LAV Filters - DirectShow Media Splitter and Decoders

[Andy o]

You don't need a "top of the line" CPU to software-decode SD MPEG-2 at all!

[dann23]

My ignore list is growing...

perhaps you can add another one :D

[mindbomb]

on the subject of dvd playback, this is what I do, and it works for some reason:
lav video and lav splitter don't connect
use microsoft dtv-dvd video decoder and dvd navigator instead
add ffdshow audio processor (you can even disable mixer,add 32 float output for it, so it isn't actually doing anything)

voila, the open dvd function of mpc hc now works
for some reason, having it go through another audio filter prevents macrovision errors.

renethx at avsforums detailed all the possibilities for dvd playback, including this method
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=21568337&postcount=654

[kalston]

I think it would be really useful to have a small section on the first page that is kept updated with what LAV will handle and what is best handled by another method, to avoid repeated questions by those who aren't in a position to read 500 pages. I don't recall any mention of DVD playback not being supported.

DVD playback is the most important thing for me right now: I have a great Bluray player, but want the ability to get the best out of my DVD collection without top of the line CPU.

I tried using ffdshow as decoder, but playback freezes on the first frame.

There are so many players, splitters, decoders, renderers and tweaks that it is confusing finding something that works for DVD and maximises the quality and adjustments necessary to cope with varying quality.

This sounds like a bug because DVD decoding really does not need a fast CPU. Even when rescaling with madVR and whatever it should be pretty light.

Otherwise, how could I have watched smooth DVDs back in the days on my 600mhz laptop?

[clsid]

on the subject of dvd playback, this is what I do, and it works for some reason:
lav video and lav splitter don't connect
use microsoft dtv-dvd video decoder and dvd navigator instead
add ffdshow audio processor (you can even disable mixer,add 32 float output for it, so it isn't actually doing anything)

voila, the open dvd function of mpc hc now works
for some reason, having it go through another audio filter prevents macrovision errors.

renethx at avsforums detailed all the possibilities for dvd playback, including this method
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=21568337&postcount=654
A bit of topic, but it doesn't work here with madVR. I get the Copy-Protect Fail error. Also when using ffdshow as video decoder. With and without ffdshow audio processor in the graph.

[SamuriHL]

A bit of topic, but it doesn't work here with madVR. I get the Copy-Protect Fail error. Also when using ffdshow as video decoder. With and without ffdshow audio processor in the graph.

Some people can get it to work. Others can't. Kinda frustrating.

[Reino]

...That means using the batch file will in most cases no longer be enough to get it to play stuff properly (at least for the splitter)...Could you be a bit more specific?

[mindbomb]

A bit of topic, but it doesn't work here with madVR. I get the Copy-Protect Fail error. Also when using ffdshow as video decoder. With and without ffdshow audio processor in the graph.

it's pretty on topic imo, how to deal with dvds when you are primarily using madvr and lav filters, which many are.

i think you have to decrypt the dvds first? idk

[nevcairiel]

Could you be a bit more specific?

I cannot be specific if the specifics haven't been specified yet :p
The main deal is that the .ax files will no longer mess with the registry in "unsafe" ways. This makes no difference at all for the decoders, but the splitter will need extra help to get going, which the installer will provide instead.

[Pepp]

My ignore list is growing...

Does the board need to know your private settings. ?

You posted that for no other reason than to be antagonistic and instigate more negative posts which is on the same steps as passive agressive bullying.

[clsid]

it's pretty on topic imo, how to deal with dvds when you are primarily using madvr and lav filters, which many are.

i think you have to decrypt the dvds first? idkIt is very much possible that ripping to harddrive makes a difference in avoiding the Copy-Protect error. I tested with an actual DVD disc. Depending on the filterset I get either Macrovision error or Copy-Protect error.

