Tool for changing preferred DirectShow filters in Windows 7

[dimitrik]

Not sure if this is on-topic. I apologize if it's not, however as it's complicated, it's kind of hard to tell.

After installing the latest haali media splitter (which can be installed either standalone or as part of CoreAVC 2.0 - I tried both), the tool can no longer control which x264 decoder is used (Win 7 x64).

The only decoder that works is the new coreavc, but if you try to swtich to ffdshow, after disabling core (uncheck "preferred decoder" or even de-registering it), opening MKV files results in audio playback only. Uninstalling the new haali and installing the old one sets everything back to normal so that's OK for now.

It seems like the new haali Media Splitter does something funky, I just thought I'd mention that it seems to conflict with the functionality of the tool.

[Keiyakusha]

in haali splitter options you should set NO for using custom mediatype for h264. Otherwise avc can be only played with CoreAVC. Afaik thats how they bypassed mediafondation in WMP

[Cure]

Great tool!

Any chance we soon see AC3Filter added?

{A753A1EC-973E-4718-AF8E-A3F554D45C44}
http://ac3filter.net/

Cheers
Cure

[dimitrik]

in haali splitter options you should set NO for using custom mediatype for h264. Otherwise avc can be only played with CoreAVC. Afaik thats how they bypassed mediafondation in WMP

Ah, I didn't notice that setting.
Will try that later, thanks!

[dEATHfLOWEr]

Sorry if this already has been asked. But would it be possible to change de preferred codec for WAV-files only? I've installed AC3Filter to playback DTSWAV files and although they play fine with GraphEdit in Win7, Media Player just plays back noise. So it seems it doesn't use AC3Filter at all.

You could try with the file rename tweaks for Media Foundation and the Microsoft audio decoder, but I don't know if that is going to make a difference with DTSWAV.

In general you should just avoid using WMP, as it just likes to do weird stuff, mostly with bad results.

Well the thing is, I use MCE7 for everything so therefore I wanted DTSWAV to work in MCE7 too.

I actually got it to work with some hints found in this thread.

I changed CLSID's values in three keys found in HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\ByteStreamHandlers

These keys are:

.wav
audio/wav
audio/x-wav

I renamed the {42C9B9F5-16FC-47ef-AF22-DA05F7C842E3} entry in all those keys to {A753A1EC-973E-4718-AF8E-A3F554D45C44}, the CLSID of AC3Filter. I'm not sure if it's really necessary to change them all (I was a little bit blunt to just change everything with WAV in it) but now when I play WAV-files I have DTS when the WAV contains DTS and 2 channel sound with normal WAV's.

Since I couldn't get tags in the WAV files (WMP and MCE threw them all in "Unknown artist") I encoded all my DTSWAV's to FLAC. Now they have all the tags, are nicely sorted in the MCE library and playback as DTS from MCE.

[Shii]

Can you post dtswav file? I want to test filters with it.

[clsid]

I renamed the {42C9B9F5-16FC-47ef-AF22-DA05F7C842E3} entry in all those keys to {A753A1EC-973E-4718-AF8E-A3F554D45C44}, the CLSID of AC3Filter. I'm not sure if it's really necessary to change them all (I was a little bit blunt to just change everything with WAV in it) but now when I play WAV-files I have DTS when the WAV contains DTS and 2 channel sound with normal WAV's.You can rename the values to anything. My tool for example simply appends "_disabled" to them. The entries are MF bytestream handlers, so using the clsid of AC3Filter will not make it use AC3Filter.
The MIME type stuff is most likely on for use in IE, so only change the entry for .wav should be enough.

[BetaBoy]

in haali splitter options you should set NO for using custom mediatype for h264. Otherwise avc can be only played with CoreAVC. Afaik thats how they bypassed mediafondation in WMP

Correct... as its a far easier thing to do than hack the system. So instead both Haali and us have added the CCV1 mediatype so it uses directshow instead of Mediafoundation.

[dEATHfLOWEr]

You can rename the values to anything. My tool for example simply appends "_disabled" to them. The entries are MF bytestream handlers, so using the clsid of AC3Filter will not make it use AC3Filter.
The MIME type stuff is most likely on for use in IE, so only change the entry for .wav should be enough.

Well I didn't know that :o. No wonder it does what I hoped for.

