Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie?

BFG · 21-09-2008, 16:40

I've built a HTPC for Blu-ray and HD DVD playback. It's working great for these with no issues. For some reason though, DVD playback is rubbish. It's like a buffer gets full as play is ok for 5-6 seconds, and then it gets worse and worse.

It also sounds like the (hd) dvd drive stops and then restarts making sounds like it's hunting. Have changed it for a normal DVD drive (IDE rather than SATA on the new drive) and I'm having the same issues.

VLC player is playing DVDs fine, so it looks like software rather than hardware that's the issue.

Any braniac out there with any suggestions? I've installed ffdshow and had a play around, but to no avail :-(

**mannyo** · 21-09-2008, 17:08

What software are you using and have you enabled hardware acceleration in the software settings for normal DVD playback.

Also check for updates to said software, and also your graphics and sound drivers as these all play a part. If you are using an nvidia card, look at the nvidia site for new drivers rather than the card vendors site.

BFG · 21-09-2008, 17:10

Oops - that would help

Windows Vista Ultimate 32. Got PowerDVD 7 OEM free with the GGC-H20L LG HDDVD/DB drive. Problem occurs in PowerDVD, WMP, WMC but not VLC

Have tried with & without hardware accel & ATI drivers + all software updates installed.

**mannyo** · 21-09-2008, 17:39

VLC uses its own codecs, the other players will all be using the same one. From power DVD with a normal DVD inserted, but not playing click on configuration and then the Video tab and make sure a tick is in the use hardware acceleration box.

I am using 7.3 Ultra and it can play HD-DVDs and normal DVD's fine.

BFG · 24-09-2008, 20:20

Got it sorted - downloaded Microsoft's codec selector, chose powerdvd and it's all fine. Thanks for your help

***Neo_VR*** · 26-09-2008, 11:24

Also might be worth making sure your motherboard has the right drivers and that your cd/dvd drive hasnt flipped from DMA mode to PIO mode (which will hammer the CPU any time the optical drive is used)

21-09-2008, 16:40	#1
BFG Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 35 Members Car: Octy mk1 vRS Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie? I've built a HTPC for Blu-ray and HD DVD playback. It's working great for these with no issues. For some reason though, DVD playback is rubbish. It's like a buffer gets full as play is ok for 5-6 seconds, and then it gets worse and worse. It also sounds like the (hd) dvd drive stops and then restarts making sounds like it's hunting. Have changed it for a normal DVD drive (IDE rather than SATA on the new drive) and I'm having the same issues. VLC player is playing DVDs fine, so it looks like software rather than hardware that's the issue. Any braniac out there with any suggestions? I've installed ffdshow and had a play around, but to no avail :-(

21-09-2008, 17:08	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,478 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 362 Times in 333 Posts	Re: Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie? What software are you using and have you enabled hardware acceleration in the software settings for normal DVD playback. Also check for updates to said software, and also your graphics and sound drivers as these all play a part. If you are using an nvidia card, look at the nvidia site for new drivers rather than the card vendors site. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

21-09-2008, 17:10	#3
BFG Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 35 Members Car: Octy mk1 vRS Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie? Oops - that would help Windows Vista Ultimate 32. Got PowerDVD 7 OEM free with the GGC-H20L LG HDDVD/DB drive. Problem occurs in PowerDVD, WMP, WMC but not VLC Have tried with & without hardware accel & ATI drivers + all software updates installed.

21-09-2008, 17:39	#4
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,478 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 362 Times in 333 Posts	Re: Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie? VLC uses its own codecs, the other players will all be using the same one. From power DVD with a normal DVD inserted, but not playing click on configuration and then the Video tab and make sure a tick is in the use hardware acceleration box. I am using 7.3 Ultra and it can play HD-DVDs and normal DVD's fine. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

24-09-2008, 20:20	#5
BFG Briskodian Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Gloucestershire Posts: 35 Members Car: Octy mk1 vRS Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie? Got it sorted - downloaded Microsoft's codec selector, chose powerdvd and it's all fine. Thanks for your help

26-09-2008, 11:24	#6
*Neo_VR* Om nom nom nom Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 12,484 Members Car: A White Car Thanks: 79 Thanked 176 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Anybody a Home Theatre PC techie? Also might be worth making sure your motherboard has the right drivers and that your cd/dvd drive hasnt flipped from DMA mode to PIO mode (which will hammer the CPU any time the optical drive is used) __________________ ColGod the UberMod ,___, [O.o] /)__) -"--"- ORLY??

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