Problem with playback artefacts - horizontal breaks/flicker

[Gen]

I built a new computer a couple of days ago and have found that pretty much any type of video I play (DVDs, VOBs, Xvid AVIs, etc.) all have slight horizontal breaks in the image when the camera moves. The media isn't the problem because the DVDs and video files work perfectly in a standalone DVD player and other drives.

I'm just wondering if there's a setting I need to adjust, or something I need to download that would fix the issue, as I don't think it's a hardware problem. I've upgraded to an ATi HD3870 card now, and in the past, videos have worked fine using Nvidia GeForce 6100 and ATi Radeon x1600 video cards. Any help would be appreciated.

[Susana]

try videolan which uses its own codecs; this way you rule out a codec problem.

[Gen]

Yeah, I should've mentioned...I've tried VLC, as well as Media Player + ffdshow, and it occurs with both of them.

[jeffy]

Any possibility of a screenshot?

[setarip_old]

@GenI've tried VLC, as well as Media Player + ffdshow, and it occurs with both of them.This would seem to suggest a hardware problem.

I'd suggest that you open the computer you've just built and make sure everything, particularly your videocard, is properly seated and securely connected.

You should also run a RAM test, to check for bad memory...

[Gen]

@Jeffy: Just tried, but it's only evident while watching the video and doesn't show up in the screenshot.

@setarip_old: I can see the video card's seated fine; it's screwed in and the connection's secure. I ran memtest overnight last night, and there were no errors. Ran Prime95 today as well, and there were no problems.

[jeffy]

Try 3DMark and watch out for the artifacts:
http://www.futuremark.com/download/3dmark06/

Are you overclocking your card or is it a factory overclocked model? It might be the cause.

EDIT:
What is your OS and what driver version do you have?
http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx

[Gen]

Nope, it's the basic Asus model, not factory overclocked or anything. I'm not a gamer, so I've no real need to overclock it myself. I'll try 3DMark later today though, thanks for your help.

[jeffy]

Probably:
EAH3870/G/HTDI/512M
EAH3870 TOP/G/HTDI/512M
http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=2&l2=8&l3=603

Unless I'm wrong, the highlighted model is factory overclocked.

Are you using the abovementioned ATI drivers or the drivers listed here?
http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=EAH3870%20Series

[setarip_old]

@Gen

And you're sure you're not just viewing interlaced video that requires being deinterlaced?

[Gen]

@jeffy: I'm using XP Pro, and I double checked the drivers on the ATI and Asus sites and they're all up to date (v.8.476). After installing the card, I actually downloaded the ATI drivers first instead of using the ones on the Asus installation disc, because people had stated problems with Asus' drivers. The video card's EAH3870/G/HTDI/512M, definitely not the overclocked model. I ran 3DMark, and the same thing happened in pretty much all the tests, even with higher fps; it occurs more often if the image is moving quickly though.

@setarip: I'm a real n00b when it comes to that, so I have no idea, but does it affect regular DVDs? I ripped my Brazil DVD earlier today and converted it to AVI. I popped the actual DVD in the drive just now, and noted a point where the artefacts occur during the movie. Then I compared the AVI conversion and VOB rip at the same point, and the artefacts show up on both of them. They don't show up on the DVD when viewed on my standalone player.

[setarip_old]

Sounds like you have to do some research both here and on the Internet regarding "interlaced" material and "deinterlacing".

1) What software are you using to playback your DVD and .AVI? See if there are any deinterlacing-related settings.

2) What software and procedures did you use to convert the DVD to .AVI?

3) Can you post a small clip that will show what you've described?

[Soulhunter]

If it doesn't show up on screenshots, it unlikely its interlacing, no? Blind guess: Does it look like some part of your screen already shows the next image while the rest still shows the current one? Then its related to the synchronization between video fps, videocard/renderer and your monitor... Try to use a different renderer in MPC, try to use a different refreshrate for your monitor, try to change the source fps via ffdshow (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=101859), try to override directdraw's refreshrate via dxdiag! :]


Bye

[setarip_old]

@SoulhunterIf it doesn't show up on screenshots, it unlikely its interlacing, no?A short clip, as I requested, would help determine this with more certainty...

[Gen]

Right, I think I've sorted it out. I'm a bit of an idiot...

@setarip: I use VLC for playback, and sometimes WMP. After switching through all the deinterlacing-related settings, nothing solved the problem. All the VOBs were ripped using DVD Decrypter, and the AVIs were converted using AutoGK. I've got some x264 files that were converted using AutoMKV, also.

@Soulhunter: No, that's not the problem, but I read about it and went on to find my problem was "tearing" (yeah I didn't know that's what it was called...like I said, I'm a total newbie).

It seems that tearing's fairly common among ATi card users, as the ATi Catalyst software automatically switches the vertical refresh/VSync setting to "off, unless application specifies". I switched it on, and the problem was fixed!

So...pretty easy solution. Sorry I bothered you all with it, but I really appreciated all your help. :)

[jeffy]

Thanks for a VSync report.

[setarip_old]

@GenIt seems that tearing's fairly common among ATi card users, as the ATi Catalyst software automatically switches the vertical refresh/VSync setting to "off, unless application specifies". I switched it on, and the problem was fixed!Good info to have shared with all. Glad to hear you've resolved your dilemma ;>}

[Soulhunter]

@Soulhunter: No, that's not the problem, but I read about it and went on to find my problem was "tearing" (yeah I didn't know that's what it was called...like I said, I'm a total newbie)...
Tearing is exactly what i described... Its caused by synchronization problems between two or more components (source fps, renderer, videocard, monitor). Just forgot to mention the vertical sync option on the "to try" list! :]

Bye