[suanm]

the new DXVA2 "copy back" function works very perfectly on my PC,thank you ,nevcairiel
,i like very much DXVA2 "copy-back" decoding mode

[CruNcher]

Just wait for Native ;)

@Nev
Runtime wrong Detected 2:20 min (no seek possible)

http://www.mediafire.com/?7611h5nk120y9cm

VLC = 1:37 ??? (seeking ok)
Mpc-HC Splitter = ok
Mainconcept Splitter = ok
Av splitter = fail (0:01)
Lav Splitter = fail (0:01)
Microsoft Splitter = fail (0:01)

[ryrynz]

Does the board need to know your private settings. ?

You posted that for no other reason than to be antagonistic and instigate more negative posts which is on the same steps as passive aggressive bullying.

Pepp, I think you misunderstand. This could perhaps be related to your short period of time here on this or perhaps any forum, so I'd like to make a quick post about socializing here.

There is a degree of respect that needs to be held for developers who share their work with others for nothing other than appreciation and interest. This is important Pepp, it makes people feel valued when you treat them with respect, they in turn will reciprocate this back to you, everyone wins.

What Madshi said was neither antagonistic nor negative IMO.

In fact I never in my time on the forum seen him as being either of those two things! Even when directed with somewhat harsh criticisms in what I have considered to be in a rude manner, this always spoke volumes to me as a good judge of his character.

What was said merely serves as a warning to others and was just basic socializing, I actually found the post quite humorous :p

Remember, these projects are created for their enjoyment, thankfully we can share in it by discussing ideas and testing new features. Please place yourself in their shoes before commenting, thanks.

[Pepp]

Pepp, I think you misunderstand. This could perhaps be related to your short period of time here on this or perhaps any forum, so I'd like to make a quick post about socializing here.

There is a degree of respect that needs to be held for developers who share their work with others for nothing other than appreciation and interest. This is important Pepp, it makes people feel valued when you treat them with respect, they in turn will reciprocate this back to you, everyone wins.

What Madshi said was neither antagonistic nor negative IMO.

In fact I never in my time on the forum seen him as being either of those two things! Even when directed with somewhat harsh criticisms in what I have considered to be in a rude manner, this always spoke volumes to me as a good judge of his character.

What was said merely serves as a warning to others and was just basic socializing, I actually found the post quite humorous :p

Remember, these projects are created for their enjoyment, thankfully we can share in it by discussing ideas and testing new features. Please place yourself in their shoes before commenting, thanks.

To be blunt your post amounts to nothing more than brown nosing and and attempt to make obnoxious behaviour acceptable.Just because someone codes something it doesn't give them antisocial privileges over others infact they should be humble and gracious that users are intrested.

The fact that you find the instigation of negative posts towards users humorous is in fact a sad reflection on your own social defects.

[IanD]

renethx at avsforums detailed all the possibilities for dvd playback, including this method
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=21568337&postcount=654
Thanks for that.

I used to be able to play DVDs with MPC, but it didn't support post-processing; I could play DVDs with ffdshow, but it didn't properly support menus; with the appreciated release of LAV, I was hoping to get better playback for all codecs including DVD with an opportunity to also do processing with GPU and CPU.

One must understand that DVD playback is far more than decoding: to get the best results when upscaling to an HDTV, one must de-interlace well and post-process the video for noise and other artifacts.

There is a thread on AVSforum I believe about getting the best results for DVD upscaling, using ffdshow, but it requires a top of the line CPU due to the supersampling and avisynth processing routines included. Eventually I would like to achieve similar quality effects, but using both GPU and CPU to reduce the hardware requirements.

My Oppo 93 met all my requirements for DVD and Bluray, because it uses a Qdeo VP, but now that file playback is being eroded by the studios, I need a replacement and currently an HTPC is the likeliest candidate as none of the media players do Video Processing.

[CruNcher]

@Nev

Snow playback issue

http://www.mediafire.com/?c4j4l6xoooae6c2

ffplay = ok
lav splitter + lav video = fails connection

[Andy o]

Bleh, some moderator should take a look at the IPs of those "Jan 2012" concern trolls who suspiciously appeared after the first guy went MIA knowing that others have put that name under their ignore lists.