@Shii:
Here's a testfile (http://heitmans.nl/test.flac). It's a short part of a Jean Michel Jarre Aero DTS CD.
If you have a little more patience here (http://heitmans.nl/test2.flac) is a larger sample (about 3 minute download time).
It's a FLAC which actually contains the DTSWAV.

[Cure]

Great tool!

Any chance we soon see AC3Filter added?

{A753A1EC-973E-4718-AF8E-A3F554D45C44}
http://ac3filter.net/

Cheers
Cure

One note:

Doing it manually, eg. adding clsid to MediaPlayer/FilterExceptions and upping the merit works with all files I throw at it (except DVD-playback, which I guess is due to MF).

So I really hope we can see AC3Filter added to this tool.

Cheers
Cure

[Snowknight26]

http://i48.tinypic.com/o1kbc.jpg

The last option (and maybe more?) is partially visible.. that and there seem to be some grammar issues in the text box.

[jwdaigle]

Just a suggestion, but I think it would make people feel safer if, right before the tool makes the changes, it informs the user what is about to be done.

Right now, when the tool is run, we are taking it on "blind faith" about what its doing.

Maybe a simple message list like "Tweaker will now make the following changes to your system:
.
.
.
.
"

Just a thought -

Thanks for your work to make it easier for the rest of us.

Joe

[clsid]

I am not going to let it show a bunch of registry keys that people won't understand anyway. So thought rejected. End of discussion.

[hydra3333]

Hmm, Inctrl5 worked for XP to locate file and registry changes when a program was run by comparing snapshots before and after... is there an equivalent for win7 ? That would satisfy your curiosity. Not sure why the venerable clsid got so upset over the suggestion with such a resounding no, it seemed trivial and innocuous enough, maybe he took offense at an inference.

[cooper2k4]

I have an uneasy feeling too when installing codec packs and applying tweaks, that I don't understand or cannot retrace.

clsid's tool could perhaps create a changes.reg file that show the changes or every curious user could run Process Monitor from Sysinternals (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx) to monitor the changes.

[evlo]

It would also be very usefull for maintaining unattended imstallations. Button for raw registry file for advanced users could be nice sollution probably ...

I also understand that you spend time researching what changes exactly needs to be made so maybe you don't want everyone to reuse it in their own work?

[clsid]

The relevant registry keys have been posted in this topic and elsewhere on this forum. It's no secret.

The tweaks involve temporarily adjusting registry access permissions, so .reg files are useless for trying to reproduce the results.

I might add command-line support in the future, but that is very low priority for me, certainly because it is a lot of work.

[hoborg]

@clsid

Can i ask what command do you are using to change rights in Win7 registry ? Are you still use "SetACLx86.exe" ?
For example hu-HU Win7 version - administrators = Rendszergazdák, but á is not in ASCI table.

[Atak_Snajpera]

For example hu-HU Win7 version - administrators = Rendszergazdák, but á is not in ASCI table.
He does not use names. Instead he uses SID names (S-1-5-32-544 = buildin administrator account)

[hoborg]

He does not use names. Instead he uses SID names (S-1-5-32-544 = buildin administrator account)

So i can simply use setowner -ownr "n:S-1-5-32-544"code instead of setowner -ownr "n:Administrateurs"
???

[Atak_Snajpera]

"n:S-1-5-32-544;s:y"

[hoborg]

"n:S-1-5-32-544;s:y"

:thanks: i will try it.

...why somebody did't tell me that sooner? :)

[rtjnyoface]

Is there a way to get MS vc-1 decoder back to default? I tried using the DS filter tool but the MS vc-1 decoder still isn't being used to decode vc-1 content. I believe someone said that haali changes something and there has yet to be a fix. I read on some forums that we can download the MS decoder (MPCVideoDec.ax??) and register it again. Any ideas (or elaborations upon my decoder illiteracy :)) ?

[clsid]

Haali changes nothing with regard to VC-1.
MPCVideoDec is NOT a Microsoft codec.

I suspect you are using MPC with its internal decoder enabled.

[rtjnyoface]

I suspect you are using MPC with its internal decoder enabled.

No, I'm trying to open vc-1 content via avisynth in megui. I keep getting the error "filter graph manager won't talk to me".

[evlo]

Can you please add ac-3 support? Usefull for dvd i came across one dvd media today. So i guess it is still used.

