PowerDVD codec in 3rd party applications

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › PowerDVD codec in 3rd party applications

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 95
Inactive user

#60922 5-May-2010 20:20

Hi all

I understand that the latest versions of the Cyberlink h.264 codec that comes with PowerDVD are not usable by 3rd party applications such as GBPVR and MediaPortal. Has anyone tried this version of the codec to see if it is usable? I have PowerDVD 8 Ultra so this question is kind of pointless for me, however the "HD264" pack would have been significantly cheaper than buying the full software. I'm also interested to know if it is kept up to date with the latest versions of the codec used in PowerDVD 10...

Cheers

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#327086 5-May-2010 20:29

Well, WMP is a third party player, as it's not integrated with the codecs, so I would believe use of other players possible.

I seem to remember reading on the Mediaportal forums that MP was able to use PowerDVD10 codecs. And also some versions of PDVD9. SAF codec pack (designed by one of MP's users) uses PDVD9 ver: 1.0.0.1105.

Silverstone LC14 HTPC Case/Intel E4600 CPU/GA-EP35-DS3 MOBO/Asus EN9500GT graphics/2GB RAM/total 2TB HDD space/HVR-2200 & 2X 150MCE tuner cards/LG GGC-H20L BD Drive/MCE2005/Mediaportal/TVServer 1.1.0Final/LG 55"3D LED-TV/Denon AVR-1803 receiver/X1 projector

dklong

167 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 32

#327219 6-May-2010 08:41

If you have Version 7 of PowerDVD which usually came bundled with your drive or similar, you can actually have both V7 (which worked with Mediaportal etc) and a later version (V9 Ultra in my case) loaded so that Mediaportal has something to use and you have a version of PowerDVD that will play current Blurays.

The trick is in the sequence. When you install V9 it removes V7 as being an earlier version. However, when you install Version 7 (in a different Directory) it didn't remove V9.

This worked for me and I am using the Cyberlink PDVD7 drivers for Mediaportal and V9 for Bluray movies.

Cheers

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 95
Inactive user

#327324 6-May-2010 11:53

@dklong: I do also have PDVD 6 which was bundled with my DVD burner, but unfortunately that doesn't support h.264. I was thinking maybe I could keep PDVD 8 with the latest patches (upgrading to 10 eventually when I get more blurays and if/when it becomes worth it) but then also have the HD264 pack to give me a codec with DxVA support for MediaPortal.

I take it Cyberlink are intensionally trying to disallow the use of the PDVD codec in 3rd party applications (maybe it's so there is a market for the HD264 pack), so if PDVD 9/10 is available for use I'm guessing it probably won't be for long. The question is: is there a difference in the image quality, DxVA efficiency, bitstream compatibility, interlacing options and quality, features etc. of the h.264 codec itself though from PDVD version to version? For example, they have added upscaling and lighting enhancements in the last two PDVD versions. Are these changes made within the codec, or the software, or somewhere else (maybe another codec/dll)? Put another way, do the version upgrades matter for a person like me who really only bought PowerDVD for the codec, or would version 7 be adequate? Further, do the patches they release matter, or are they really only software bugfixes and bluray security and compatibility changes?

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 95
Inactive user

#327326 6-May-2010 11:57

...Alternatively, is there a work around that would make the codec available in MediaPortal? I had assumed that HDPack, SAF etc. had some way of enabling the codec to be used, rather than that random patches temporarily made the codec available or unavailable.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#327339 6-May-2010 12:20

Remember also that if you are using Windows 7 you shouldn't need any third party codecs for H.264 playback.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

mm1352000

1149 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 95
Inactive user

#327342 6-May-2010 12:28

Using XP ;) Even if I was using 7 though, I've wondered for awhile whether there are quality differences between codecs. I've read many forum threads comparing the quality of such and such a codec with some other codec, and PDVD always seems to rate highly (which is why I use it). I know this is getting a little off topic, but is the quality difference an illusion?

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

dklong

167 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 32

#327358 6-May-2010 12:57

mm1352000: Given that I've been able to keep the PDVD7 working for Freeview along with later versions for BluRay, I haven't had to look into other codec packs so can't really help there I'm afraid.

In terms of the patches etc... most seem to be to play later Bluray movies (ie DRM sh%t) or add even more obscure audio DTS-HD-Dolby-Prothingy... I haven't been able to tell any difference visually between my early playing with V7 and current V9 ultra. Supposedly V10 upscales DVDs better... but haven't done that yet.

The biggest annoyance recently is that they have released a 'patch' for Avatar on bluray for PDVD10 ... but not yet for 9. Perhaps trying to get us to upgrade our software... just to watch one movie!

Unless you are someone who watches movies very closely looking for any possible defect, I wouldn't get too hung up about the codecs. Find one that works and go hard!

Cheers

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#328019 8-May-2010 20:03

At the end of the day, if Cyberlink want people with HTPCs to utilise their codecs, they should clearly mark what they can do.

It is typical of corporations: they want their bang-for-buck, but aren't willing to go out of their way to make it, even, reasonably easy for people.

zxr400

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#328359 10-May-2010 08:22

I use PDVD 7 for my freeview through Mediaportal. I found that if i download the latest update for it, it breaks freeview. So i have left that as is, it ment i had to find an alternitive so i can watch my avatar blu ray disc with all the copy protection.

pdvd7 works fine for Bluray but i use Anydvd v 6.6.4.2 to remove the copy protection from it.

i also found i have to use old ati drivers or i get a green screen with freeview.

RussellSmith

20 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#331124 17-May-2010 22:57

Its possible to find and register the PD h.264 filters, if you do this then the codec just might show up in your 3rd party apps.

Look in the Cyberlink program folders for the .ax files, the filename will probably have 264 in it, eg pd264dec.ax

Then from the command prompt just type regsvr32 "and the path to the filter"

This is a tip i got from Hauppauge, and after doing this i was able to use the PD codecs in their WinTV application.

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

#331613 18-May-2010 21:41

RussellSmith: Its possible to find and register the PD h.264 filters, if you do this then the codec just might show up in your 3rd party apps.

Look in the Cyberlink program folders for the .ax files, the filename will probably have 264 in it, eg pd264dec.ax

Then from the command prompt just type regsvr32 "and the path to the filter"

This is a tip i got from Hauppauge, and after doing this i was able to use the PD codecs in their WinTV application.

The problem was Cyberlink decided to remove DirectShow filter control from within their *.ax codec files, preventing access with any app other than their proprietary player from certain builds of PDVD9.

I believe they decided to repeal this decision in later PDVD10 builds, maybe due to loss of revenue: who knows.

Welcome to the forum.

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Niel

3267 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 80

Trusted

#331640 18-May-2010 22:26

WinDVD used to expose their CODECs, don't know if they still do. It used to be (around version 6?) that PowerDVD was much better quality but WinDVD exposed controls/filters.

You can never have enough Volvos!