Nonstop problems with directvobsub (vsfilter) v2.37 not working

[hakujin]

I've been using VobSub v2.23 for the longest until today. It won't display subs in x264 content w/ .mkv container. I've enabled in Haali Splitter but still no go. So I think, maybe I should update to latest VobSub. I install vsfilter v2.37 nt and not matter what content I play (i.e xvid, mkv, etc.) WMP11 will load, along with the vobsub arrow in systray, but it'll just hang. Media won't play, but WMP11 will still respond and close properly.

Using

CoreAVC 1.3.00
VSFilter v2.37
AC3 Filter
Haali Splitter
Windows XP Pro


Any ideas on what the inconsistency between 2.23 (which works on any content but mkv) and 2.37 (which doesn't work period)?


EDIT: I've also tried Gabest Splitter and VSFilter v2.36 with no luck. To reiterate, the difference is 2.23 works with xvid and pops up when playing .mkv (but no subs) whereas v2.36 works with nothing, stalls video, yet still pops up (in systray).
TIA

[Milvus]

Have you tried playing your files with MediaPlayerClassic or ZoomPlayer ? Many people see them as better players than WMP. And I never had problems using VSFilter with them.

You can also try to use Graphedit to investigate the problem, use the "Render Media File" option and post the graph here so we can see if there's a problem.

[KoD]

You need to uninstall the old VobSub v2.23 properly, that is using its uninstaller and not simply unregistering it before registering the new version of vsfilter.

[hakujin]

You need to uninstall the old VobSub v2.23 properly, that is using its uninstaller and not simply unregistering it before registering the new version of vsfilter.


I've done that.

[hakujin]

Have you tried playing your files with MediaPlayerClassic or ZoomPlayer ? Many people see them as better players than WMP. And I never had problems using VSFilter with them.

You can also try to use Graphedit to investigate the problem, use the "Render Media File" option and post the graph here so we can see if there's a problem.

I'll try that; thanks.

[hakujin]

You need to uninstall the old VobSub v2.23 properly, that is using its uninstaller and not simply unregistering it before registering the new version of vsfilter.

Forgot to ask; shouldn't v2.23 show subs with x264 mkv as well?

[KoD]

If the subs inside the mkv container are ass/ssa, vsfilter 2.23 will not know how to display them.

[hakujin]

O.K, here goes graphedit results for VobSub v2.23 and for vsfilter v2.37. Ironically, v2.37 looks like the one in order yet it can't play back anything without just loading a black screen. FYI, I uninstalled 2.23 via the uninstaller.

In both tests the green arrow, haali splitter, and ac3 filter loaded in my systray. Right clicking on sub tray icon shows 0002 as sub setting, whatever that means. I'm really at a loss now. I know it's a configuration issue as the subs show fine on XBMC thought it can't actually play the files because they are 1280x720p.

What can I do, short of doing a long overdue clean install? I uninstalled ffdshow awhile back. Would bringing that back into the equation remedy the problem I wonder...


Edit: I tried latest stable FFDShow. It have vsfilter built in right? Anyway, enabling subs within ffdshow but after unregistering vsfilter (2.37) did nothing; no subs. Registering vsfilter again, with subs enabled in ffdshow caused everything to load properly but media player to just hang again. I'm not using any filters out of FFDShow but subs if that makes a difference. I wanna use coreAVC and AC3Filter for x264 .mkv

[clsid]

Try VSFilter v2.33

[hakujin]

I'll try that next clsid. One thing worth noting now is I'd be a very unhappy camper had I done a fresh install because I just tested this out on a untouched notebook in the way of filters and such... I knew that the video would skip but it would allow me to see if subs were working. Exact same problem. I'm guessing the problem no longer resides on my computer per se, but in the combination of vsfilter 2.36 and wmp 10 and 11.

To tell you the truth; I've asked but never heard confirmation of anyone actually getting x264 HD in mkv container and subtitles to work so anyone that has, it would be appreciated to know your configuration.

On a side note, I tried mplayer but for some reason, it wouldn't take my coreAVC decoder or S/PDIF passthrough, even after unchecking all its internal filters.

[hakujin]

OMFG, it works! What was the difference between the versions?


Thanks clsid for the solution, and to others that bothered to assist me, truly.

[Milvus]

Never had any problem to use VSFilter, including with 720p MKV with H.264. I'm usually using ZoomPlayer 5.0 Pro with latest HaaliMediaSplitter and a recent ffdshow-tryouts build. I'm on Win2000SP4 and i've not used WMP since years.


Once again, have you tried playing your files with MediaPlayerClassic or ZoomPlayer ?

[hakujin]

I tried mediaplayerclassic, but not feeling it aesthetically as this is sort of a HTPC I'm running... but if you'll read my next to last, I mentioned it didn't work well with my setup (CoreAVC and S/PDIF passthrough).

I'll try Zoom, but it costs and I don't see anything compelling to switch. I know about the power of alternative players and stuff (i.e. I always keep VLC on standby), but ultimately, I prefer to consolidate and since I have a Smartphone; WMP11 becomes the obvious preferred choice.

No worries though Milvus; clsid's recommendation solved it! Some bad juju between Haali, WMP11 and VSFilter v2.37 but all is well w/ 2.33.... It's great in fact!

[KoD]

I've asked but never heard confirmation of anyone actually getting x264 HD in mkv container and subtitles to work

That's probably because nobody took you serious when you said it doesn't work. Or simply because they assumed it's too much of a pain to guide you through.

Vsfilter 2.37 works here perfectly, including in Windows Media Player. (there are changes between 2.33 and 2.37, btw)

[hakujin]

I'm aware there are changes between two revisions of the same product. I hope that's sarcasm but hardly called for.

I was actually referring to the same question I've asked else where; not here. Seems pretentious to say nobody took me seriously or wanted to guide me through what is now a a very simple fix, when indeed everyone DID attempt to solve the matter (inc. you).

I tested on 3 computers; one even, was a fresh install of XP and it did not work. Clearly, there is a disconnect (e.g. bug) and likely that clsid knew of it or he wouldn't have suggested a specific version that solved the situation. I now have fully functioning subs across 3 computers where I did not earlier w/ 2.37. It would seem reasonable to suggest that there is something that doesn't connect with Haali Media Splitter, WMP, vsfilter 2.37 & CoreAVC.

[clsid]

I don't know exactly what causes your problem, but it is somehow related to colorspaces and graphics drivers/cards. Forcing a specific output colorspace in CoreAVC might work too.

[KoD]

Sometimes the subs might be guilty as well. Vsfilter will either not load, refuse to display or simply crash (and take down the host player as well) when the subs don't follow some rules. As you can see, it's hard to tell someone how to solve such an issue.

Indeed, video drivers seem to be a main cause of troubles recently, as well.

[tjvdberg]

Tank you clsid, you solution worked for me to. The only difference with the ts was, that I had Windows vista.

[kikker]

Wow! Great. I've been pulling hairs out trying to figure out why Vsfilter 2.37 does NOT work with Vista/WMP11/Haali's.

Vsfilter 2.33 is the answer. I haven't tried the others in between, but I'm not going touch anything now that things seem to be finally working.

Thanks clsid!