windows 7 vs win xp and codec queries

[fluffykeith]

Hi

I ran GPVR happily with winXP and had no problems and tempted by upgrades, I've now switched to NPVR and dropped in some more memory and a faster processor but things are not running quite as well.
It all gets upset when updating EPG especially if it's trying to record - known issue.
I often get exception type messages saying things like recording service failed (I can't remember exactly - it's often wife reported "it had an error box - I rebooted"!!).
I've played with all the codecs I can but still have issues with playback, we often have to click play, which shows blank screen with no sound, then stop and play again which then plays ok.

My question is: if I move to win7 will I be gaining some more stabled codecs/platform which will help NPVR. I guess it's being developed and tested on a newish OS like win7 rather than the now dated XP.

Also, do most folk use whatever free codecs they can get hold of or is it standard practice for example to buy winDVD or something that presumably gives access to decent codecs.

Is there a way (a hot key that pops up some info would be nice) to show which codecs (video and audio) the currently playing things is using and which format. This would help narrow down codec issues.

cheers

Keith

[Graham]

I am in the UK using DVB-T on Win 7. I doubt that any of your troubles are due to XP. I use unlocked SAF for decoders. I don't get fails in the recording service nor black screens during playback.

I recommend installing unlocked SAF (mostly cos it's easy) (PM Hoborg re unlocking). Post logs re problems with the recording service (is there anything in the Windows Event Log).

http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?50227-Saf6

[fluffykeith]

I tried the unlocked SAF codecs - which got me going with the HD channels.

I will have a look in the Windows Event Log, next time something occurs, hadn't thought of that, thanks.

win7 gives you some codecs that are not in xp but I'm not sure if they will help. It sounds like they are quite good. I think the renderer is different. Are you using EVR or VMR9/7?

[Graham]

I use EVR cos I'm on 7. For XP, I'd recommend VMR9 FSE. The MS codecs in Win7 are good and work well. I have some minor troubles with skipping and I have faffed about trying to minimise skipping issue ... I finished up using SAF by default.

I suggest that you stick with XP for at least the next months. It would be a shame to go to 7 just as 8 arrives!

[fluffykeith]

I'm not sure how true this is but I read a thread somewhere saying that the codecs are not with windows 8 unless you get the media center addition and even then they are not accessable to 3rd party apps like NPVR.
There's bound to be a work around but sounds like MS is tightening up on their codec use.

[athomas]

I don't know anything about Windows 8, but I do know that my Windows 7 upgrade worked much better than my XP did for playing all videos and recordings. Windows 7 handles video much better than XP did.