gbpvr playback not using specified decoder

[fiteclub]

While using gbpvr in live tv mode things work just fine. I have set to use the nvidia decoders in the config program and use the encoder passthru option. Its nice that you can always verify that the nvidia encoder is being used since it opens an icon in the windows taskbar and sure enough it is there during live tv.

If I now close live tv and play a recorded show, the nvidia decoder is NOT being used eventhough I have specified its use as noted above. While working on this problem I rendered the recorded tv show mpeg using graphedit. The screen shot is attached. You will notice that it is using ffdshow mpeg4 video decoder for some reason! I thought all of these recorded shows were in mpeg 2 format. I do not have the "use ffdshow for post processing" checkbox checked in the config program. Am I doing something stupid (I don't know a lot about codecs and how to use them) I have also attached gbprv.exe-native.log and gbprvrecordingservice.exe-native.log files.

Any ideas on what is going on?

Bill

[sub]

If I now close live tv and play a recorded show, the nvidia decoder is NOT being used eventhough I have specified its use as noted above.

Are you sure?

I do not have the "use ffdshow for post processing" checkbox checked in the config program. Am I doing something stupid (I don't know a lot about codecs and how to use them) I have also attached gbprv.exe-native.log and gbprvrecordingservice.exe-native.log files.

Checking the "use ffdshow for post processing" checkbox tries to force directshow to use ffdshow. If you leave this unchecked, it does not mean it wont be used. ffdshow can be very insistant that it is used. The only way to ensure its not used is either uninstall ffdshow, or go into the ffdshow settings and set the "Multiple ffdshows instances" setting to "none - disabled".

Am I doing something stupid (I don't know a lot about codecs and how to use them) I have also attached gbprv.exe-native.log and gbprvrecordingservice.exe-native.log files.

Your gbpvr.exe-native.log shows GB-PVR is successfully using the NVIDEO decoder, and there are no signs of ffdshow:

08:07:00.015 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - Default DirectSound Device
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - Video Renderer
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - NVIDIA Video Decoder
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - NVIDIA Audio Decoder
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - MPEG-2 Demultiplexer
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - C:\TV Recordings\Greys Anatomy\Greys Anatomy_20051106_22012300.mpg

[fiteclub]

Sub

I am quite sure it is not being used. Anytime the nvidia decoder is used, it produces a taskbar icon so that you can dynamically adjust the video and audio decoders. It is there during live TV, but is not during playback of recording. When I play the file using Windows media player, the properties panel shows the ffdshow mpeg 4 decoder being used as well. When I run the Microsoft Windows XP video decoder checkup utility, the nvidia decoder is there and the only one with a check mark; the ffdshow decoder does not even show up in the list.

I will try your suggestion about disabling ffdshow.

Again, why is an mpeg4 decoder being used for an mpeg2 file?

Is there a way to check the decoder being use during playback?

[sub]

I am quite sure it is not being used. Anytime the nvidia decoder is used, it produces a taskbar icon so that you can dynamically adjust the video and audio decoders. It is there during live TV, but is not during playback of recording.

I hear what you're saying, but the graph filter list in your logs indicate the system chose to use the NVIDIA and there is no other decoder in the list, so if you're seeing a picture, then I'm sure it is using the NVIDIA video decoder. I dont know why there icon isnt showing up for you.

When I play the file using Windows media player, the properties panel shows the ffdshow mpeg 4 decoder being used as well. When I run the Microsoft Windows XP video decoder checkup utility, the nvidia decoder is there and the only one with a check mark;

ffdshow does some funny tricks to make sure it gets used. Its not a standard video decoder, so it doesnt show up in Microsoft's decoder check utility.

Again, why is an mpeg4 decoder being used for an mpeg2 file?

I think that is just a bad name they picked for their decoder. It probably supports MPEG1/MPEG2/MPEG4. They're probably trying to imply 'MPEG4 or lower' or something.

Is there a way to check the decoder being use during playback?

If you look in the gbpvr.exe-native.log it lists the names of all the filters Directshow decided to use for playing that file. As an example from your logs:

08:07:00.015 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - Default DirectSound Device
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - Video Renderer
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - NVIDIA Video Decoder
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - NVIDIA Audio Decoder
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - MPEG-2 Demultiplexer
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - C:\TV Recordings\Greys Anatomy\Greys Anatomy_20051106_22012300.mpg

This shows NVIDIA video and audio decoders being used for playback of this file. These arnt the list of things GB-PVR would prefer to use - they are list of things that directshow actually used.

[fiteclub]

I hear what you're saying, but the graph filter list in your logs indicate the system chose to use the NVIDIA and there is no other decoder in the list, so if you're seeing a picture, then I'm sure it is using the NVIDIA video decoder. I dont know why there icon isnt showing up for you.

OK, can't get a more definitive answer than that! esp. since it is coming from the guy who wrote the program.

Just wonder why the nvidia decoder settings page disappears when I switch from live TV to watching a recording. I really like being able to dynamically tweak the decoder during playback to get the best picture. Works great with live TV. (Hmm, wonder if it goes away if I start time shifting....will try that experiment tonight)

ffdshow does some funny tricks to make sure it gets used. Its not a standard video decoder, so it doesnt show up in Microsoft's decoder check utility.

makes sense

I think that is just a bad name they picked for their decoder. It probably supports MPEG1/MPEG2/MPEG4. They're probably trying to imply 'MPEG4 or lower' or something.

thats probably it.

If you look in the gbpvr.exe-native.log it lists the names of all the filters Directshow decided to use for playing that file. As an example from your logs:

08:07:00.015 VERBOSE Graph contains the following filters:
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - Default DirectSound Device
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - Video Renderer
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - NVIDIA Video Decoder
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - NVIDIA Audio Decoder
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - MPEG-2 Demultiplexer
08:07:00.015 VERBOSE - C:\TV Recordings\Greys Anatomy\Greys Anatomy_20051106_22012300.mpg

This shows NVIDIA video and audio decoders being used for playback of this file. These arnt the list of things GB-PVR would prefer to use - they are list of things that directshow actually used.

Well, there you go.

Thanks for your prompt responses.