[butterw2]

# Video playback pipeline on Windows in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR, Video+Display)

Mpc-hc works in 8-bit by default.

0) Graphics Driver Settings (mostly disabled >> set to "Application Settings")
- features supported by gpu hardware.
- Output should be set to the same as your display (typ for PC: RGB full range)

1) Video File (container: .mp4, .mkv)
- Video (Codec: x264, x265)
- typ. YUV420 (chroma channels are subsampled), Gamma-Encoded 8/10bits,
- Resolution+Progressive+Framerate, ex: 720p30,
- color primaries and matrix: bt709 (HDTV)
- color range: Limited (Low: 16-235), (vs Full/PC: 0-255)
...streaming/bluray movies and TV shows are mastered in Limited range.
- Audio channels
- Subtitle channels
Mpc-hc/be Menu: File > Properties: MediaInfo.dll file information.

2) DirectShow player x86 or x64 (ex: mpc-hc, etc.)
- Features: window, play, seeking, configuration/Menu/Hotkeys, shaders, screenshots

Modern video players come with the decoders required to play any standard video without the need to install codecs/codec packs.
- DShow graph: Splitter > Decoder* > Renderer*
2a) LAV Filters - ffmpeg based DirectShow Splitter and Decoders (LAV Splitter >> LAV Video + LAV Audio)
MPC-HC/BE Menu: Play > Filters > Video Decoder
The decoder defines the color space at the renderer input (typ. same as source: YUV or RGB, 8, 10, 16bits)

2b) Renderer: DirectX 9 EVR-CP (Enhanced Video Renderer-Custom Presenter >Win8) + DXVA2 gpu hw Acceleration*
- default in MPC-HC

MPC-HC/BE Menu: View > Renderer Settings > Display Statistics (Ctrl+J) overlay
Input, ex: NV12, YV12
- Save Image... (Alt+I) input Screenshot
- YUV >> RGB Conversion
2c) RGB Processing Surface: int8, int10, float16
- Color Controls (Brightness, Contrast, Hue, Saturation)
- Zoom, Pan&Scan
- Rotation
- Pixel Shaders (gpu)
- RGBA float4(32, 32, 32, 32)
- Pre-resize user Pixel Shader chain
- Resizer (ex: bicubic A=-0.75, to 1080p)
- Post-resize user Pixel Shader chain (in Screen Space)
BackBuffer/Display ?

2d) Overlay (Alpha blended)
- Subtitles
- OSD, On Screen Display

MPC-BE (Shift+F5): Save Displayed Image (auto) - output Screenshot
Mixer Output ?

3) Output interface/cable: typ. hdmi
> RGB Monitor/HDTV (Resolution/Framerate, reported bit depth: 8 or 10bit), ex: 1920x1080, 60Hz, 8bit
- Settings on Monitor. (Brightness/Contrast/Gamma, RGB Range, etc.)
- SDR (sRGB), color: bt709.
- Gamma-decode