Debugging progress on the black screen issue

[drlava]

I have been trying to debug some issues whereby 1080i channels render a black screen under VMR9. Using graphedit (and the rare proppage.dll) and the reg key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Devnz\AddGraphToROT=1 (DWORD)
I have been able to get a test graph up and working which displays the same black screen when playing from a file. Then, by changing things one at a time, figure out which component exactly is causing it. It's the 'Video Renderer' no suprise.
The video renderer is contained in Quartz.dll, version 6.5.2600.3367 is installed on my system.
Here is the graph (with a new backed for file playing) that is a copy of what GBPVR creates:

Here is the properties page of the Video renderer when it is in the offending mode:

Note the ProcAmp tab, and the contrast setting.
Now here is the config tab:

Note that it has no status (mixing mode or otherwise) above the # of pins config where it usually is.

Now, I deleted this renderer and went under DirectShow Filters and inserted the first video renderer of the two available:


This turned out to be VMR 7, not 9. 9 was no where to be found (where is it?).

This renderer, even when in mixing mode, never had a ProcAmp tab. And it worked great, never a black screen.

So, why isn't VMR 7 available as a rendering option for PVRX2, but is for GBPVR.exe, and do you see any issues with the versions and configs I have pictured?
I have attached the offending (for my system XP SP2 DX9.0c) graph.

[drlava]

The forum settings disallowed me from adding the last config image of the working renderer:

[sub]

Unfortunately you cant really emulate the VMR9 Video Renderer as used by GB-PVR in GraphEdit. It uses a custom allocator presentor to display video. This is not possible in GraphEdit.

Its likey that the problem is somehow caused by your videocard's Direct3D support.

If you use the Overlay or EVR video renderers, it doesnt use Direct3D.

[drlava]

Ok, I found 'Video Mixing Renderer 9' and it looks to be the same, except for your 'custom allocator presenter'. Turning it to YUV mixing mode fixed the black screen display issue in graphedit. Is there a way to tell the VMR9 renderer to enter YUV mixing mode in PVRX2?
And, is there a way to specify VMR7 for PVRX2?

[sub]

Ok, I found 'Video Mixing Renderer 9' and it looks to be the same, except for your 'custom allocator presenter'. Turning it to YUV mixing mode fixed the black screen display issue in graphedit. Is there a way to tell the VMR9 renderer to enter YUV mixing mode in PVRX2?

No, it always uses Direct3D, where YUV mixing mode isnt possible. Even if it wasnt using Direct3D, YUV wouldnt be appropriate since this mode doesnt allow OSD graphics.

And, is there a way to specify VMR7 for PVRX2?

No there isnt.

[drlava]

No, it always uses Direct3D, where YUV mixing mode isnt possible.

This little statement helped quite a bit. Previously I had problems with EVR sometimes making the whole screen light instead of showing the OSD, until I did a channel change. Also I had issues with crashing, and sometimes the screen would flicker green. In the ArcSoft Video codec option dialog there is a way to turn OFF video output color spaces such as YUV and YVV2, etc. I turned off everything but RGB16 and RGB32.

Now, there is no more OSD rendering issue, no more crash on channel change issue, no more locking up issues, it's actually starting to work as it should Also pause and ffwd, rew responsiveness is very good with this arcsoft codec.
Perhaps this should be in the survival guide, to turn off the unecessary colorspace output options (because a few decoders have this option) and only use... Which colorspace do you recommend?

[sub]

Now, there is no more OSD rendering issue, no more crash on channel change issue, no more locking up issues, it's actually starting to work as it should Also pause and ffwd, rew responsiveness is very good with this arcsoft codec.

Great.

Perhaps this should be in the survival guide, to turn off the unecessary colorspace output options (because a few decoders have this option) and only use...

To be honest, I've never seen another user that has had to do this, so probably doesnt justify an entry in the survival guide.