H.264 Playback

[FaiT]

I've seen alot of references to higher quality playback methods and was wondering if someone could give me any suggestions. Currently I use VLC, I have one computer where I would like to maximize quality and another where I would like to limit CPU usage (cause it sucks) Any help would be appreciated, also any advice on weather different methods can have a significant impact on quality. Thanks in advance :).

[Przemek_Sperling]

Can you write anything about your hardware?

In my case:
1. my desktop with Windows 7 and AMD 5770 - MPC-HC (which utilizes DXVA). CPU utilization is negligible.
2. my old laptop with Windows XP and GMA 500 (a part of Centrino platform) and Intel Pentium M 1.86 GHz single core - MPC-HC and Divx H.264 Decoder. I am able to play any material up to 720p. CPU utilization in 720 is around 80%.

Post scriptum. I forgot DVB-T which broadcasts using H.264. I use Mirillis Splash Player Lite for playback. CPU utilization negligible. The player can play mkv, mp4, etc. files too.

[Ghitulescu]

I've seen alot of references to higher quality playback methods and was wondering if someone could give me any suggestions.

Get a bluray player (+/- AVCHD), if the files are compatible (they should be unless they are illegal) they will play at their maximum quality (ie true 24/23.976fps, no A/V synch issues, full 7.1 HD audio and so on).

[FaiT]

Thanks for the posts. I have done a little research since I posted the topic. I am now using potplayer with madvr and coreavc.

my computer is Windows 7 core I3-330M Geforce 330M 4G DDR3 500G 5400 Hard Drive. My crap computer is an amd single core around 3Ghz with one gig of Ram DDR and windows XP, Geforce something or other with 512vram.

I think I have the perfect combo but more advice is always welcome, after all I am a noob. I havn't tested this player and codec on my older computer but I think it will play fine. As far as I can tell madvr is the best video renderer out there - coreavc is the most efficient decoder - and potplayer is one of the most feature rich media players. Resizing using spline36.

If anyone knows a method to achiever higher quality playback, I would be happy to know. Also any info is really welcome, I am very new to this and could use the insight. :thanks:

If I wasn't clear I meant a software media player, I do have a blu ray player (original 60 gig PS3 with upgraded hard drive and all firmware updates) which I use for both local playback and streaming on my TV but I wanted a good software player for my computers.

[Przemek_Sperling]

I think that there is nothing left to optimize in both your machines :-)

[smok3]

My crap computer is an amd single core around 3Ghz with one gig of Ram DDR and windows XP, Geforce something or other with 512vram.

see if your "Geforce something" is capable of hardware decoding of h.264, otherwise you may want to replace that.

edit:
- my old standalone rig with passively cooled (quiet) GeForce 9400 GT can do it for example.
- my lil asus eee 1201n (Nvidia ION of some sort) can do it as well
(both running linux)