Hi-Def jumping/skipping on PC

[vipergrm]

I recently connected my PC to my Sony 50" RPTV but when it plays back HD content it skips, as if it is missing frames or struggling to display the content. It also does this on my my PC LCD screen so I know it's something to do with the PC. I use Windows Media player, would that be the problem? Do I need a faster processor? Here are my specs:

AMD 64 3200+ (Newcastle Core I think)
Geforce 6800 GT 256MB graphics
1GB Crucial RAM
200GB Seagate SATA HDD

Many thanks in advance for your help.

[Starburst]

The spec is more than adequate for mpeg2 and wmv HD playback but I would consider adding a second hard drive, it may be that the drive is struggling with the OS and associated useage and streaming high bitrate data.

Always worth trying another media player as well such as VLC or even a basic DVD software player if the HD content is mpeg2/TS.

[dan1979]

Definitely try VLC,Theatertek stumbles and stutters when I try and run a .ts file from the DVD drive but VLC plays it smooth as silk - it plays virtually everything that other players don't like.

Have a look at your CPU usage as well, the most recent Nvidia drivers put mine at 100% for all video files, switched to an older one and it was down to 30%

[vipergrm]

Thanks guys. Dan1979, I did try VLC as Starburst suggested but it's still the same. I am using the latest Nvidia drivers so I will try and find an older one to see if that helps. Thanks again!

[dan1979]

77.72 are the ones I use alongside the newest nForce drivers.

[vipergrm]

Thanks Dan1979. I am downloading this driver now. Where do you get the nforce drivers from? I take it this is the motherboard chipset? Thanks

[Baggy]

When you say HD content do you mean ts or WMV-HD.

I'm using 81.95 drivers with my 7800GT and have no problems with ts files.

Guru3d is a good place to look for drivers.

[dan1979]

Originally Posted by vipergrm

Where do you get the nforce drivers from? I take it this is the motherboard chipset? Thanks

Yes, I have an Nvidia chipset, the drivers come from their site.

[Kevo]

What format are they, 720p or 1080i?

If the latter then it will jump depending on how well it de-interlaces the clip.

I've found WMP and Win DVD7 and to an extent VLC are the best for 1080i clips.

[Tony Hoyle]

If you can also install the nvidia purevideo decoder. I see they've started charging for it now but they've added extra features I guess.. used to be just a codec. It's about the best mpeg2 decoder I've come across.

[cassidy]

Mine does the same with .ts files. I put it down to my processor being not up to teh spec for .ts files. Its a P4 2.8 with a 1GB of ram and a radeon 9800 pro. Checked the processor usage and its over 80%

Gutting it is, well at least until the 360 is setup and I can then let the 360 do all the hard work. In case your wondering you just rename the.ts files to .MPG and the 360 will then play them, well if you have a Media centre pc.

[nigelbb]

Originally Posted by cassidy

Mine does the same with .ts files. I put it down to my processor being not up to teh spec for .ts files. Its a P4 2.8 with a 1GB of ram and a radeon 9800 pro. Checked the processor usage and its over 80%

My HTPC is a an Athlon XP 2000+ with ATI Radeon 9250. Using Theater Tek it plays 1080i .ts files perfectly with about 40% CPU useage. Other players like vlc & WMP max out the CPU. I have hardware acceleration switched on in the graphics driver.

[cassidy]

cheers for that I'll try theatretek as I was using WMP and VLC.

[vipergrm]

Originally Posted by cassidy

cheers for that I'll try theatretek as I was using WMP and VLC.

Hi guys. Thanks for all your very kind replies. For some reason, NONE of this has worked for me. I might whack in another Hard Drive and try a new install of XP to see if it will make any difference. It's by no means unwatchable but nonetheless very irritating.

Theatre Tek seemed to have improved things a little but the movement is still well noticeable.

Nvidia Purevideo didn't work at all. When I tried to playa Hi-Def clip it just brought up a red explanation mark when I cliked on the file. Actually, it did this even on non hi-def content. Does anyone know why this may be?

VLC didn't seem to make any difference at all sadly.

I checked my processor and it runs between 40 and 50% so I don't think this is the problem. Also, I installed the latest VIA Chipset drivers for my motherboard. I think it made a slight improvement but the movement is still there. If anyone has any other suggestions I would be extremely grateful.
Is there somewhere I can download new Codecs?
Could I be using dodgy codecs or something? Just a thought.

Thanks guys!

[neilios]

Hi vipergrm ,when i first got theatertek it stuttered quite alot too .

So the first thing to do is remove all the codecs you have on your system ,remove theatertek ,the nvidia purevideo ,even go into the registry if you have to and remove all traces .

Reboot ,reinstall theatertek ,reboot,start theatertek ,go into the video section and change the buffer to to less ,set video to full screen etc .

Hopefully this should sort out the problems your having ,i know it did for mine ,also i changed my nvidia drivers back to 81.85 ,as the new drivers were poor on my system.

Hope that helps.