AutoRefresh - Dynamically switches video output rate to match media rate

[imilne]

Do you plan on adding support in the future?

Absolutely. The only reason it's not in there just now is that I can't (yet) hook into NPVR to catch the DVD playback before it begins, but sub has added what I need for the next release though. I should be able to get the plugin ready for that in the meantime, so it'll start working as soon as a new NPVR appears.

Iain

[dark_half]

One more question. Does the use of AutoRefresh do away with the need for reclock now that my refresh rate matches the fps? I have never used reclock but was looking at your other plugins. Also, thanks for the time and effort you put into the plugins for NPVR. I was already using SubMenu and System.

Jeff

[imilne]

Does the use of AutoRefresh do away with the need for reclock now that my refresh rate matches the fps?

That's a tough one to answer. Theoretically, yes. But the reality is even with the refresh rate matched to the frame rate, you'll probably find they're not exactly equal. For instance, 23.976 on my HTPC actually runs at about 23.978. A tiny difference, but enough to cause micro-stutter once in a while. If ReClock is still running, then it can compensate for that tiny difference.

It also has some other useful options, such as:
- setting Windows speaker settings to match the audio (eg 2.0 or 5.1) depending on the source
- outputting mono sources are stereo (ATI stuff has a bug that outputs all mono from the left speaker rather than the centre)
- using wasapi exclusive (or kernel streaming) for audio output that Windows can't mess with
- PAL speeddown to play 25.000fps movies at their correct speed (ie 24.000fps)
- smoothly speeding up 23.976fps content to 25.000fps if you have a PC or display that can't do 23.976Hz
- an AC3 encoder so that all PCM audio can be bitstreamed to an amp

Of course you might not care about any of that (only a couple actually matter to me), in which case don't bother with it. Life is complicated enough as it is

Also, thanks for the time and effort you put into the plugins for NPVR. I was already using SubMenu and System.

Glad you find them useful. Hopefully I will too one day when I actually stop using GBPVR

Iain

[imilne]

I've just posted an update that adds detection and switching for DVDs. You need to be running the latest NPVR with the R1 patchset for it to work.

On the topic of DVDs, and continuing the ReClock discussion, one thing ReClock can do that this plugin won't be able to is detect framerate differences *during* playback. This is probably most evident on something like NTSC DVDs, where although technically the entire disc is encoded at 29.970fps (and will be reported as that by MediaInfo), ReClock can do some clever magic and realise the actual movie will work better at 23.97fps, and switch accordingly, playing the menus and special features at one rate and the main movie at another.

Because of this, I may add the ability to override the MediaInfo detected rate on a per movie basis (probably by throwing a simple file in the same directory that the plugin will go looking for). It won't help with physical discs, but should for rips or mkv re-encodes.

Iain

[dark_half]

I have loaded the new version but as you stated above MedioInfo reported the framerate to be 29.97 instead of 23.976 when playing a DVD. I tried a few and all where reported the same. I also tried a Blu-Ray but MediaInfo could not detect the framerate. I tried reclock and having it automatically change the refresh rate using event notification but I had playback issues if I changed the refresh rate while the movie was playing. AutoRefresh continues to work well with on other media types.


011-09-11 18:36:59.583 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking G:\VIDEO_TS\VIDEO_TS.IFO
2011-09-11 18:36:59.584 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: MediaInfo reports framerate is 29.970
2011-09-11 18:36:59.585 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Current refresh rate of 59Hz is ok


2011-09-11 18:43:22.544 [DEBUG][1] Playing video file: G:\BDMV\index.bdmv
2011-09-11 18:43:22.550 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking G:\BDMV\index.bdmv
2011-09-11 18:43:22.628 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: MediaInfo cannot detect framerate
2011-09-11 18:43:22.628 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Current refresh rate of 59Hz is ok

[imilne]

I have loaded the new version but as you stated above MedioInfo reported the framerate to be 29.97 instead of 23.976 when playing a DVD.

That is correct though. The DVD is encoded at 29.97 and MediaInfo is reporting the correct rate for it. It's only ReClock that is clever enough to know (possibly via flags in the video stream) that reverse 3:2 pulldown (or something like that anyway) can be applied to it to get it back to its original framerate of 23.976 (although technically it should be 24). If you played an NTSC TV show rather than a movie, then chances are it would be 29.97 both in MediaInfo and ReClock.

I also tried a Blu-Ray but MediaInfo could not detect the framerate.

Ah, now that's something I haven't tried yet. The problem here is probably that the file in use as far as NPVR is concerned is index.bdmv, and that's what's being handed to MediaInfo. But the LAV splitter is then reading that and deciding what mt2s file to actually play, and that's where the framerate info is. With DVDs, I give MediaInfo the VIDEO_TS.IFO file (also an index), but either that contains the framerate data or MediaInfo knows to go looking at the VOB files instead. I'll have to have a play around and see what's possible with it. It might have to be another case for manual overrides. There are some non-23.976 Blu-rays (eg, stuff from the BBC) but I think they're pretty rare (although lots of the special features on discs are at 29.97fps interlaced).

I tried reclock and having it automatically change the refresh rate using event notification but I had playback issues if I changed the refresh rate while the movie was playing.

What kind of issues? I was seeing weird stuff like slow-mo playback (but normal rate audio). This is why I wanted AutoRefresh to get the refresh rate correct *before* playback started.

Iain

[dark_half]

The playback issue using reclock was as you described.

Also, I had a new issue with AutoRefresh that NPVR was throwing an exception when trying to playback recordings made with the HD-PVR NPVR. I had to add 59.94 to the the xml.

[imilne]

Thanks for reporting it. I've posted an update that should fix it.

If 59/60Hz is your default rate, then you can probably delete the extra entry as it should work without it now.

Iain

[Lao Pan]

Installed this Yesterday and set the refresh rates to 50 or 60Hz as these are the only options on my old plasma screen.
In limited testing it appears to be working OK - apart from when returning to the menu from a different refresh rate, the screen goes black until a remote key is pressed. This also happens when using MPC-HC, TMT or Power DVD from a custom task. This didn't happen back in the old PVRX2 days - probably one for Sub

[imilne]

I've posted a small update that allows you to place <videoname>.autorefresh (or folder.autorefresh) files alongside videos that can be used to specify alternative framerates. This will mainly be of use with ReClock and NTSC DVD rips where you want them to play at 23.976fps instead of 29.970fps. Details are on the wiki page.

It may help with Blu-ray (rips) too, but I've still not really looked into that yet. I did have a quick go at pointing MediaInfo to the blu-ray drive itself (instead of the bdmv file) and although it seemed to work, it took it quite a while (as in 10+ seconds) to scan the disc and report back.

Iain