Help understanding DXVA, CoreAVC, iTunes & WMP11.

[bigdavethehorn]

I’ve upgraded a friend’s machine, primarily to play 1080p .mov files created from a Toshiba Camileo S10 camcorder. I think these videos are compressed using the H.264 codec (if that’s even a codec!).

The old machine had a socket 939 Athlon 64 3700 & an ATI x850. I replaced these with an x2 3800 & a 4350. My understanding is that the 4350 should handle the majority of decoding tasks, but I’d like to question how to instruct it to do this.

The camcorder files default to iTunes for playback, which my friend is happy with. I’m not an iTunes user, so I have no idea whether there is a checkbox or setting to be ticked to enable hardware decoding. Similarly, in the event that my friend wants to watch, say a 1080p WMV, is there a setting within WMP11 to force hardware decoding?

I’d like to make this as foolproof for two non-video-understanding types so that 1080p playback just works through GPU acceleration!

TIA.

 

[crustybooger]

step by step picture guide with links to all the software and test files you will need:

http://nunnally.ahmygoddess.net/watching-h264-videos-using-dxva/

oh also, not all 1080p videos will benefit from using CUDA/DXVA but the vast majority will, it just depends on how the video was encoded.

 

[TheResidentEvil]

I thought all would benefit from CUDA but not all would benefit from DXVA

 

[Ryokurin]

Some things like reference frames have the same limits in both CUDA and DXVA (16) and both prefer that you play files that comply to profiles. (max 4.1 I believe) Still a lot of files out there that use more reference frames then allowed or don't fit a profile. Mostly due to people believing that their way looks better, or they are using old software that made non compliant files.

 

[CrimandEvil]

I thought all would benefit from CUDA but not all would benefit from DXVA

It doesn't matter since he has a 4350 and not an NV card. DXVA support has gotten much better too.

Either way, OP, you really need to install Media Player Classic and have all video files play through it instead of anything else. Video through iTunes/Quicktime doesn't support hardware acceleration so it's going to choke.

Oh, and that link is a pretty good guide for setup.

 

[bigdavethehorn]

step by step picture guide with links to all the software and test files you will need:

http://nunnally.ahmygoddess.net/watching-h264-videos-using-dxva/

oh also, not all 1080p videos will benefit from using CUDA/DXVA but the vast majority will, it just depends on how the video was encoded.

Wow, lot of info in that thread! I'll give this a go and see how we get on!

Thank you.