H.264 support in Windows 7: native and out-of-the-box

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › H.264 support in Windows 7: native and out-of-the-box

freitasm

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#27512 29-Oct-2008 09:50

It looks like Windows 7 brings H.264 support out-of-the-box.

Details here (heavy on pictures).

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#174309 29-Oct-2008 09:56

Looking slick, i'm liking the UI improvements. TV isn't my main priority with media center - although it's a nice addition to have out of the box support for international standards. But for me having some improvements in the way I access my media (pictures, videos, dvds, blu-ray) is crucial for me being able to rediscover things in my library!

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#174334 29-Oct-2008 11:49

Best news Ive heard all week

NZRobin

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#175011 1-Nov-2008 01:42

Sorry if this is a dense question as I'm normally a plug and play sorta guy but what does "H.264 support in Windows 7: native and out-of-the-box" mean in real terms. Does it mean you wont have to download codex software like 'Powerdvd' to play HD content on a HTPC?

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#175014 1-Nov-2008 06:58

NZRobin: Sorry if this is a dense question as I'm normally a plug and play sorta guy but what does "H.264 support in Windows 7: native and out-of-the-box" mean in real terms. Does it mean you wont have to download codex software like 'Powerdvd' to play HD content on a HTPC?

It means that Windows 7 will more than likely have a H.264 codec included and the Media Center component will support H.264 so that you will hopefully be able to watch H.264 content such as Freeview|HD without requiring any 3rd party software.

eXDee

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#175046 1-Nov-2008 11:27

sbiddle: H.264 content such as Freeview|HD without requiring any 3rd party software.

Don't forget blu-ray!

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#175132 1-Nov-2008 18:42

eXDee:
sbiddle: H.264 content such as Freeview|HD without requiring any 3rd party software.

Don't forget blu-ray!

I think it talks about blu ray Data not movie playback but if I am wrong please point me to where it says so..

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#175133 1-Nov-2008 18:45

It seems that the H.264 support for live TV in New Zealand is still extremely buggy in the 6801 release.

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#175148 1-Nov-2008 19:21

Yes it still is buggy after playing recorded tv it has decoder problems and needs to restart the computer I have only been able to find seven channels 123467and sport.Might be my card. There are occasional pixelations when changing from one channel to the next. recording and time shifting seem to work well with my Hauppage 3000. i haven't been able to get any EPG. Good quality pictures though

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#175268 2-Nov-2008 15:50

Most problems seemed to be fixedI had some faults in my setup date erros etc Epg working to some extent Found alll 12 channels using Nova t 500 sT Still has the decoder error and needs a restart on some occasions Otherwise as good as can be expected for a beta release things are looking very promising.

madad

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#175398 3-Nov-2008 09:55

I've been testing with an HVR2200 and had some success - seems same as everyone else - decoder errors and the screen seems to go black after a couple of seconds.

Having said that, the new interface is really slick and with the h264 support on the xbox 360 coming in a couple of weeks, it seems that Microsoft is back in the HD game in NZ.
Oh and how cool is the music wall!!! Crazy action!
Anyone know when it's expected to hit RTM? Also I here that the build they demonstrated at PDC was later than the one distributed to delegates..?

Mattv

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#175413 3-Nov-2008 11:24

There were some beta drivers out for Nvidia video cards when Fiji/TV pack was in development which greatly improved playback. Maybe they might help. Unfortunately I don't have a link for them.

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#175415 3-Nov-2008 11:32

Found the link http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/post/295408.aspx Would be keen to know it it works any better.

RustyGonad

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#175438 3-Nov-2008 13:33

Mattv: Found the link http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/post/295408.aspx Would be keen to know it it works any better.

First cut says no - need to try a few more thing, but it certainly doesn't give the dramatic improvement is does on the beta.dll.

My guess is there may be another release of those drivers floating around. The issues are exactly the same as the Fiji beta, which would indicate drivers are at fault...

Anyone tried it with a ATI?

On the good side, h.264 XBox 360 extender stuff works as advertised, albiet with a new range of bugs.

Satellite tuning seems to work well - no decoder issues, but for some reason I couldn't get the EIT guide to stick. Might be another new bug...

Will try out DVBSBridge/Sky Digital after work.

Having said that the 1080p/50hz picture is as fluid and as nice as I can ever remember seeing, once it stablises...

madad

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#175445 3-Nov-2008 13:50

Well that all sounds encouraging. Yeah I'm using onboard ati chipset (GIGABYTE MA78GM-S2H), with not too much success. I can play small chunks of tv but get decoder errors pretty quick which are only resolved with reboot. I dug up a pre release ati driver but it made it worse, and then I got a blue screen.
So until it becomes stable I'm staying in mediaportal land. But I can't wait to get rid of all my media pcs and move to centralised server + extenders/xboxes.. woohhoo!!

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#175661 4-Nov-2008 11:52

So will Vista Media Center get an H.264 update anytime after it was left out of the TV Pack 2008?

Or do we have to wait for (AND BUY) Windows 7 to get Freeview DVB-T support in Media Center?

Integrated Blu-Ray would be nice also - launching a 3rd party application for playback is lame.

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