madVR - high quality video renderer (GPU assisted)

[ForceX]

This is probably due to remaining old version files/settings. Uninstall madVR, extract the zip file in a clean folder and install it.

However, you seem to be using an integrated GPU. It probably is not powerful enough to use madVR.

[sneaker_ger]

Now I realized an old version was loading. (v0.23) Now I fixed that and 0.73 loads, but it lacks the preference that the old version does. Instead I have two buttons (Edit settings, and show tray icon) that don't seem to be doing anything when I click on them.

I think those buttons only work when you are actually playing a video. They do not work if you try to open them using some kind of filter manager (like the one built into MPC-HC).

[mzso]

This is probably due to remaining old version files/settings. Uninstall madVR, extract the zip file in a clean folder and install it.

However, you seem to be using an integrated GPU. It probably is not powerful enough to use madVR.
I managed to locate the old version(s) and unregister delete them. But the buttons still don't do anything. Plus I get an error about a missing madHcCtrl.exe file on uninstalling (the current version), then an unregistered successfully message.

I'm using a 2600xt by the way. Not sure if thats powerful enought though. But it seemed to be working quite well with the current version with a 720p file (with subtitles and all), apart from switching from exclusive to windowed mode (and blinking during) whenever I brought up the seekbar. With an 1080p file it turned jerky after a minute or so. Of course I can't see or change the settings...

[ForceX]

In that case, as sneaker_ger said, you'll need to access the settings while playing a video in MPC-HC, by right-clicking on the video > Filters > madVR.

[noee]

I'm using a 2600xt by the way. Not sure if thats powerful enought though. ...

I've got one running too, with madVR, works very well given it's age, even for 1080p material.

[mzso]

In that case, as sneaker_ger said, you'll need to access the settings while playing a video in MPC-HC, by right-clicking on the video > Filters > madVR.
Shoot! I forgot to send the response. Thats the only way I did it with KMP and PotPlayer. And now I tried it with mpc-hc too, nothing happens there either.

[madshi]

Plus I get an error about a missing madHcCtrl.exe file on uninstalling
So maybe madHcCtrl.exe is missing? Try downloading again and make sure that file is there. If it isn't, probably your antivirus software is eating it.

[bur]

Did you change something in regard to this hibernation problem (forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1508824)? I'm asking because when I tried the new version CPU usage was normal after hibernating but when I pressed play MPC crashed. Also after I played a game (Red Faction Guerilla) MPC was using a full core.

[mzso]

So maybe madHcCtrl.exe is missing? Try downloading again and make sure that file is there. If it isn't, probably your antivirus software is eating it.

Ehhh... Thanks for the tip. That darn thing just quarantined it without any notifications.

[mark0077]

madshi, no big issues at all with you're recent builds for me, very happy, just 1 or 2 small niggles that are of course very low priority but heres another I felt worth mentioning.

I was today trying to find a madVR config that allowed me to go from windowed mode, into fullscreen exclusive and back and forth between the two, without getting an audio glitch (I assume d3d is doing this). I found that enabling "Use D3D11 for presentation" set to on fixes this but makes the renderer behaving a little strangely, the biggest problem for me is going into fullscreen mode sometimes doesn't work, screenshot attached for that one. Perhaps you know all of the side effects I describe below but here goes anyways. Not sure if any of this is within you're control even..

- Settings
delay playback start until render queue is full: on
Everything else default
madVR 0.73
Windows 7 64bit, mpc-hc 32bit 3522
Nvidia GTX 295

======================================================
- Use D3D11 for presentation off -
Audio Blip / D3D reset when changing fullscreen mode: Often (What I'm trying to avoid, especially for when playing back music videos with company etc)
Frame Drops On Startup (straight to fullscreen exclusive): 0 (brilliant, thanks to Delay Playback start until render queue is full)
Double Click To Get To Fullscreen: Works Perfect Every Time
======================================================
- Use D3D11 for presentation On -
Audio Blip / D3D reset when changing fullscreen mode: Never (What I'm aiming for)
Frame Drops On Startup (straight to fullscreen exclusive): 20-200 (First Side Effect, perhaps "delay playback start until render queue is full" wasn't designed to work with Use D3D11 for presentation yet)
Double Click To Get To Fullscreen: Only works sometimes, other times madVR looks like its in fullscreen, but says "windowed mode", I can see a horizontal stript of my desktop at the bottom of the screen and I lose the window controls, close, restore, minimize etc. Can be reproduced easily by double clicking a few times in quick succession. I remember it being reported before so maybe its something that hasn't been figured out yet. ImageShack Link (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/856/examplevu.png/). The target rectangle obviously not being 0,0,1920,1080 either in this case.

======================================================

Cheers.

