AutoRefresh - Dynamically switches video output rate to match media rate

[imilne]

This is an announcement for ALPHA testing and feedback only. This plugin is not fully functionally and is not ready for general release.

If the content rate (in frames per second) of your media does not match a multiple of the refresh rate (in hertz) of your video output, then you may notice the video playback juddering or stuttering. AutoRefresh uses MediaInfo to inspect the framerate of your media (just before playback begins) and then sets your video output to a suitable matching refresh rate.

You can get the plugin from its wiki page.

I'm mainly after feedback at the moment:
- does it work for you?
- how does it work with multiple monitors (if it even does)?
- is it correctly identifying the framerate of your media? (check the logs)
- what additional features does it need?

Ironically, it isn't working for me! Switching to 23.976Hz playback seems ok, but switching back to 50Hz for Live TV or PAL media files is *causing* stuttering that isn't there if I start NPVR with 50Hz already set.

I need to know how it performs for others. I need to know if different mechanisms for switching the video output rate make a difference (although there's only one way coded for now). I need to know if sub might have to implement something to allow the plugin to work correctly.

Please also note that switching for DVD playback is not implemented yet. And it also doesn't check to see if the refresh rates you've entered are actually valid, so be careful telling your old CRTs to output 600Hz - I take no responsibility for any damage, no matter how big the resultant explosion

Iain

[Northpole]

Oh No, my monitor is starting to smoke!


Just kidding, I'll give it a try and let you know what happens here in the states.

[dark_half]

Just wanted to provide some quick feed back

- does it work for you? seems to be working as described

- how does it work with multiple monitors (if it even does)? I am running HDMI out to a splitter feeding two displays and it is working fine. I don't think this is what you meant by multiple monitors though.

- is it correctly identifying the framerate of your media? (check the logs) appears to be detecting correctly

2011-09-07 18:21:19.324 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking LIVE&\\Htpc\e\GBPVR\LiveBuffer\live-3 DSC-8097.ts
2011-09-07 18:21:19.334 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Unable to detect media framerate
2011-09-07 18:21:19.334 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 60Hz
2011-09-07 18:23:12.170 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 18:23:34.876 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking \\Htpc\f\Videos\Movies\10,000 BC (2008).mkv
2011-09-07 18:23:35.108 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 23.976
2011-09-07 18:23:35.108 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 24Hz
2011-09-07 18:24:46.109 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 18:25:08.694 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking \\Htpc\f\Videos\Movies\13th Warrior (1999).mpg
2011-09-07 18:25:09.122 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 23.976
2011-09-07 18:25:09.122 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 24Hz
2011-09-07 18:26:52.643 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 18:27:32.814 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking \\Htpc\f\Videos\Movies\50 First Dates (2004).mpg
2011-09-07 18:27:33.302 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 29.970
2011-09-07 18:27:33.302 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 59Hz
2011-09-07 18:29:46.299 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

[Northpole]

I would agreed, everything seems to work OK on my system. Winxp with arcsoft video decoder & vmr9

2011-09-07 19:04:43.468 [DEBUG][1] Playing video file: D:\Recent HD Movies\DVB Subtitle Test.ts
2011-09-07 19:04:43.687 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking D:\Recent HD Movies\DVB Subtitle Test.ts
2011-09-07 19:04:44.546 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 25.000
2011-09-07 19:04:44.546 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 25Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:02.218 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:06.484 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking D:\Recent HD Movies\X-Men The Last Stand (2006)\X-Men The Last Stand (2006).m2ts
2011-09-07 19:05:07.390 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 23.976
2011-09-07 19:05:07.390 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 23Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:15.343 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:22.343 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking H:\Library\30 Rock\30 Rock (2011-01-20) Mrs. Donaghy.mpg
2011-09-07 19:05:22.593 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 29.970
2011-09-07 19:05:22.593 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:32.500 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:39.625 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Checking H:\Library\Body of Proof\Body of Proof (2011-03-29) Pilot.mpg
2011-09-07 19:05:39.843 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Detected media framerate is 59.940
2011-09-07 19:05:39.843 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Switching monitor to 60Hz

2011-09-07 19:05:58.656 [DEBUG][1] AutoRefresh: Playback stopped, switching monitor to 60Hz

I too am running two monitor like dark_half, one via vga and one via digital dvi

[imilne]

That sounds encouraging, thanks. Wish I could work out why it isn't behaving for me though! Maybe something to do with ReClock...

I might try to add something to the logs to get it to confirm the refresh rate after a switch. Just because it says "switching to 60Hz" doesn't actually mean it's happened. I did think about an on-screen display to confirm switching, but I don't think I'll bother. I've plans to use MediaInfo again for a more general "what's my media" on-screen display plugin, and it will be able to give framerates and refresh rates and so on.

The default settings I have the plugin were suitable for an ATI card on Vista/7 where 23Hz is actually 23.976 (and distinct from 24) as is 59/60.

If you need additional rates beyond what you can configure with its GUI, then they can be added manually to config.xml. For instance, I have lots of videos taken with my old digital camera that are only 15fps (and best displayed at 60Hz) rather than my "default" of 50Hz.

Keep the feedback coming...

Iain

[imilne]

I'll also add that I expect this to work for all video renderers *apart* from the FSE one. It won't be able to change the refresh rate with that one.

Iain

[dark_half]

I did try the refresh rate of 23. The logs indicated the refresh rate was changed but it was not. I thought it had to do with the fact that 23 was not an option in the Catalyst Control panel. The lowest it goes is 24. Will this override that?

[imilne]

I did try the refresh rate of 23. The logs indicated the refresh rate was changed but it was not. I thought it had to do with the fact that 23 was not an option in the Catalyst Control panel. The lowest it goes is 24. Will this override that?

No, all it can do is ask Windows to change to a given value and hope it switches.

23(.976)Hz is only available with Vista/7 though, and you may have to add it manually using the Catalyst Control Panel - I'm pretty sure I had to. It gets more confusing as well because when you change to 23 using CCP, often when you check back on it, it lists the current rate as 24, even though tools like ReClock confirm 23.976 as being in use.

Iain

[whurlston]

often when you check back on it, it lists the current rate as 24, even though tools like ReClock confirm 23.976 as being in use.

Windows built-in Display settings will also show 23hz.

I'll try this out as soon as I get a chance.

[dark_half]

Windows did not give the option either. After a little searching I found that you have to disable both GPU scaling and ITC processing then add 1080p24 under HDTV Support . I already showed 1080p24 but until I added again 23 was not a option.

Please also note that switching for DVD playback is not implemented yet.

Do you plan on adding support in the future?