Tutorial - How to setup a HTPC with MPC-HC madVR ffdshow Reclock Avisynth

[jeremy33]

Hello,

It can be hard to obtain a good video quality on a HTPC. There is a lot of softwares available and you need to choose carefully those you need. You also need to configure them right.
So to help you to obtain the best video quality I created a big HTPC tutorial that use MPC-HC, ffdshow, madVR and Reclock.

The tutorial is available here How to setup a HTPC with MPCHC madVR ffdshow Reclock Avisynth (http://www.ezoden.com/htpc/4/how-to-setup-htpc-introduction)

Update 04-12-2015

- Lastest softwares used
- Ultra HD TV (4K) start to be available so I added it
- Everything has been checked and every part that needed an update has been updated.
- MPC-HC 5.1 is now MPC-HC-Surround and MPC-HC 2.0 is now MPC-HC-Stereo.

[jeremy33]

Monday 15 November 2010

Changed screenshot Before / After (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/avant-apres_en.html)

[Ronin-7]

Nice guide thanks for that.

Somewhat off topic I hope you dont mind me asking, but looking at the before and after shots, I get that gray veil effect on my TV (new Samsung plasma) for sources like a cable set top box and have been trying to get rid of it, enabling dynamic contrast on the TV does remove it but causes other unwanted effects, is there a particular item/setting that I should be looking for that can remove the gray veil or is it just a combination of post processing filters.

[jeremy33]

Check that the HDMI input on your TV is set to 0-255.

[Ronin-7]

Thanks for the tip I'll give that a try, I think it actually has that setting too controlling the HDMI black level.

[DottorLeo]

I did all the steps in your site and with MKV 1080 the result is superb. I'm using MadVR. There is a problem with DVDs, i get Macrovision Error every time, tried also ripping it on my HD with DvdFab Decrypter. How can i fix it?:confused:

[jeremy33]

I think it's a madVR bug

[jeremy33]

Monday 29 November 2010

NEW - Added CoreAVC (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/new---added-coreavc_news-77_en.html)
Updated Packs v9.3 (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/)

[b66pak]

thanks a lot...could you place a language selector on the home page?
_

[jeremy33]

You're welcome. You can use the flag to switch between french and english.

[pirlouy]

Nice guide indeed.

[fairchild]

Thanks for the guide, it helped me tweak my setup a bit (although I use Potplayer, not MPC-HC cuz of some stupid bug with my current system).

I have a quick question regarding your suggestions for the ffdshow output and RGB conversion. I currently use MadVR and sometimes EVR-CP/Haali, having the options for both renderer's in both those sections enabled shouldn't be a problem correct? Like, when I want to use MadVR, it will use YV12 and when I use EVR/Haali, it will use RGB32 instead?

[jeremy33]

I tested and it works well, you can do like this.

[jeremy33]

I'm pleased to present a new free software : AutoFrequency (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/autofrequency_en.html).

Whether you use reclock or not, AutoFrequency is very helpful. Indeed AutoFrequency allows you, at the opening of a video, to automatically change the frequency of your screen depending on the video, to launch MPC-HC, for exemple, and play the video. At the exit of the player, AutoFrequency switch back to your usual frequency. No manipulation is required everything is automatic.

Here you can download AutoFrequency (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/autofrequency_en.html) and read its tutorial.

Moreover you can talk to the author which is present on my Forum (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=20) in the section dedicated to AutoFrequency (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=20), you can ask him all the questions you want, propose improvement ideas, thank him ;) etc...

[b66pak]

nice...
_

[Qaq]

1. ffdshow audio output. 32fp should be ticked also. This way you take 32fp from liba52, libdts, AAC without rounding errors. ReClock as audio renderer can process 32fp and round it more accurate at final stage AFAIK.
2. No need to use resampling in ffdshow audio if you don't use ac3 encoding and use resampling in ReClock. Overwise it will be resampled 3 times: ffdshow - ReClock - audio driver.