[Atak_Snajpera]

No, I'm trying to open vc-1 content via avisynth in megui. I keep getting the error "filter graph manager won't talk to me".
In latest Haali Media Spliter VC-1 decoding from .m2ts and .ts has been broken! Use older version.

[glood1]

sorry
but i try Win7DSFilterTweaker_2.7
i forced ffdshow as preffered decoder if libavcodec in FFDSHOW
And it doesnt work anyways. Nothing happens. W7 x64 build 7100. Any suggestions?
i not understand register key permissions

i modified permission with the right click (full access) but it s dosent work
chek my mistake Encode failed. Retrying.
- Reached retry limit. Aborting. for my mts

[clsid]

Your problem seems to be unrelated to the preferred decoder settings, but rather source filter related. Ask in the Avisynth subforum.

[Cheesegeezer]

CLSID,

I'm on Win7 ultimate 32bit

I'm trying to use this tool to get FFDShow to load when viewing liveTV, however in graph studio when remotely connected, it doesn't recognise FFDShow as a valid mpeg2 filter and searches for the next one when the ms dtv-dvd video decoder is disabled.

I've change the decoder register to CLSID of FFDShow manually.

FFDshow works for all my media that I want it to, divx, xvid, avi, h264, mp3, mp2, mpeg2 (renamed vob to mpg). I have chosen the libmpeg2 decoder for mpeg2 and for MPEG in AVI and select the raw filter at all supported.

Is there something i'm missing or is it not possible to for FFDShow to connect to a LiveTV graph.

Many Thanks in advance

[clsid]

Change the value of PreferredMPEG2VideoDecoder in:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Decoder

I think you also need to disable the Microsoft DTV-DVD video decoder with Win7DSFilterTweaker.

I don't know if ffdshow is compatible with live TV playback.

[Cheesegeezer]

Thanks for your reply CLSID, unfortunately I have already tried what you have suggested, both using this tool and setting everything back to microsoft and doing it manually.

I would appear that it isn't compatible with LiveTV.

The only way I have got it to work is by using the media control program, however this break the greaph but inserts FFDShow as a post processing filter not the actual decoder, which I then have to manually connect FFDShow from the cyberlink video/sd decoder output pin to the EVR in put pin an press the play button in Graph studio.

Which is a very manual way of adding FFDShow to the LiveTV graph.

I think that it is something to do with FFDShow not being allowed to connect as LiveTV only recognises certain decoders such as Cyberlink, Mainconcept and Theatretek.

Thanks again buddy

Dave

[dijx]

Does anyone have issues with the tool on Win7 build 7600 (ultimate) with all KB installed?
No mater is it x86 or x64 - tweaks do not work, Media Center still uses own (MF) decoders when enabled, although preferred is set to ffdshow; when DTV-DVD and Mpeg4 DMO are disabled (removed, renamed, by hand or by Win7DSFT) it says cannot play the content... and doesn't even try to load DS filters at all. Same thing when I disable usage of the MF for particular extension (avi)...
FFdshow works only with mkv files (splitted by haali). When I set haali splitter to avi files I can see tray icon for less than 1sec when opening file in MC and notting happens. Of course, when I open the file in graphstudio and/or any other player that do not use WPM (MPC, bestplayer) everything is fine, ffdshow work like a charm...
I'm wondering is it possible that M$ changed sth - i.e. added some extra registry keys that lock the decoder settings? Does anybody have working Win7DSfiltertweaker on Win7 build 7600?

Due to that shit I had to revert to Vista on my HTPC, what doesn't make me happy...

PS. Same thing for Win7codec pack by Shark007 (yes, I was desperate)
PS2. I've tried 3 different windows installations on 2 different machines. It was always build 7600 (x86 or x64).
PS3. Thx clsid - Your ffdshow builds are awesome (I know You know that ;] )

[Cheesegeezer]

I have it working with my RTM Ultimate build.

Have you taken ownership of the system32/wow64 directory, I found that I had to do this in order for it to work. Also a couple of the registry folders namely:

the one CLSID mentioned in a reply to my post a couple of posts back and this one

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectShow\Preferred.

[clsid]

@dijx

The preferred filter settings has no effect when Media Foundation is used. Your only option is to disable Media Foundation.

