Mpeg2 Codec installation - Vista x64

[Beginner]

Hi there,

I am trying to get NPVR working on a box running Vista x64 and am looking at this page here: http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Config/Playback

I understand I need to install a Mpeg2 codec for this to work with my tuner (Nova-T) but am having a great deal of trouble.

First issue is that the free codecs mentioned point to this page here: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/MPA_Decoder.htm

. . .but the download page then offers 2 choices; I am assuming I should be using this one "Download MPA Decoder 1.6.8.7400". Right??

Secondly I can not get the .ax file registered on my Vista x64 system, despite noting the blurb about /syswow64/regsvr32

Can somebody please provide me with the full syntax to get this installed?

Many thanks!

[jcjefferies]

Were any decoders supplied with the tuner? Cyberlink decoders are supplied with many and are one of the best. I always found FFDSHOW reliable although you have to "Enable" MPEG2 in the settings as it tends to be disabled by default. SAF decoder pack is regarded as one of the best. The LAV video decoder is one of the least reliable for broadcast use.

http://hobring.esero.net/saf/binary/

NextPVR is a 32bit app so using the system32/regsvr32 may help.

[Beginner]

Were any decoders supplied with the tuner?

Thanks for the reply.

As I understand it the Hauppauge WinTV software comes with a decoder, but as far as I am aware it is not available to 3rd party software, and in any case I would prefer not to install this since it seems to include all sorts of start-up services and bloatware I was hoping could be avoided.

[Beginner]

Cyberlink

Well I managed to find an OEM copy of PowerDVD, and now everything is working -- thanks very much for the tip!

Have to say though without wishing to appear a malcontent that the wiki/manual is very, veeeeery weak on the Codec installation. An idiot's guide it most certainly is not.

[hoborg]

Hi.
The problem of PowerDVD is, that it will install a lot of crap in to system, and can broke video playback in direct show based player without its own decoders. It will even install some background services.

Latest revisions 12 and 13 are better, but old PowerDVD 7,8,9,10 and 11 are really bad, they are not able to fully uninstall and leave a lot of mess in registry.

I suggest to install only video decoder (like *unlocked* SAF do), not whole PowerDVD.

[Beginner]

Thanks very much for the further clarification--it was indeed v6 I had lying around.

However, I must admit that having attempted to set up a couple of clients over the past few days with highly disappointing results followed up by what appears to have been a major website outage for most of today, I lost patience this evening and have just reinstalled my box with a Ubuntu/Mythtv/XBMC combo.

I really liked the snappy standalone performance of NPVR but in contrast felt the client performance was sluggish and unreliable.

Will keep an eye on developments, however, since I would still very much like a windows based platform if possible.

Good luck everybody!

[hoborg]

Thanks very much for the further clarification--it was indeed v6 I had lying around.

However, I must admit that having attempted to set up a couple of clients over the past few days with highly disappointing results followed up by what appears to have been a major website outage for most of today, I lost patience this evening and have just reinstalled my box with a Ubuntu/Mythtv/XBMC combo.

I really liked the snappy standalone performance of NPVR but in contrast felt the client performance was sluggish and unreliable.

Will keep an eye on developments, however, since I would still very much like a windows based platform if possible.

Good luck everybody!

Hi.
Can i ask how good is XBMC in deinterlacing these days? Last time i tryed it it was really bad comparing to HW deinterlacing on DirectShow, but it was maybe 2 years ago.