[jeremy33]

1. I was thinking reclock has trouble with 32fp. I will make some test and take a look to reclock forum.

2. Yes but you need to resample if you want to use reclock ac3 encoder with, for exemple, mp3 44100hz :
Exclusively for the MPC-HC 5.1 (in 2.0 / out 2.1) profile in HDMI or S/PDIF and you use the Reclock AC3 encoder.

[Qaq]

1. No troubles. This way I use it.
2. I guess ReClock can use its own resampler for ac3 encoding since audio will be resampled anyway (during media speed adaptation). Haven't tried it though.

[CeeJay.dk]

In ffdshow audio decoder I use the Winamp dsp plugin called Enhancer 0.17 (http://www.winamp.com/plugin/enhancer-017/81361)
It improves the audio greatly. The best settings depends on your tastes and your sound system. I use the Pop preset and then turn down bass enhancement on my main pc, but on my laptop I use settings quite similar to the Small speakers preset.
I'd recommend that you keep boost turned off and don't enable reverb when watching movies.
Also if I recall correctly, Enhancer don't work well with surround sound, so don't use it for other than stereo or mono sources.

In Winamp I combine it with Studio Sound FX (http://www.winamp.com/plugin/studio-sound-fx-freeware/221711), but since that is a Output plugin and not a DSP plugin it is not compatible with ffdshow.

[Mikey2]

I just wanted to note that of nearly a hundred bookmarks on my browser regarding HTPC settings/optimizations/guides/problems, I found this guide to be by far the most helpful! Not only has it greatly improved my A/V quality and performance, but it also was the catalyst for me actually understanding what goes on in each step. (Consequently I have made a couple changes here and there for my own tastes and system setup. For instance, I was able to tweak it to use the Arcsoft Audio renderer if I want to bitstream DTS-MA/TrueHD on my Xonar Card.) But for the most part I love the madVR/ffdShow/CoreAVC/AC3Filter/MPC method of watching videos!

FYI for English I have had perfect luck using: This Landing page (http://www.homecinema-hd.com/intro_en.html)

Quick question: I found that with my NVidia card set to force Vertical Sync, coupled with a display that correctly refreshes at the necessary rates and the fact I never deal with PAL in America, that ReClock was not necessary for me. I see we have a new toy with "AutoFrequency." ...I will definitely try it out, but I am a little confused - is there an advantage for me since I can and am already refreshing at the correct rates?

Thanks much for everything! I literally owe you for an awesome HTPC that I am quite proud of! :)

[jeremy33]

Reclock is not necessary for you, I will modify the tutorial to take into account this case. ;)

AutoFrequency is not necessary for you too, because you are already refreshing at the correct rates.

Thank you ;)

[Carpo]

Jeremy - will you be updating your guide to take into account the changes that have been made to ffdshow?

[jeremy33]

Yes I will, but I need to find some time :)

[pacemaker1000]

thanks you for your time in creating this tutorial it is very useful and the simplest out there. can i ask a question?
i am happy to use TMT for all my hd requirements and really just want to improve sd dvd and avi's
all i want is to improve video quality and output 5.1 audio direct to reclock
can i just use madvr and ffdshow video with some sharpen and denoise or do i need ac3filter or halli spliter etc

thanks

[jeremy33]

To improve the quality of your SD videos you can use ffdshow, madvr and reclock if needed.

Follow the ffdshow SD profiles to set the filters.

[pacemaker1000]

To improve the quality of your SD videos you can use ffdshow, madvr and reclock if needed.

Follow the ffdshow SD profiles to set the filters.

thanks Jeremy

what about audio?
do i need ffdshow or can i use MPC reason being you say to untick all transform filters which is where i set the audio for 5.1

[jeremy33]

I prefer to use ffdshow but you can use mpchc to manage audio.

[kypec]

Could please mods make this thread sticky, pretty please :)

[jeremy33]

Yes It would be great ;)

[ch1n4]

Also wanna say thank you jeremy. Pls keep up your good work. A lot of people from all over the world appreciate what you do.:thanks:

[pirlouy]

But AutoFrequency has some problems. It does not work anymore in my case; more the uninstallation does not work well (quite embarrassing). Yet, it was a nice toy when it used to work.

