NightCactus

[NightCactus]

You might also try:

1. Disable file indexing in services.msc

2. Exclude your storage HD from virus scans

3. Archive old recorded shows to an additional hard drive or NAS (adding their location to the media library will still allow you to access them directly)

There doesn’t seem to be any viable alternative to WMC where CableCard AND protected content are involved. WMC has become Microsoft’s neglected step-child. I wish they would sell it off and let someone else improve upon it.

[NightCactus]

With Windows set to 5.1, you will see “Multi In” on your receiver…this is normal since Windows is outputting 6-channel uncompressed (PCM) sound. You won’t get simulated surround (i.e. Neo6, PLII) because they only work with a 2-channel source.

Because “Multi In” is the mode that you want to be in to get LPCM 5.1 or 7.1 sound out of your Blu-Rays, give these alternative settings a try:

In Windows configure Control Panel/Sound for 5.1, then in WMC, set speakers to 5.1 and disable WMC navigation sound effects (in Settings/General/Visual and Sound Effects). With these settings, you may loose the ability to use the simulated surround modes on your receiver, but Blu-Ray multichannel LPCM sound will likely work.

P.S. Configuring both Windows and WMC to 5.1 may result in HDCP errors in WMC’s Live TV and playback, but disabling WMC navigation sounds seem to get around this problem (I can’t explain why this is).

[NightCactus]

Try these settings: In Windows, set your HDMI audio to stereo… and in Windows Media Center configure speakers to HDMI and 5.1, then restart and test playback.

 

I’ve never fully understood the way Windows handles bitstreaming between applications… settings that look correct are often contradictory in practice. I have an Onkyo AVR and through trial and error, arrived at the workable settings above.

[NightCactus]

The Shark007 codec pack lets you choose between DirectVobSub and FFdshow subtitles by checking the appropriate box in a control panel. Give it a try; it uninstalls cleanly if it doesn’t work for you.

I was initially against installing a mega codec pack such as Shark007 at first, but after much trial and error with different standalone codecs, I’m glad I finally did. I have a bunch of Anime episodes encoded with Ogg from long ago and the codecs included with Shark007 will play it. Saves me the pain of transcoding everything.

I’ve been ripping my Blu-Ray discs to MKV using MakeMKV. It retains the original bitstreamed audio track. It’s free to use while in beta; the author provides a key here: http://www.makemkv.com/forum2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1053#p3548

[NightCactus]

I was also getting unsatisfactory playback with Haali on my Gigabyte Z68/Ci5 2500K setup.

The better MKV splitter for Sandy Bridge video seems to be the LAV splitter included with the Shark007 Codec Pack; I get smooth video and perfectly timed audio.

[NightCactus]

My HTPC has nearly the same specs as yours, except no SSD. There is a slight lag when changing channels and sometimes a split second hiccup when resuming from pause, but I have seen the same characteristics from more powerful video cards than the Intel HD Graphics 3000. Do you use a dedicated drive for DVR recordings and TV buffer, and is virus scanning disabled for that drive? (that is how mine is configured).

1. When playing back video are you using a codec pack? I’ve been using Shark007 and noticed that the Intel HD Graphics 3000 performs very poorly with cetain settings (i.e. blotchy/blocky video, stuttering). After finding the best settings, everything is buttery smooth and the sound is perfectly synched. (I play back mostly 720p/1080p MKVs at 24p)

2. Are you connected to an AVR? Some AVRs like Onkyo do video processing such as film detection – you might try different settings or change to a “direct” or “through” setting. Same goes for your TV. Some TV manufacturers call it Cinemotion, Motion Enhancer, etc…  Try different settings or turning them off. Finally, in Windows Media Center’s TV Setup, you might check the refresh rate setting. On my TV, 1920×1080/59.94 Hz seems to provide smooth motion for nearly everything.

[NightCactus]

Draven is right that a Core i3 is sufficient. But with abundant rebates the Core i5 and 8GB was only incrementally more expensive.

Plus, if you’re going to do any transcoding (to fit movies onto a mobile device using Handbrake for example) you will appreciate the Core i5.

[NightCactus]

I completed my first HTPC build a couple of months ago. I primarily use it as a DVR but also store and play back my ripped DVD/Blu-Ray library. The build consists of:
 
Hardware:
 Gigabyte GA-Z68MX-UD2H-B3 motherboard
 Intel Core i5-2500K Processor w/HD Graphics 3000
 8GB RAM
 pair of WD Caviar Black 2TB
 Samsung SH-B123L BD combo drive
 Silverstone Grandia GD06 HTPC case
 430W Power Supply
 Ceton InfiniTV 4 PCIe Quad Tuner Card
 IOGear GKM561R Wireless Keyboard
 HP Media Center Remote and HP IR Receiver
 MediaBridge Ultra Cat 2 HDMI Cables
 
Software:
 Windows 7 64-bit
 Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater 5
 Shark007 32/64 Codec Packs
 MakeMKV
 Handbrake
 YAMM
 
The HTPC is connected like this with HDMI cables:
 
HTPC –> Onkyo HT-RC630 AVR –> Sony KDS-60A3000 RPTV
 
Overall it’s 99% stable and I’m quite pleased with it. Using it as a DVR works great and ripped 1080p movies play smoothly with no sync issues; bitstreaming audio works as expected and uncompressed audio is simply impressive.

There are a few minor glitches worth mentioning and some workarounds:
 
1. I often see HDMI audio indicated as “NO SIGNAL” on the AVR when in the Windows 7 OS (but is ok in Windows Media Center)
2. TMT5 works best with the Video Acceleration turned off with the Intel HD Graphics 3000 for some reason. When on, I get video artifacts and audio sync issues. I have not tried any 3D yet.
3. Random HDMI handshake/HDCP issues, resolved by power cycling the AVR while the HTPC and TV are both on.
4. Netflix HD streaming is a tiny bit jerky but not unwatchable (SD is fine). I read that the problem lies with Silverlight. I suspect it’s not fully supporting the Intel HD Graphics 3000 acceleration.

[NightCactus]

Do you see the same lag/stuttering if you connect your HTPC to a PC Monitor via DVI?

Have you tried disabling virus scanning on the video and recording folders? What about your codecs? I’ve had very good results with the Shark007 pack.

 

[NightCactus]

My HTPC is connected to a Onkyo AVR (the HT-RC360) via HDMI. Sometimes, the audio and/or video will refuse to work right when waking from S3 sleep… cycling the power on the AVR (but leaving the PC and TV on) will cure the problem.

I’m not sure if it’s the fault of the Onkyo AVR (I’m finding that most AVRs aren’t very PC friendly in one way or another) or if it’s Intel’s (Sandy Bridge) graphics drivers. However, it doesn’t happen much and a quick power off & on to the AVR usually fixes it.

[NightCactus]

Is your HTPC connected to an AVR? It could be a HDCP or HDMI handshake issue.

[NightCactus]

Have you tried System Restore?

I believe that Setting up Live TV will wipe out your scehduled recording settings. Perhaps System Restore can bring back your original schedule by returning to an earlier date.

One glitch I’ve noticed with the Ceton PCIe tuner is that infrequently and at random, I’ll see a message that says something like “New CableCard found…” – I’ve learned to ignore this message, do a reboot and everything will be fine.

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