[mzso]

So I guess there isn't a definitive best in the scaling algorithms. Is there a settings guide/explanation somewhere?

[mzso]

I've got one running too, with madVR, works very well given it's age, even for 1080p material.

What settings do you recommend?

[noee]

What settings do you recommend?

SoftCubic70
Spline4
Spline4

enable FSE mode
present frames in advance=8
flush, flush&wait, don't, don't

[rahzel]

It's all preference and I would imagine that it depends on the quality of your source (ie: HD or SD, how clean is it etc.,) and the resolution of your display.

Personally, on my 1080p native display, I use:
Chroma - Softcubic70
Luma up/down (never have to downscale though) - Bicubic60

Comparing two videos of the same content but 720p and 1080p (both encoded to be transparent to the source) on my 1080p display, I found that Bicubic60 matched the closest to the 1080p video (which is not scaled because it matches my display's native resolution) and all of my videos are 720p or 1080p.

Question about, "the display is calibrated to the following transfer function / gamma:". I have already calibrated my display and targeted a 2.35 gamma so I set it to 'pure power curve - 2.35'. What effect does this setting have? I know that, "the display is calibrated to the following primaries/gamut:" will automatically convert any BT.601 videos to BT.709 but wasn't sure about the other one.

[leeperry]

Comparing two videos of the same content but 720p and 1080p (both encoded to be transparent to the source) on my 1080p display, I found that Bicubic60 matched the closest to the 1080p video (which is not scaled because it matches my display's native resolution).
chroma is always upscaled in YV12, chroma is shared in every 2x2 pixel block.

[noee]

Just got a low-end Toshiba Llano (A6/6520) in for casual use. About 15 minutes to set it and plug it into my TX-NR906. This is the strangest Microsoft experience I've ever had with a new machine. Loaded up madVR/LAV/Reclock/MPC-HC and it's been working flawlessly now. I wonder what's wrong? ;)

Anyway, the 6520 is working as expected with madVR FSE with dual-monitor support with the Onkyo.

Toshiba has this thing called "Eco mode". With it on, it says I'm using 21-24W when playing a movie. With it off, it says 27-29W.

Next, I'm going to load up jRiver and see how that plays out.

[QBhd]

Does anyone else have issues with PotPlayer and madVR when playing from a playlist where you have SD avi's followed by HD mkv's? madVR crashes (which then crashes PotPlayer) when the avi finishes and moves on to the mkv. I have to delete the avi's from the playlist, restart PotPlayer and then the mkv's play fine. Anyone else have this prolem?

QB

[leeperry]

Hi madshi, just wanted to confirm that 0.73 is great stuff indeed http://forum.slysoft.com/images/smilies/agreed.gif

I haven't rechecked the colors test patterns but they were fine in 0.72/RGB32. Gamut mapping via rgb3dlut() in YUY2 works just great, especially within ffdshow automatic profiles! And ffdshow subs look far better in RGB32 than in YV12, as its YV12 subs rendering code is borked and creates nasty halos.

The only last minor issue I'm experiencing is that when I make realtimes changes to my Avisynth scripting(like toggling LSF), mVR always stutters like hell...and sometimes will resync after a little while, sometimes after a long while...in both cases, it's just faster to reseek. Sometimes reseek still stutters and requires another reseek. I've put logs here, it'd be great if mVR could resync instantly if any possible: mVR73_Avisynth_suttering_logs.rar (http://www.mediafire.com/?56mpp338b1lpqp6)

:thanks:

[JarrettH]

You mentioned it requires dedicated video graphics memory...so integrated video is a no?

[mentalist]

Has anyone tried madVR with the Nvidia GT 540M card? Are the framerates decent at 1080p etc?

[Budtz]

How do I make these empty folders that was posted in the 0.72 changelog with regards to force full range input" and "YCbCr"?

[ForceX]

Has anyone tried madVR with the Nvidia GT 540M card? Are the framerates decent at 1080p etc?
GT 540M is more than enough to get smooth 1080p playback.

[mzso]

If "all work is done via GPU shaders" why are all high bitrate blu-ray movies played back jerkily, and re-encoded movies smoothly (sofar)?

[jeremy33]

madshi If I set ffdshow in RGB32 and output 0-255, madVR process it like 16-235. madVR is supposed to handle it properly no ?

v0.68
* ffdshow RGB output levels are now automatically detected and handled properly

[JarrettH]

Can I leave nv12 ticked off in ffdshow for any content or is y12 preferred? Reason for wanting to use nv12 all the time is I can have my hardware do deinterlacing and the menus seem to work! :thanks:

[THEAST]

Hi. I have to confess madVR has come a long way since the last time I used it (which was v0.31 I think). At that time, on my setup, it sometimes dropped so many consecutive frames in a row that made me go back to Haali renderer but after upgrading to the newest version, it's working a treat. Still, it lacks an important feature IMHO, and that's support for making screenshots in MPC-HC; do you have any plans to add it in near future? :cool:

[e-t172]

If "all work is done via GPU shaders" why are all high bitrate blu-ray movies played back jerkily, and re-encoded movies smoothly (sofar)?