[jeremy33]

ch1n4,

You welcome, I'm glad I helped.

pirouly,

That's weird, you are the first with this kind of problem. I will go to inform the creator of autofrequeny.

[pirlouy]

Ok. I saw the forum. I'll do tests soon and report to Prophete. :-)

[ch1n4]

Hi guys,
I am still a noob in this field. Therefore i want to completely understand the purposes and effects of every step in the guide. I am still not able to comprehend the difference between the renderer like madvr and the decoder ffdshow (video). Could someone explain to me when playing a video file, after configuration with jeremys guide. What is the function of ffdshow video and what is the function of madvr?
Additionally i wanted to ask even if it would possible to replace ffdshow (video+audio decoder) with coreavc, or would I still need the ffdshow audio decoder?

thanks in advance.

[jeremy33]

To make it simple, ffdshow is a decoder, it decode the video and audio. madVR is a renderer, it display the image decoded by ffdshow.

You can replace ffdshow video by CoreAVC but you have to keep ffdshow audio because CoreAVC don't decode the audio.

[Dogway]

I didnt follow your guide strictly line by line, but more like a guidance for understanding better MPC options so I can adapt to my likes.

I have a few questions, note that my main goal is just playback on PC (not TV):

-I have AC3filter, setted and loaded in External Filters as in your guide.
Still it doesnt decode any kind of audio, even AC3. It uses instead liba52. If I check PCM and LPCM in System tab on AC3Filter, then it works.
-Also what is External Filters supposed to do if we already setted video/audio decoders beforehand?
-Another concern is I dont know why, but my filters in External Filters, start to dissapear on after every video playback.
-What is LAVFsplitter, any benefit over HaaliSplitter?
-Why did you use EVR and not Haali renderer?
-And the last and most important one. Even when someone does everything you explained in the guide, if they don't calibrate their TV or PC screen, then everything is a bit meaningless. In this concern I have my PC screen calibrated (with a probe) and TV as well, with some test video patterns. It would be worth to say that for people with calibrated PC screens like me willing to play videos on MPC outputting to TV, should first disable the PC screen color profile, which AFAIK requires a reboot.

[ch1n4]

Even when someone does everything you explained in the guide, if they don't calibrate their TV or PC screen, then everything is a bit meaningless. In this concern I have my PC screen calibrated (with a probe) and TV as well, with some test video patterns. It would be worth to say that for people with calibrated PC screens like me willing to play videos on MPC outputting to TV, should first disable the PC screen color profile, which AFAIK requires a reboot.

I didn't saw anything about color profiles at all in this guide? Where are the settings about colors mentioned, or do you mean something else?

[Dogway]

Im just telling it should be mentioned in the guide. If you aim top quality for viewing your video either on PC or TV screen this is not enough, you should be aware of color management as well.
For TV calibration you can search in avsforum and for LCD screens this site (http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/), although its always better to use a probe.

[jeremy33]

I didnt follow your guide strictly line by line, but more like a guidance for understanding better MPC options so I can adapt to my likes.

I have a few questions, note that my main goal is just playback on PC (not TV):

-I have AC3filter, setted and loaded in External Filters as in your guide.
Still it doesnt decode any kind of audio, even AC3. It uses instead liba52. If I check PCM and LPCM in System tab on AC3Filter, then it works.

If you follow the guide ac3filter will do its job. You must have a probleme with your settings, the audio seems to be already decoded before ac3filter.
-Also what is External Filters supposed to do if we already setted video/audio decoders beforehand?
External filter is useful to specify what filter you want to use and in a specific order.
-Another concern is I dont know why, but my filters in External Filters, start to dissapear on after every video playback.
If you follow the guide you won't have this kind of problem. You must have a probleme with your settings.
-What is LAVFsplitter, any benefit over HaaliSplitter?
http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?t=156191
-Why did you use EVR and not Haali renderer?
I use, in order of preference, madVR and EVR. Haali is very buggy.
-And the last and most important one. Even when someone does everything you explained in the guide, if they don't calibrate their TV or PC screen, then everything is a bit meaningless. In this concern I have my PC screen calibrated (with a probe) and TV as well, with some test video patterns. It would be worth to say that for people with calibrated PC screens like me willing to play videos on MPC outputting to TV, should first disable the PC screen color profile, which AFAIK requires a reboot.
Maybe later I will add a part to calibrate the TV. I will mention it in the guide, but people can find this information elsewhere.