[roytam1]

@Nev

Snow playback issue

http://www.mediafire.com/?c4j4l6xoooae6c2

ffplay = ok
lav splitter + lav video = fails connection

Did you unregister the filters and reregister them again?

[nevcairiel]

@Nev

Snow playback issue

http://www.mediafire.com/?c4j4l6xoooae6c2

ffplay = ok
lav splitter + lav video = fails connection

Works just fine.

[madshi]

Bleh, some moderator should take a look at the IPs of those "Jan 2012" concern trolls who suspiciously appeared after the first guy went MIA knowing that others have put that name under their ignore lists.
Agreed. I've been about 6 years on this forum. And my ignore list contained exactly 1 user for 5.5 years. Now in 2012 I've added three new users to my ignore list. We're being overrun by trolls atm. Or maybe it's just one and the same person all over again.

[RBG]

As promised, here is the latest Git build, including the latest QuickSync decoder (0.25 - r31)

http://files.1f0.de/lavf/LAVFilters-0.45-29-gbf1e69c.zip

No really major changes since 0.45, mostly bug fixes and a few new video formats supported.

Nevcairiel, please, can you upload updated x64 version too.

Some testing, system Windows 7 x64, graph studio process started with high priority:

LAV video x86 0.45 QS 0.24
http://10pix.ru/img1/1308/6751364.png

LAV video x86 0.45 QS 0.25
http://10pix.ru/img1/4786/6751362.png

FFdshow x64 QS 0.25
http://10pix.ru/img1/2080/6751361.png

[CruNcher]

Did you unregister the filters and reregister them again?

nope indeed that fixes it thx :)

Works just fine.

yup it does, my fault :)

[nevcairiel]

Here is another test version.

New in this version is support for "Random Dithering", that instead of a very static pattern used by Ordered Dithering now uses random data to dither. This has the advantage that it avoids creating any visible "pattern" in the video, especially if you use a cheap LCD display with a 6-bit panel that applys dithering itself. Its the new default mode.

x86: http://files.1f0.de/lavf/LAVFilters-0.45-59-g0fba6a6.zip
x64: http://files.1f0.de/lavf/LAVFilters-0.45-59-g0fba6a6-x64.zip

[fastplayer]

I'm glad you're still improving the RGB converter! :)
There are still too many systems with decent CPUs crippled by crappy GPUs...

[nevcairiel]

This also affects playback of 10-bit material, not only RGB output. ;)
Granted, even then it only affects playback with EVR/VMR, where one might potentially prefer RGB output ...

[fastplayer]

I would've known that if it was mentioned in the tooltip... :D

[no1d]

Hello.
MPC-HC crashes when opening Lagarith RGB video (avi). It's ok with internal splitter and lagarith's own decoder. All combinations with Lav filters dont work.
Tried 0.45 and latest git version.
What am I doing wrong?

[RBG]

Here is another test version.


Thanks. I wonder why x86 is always a little bit ahead than x64 even on a native x64 system?

LAV video x86
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/373/lavvideo86.png

LAV video x64
http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/8306/lavvideox64.png

[roytam1]

Hello.
MPC-HC crashes when opening Lagarith RGB video (avi). It's ok with internal splitter and lagarith's own decoder. All combinations with Lav filters dont work.
Tried 0.45 and latest git version.
What am I doing wrong?

Please provide sample.
And try unregister and reregister the filters if you updated them recently.

[egur]

Thanks. I wonder why x86 is always a little bit ahead than x64 even on a native x64 system?


I actually got slightly better results in x64 while benchmarking the QS decoder in ffdshow. Anyway they were very close (<1%).
At these frame rates (~3ms per frame) the splitter performance is also matters.

[RBG]

I actually got slightly better results in x64 while benchmarking the QS decoder in ffdshow. Anyway they were very close (<1%).
At these frame rates (~3ms per frame) the splitter performance is also matters.

I used the same splitter(LAV) and the same file, and tried to maintain accuracy as much as it possible, that means no software running in the background, and high priority to graph studio process.