Because decoding is not done on the GPU, scaling is. Also, "GPU" does not necessarily mean "fast" (especially for low-end cards).

[rahzel]

Don't know if this belongs here, but... is there a preferred output range for Nvidia cards like there is for ATI? The general consensus for ATI is to output full range 0-255... is it the same for Nvidia?
I would be connecting my Nvidia card to my 1080p LCD with HDMI which has the option for both 0-255 and 16-235.
Also, is adding a custom resolution the only way to output 0-255 for both video and desktop?

[ryrynz]

Still, it lacks an important feature IMHO, and that's support for making screenshots in MPC-HC; do you have any plans to add it in near future?

Download Fraps

http://www.fraps.com/download.php

[cyberbeing]

Unless you actually own a license to FRAPS, get MSI Afterburner instead. It's free, and doesn't require you to buy a license to capture JPEG/PNG screenshots or record logo-free Direct3D 8/9/10/11 and OpenGL videos.

[Andy o]

Don't know if this belongs here, but... is there a preferred output range for Nvidia cards like there is for ATI? The general consensus for ATI is to output full range 0-255... is it the same for Nvidia?

Yes. Don't know about custom resolutions though, if that's true, it's probably a bug.

[ryrynz]

Unless you actually own a license to FRAPS, get MSI Afterburner instead. It's free, and doesn't require you to buy a license to capture JPEG/PNG screenshots or record logo-free Direct3D 8/9/10/11 and OpenGL videos.

Nice alternative, focusing only on the screen capture features, you miss out on the repeat screen capture every x seconds option. The JPEG format is not recommended when comparing image quality between two images. The free capture to PNG option is nice but when you tend to delete the files after comparing them I find it really doesn't matter so choose whatever suits you.

[THEAST]

Download Fraps

http://www.fraps.com/download.php

Thanks for the suggestion, never thought I can use FRAPS for this purpose, but TBH, it would be much easier to use MPC-HC's internal screen capturing mechanism, especially for lazy people like me. :p

[takenori]

Unless you actually own a license to FRAPS, get MSI Afterburner instead. It's free, and doesn't require you to buy a license to capture JPEG/PNG screenshots or record logo-free Direct3D 8/9/10/11 and OpenGL videos.

I use afterburner,
somehow, I cant capture the screen when in fullscreen.
its captured, but in the wrong timeline and/or with a wrong aspect ratio.
windowed mode works fine

[TheElix]

I can't capture screenshots when madVR is in exclusive D3D mode as well. It works only in windowed mode.

[ryrynz]

Small issue with RadeonPro but the latest update completely fixed everything.

[nand chan]

If I go to MPC-HC's external filters menu and add “madVR” from the list as prefer, then subtitles disappear - they work fine when using madVR “normally”, together with the internal decoders of madVR.

Furthermore, in the filters menu during playback, it reports “madVR” instead of “madVR renderer” - however, madVR is doing the decoding in both cases. I am certain of this because it displays “libav” in the OSD and not “H.264, 10 bit, 4:2:0 -> P010, 10 bit” or something like it would do with LAV/ffdshow/MPC-HC's internal renderer, also the internal renderer wouldn't even be able to decode Hi10P properly.

Is this filter being misregistered somehow? I can't get “madVR Renderer” into the filters list either, even if I add the .ax file manually. Does MPC-HC interface with madVR uniquely in some way?

Moreover, why does switching to “madVR” instead of “madVR Renderer” cause subtitles to disappear?

[SamuriHL]

madshi fixed that issue. You need to get a more recent version of MPC-HC.

[nand chan]

madshi fixed that issue. You need to get a more recent version of MPC-HC.

How recent are we talking, here? I'm using v1.5.2.3456, do you know in which version it was (approximately) fixed? (I'm asking because I'd like to compile this information elsewhere)

[SamuriHL]

Sorry I don't remember the version. It was posted a few pages back I believe. If you look back a bit you should be able to find it.

[SamuriHL]

Found it for you:


Those of you who want to use the madVR internal decoders with MPC-HC, please update to build 3520 (or newer). That build allows you to set madVR to "preferred" in the external filter list, without losing the OSD and subtitle functionality.

[nand chan]

Found it for you:

Thanks. This is newer than the latest build advertised as stable, but I'll add it to the troubleshooting section nonetheless.

Still, the alternative is to work around the issue by blocking all filters you don't want to use, or setting their merit below madVR's.

