How do I know what Codec VMC is using?

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dogsday

16 posts

Geek

#29859 21-Jan-2009 16:35

How can I tell if VMC is using the new codec/s (MPEG2) loaded and not the default ones from Microsoft? (I have tried VMCD.exe but it only has the MS decoders showing) I’m trying new codec’s but I’m seeing no improvement to the picture pixilation and freeze I’m experancing.
Question 2. Any advice on what MPEG2 Codec’s are working well for people out there?

Specs:Vista 64 bit, ATI 3850 video card and am using a BGT 3540 Blackgold TV card and the DBV-S satellite input for Freeview reception.

Thanks readers, any and all comments welcome - Cheers

Lipex666

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#191116 21-Jan-2009 18:18

Hello you are in luck - thanks to the codec issues in Fallout 3

FREE

InstalledCodec is a small utility displays the list of all Codec drivers and DirectShow filters currently installed on your system.

see http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/installed_codec.html

even works under Windows 7 Beta

"The only way to learn some- thing is to do it"

dogsday

16 posts

Geek

#191135 21-Jan-2009 20:33

Thanks Lipex666
That gives me a great list of all codec’s installed on my HTPC. – A good tool. But how do I know which of the MPEG2 codec’s it is currently using for VMC? And if I disable this one (once I know somehow know which one that is) how do I tell it to pick up and use a different one?

Cheers

attilathegorilla

213 posts

Master Geek

#191140 21-Jan-2009 21:02

http://blog.monogram.sk/janos/tools/monogram-graphstudio/

You could try Graph Studio on this page, or some other graph editor. They have an option to analyze what`s currently in use, by going to File > Connect to remote graph. At least theoretically. It should draw you a graph of all the filters involved. This option doesn`t work for me, but I know it should.

You can also load a media file in this program by going to File > Render media file... And it will draw you the file`s filter graph. This option works for me fine, but I can`t get the `remote graph connection` to work. Have a go at it, it`s pretty handy stuff.

If honest work and justice are not enough - we'll get a lawyer.

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#191142 21-Jan-2009 21:20

i usually fire up windows media player and look at the properties of a file playing in there - i'm pretty sure it takes the same path as MCE.

failing that, many codecs put an icon in the systray while playing (e.g. ffdshow, haali, nvidia purevideo (mpeg one, not h.264)

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Lipex666

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#191167 21-Jan-2009 22:57

Hello,

have a read of http://mediacenterexpert.blogspot.com/search/label/Decoder%20Utility

direct link Vista Media Center Decoder utility

"The only way to learn some- thing is to do it"

Regs

4066 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Snowflake

#191181 21-Jan-2009 23:42

dogsday: Question 2. Any advice on what MPEG2 Codec’s are working well for people out there?

the cyberlink powerdvd mpeg2 codecs seem to work well enough in my experience.

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

dogsday

16 posts

Geek

#191305 22-Jan-2009 14:10

attilathegorilla
Graph Studio works really well – I can make a change using a tool like InstalledCodec (deactivate a decoder) and rerun the “Render media file” part of InstalledCodec and it changes to the next decoder it decides (randomly) to use. Question: is there anyway to tell is wich decoder to use rather than just keep disabling them and hoping the next one it chooses will be the one you want it to choose?

Lipex666
The “Vista Media Center Decoder utility” only ever shows the Microsoft Codec no matter what Codec it is actually using. – must just read one reg key and display all that is there? – do you get a number of options when you run this?

Reg
The cyberlink powerdvd mpeg2 decoder - do you know where I can download this? – I have PowerDVD 7 ultimate but can not see this codec in my installed list that InstalledCodec details.

As a thought - I’m assuming that the pixilation I am seeing (especially post a FF and RW operation) is a codec issue – I guess I could be chasing up the wrong tree??

Cheers for all the pointers – I think (hope) I am getting closer. With luck this topic is helping others in the same 666 layers of codec complexity.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Lipex666

444 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#191314 22-Jan-2009 15:04

Hmm dont know as im running windows 7 Beta

The tool in my first post lets you disable codecs and you could try disabling the ones you dont use or weant just leaving the high quality one.

Also I presume you are using 64 codec

see Download CCCP. I have used this on my 64 Vidsta system to strean TVersity to my dsm320 in the lounge.

"The only way to learn some- thing is to do it"

dogsday

16 posts

Geek

#191529 23-Jan-2009 12:48

Thanks – the pixilation I am seeing is only on live or recorded TV. Avi’s are fine – mint really.

What I would like to be using is the ”cyberlink powerdvd mpeg2 decoder” – but I don’t see this in my list of installed codec’s and so I am not able to disable other codec’s to get this one active.Despite having Powerdvd 7 and 8 installed. Any ideas how I get this a copy of this codec?