 6:06 pm, edited 2 times in total.

VLSmooth
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Post by VLSmooth »

An addendum I sent out afterwards:



*** What about the features overlay provided, such as saturation control?

Good thing you asked. If you use software rendering, video overlay settings, such as saturation, are useless since you're bypassing the overlay entirely.

Luckily, both Windows Media Player 9+ (WMP) and the ffdshow filter for Windows Media Player Classic (WMPC) provide their own settings. However, since these are done in software, CPU utilization can go up significantly.

For WMP:
* Right-click > View > Enhancements > Video Settings
This allows you to change Hue, Saturation, Brightness, and Contrast.

Note1: A saturation adjustment KILLS my CPU for 1080p WMVHD videos
Note2: WMP10 does NOT save Video Settings
(you need to configure them every time you open)
(WMP SUCKS!)

For WMPC & ffdshow:
* Double-click the ffdshow systray icon
(show only show up when playing video)
* On the left side, check "Picture Properties"
(under "Image Settings"
* On the right-side have fun adjusting your settings
(changes should occur in real-time)
* These settings are SAVED until you change them (FTW!)

Hope that helps,

quantus
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Re: Video Overlay Sucks: Alternatives

Post by quantus »

VLSmooth wrote:Note, I said hardware AND SOFTWARE. Unfortunately, the software is NOT free and needs to be purchased from here:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html
Software's not free? I don't believe you.
Have you clicked today? Check status, then: People, Jobs or Roads

Peijen
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Re: Video Overlay Sucks: Alternatives

Post by Peijen »

quantus wrote:
VLSmooth wrote:Note, I said hardware AND SOFTWARE. Unfortunately, the software is NOT free and needs to be purchased from here:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html
Software's not free? I don't believe you.
Don't you know vinny works for free.

VLSmooth
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Post by VLSmooth »

At the time I found it odd that anyone purchasing a GeForce 6+ series card is paying for hardware they can't use. It's strange, albeit not unreasonable, to not include the specific software with the specific hardware required.

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