VMR9 Custom Renderer Tearing

[daza67]

I'm using the patched NativeUtilities.dll and the vmr9 custom renderer setting and experiencing bad tearing.

The tearing occurs in about the top 50% of the screen when playing back or viewing HD 1080i sources. It seems most noticible during scenes of high motion or background pans.

The problem does not occur when playing back SD 576i or 576p material. Problem is not present when using the standard vmr9 setting.

The non-patched version of NativeUtilities.dll also exhibited this behaviour.

Anyone else having this issue ?

Daza

[sub]

Sorry, but I doubt there is anything I could change that would help this. I think nvidia would probably need to correct this.

You could try a different video decoder - it might help.

[daza67]

Sub,

Is this custom renderer thing also known as custom allocator ? If so there seems to be a lot is mentioned around the web on tearing problems using this method.

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=...+allocator

There is all this confusing jargon, exclusive full screen. vmr9 windowed, vmr9 windowless, etc.

I remember zoomplayer had some issues with this and vmr9 modes a couple of years ago but it was sorted in the end. It handles 1080i playback without any tearing set vmr9 windowed or windowless.

I don't think it's entirely an nvidia thing or other applications would have issues with it as well. The behaviour has not changed between driver releases since the custom renderer setting has been available in gbpvr.

Daza

[sub]

Yes, it is using a customer allocator presenter.

The only way that I'm aware of to get around this tearing issue is to add 'full screen exclusive' mode into the mix, but there is several downsides to going down that path, including only working in fullscreen mode, and not being compatible with multi-monitors, and being badly supported by many video card drivers. It is available in SageTV and BeyondTV, but I've seen polls on both websites that indicate very few people use this (for a variety of problem-related reasons). I'm not keen to pursue full screen exclusive mode.

In fullscreen exclusive mode, each frame is 'flipped' to the screen when the monitor refresh occurs, in much the same way you'd get in a game.

I have read a lot of information on this topic, and I'm not aware of any other way to ensure tearing does not occur, but if you think you've found the solution described on another website, post the URL and I'm happy to have a read.

[daza67]

Sub,

Take a read of this post: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthrea...ost6429724

According to Vern Dias over at avsforums (who seems to know what he's talking about), no nvidia card will do 1080i/p playback without tearing when not using renderless full screen mode.

From what I can glean MCE, Theatertek and Zoomplayer all make use of this mode. It seems for Nvidia users it seems there is no other option. I'd dread going back to an ATI again card for HTPC use in PAL land !

I'm sure a lot of users use gbpvr on a dedicated HTPC and would not care about multi-monitor or windowed usage. It would be nice to have this as an option for nvidia users.

Daza

[daza67]

Can anyone else with an nvidia card and access to 1080i content confirm the tearing behaviour using vmr9 custom renderer ? Just trying to gauge if it's only me with this problem.

I tested two setups that both display the tearing problem playing 1080i content.

1. HTPC (7600GT connected dvi to AE500 projector 1280x720@50Hz).

2. Desktop PC (6600GT connected dvi viewsonic VX2025WM 1680x1050@50Hz).

[Ambro]

I'm sure a lot of users use gbpvr on a dedicated HTPC and would not care about multi-monitor or windowed usage. It would be nice to have this as an option for nvidia users.

Daza

I second this - multi monitor / windowed has no real place in dedicated htpcs. An option would help alot of users I'd imagine.

[daza67]

Hi Ambro,

Was wondering if you see the tearing issue with 1080i material on your 7600GT. I'm assuming your another australian user because you seem to have completely renura based kit in your signature !

Daza

Edit: Problem also present in 97.13 using vmr9 custom renderer

[Kyle]

I'm also have a tearing problem using the Custom Renderer. No problems using the Standard VMR9 renderer. My problem occurs with SDTV output though. I have an NVIDIA 6200 AGP and a Sempron 2600 (1.6Ghz). Low end system compared to many of the others here. I am using the 84.21 drivers since the latest are very unstable (at least for me). I've checked the Vsync option in the drivers with no change. Tearing occurs in the top 25-33% of the screen.

Kyle

[sub]

Sorry, I dont have any suggestion for you other than buy an ATI card.

The more problems and limitations I've see for nvidia cards makes me think they're pretty crap for home theatre usage.