DxVA with PowerDVD 8 on HD3650: Some work, some don't

[Commander Keen]

Hi.
I've got a problem with Hardware decoding on my HD3650 AGP.
I've got quite some files that don't match the Level 4.1.
Thus they don't work.
What I don't understand is this: I've got a 1080-file with high@5.1 and 16 RefFrames. DxVA doesn't work of course.

I've got another one at 720 that also has high@5.1 with 8 RefFrames. This one works and according to my cpu-usage it plays with DxVA. (I've got a Sempron 3400 wich would go to almost 100% while softwaredecoding).

So here's my question: Why do files that shouldn't work with DxVA play at 720 but 1080-files don't?
Is PowerDVD kind of "partially" using DxVA? And if so, why not with 1080? Can I tweak this in some settings I don't know of?

THX!

P.S. I'm using MediaPortal 1.0 RC4 on WinXP Prof. SP3

[Kado]

Depends on the number of reference frames in the video (along with some other stuff) not on the level. I think that up to 11 reference frames H264 DXVA works.

[Commander Keen]

Thx.

So there's no such thing as partially using DxVA?

[Kado]

Only if you're using cyberlink's decoder. MPC-HC decoder does not support Motion Compensation for h264, only full bitstream decoding.
I'm uploading the file to rapidshare.

Here you go:
Air Opening Long Version B 1080p (http://rapidshare.com/files/171907774/___12450___12491___12513___AIR___26144___20687___29305___20856__Opening_B__LongVer___BD-BOX_1920x108.html) DXVA compatible, CABAC / 1 reference frame.
(It can only be downloaded 10 times due to rapidshare limit)

[Commander Keen]

In fact I'm using Powerdvd in combination with MediaPortal. So no MPC-HC.

But still, the file won't play. It's not like the codec decides that it cannot use DXVA (or only partly) and tries to let the cpu do all the work. Because this would result in an actual playback of the file at at least a few fps. But in my case, it simply shows a black screen. So I don't think that Cyberlinks Powerdvd-codec supports something like partly HW-accelerated.
But nevermind, I've decided to upgrade my CPU to be able to decode 1080-material without DXVA when necessary.

And thank you also for your upload. What is it supposed to show me? I do have files that work with DXVA so I think I can save the bandwith. Or did I miss something?

[Kado]

Use MPC-HC then. Cyberlink's decoder supports both partial and full decoding, I have tested before with a 6800gs on xp and a 9800gtx in vista.
If the file I provided does not play then is your setup (software) fault because that file is 100% dxva compatible.
You should try MPC hc with the internal h264 (dxva) decoder and the file I provided.

[Commander Keen]

I dont want to use MPC-HC. I am happy with MediaPortal. Or is there a way to use the codec of MPC-HC with MediaPortal?
And my problem isnt playing DXVA-compatible material.
The question is where the problems with imcompatible material start. As you said, More than 11 RefFrames dont work.
Anyway, since I decided to upgrade my MediaCenter the problem becomes somewhat less important.

[Kado]

Get the mpc filters here (http://tosei.ru/isoft/mpc/).
I prefer to use the gpu for video decoding because it uses way less energy than my cpu.

[Mah]

Useful site.