[karoloydi]

I ve tried the software.I disabled windows from loading everything.Works well for most files. But for wav and wma and wmv files I cant get ffdshow to load. It appears like it still uses the windows codecs.

[tormento]

In latest Haali Media Spliter VC-1 decoding from .m2ts and .ts has been broken! Use older version.
Mirror?

[8ternity]

Mirror?

http://www.mediafire.com/file/nmlqv33zbmj/MatroskaSplitter110109.exe

[Scythe42]

Can you add support for the Nvidia Video Decoder?

File: nvviddec.ax
CLSID: {71E4616A-DB5E-452B-8CA5-71D9CC7805E9}

[clsid]

Which video formats does that filter decode?

[betaking]

Which video formats does that filter decode?

mpeg2 video!:)

[clsid]

Added in version 2.8 ;)

Also new is options for WMV1/2/3.

[freezzz]

can you add .vob or other optons for dvd(mpeg-2)?

[Scythe42]

Which video formats does that filter decode?It decodes MPEG2.

Edit: Seems you already added it. That's service. Thanks a lot!

[Nyquist]

Any plans for AC3 {E06D802C-DB46-11CF-B4D1-00805F6CBBEA}?

BTW: Does anybody know where to get a most complete list for the class ids?

[clsid]

.vob is not a format that is played with Media Foundation, so I can't add an option for it, nor would it be needed. WMP refuses to play .vob files on XP and Vista as well. That is not codec related, just some silly extension based restriction. Rename the file to for example .mpg and it will play fine.

AC3 audio is not a format that is controlled through the new preferred filter settings of Windows 7. But I do have some AC3 related tweaks planned. Using a third party AC3 decoder should already be possible though by disabling the Microsoft DTV-DVD audio decoder.

[mips]

Hey clsid,

Could you also add support for Etymonix SoftReel MPEG-2 video decoder (http://www.etymonix.com/products/softreel/softreel.htm)?

File: etxvdec.ax
CLSID: {E5393C51-6386-11D5-B9FF-0050BABCB1D1}

[freezzz]

.vob is not a format that is played with Media Foundation, so I can't add an option for it, nor would it be needed. I've got raw dvd with VIDEO_TS folder and .vob files inside if i play back them with MWP12 ms internal codec are used, but if I simply rename .vob to .mp4 everything works fine and ffdshow is loaded in WMP12. Since renaming all vobs is not an option( huge dvd collection ) any tips how-to force ffdshow to load even on .vob?

[clsid]

Disabling the Microsoft decoders might work.

[osmosis]

For some reason installing DirectVobSub forces WMP12 to respect the settings in Win7DSFilterTweaker but otherwise it will only do it on files where DirectShow is used already for part of the decoding process (ie. Without DVS installed, an XviD with AC3 would use FFDshow because FFDshow will handle the AC3 and therefore the video decoding also gets done by FFDshow; and an XviD with MP3 would use Windows Media Foundation because MP3 is a default WMF format and therefore the video decoding also gets done by WMF). Any idea why I'm experiencing this peculiar phenomenon? I set ffdshow for XviD, DivX, AAC, MP2 and MP3.

DirectVobSub (even though I have its Load option set to Never) still somehow forces FFDshow to work on all files in WMP12 but doesn't mess with WMF overall like the file renaming does. This means WMP12 still works properly in IE8 in Hotmail for an mp3 attachment, file thumbnails are handled by WMF (faster/better than FFDshow can/does), etc.

If this is reproducable and not just something I managed by messing around then I think FFDshow should try to incorporate whatever DVS does to a similar effect or maybe it should just be added to this tool. Either way, I don't mind too terribly much having one extra little utility (especially when it's one by Gabest) installed to make things work how I want in Windows 7 but the minimalist in me would still prefer not to. I also think this tool should be packaged with FFDshow since it took me a lot of searching around, hacking away at the registry and trying other packages (Shark007) unnecessarily before I stumbled across this.

Edit: I think my deleting the registry keys mentioned at Hack7MC might have something to do with it too (http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/02/using-ffdshow-audio-in-media-center.html). It seems deleted keys + FFDshow + DirectVobSub + Win7DSFilterTweaker = perfection. I still think somehow FFDshow should incorporate what DirectVobSub does into itself though; it and those deleted registry keys seem to be the linch pins of my method for using FFDshow without breaking WMF for webpages and thumbnails.