Here are the results:

FFdshow x86 4296 ICL12
http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5765/ffdshowx86.png

FFdshow x64 4296 MSVC 2010
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1323/ffdshowx64.png

LAV x86
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/460/lavx86.png

LAV x64
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/7575/lavx64.png

Indeed ffdshow x64 is slightly faster on native x64 system, but in the case of LAV the situation is opposite, x86 version is faster and that result is repeatable on different samples.

[nevcairiel]

The speed difference is well below 1%, not statistically significant. :)

[RBG]

nevcairiel

Btw, do you intend to add WMV9 simple and main profile QS acceleration support to LAV. It would be great. :)

[nevcairiel]

Btw, do you intend to add WMV9 simple and main profile QS acceleration support to LAV. It would be great. :)

It would seem its not supported by the hardware and/or Intels driver, it only accepts advanced profile.

[RBG]

It would seem its not supported by the hardware and/or Intels driver, it only accepts advanced profile.

You're right, I tried it and even ffdshow shows QS decoder usage, the decoder itself falls back to super slow software mode. And what about CUVID or dxva copy back acceleration for nvidia and ati hardware?

[nevcairiel]

DXVA already supports WMV9.
CUVID doesn't like it, but i never really tried that hard because WMV9 is a fairly useless format. :p

[RBG]

DXVA already supports WMV9.


Pure DXVA supports it, DXVA(copy-back) shows only green screen.

[nevcairiel]

Pure DXVA supports it, DXVA(copy-back) shows only green screen.

As you might've guessed, works for me.
Make sure you don't use the 285 WHQL driver on NVIDIA, its bugged.

[RBG]

WMV9 is a fairly useless format. :p

From my point of view it's better to have acceleration support than not to have it.;) I am dreaming of being able to combine hardware decode of most common formats with madVR. :)

Make sure you don't use the 285 WHQL driver on NVIDIA, its bugged.

Yes I am on 285th driver.:p What version can you recommend as most stable for video playback?

[nevcairiel]

From my point of view it's better to have acceleration support than not to have it.;) I am dreaming of being able to combine hardware decode of most common formats with madVR. :)

H264, VC1 and MPEG2 are the most common formats in modern media, covering everything from broadcasts, DVDs, Blu-rays, and a fair part of streaming too. ;)


Yes I am on 285th driver.:p What version can you recommend as most stable for video playback?

The 290 beta worked perfectly for me ever since it came out.
Apparently the 295 beta that was just released has some new issues, though, so stick with 290

[Shark007]

The 290 beta worked perfectly for me ever since it came out.

290.36 to be more precise. 290.53 also has issues.

[RBG]

H264, VC1 and MPEG2 are the most common formats in modern media, covering everything from broadcasts, DVDs, Blu-rays, and a fair part of streaming too. ;)


That is true if you're speaking about big media, but among amateurs I pretty often encounter WMV9 simple and main, probably made by something like windows movie maker.:)


The 290 beta worked perfectly for me ever since it came out.


290.36 to be more precise. 290.53 also has issues.


Thank you.

[SamuriHL]

I think I'm gonna go back to 290.36, as well. Re-setup my custom profiles and leave it alone until someone says there's a better driver.

[no1d]

Hello.
MPC-HC crashes when opening Lagarith RGB video (avi). It's ok with internal splitter and lagarith's own decoder. All combinations with Lav filters dont work.
Tried 0.45 and latest git version.
What am I doing wrong?

Sample:
http://www.mediafire.com/?y8uf88pd33sxx75

[Della]

I'm trying to get a hanndle on LAV filters. I have replaced Haalli with LAV & finding some videos play without sound.
Specifically, the file below will play without sound, but, if I disable AC3 under Lav Audio formats, it plays just fine.

Am I missing something?

Thanks

Player WMP
Windows 7 Ultimate
No other codecs installed.
Video Card nVidea Gt460
No Bitstreaming selected.



