DVD/Xvid Playback

[paulpenny]

I have been trying to get my head around how this works in MCE.

Am I right in saying that MCE effectively uses WMP10 to playback DVD, TV and Video files? But it needs to have DVD decoder installed to enable this?

My Advent has PowerDVD installed and I assume that it is this which governs playback in MCE.

Therefore, am I able to use different DVD decoders? and if so, is there anything that is generally accepted as the best option. I would want to remain with something that operates seamlessly with the MCE interface.

Thanks

Paul

[lisag]

You can use different codecs, I use ffdshow and ac3 filter for divx/xvid files. MCE requires a particular supported DVD codec, there are a few but nvidia purevideo is very popular.

[paulpenny]

Can you use the nvidia codec even if you have and ati graphics card? I think i am getting myself confused here.

Initially I installed the Dvix player and codecs to play xvid/dvix files but i got the odd lockup when playing the HDTV rips of Rome. So after searching on here I installed the koepi codec. i did an uninstall for dvix first, although i am not entirely sure that this removed the codecs. I don't know if this has improved things.

From what you said I assume that ffdshow will do the same job.

TBH the picture quality on DVD's is pretty good with PowerDVD, but you know how it is - once you get everything working fine the temptation to fiddle and improve is irresistable

Paul

[lisag]

Yes you can use nvidia codec with an ATI card, but you will not get use of the purevideo post processing that is only available with certain nvidia cards. You can download a 30 day trial from nvidia website, and just have a quick test to see if you are missing out on anything!

[Malabbey]

Stick with PowerDVD as long as it's version 6. Personally, I found Cyberlink (PowerDVD) to function better than Nvidia's PureVdeo.

[lochindaal]

Xvid is an open source decoding format.

Google xvid codec. Download it.

Restart media centre and it should work. There are seperate video and audio codecs so use GSpot and check your source file for the required audio codec