You can use madVR with MPC-HC just fine that way and retain OSD+subtitle functionality.

[SamuriHL]

I use MC16, but, I routinely build MPC-HC with no internal filters. So I'm glad madshi fixed it. Still, your work around will suffice until people get a new build. I recommend getting the fixed version if possible.

[THEAST]

Strange, seems my previous reply never made it out of the moderation queue... :confused:

Anyway, I just wanted to report a small issue. Using madVR 0.73 and Directvobsub 2.40.3300 + ffdshow as renderer and MPC-HC as player and Haali as splitter, I'm experiencing some strange color changes by switching between original resolution and doubled resolution subtitle rendering in Directvobsub:

Original resolution:
http://i3.imgkeep.com/i/00051/4c7pmgp5p7q2.jpg

Doubled resolution:
http://i3.imgkeep.com/i/00051/gv15s31ya54o.jpg

This doesn't happen with other renderers, so I think it must be an issue with madVR, e.g. with Haali renderer:

Original resolution:
http://i3.imgkeep.com/i/00051/yobri8x0u1b6.jpg

Doubled resolution:
http://i3.imgkeep.com/i/00051/lfne1enoabe7.jpg

There also seem to be some cropping differences here. The first screen from madVR has one more row of pixels at the top and one more column at the left while it has one row less at the bottom and one column less at the right in comparison to the second screen.
And yeah, I'm 100% sure that the frames are identical.

[leeperry]

oh yah, and I forgot a rather old feature request that would become the icing on the cake now: the ability to hide the "windowed"/"exclusive" OSD messages if any possible http://forum-images.hardware.fr/images/perso/taktateh.gif

[rahzel]

Yes. Don't know about custom resolutions though, if that's true, it's probably a bug.
Thanks, but I was planning on getting a GT 430 to use Cuvid but decided to keep my Radeon 5570. I like to go by the, "if it ain't broke, don't fix" saying and everything works fine now. From what I've read, Nvidia requires tweaking the timings by creating a custom resolution to get proper 23.976 refresh rate. AMD isn't perfect either, but my 5570 gets 23.977 without any tweaking, and it's close enough for me. Nvidia seems to output anywhere from 23.67 to 23.73 when you set it to 23Hz.

As for the 0-255 issue, I've seen some people say that if you set the Dynamic Range in the Nvidia drivers, it only sets that for video... desktop remains compressed 16-235 when using HDMI. In order to get both to output 0-255, you have to create a custom resolution. Or something along those lines.

[psymed]

For the chroma upscaling, luma upscaling, luma downscaling, what settings would make the picture look best?

[Wile-E-Coyote]

For the chroma upscaling, luma upscaling, luma downscaling, what settings would make the picture look best?

The default settings give great quality. Beyond that it's up to your personal preference and what your system can handle. Some algorythm require more power than others. But there's no "best for everyone" settings otherwise madshi wouldn't have bothered giving us the choice now would he ?

[Andy o]

Thanks, but I was planning on getting a GT 430 to use Cuvid but decided to keep my Radeon 5570. I like to go by the, "if it ain't broke, don't fix" saying and everything works fine now. From what I've read, Nvidia requires tweaking the timings by creating a custom resolution to get proper 23.976 refresh rate. AMD isn't perfect either, but my 5570 gets 23.977 without any tweaking, and it's close enough for me. Nvidia seems to output anywhere from 23.67 to 23.73 when you set it to 23Hz.You can always use ReClock, but if you don't have a problem with the 5770, just use it, of course. I do.

As for the 0-255 issue, I've seen some people say that if you set the Dynamic Range in the Nvidia drivers, it only sets that for video... desktop remains compressed 16-235 when using HDMI. In order to get both to output 0-255, you have to create a custom resolution. Or something along those lines.When using HDMI (and probably if your display supports it) there should be two different switches, one for HW accelerated video and one for everything else (including desktop and games), same as with AMD.

[mark0077]

Don't know if this belongs here, but... is there a preferred output range for Nvidia cards like there is for ATI? The general consensus for ATI is to output full range 0-255... is it the same for Nvidia?
I would be connecting my Nvidia card to my 1080p LCD with HDMI which has the option for both 0-255 and 16-235.
Also, is adding a custom resolution the only way to output 0-255 for both video and desktop?

rahzel, no need to add custom resolutions.

Add

HKR,,SetDefaultFullRGBRangeOnHDMI,%REG_DWORD%,1

to each section of your driver inf before installing, lines that begins with

[nv_miscBase_addreg_

eg

[nv_miscBase_addreg__01]
HKR,,SetDefaultFullRGBRangeOnHDMI,%REG_DWORD%,1

I often have to do a clean driver install, to make this take effect, if I had installed drivers previously without it.