ET playback observations

[tman 47]

I've been following and testing ET closely since release, and have been trying to get it to do the basics I'm used to with MPC-HC+LAV+MadVR, which is, use MadVR as the renderer, direct audio output to a non-default device on my HTPC (Speakers - a 5.1 analog output to my receiver) and switch refresh rate to match the source movie (mostly 24P). O/S is Win7, GPU is Radeon 7750.

 

It was really great to be able to see the 'WASAPI device' selection in the latest build, and indeed it listed all the sound output devices on my system (MPC-HC uses the same method, and it works fine).

 

My first test is to select MadVR as the renderer, change monitor refresh rate to match video, and select my 'Speakers' as the WASAPI device

Results: Video: black screen: Audio: plays, but only via the system default audio device (not my ET selection). Refresh rate: changes correctly (according to the TV), but as I said, there's no video. Pressing stop eventually returns back to ET screen, but display is still at 24P (hasn't changed back), and all focus is lost on the movie list with the remote control (have to use keyboard to get focus back). All navigation now very choppy due to 24P. Have to manually change refresh rate back to 50P in Windows settings.

 

Next test, using MadVR as the renderer, no monitor refresh rate change, and 'Speakers' as the WASAPI device.

Results: Video: black screen: Audio: plays, but only via system default. Refresh rate stays at 50P, but this obviously makes 24P content judder considerably. Pressing stop returns to the ET movie list, but all focus still lost. Once focus regained using keyboard, navigation returns to normal.

 

Next, using EVR+ as the renderer, no monitor refresh rate change, and 'Speakers' as the WASAPI device

Results: Video: plays ok. Audio: plays, but only via system default. Refresh rate stays at 50P, with 24P judder. Stopping playback returns to ET movie list, and focus is still with the remote control, so navigation is ok.

 

Final test: EVR+ as the renderer, change monitor refresh to match media, and 'Speakers' as the WASAPI device

Results: Video: plays ok. Audio: plays, but only via system default. Refresh rate switches to match source. Stopping playback returns to ET movie list. Refresh changes back to 50P. Slight juddery pause with navigation, but then it returns to normal and focus is with the remote control.

 

So, to summarize;

 

MadVR always produces a black screen with video. Always loses focus on 'stop'

MadVR + refresh rate switching - black screen, and it doesn't revert back to desktop refresh rate setting forcing manual reset. Remote control focus lost.

EVR+ - plays ok, but with judder because display is @ 50P. Focus is maintained on 'stop'

EVR+ + refresh rate switching - plays video and switches refresh rate correctly. Focus is maintained on 'stop', but juddery pauses observed for a few seconds.

Audio: At no point did any playback honour my WASAPI device selection. Everything insisted on using the system default.

 

As I said, MPC-HC+LAV+MadVR (w/Emby Classic) works perfectly for all content. Audio device selection is honoured, refresh rate switches, then changes back correctly. I tried over-writing the version of MadVR that comes with ET with the latest (0.9.12), but no difference. Without MadVR, I don't get the awesome post-processing and upscaling features, which is very noticeable.

 

I'd be interested to know if anyone can corroborate any of this.

[Jabberwockie 0]

Here's my observations on setting the refresh rate option in ET:

 

(for me) The option  to change monitor refresh rate to match video only works the first time it is changed from "no" to "yes" regardless of MadVR or EVR.

the first I play a Blu-ray video after making the switch, the TV/Monitor changes to  (1080p 24hz) and then begins to play (stuttering/juttering profusely) so I'm not sure what the frame rate is exactly.

Any subsequent plays, the TV refresh rate does not change.  I need to restart HTPC to get the screen to refresh again.

Edited March 20, 2016 by Jabberwockie

[tman 47]

Just wondering, in the newer build's I now have video rather than a black screen, which is good, but even if I enable the 'Change refresh rate to match video', nothing happens now - everything just stays at 60Hz (I'm in the UK, so 50Hz would be normal for me). Primarily, I mean 24Hz films don't change the refresh rate. I know there were problems with this, but I didn't know if it's actually fixed, or the feature has just been disabled.

 

Full settings are;

 

Hardware Acceleration Mode: Auto

Video Renderer: MadVR

Change Monitor refresh rate to match video: Yes

Filter Set: Stable (what does this do anyway?)

Smooth Motion Mode: Avoid Judder

[dimitrik 14]

I have a similar experience: MadVR playback gives me a black screen, audio plays fine.

EVR works ok, but what's the point, since it doesn't do upscaling?

 

Unfortunately in my case the problem persists even in the newer builds. I winder if it relates to the OS (I'm on Win7 x64) and/or GPU.

I have a Radeon 7850 with Catalyst Omega 14.12 drivers (the last to do have proper pixel format).

 

Anyone else having this problem?

[dimitrik 14]

Just tested a newer build. I got MadVR to display video once, but with very choppy slow playback. Audio was fine.

 

Played around with the settings to no avail. Then I put everything back the way it was and presto, no video.

I wouldn't even care about this if the external player support worked, but it's also broken.

 

I'm not sure it makes sense to develop a new player when mature players like MPC-HC and MPDN are out there, but really I just want something that works. The only point of emby is to watch your media which right now I can't do.

Edited April 17, 2016 by dimitrik

[Luke 42078]

@@tman

@@dimitrik

 

The next release of the app will feature improved performance, hardware acceleration, and better multi-monitor support. If you'd like to try it out ahead of time you can do so here:

 

https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/46763-theater-mpv-test/page-1

 

Enjoy.