[tetsuo55]

It really is too bad that reclock doesnt play nice with my HD4770 on win7x64 over HDMI to my onkyo 608 reciever.
I have to reboot after each file or i get all kinds of audio corruption (like loud buzzing)

[jeremy33]

You are in bitstream or analog (PCM audio over HDMI) ?

Did you tell it to james (reclock dev) ?

[tetsuo55]

I'm using PCM not bitstreaming.

I have not told james, i'm not a member on his forum.

[Qaq]

I'm using PCM not bitstreaming.
I have not told james, i'm not a member on his forum.
Seems like problem with ATI HDMI driver. Some "silent bug" or something like that. Check this thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1224697. It's for ATI 5* but you can try the hints for 4* too, I think.

[tetsuo55]

I've read a part of that thread. But i could not find exactly what you are referring too.

I already use the recommended realtek driver instead of the ATI driver...

[Dogway]

If you follow the guide ac3filter will do its job. You must have a probleme with your settings, the audio seems to be already decoded before ac3filter.
...
If you follow the guide you won't have this kind of problem. You must have a probleme with your settings.
I think I solved it. You dont check "prefer" on the filters, you check "prefer" on the filters in order from the first one down the last. That solved the AC3 issue too.


Maybe later I will add a part to calibrate the TV. I will mention it in the guide, but people can find this information elsewhere.
I know people can find calibration information anywhere, but taking ONLY your guide as a reference for image quality (ignoring all the necessary screen calibration stuff) is misleading. Just mentioning it, is enough.

Thanks for the tut.

[Qaq]

I've read a part of that thread. But i could not find exactly what you are referring too.
I already use the recommended realtek driver instead of the ATI driver...
I have 5450 and Onkyo 1007. Most time I use bitstream, and if I try PCM I got a message "device is already in use" sometimes, but everything works fine after confirm. I never tried Realtek driver under win7, ATI HDMI audio all the way. I think you just have to try different versions of ATI driver to find one that will work good for you.

[tetsuo55]

I have 5450 and Onkyo 1007. Most time I use bitstream, and if I try PCM I got a message "device is already in use" sometimes, but everything works fine after confirm. I never tried Realtek driver under win7, ATI HDMI audio all the way. I think you just have to try different versions of ATI driver to find one that will work good for you.yeah i tried all the different driver version, always the same result.
Also, although this might not mean much, no other wasapi/bitstreaming applications suffer from the problem, reclock is the only one.

[Maccara]

It would be worth to say that for people with calibrated PC screens like me willing to play videos on MPC outputting to TV, should first disable the PC screen color profile, which AFAIK requires a reboot.

No reboot required.

On XP etc (which does not populate videocard LUTs on its own anyways) just use dispwin from ArgyllCMS to load linear display profile (or any other you need) and disable cms in mpc-hc.

Win7 seems to be capable to do this without anything extra (at least when windows profile loading is enabled), but argyllcms works too also on win7.

[Dogway]

cms is greyed out at least using madVR. I used a spyder which is bundled with its software, so it loads up on start up. I guess I can delete the software, keep the icm, and load that with dispwin, I will look into that.

[Maccara]

cms is greyed out at least using madVR. I used a spyder which is bundled with its software, so it loads up on start up. I guess I can delete the software, keep the icm, and load that with dispwin, I will look into that.

Ok, it is probably enough to just load linear LUTs in your case and prevent Spyder software from overriding that, since you're not applying color profile inside mpc-hc. No need to uninstall spyder software (I don't think so); just disable its services when you want to clear the LUT with dispwin (just to prevent it immeadiately "forcing" the calibration profile).

I have Huey myself, so can't advice Spyder specifics, but the principle should be the same. ;) (actually, I stopped using all other calibration/profiling software once I stumbled upon ArgyllCMS, however that is not required; some of Argyll's cmdline tools are useful in addition to the hardware's own software, like the "dispwin" I mentioned)