VOB DVD playback just black screen...

[gunder]

Hey all, I have the following:

Latest GBPVR
CoreAvc installed for x.264 mkv viewing
ffdshow, not sure of version
VISTA Home Premium 32bit
AMD Dual Core 4850e low power
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H with Radeon HD3200
4GB RAM

I am having problems playing DVD's ripped to directories. I can play them off of disc either using the Microsoft MPEG 2 decoder, or with ffdshow as the decoder by switching under the DVD tab. The output from GraphEdit shows no visible problems with either way when I test with either decoder. Under the DVD tab I use the built in DVD Navigator, and then either system default for the decoder, which then assumes the Microsoft MPEG 2, or switch it manually to ffdshow and run the OSD option so that I know ffdshow is in fact the one i'm using. Will all of this said, when I create a directory under my video library such as: e:\videos\movies\DVD\Shrek\VIDEO_TS\vob1...vob2..., etc. with all the files and browse to that location under video library using GBPVR, I see shrek.dvd for instance. However, when I click on that or hit enter with my remote all I see is a black screen. Any suggestions? The only other dvd playback software I have on the machine is the customized MPC. I don't have any of the MPC codecs registered, I just have vobs' open in it outside of GBPVR. Could I try to switch to it as the DVD Navigator? I would prefer to use the built-in one, but if this is worth a shot I'm game. If so, what would I call it in the config.xml DVD navigator section? I tried a couple of names, but it never showed up when I ran the config utility. I haven't tried DVDs as an ISO yet with daemon tools, I'd like to get this going first. Thanks for your help...

[sub]

Its most likely related to the video decoder you're trying to use. I'd try one of the common ones that work with CSS encrypted video you get from DVDs, like the Cyberlink decoder.

[gunder]

Looking into that right now. One thing - if I see that this is the problem and I select the new decoder as the default from the default list, will I be able to select the option under the other tab(can't remember the name) to enable ffdshow post processing to enable me to apply some sharpening, etc. filters to the output, even though ffdshow may not be the default decoder? I ask because I'm taking a stab at up converting? thanks...

[sub]

Some people use the ffdshow post processing option to allow them to use another decoder and ffdshow for tweaking the video. I dont personally do it though.

[gunder]

In terms of the CSS content, since this is VOBs from a ripped disc that I own, and copied to the hard drive via DVDDecrypter, isn't the protection removed? And shouldn't ffdshow be able to play this natively? It can via the disc in the drive - just doesn't like it in .vob format... I tried registering the MPC mpeg 2 filter, played a dvd disc fine, and the vobs fine via MPC player, just not VOBs in GBPVR, so it was the same results as ffdshow. I haven't tried a Cyberlink decoder yet....

[sub]

I dont know. You could be right. All I can tell you is that most GB-PVR users play DVDs with traditional DVD player decoders like the Cyberlink one. You might get lucky with other decoders, but you're basically going to have to try it and see.

[gunder]

Fair enough. I will post my results. I'm taking this from a minimalist approach and not loading a bunch of codecs starting out. Also Im just using this one for Video archives, music and pictures, no tuners, etc. I've set up a system with PVR150, etc. back in 06' ...nice product thanks for the suppoort!

[rob11252]

Try Navigator: DVD Navigator and Video Decoder: MPV Decoder Filter. That's the only combination which works flawlessly for me including access to menus on dvd. It works for iso and video_ts files.

[gunder]

I managed to figure out most of my problem. I was always using vobs from a certain movie I had pulled off of disc in movie-only mode. This was not my ready-to-burn prepped vob folder, so therefore I was missing some files for a fully playable movie...DOH! I tried one I had burned back to disc and it worked flawlessly, and one where I had ripped the entire disc - it worked also. I am using ffdshow as the decoder, no cyberlink or anything else. I am tinkering with upscaling to at least 720p, and the results are great! However, I get no menu highlights, so as rob11252 mentioned above I may go back and try the MPV decoder again - at least to see if my menu highlights show up.

Some stats:
Native 480i DVD viewing uses an avg of 20% CPU with ffdshow doing the decoding
Upscaled/resized/sharpened to 720p uses an avg of around 61% CPU with ffdshow doing the decoding. This looks alot better on my 60" Sony XBR2 at my minimum viewing distance of about 10' I will post my findings using MPV. Thanks for the help ...

Processor is AMD dual core 4850e