Auto loader for DirectVobSub (Blu-ray Forced subtitles)

[whurlston]

This plugin was designed to have the ability to display forced subtitles with Blu-ray discs. It will auto load DirectVobSub when you play files with certain extentions in NextPVR. By default, it is only enabled for Blu-ray playback (.bdmv,.mpls,.m2ts). You can add more extentions in the settings screen. Extentions should be separated by a comma (no spaces between entries).

If DirectVobSub is registered on your system, the plugin will load the registered version. If it is not registered, it will load it from Plugins\DVSLoader\VSFilter.ax by default or whichever path you specify in the settings. The VSFilter in the plugin folder was renamed with a .ax extention (instead of .dll) to prevent an ImageLoad exception in NPVR. It can have the the dll extention anywhere else on your system.

By having the plugin unregistered, it will ensure that it is ONLY used in NextPVR and ONLY for the extentions you specify.

If DirectVobSub is registered, you can open the filter property pages to have access to all settings. You can register/unregister and view the property pages from the settings screen. You can also use the quick settings without having to view the property pages. If DirectVobSub is registered, it is recommended that you set it to "Do Not Load" or it can break DTS-HD streams in MKV containers.

If the Cyberlink decoders are registered on your system you can modify the settings in the plugins settings screen. When you view the property pages for Cyberlink filters, they automatically get reset to defaults. The plugin settings screen allows you to modify the Cyberlink filter settings without opening the property pages.

Default filter settings are in bold if you ever want to reset them.

To install the plugin:

1. Extract the zip file to you the Plugins folder located in your NextPVR program folder. ( eg: "C:\Program Files\NPVR\Plugins")
   
2. That's it (unless you want to make modifications to the settings). The plugin does not have to be "Enabled" in the NPVR Plugins.
   

To disable the plugin, simply enter "disabled" in the filetypes setting.

[Lao Pan]

Have tried registering the Vobsub.dll but have found that when it has been registered Lav splitter will no longer connect with DTSMA sound in MKV files had a bit of a google and apparently LAV does not like the autoloading vobsub filter - Unregistered and back to normal.

[imilne]

I was looking forward to try this (well done whurlston!) but DTS MA support with mkv files is a must have for me, so I guess it's a no-go for now.

Iain

[whurlston]

I don't use mkvs so I haven't experienced that. You should be able to view the properties for DirectVobSub in GraphEdit/GraphStudio and disable the "(auto-loading version)". Select the General tab and in the "Loading" section, select "Do not load".

This plugin inserts the non auto-loading filter into the playback chain.

[Lao Pan]

Re-installed the plugin registered vobsub.dll and disabled the autoloading version as suggested now mkv's with dtsma work.

Tried watching Avatar Blu-ray but after 5 mins computer had a protection shutdown - on restart cpu temp was about 100deg C - it looks as though PDVD12 decoder has dropped to software decoding with vobsub loaded

[whurlston]

Strange pdvd11 didn't do that for me.

[whurlston]

I now have the ability to load the filter without it being registered, but after reading your post, I'm exploring an alternate route.

[Lao Pan]

Did a bit more testing
Without Vobsub Avatar is using about 15% to 35% of AMD 5600+ Dual Core (Both Cores)
With Vobsub Avatar is using 85% to 98% of both cores - unfortunately with the design of my HTPC case (I had to cut the bottom off the Bli-ray drive to fit a low profile fan :eek: its tight) the disc drive fan exits directly over the cpu fan and after about 5 mins the cpu temp reaches shutdown temp - 135C?
I will definitely be interested in helping to test if you can find a way to keep dxva
Thanks

[whurlston]

Updated first post with a new version. Set the Cyberlink filters in there. I recommend using the [PDVDx] version with HAM enabled. You may have to play with merits to get it to load over the Video/SP filter.

If that doesn't work, it's onto plan B (which involves me writing my own subtitle filter).

Edit: Anyone who used the first version of the plugin should remove VSFilter.dll from the plugin folder. It should be named with an ax extension.

[Lao Pan]

YES

That has got it working - well only time will tell if forced subtitles load.
And thanks for the PDVD* settings screen. I am now able to watch Avatar with an average of about 35% CPU usage and a core temp round about 60C so should last for the duration of a movie - fingers crossed.

I had to change a few merits around to get the HAM decoder to load but it appears more crisp than the dxva decoder so probably the EVR Custom Presenter is less of a wish now.

The HAM decoder also looks great on UK Freeview HD Channels (1440 x 1080i H264) but really fuzzy on the SD channels so I have gone back to using the TMT3 Video Codec for those - surprisingly the quality is much better than previously, must be the Catalyst 12.6 drivers that have made the improvement.

Thanks for the work that you have put in to this - what is next selectable subtitles?