General

Complete name : C:\Videos\Luck.S01E01.720p.HDTV.x264-IMMERSE.mkv
Format : Matroska
Format version : Version 2
File size : 2.59 GiB
Duration : 1h 0mn
Overall bit rate : 6 177 Kbps
Writing application : x264.exe
Writing library : mkv2rls x264-tv version built on 2011. febr. 17

Video
ID : 1
Format : AVC
Format/Info : Advanced Video Codec
Format profile : High@L4.1
Format settings, CABAC : Yes
Format settings, ReFrames : 5 frames
Codec ID : V_MPEG4/ISO/AVC
Duration : 1h 0mn
Bit rate : 5 670 Kbps
Width : 1 280 pixels
Height : 720 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate : 23.976 fps
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:0
Bit depth : 8 bits
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.257
Stream size : 2.38 GiB (92%)
Writing library : x264 core 120 r2119 0637cd6
Encoding settings : cabac=1 / ref=5 / deblock=1:-1:-1 / analyse=0x3:0x113 / me=umh / subme=8 / psy=1 / psy_rd=1.00:0.15 / mixed_ref=1 / me_range=16 / chroma_me=1 / trellis=1 / 8x8dct=1 / cqm=0 / deadzone=21,11 / fast_pskip=1 / chroma_qp_offset=-3 / threads=36 / sliced_threads=0 / nr=0 / decimate=1 / interlaced=0 / bluray_compat=0 / constrained_intra=0 / bframes=3 / b_pyramid=2 / b_adapt=2 / b_bias=0 / direct=3 / weightb=1 / open_gop=0 / weightp=2 / keyint=250 / keyint_min=23 / scenecut=40 / intra_refresh=0 / rc_lookahead=50 / rc=crf / mbtree=1 / crf=18.0 / qcomp=0.60 / qpmin=0 / qpmax=69 / qpstep=4 / ip_ratio=1.40 / aq=1:1.00
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 0mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 165 MiB (6%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No

Text
ID : 3
Format : UTF-8
Codec ID : S_TEXT/UTF8
Codec ID/Info : UTF-8 Plain Text
Language : English
Default : No
Forced : No

[nevcairiel]

Sample:
http://www.mediafire.com/?y8uf88pd33sxx75

Looks like i can reproduce the crash, i'll see what i can do.

Edit:
And should be fixed

[dead_screem]

290.36 to be more precise. 290.53 also has issues.

what issues are you guys referring to? because I tried 295 on my 9800GTX and VMR9 becomes unstable after awhile and crashes. I reverted to 257 release drivers (which is also the last version that CUVID works right with interlaced VC-1 (havn't tested MPEG-2 or H.264)
Was this one of the known issues with 295 and 290.53?

[Shark007]

Was this one of the known issues with 295 and 290.53?

I'm sorry to inform you that i did not document exactly what driver had what problem.
I just kept track of what driver version worked properly, and which didnt.

[Della]

Well, after not being able to play the file on two Win 7 64 machines I found the solution was to uninstall LAV & re-install Haali Media Splitter. Playback works normally.

I couldn't get the video portion to play (it would remain on a fixed position as if paused) at all with LAV, but, interestingly works fine with Haali.

Della



[QUOTE=Della;1556128]I'm trying to get a hanndle on LAV filters. I have replaced Haalli with LAV & finding some videos play without sound.
Specifically, the file below will play without sound, but, if I disable AC3 under Lav Audio formats, it plays just fine.

Am I missing something?

Thanks

Player WMP
Windows 7 Ultimate
No other codecs installed.
Video Card nVidea Gt460
No Bitstreaming selected.


Audio
ID : 2
Format : AC-3
Format/Info : Audio Coding 3
Mode extension : CM (complete main)
Codec ID : A_AC3
Duration : 1h 0mn
Bit rate mode : Constant
Bit rate : 384 Kbps
Channel(s) : 2 channels
Channel positions : Front: L R
Sampling rate : 48.0 KHz
Bit depth : 16 bits
Compression mode : Lossy
Stream size : 165 MiB (6%)
Language : English
Default : Yes
Forced : No