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[antispin]

Hi,

This is a persistent problem and only appears when I unselect the "Use Windows Media Player engine for playback when possible" option: All my movies appear pixelated when played. Blocky is not the exact term as it implies artifacting, at least to me. These appear terribly aliased -- the edges of characters and props appear way too jagged. I am using the Vista Codec Pack but this error was also present when I used the KLCodec pack, on a previous install.

The aliased look disappears when using the Windows Media Player engine but now it's itching at the back of my head as to why not otherwise. Another thing: I know there is supposed to be an option for an advanced renderer of some type for Vista (as I saw it in the earlier install) but I am not seeing it this time.

I am going to uninstall this codec pack and try the CCCP. Meanwhile, if someone can take a look at this issue and suggest a remedy, I would be grateful.

SPECS
Media Center 12.0.301 (why isn't this linked on the site's download page btw, considered unstable? In which case could you list it as an option there and indicate its under-development status please?)
Windows Vista Ultimate
Nvidia 6600GT 256MB

EDIT
Almost forgot -- I also don't get any sound control through Media Center while playing movies. This is true even while using the Windows renderer. Sound controls just fine while playing music files.

Thanks

[JimH]

It sounds like you may have found it, but there is a lot of information in the posts by glynor and Yaobing near the bottom of the FAQ on this board (in my signature).

The problem is probably the DirectShow filter you're using for the video type you're playing.

[antispin]

Thanks,

I poured through the FAQ yesterday, and thoroughly researched the codec packs and the why and whats of DirectShow filters. May I say that the interface for assigning the codecs to media type under Media Center is very confusing? I got some strange results playing with the options there

Will install the pack and update this post!

[antispin]

Tried CCCP. The problem persists. Any suggestions? And as before, the audio controls don't work while under the Windows Media Player renderer.

[JimH]

Are the files local?  Or on a network drive?

Also, please copy your system info from MC Help and paste it here.

[antispin]

The files are local.

The info dump you asked for:

Media Center Registered 12.0.301 -- C:\Program Files\J River\Media Center 12\

Microsoft Windows Vista 6.0  (Build 6000)
Intel Core 2 1863 MHz MMX / Memory: Total - 2093 MB, Free - 1381 MB

Internet Explorer: 7.0.6000.16473 / ComCtl32.dll: 5.82.6000 / Shlwapi.dll: 6.0.6000 / Shell32.dll: 6.0.6000 / wnaspi32.dll: N/A
Ripping /   Drive K:   Mode:Normal  Type:Auto  Speed:Max
  Digital playback: Yes /  Use YADB: Yes /  Get cover art: Yes /  Calc replay gain: Yes /  Copy volume: 32767
  Eject after ripping: Yes /  Play sound after ripping: No 

Burning /  Drive K: SONY     DVD RW DRU-820A    Addr: 0:1:0  Speed:3  MaxSpeed:3  BurnProof:Yes
  Test mode: No /  Eject after writing: Yes /  Direct decoding: Yes /  Write CD-Text: Yes
  Use playback settings: No /

Interface Plugins:
  Library Server (Active)
  TiVo Server (Active)
  UPnP Server (Active)

[JimH]

I was wondering if the speed of loading from disk was an issue, but it probably isn't, unless a virus checker is stepping in.

There was a post here a few days ago about a Vista issue that was solved by increasing the priority of the task. 

Other possiblities:

Video driver.

Try a different renderer under MC's DirectShow settings.  VMR7, for example.

[antispin]

Will try that but I doubt that would be it (since it works with one set of filters and not the other). I currently don't have an AV installed, btw.

[antispin]

Tried turning the priority up a notch. Did not work.

[antispin]

The aliased image, when Windows Media Player engine is disabled (audio control works here)


This one with the Windows Media player engine enabled (no audio control)

[JimH]

Did you check for updated video drivers?

[antispin]

Yup. Installed the latest. This is a very fresh install as well (only this Friday).

[prod]

Try these two topics;

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=41688.0
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=40040.0

If it is the same problem, it seems to be cropping up quite a bit, particularly with people running Vista with nVidia drivers.

Almost forgot -- I also don't get any sound control through Media Center while playing movies. This is true even while using the Windows renderer. Sound controls just fine while playing music files.

Yeah this is one of the reasons using "WMP when possible" is not a good option.

[antispin]

Yup. Same issue here. Bloody drivers