2009-04-14, 22:08
Okay, so I recently installed XBMC on Ubuntu Hardy using this guide, but I seem to be having some problems. Most have been mentioned in the linked thread, but at the rate replies/solutions are usually posted, I don't think anyone took notice of my postings - sorry if I seem impatient! 
My first issue: my resolution won't go above 1080i! My Pioneer LX 5090 says the signal is 1080i just as XBMC won't let me choose 1080p, only -i. The signal is sent from a Geforce 8800GTS through a NAD T775 (HDMI, no sound) to my plasma and it's all been working on Windows. The thing that struck me was that choosing a lower resolution (than 1920x1080@50/60Hz) in XBMC only resized the actual XBMC window - where it was once fullscreen, I just get XBMC at aprx. 1/4 of the screen (720p).
Plus, I can see the content is interlaced - lines appear when the picture is moving. I've only been playing some x264 720p content, so I can't say if this is the case for all types of files... I'd guess so, since the resolution is wrong anyway!
Second issue: too low brightness. As I don't think anyone can come up with a solution to this (as I'm already myself mostly blaming my hardware) I'm not gonna go in to much detail. Brightness is too low, it's only possible to correct this through XBMC, but the image quality suffers greatly from this. It was much better on Windows though still visible (a setting of 53 on brightness would fix the problem on Windows, but with Hardy I need a 60 - loosing quality either way).
And third issue: VDPAU. When renderer is set to auto, I'm quite sure VDPAU isn't utilized (as someone else posted, too), as my CPU is just running wild. The funny thing is, I chose Hardy over Intrepid as some reported errors on the latter, but my Core 2 Duo isn't being used equally - the load on each CPU can jump from 20-100% at any given time (mostly 100%).
When choosing VDPAU, I get noticeably lower performance; testing with killa sample, when render method is set to auto the CPUs get a load of about 85-95% (actually, it never exceeds 95% and the load IS actually spread equally), and about 170 dropped frames. Choosing VDPAU lets a bit of load off the CPUs, but only about -5%, whereas the number of dropped frames are now 230+.
Specs:
HW: GIGABYTE 965P-DS3 r3.3 w/ latest BIOS (F14b), Core 2 Duo 6400 @ 2,13Ghz (though XBMC just says "Core 2"), Geforce 8800GTS 320MB, 2GB DDR RAM, through a NAD T775 to my Pioneer LX 5090 plasma.
SYS: Hardy (minimal install, upgrades as per the guide).
SVN: 19410
I've used XBMC since it's Xbox glory days, but as HD became a necessity, alternatives had to be found - I had a brief venture into XP MCE... what a horrid experience! When I became aware that XBMC had been ported to Windows (Atlantis beta1) I was ecstatic! Made the switch right away and a tear almost made it to my eye: XBMC was back. Once you go XBMC there's no going back. That's just a fact.
So, if my above problems could be sorted, I'd be out of words
I know I'm supposed to post a lot of logs/confs, but I really don't know which... ?
I have to add one last comment: I usually know my way round a computer and also act as a supporter both in my spare time and profesionally (yeah, sucks!), but when it comes to Linux I am NOT on steady ground to say the least. So my above questions may seem n00bish and poorly explained, but I simply don't know what's relevant and what's not! My geeky pride is really taking a hit on this one! :p
... had to get that out of the way!
Anyway, sorry for a way too long post and I hope my less-than-perfect english i tolerable
PiNCH
My first issue: my resolution won't go above 1080i! My Pioneer LX 5090 says the signal is 1080i just as XBMC won't let me choose 1080p, only -i. The signal is sent from a Geforce 8800GTS through a NAD T775 (HDMI, no sound) to my plasma and it's all been working on Windows. The thing that struck me was that choosing a lower resolution (than 1920x1080@50/60Hz) in XBMC only resized the actual XBMC window - where it was once fullscreen, I just get XBMC at aprx. 1/4 of the screen (720p).
Plus, I can see the content is interlaced - lines appear when the picture is moving. I've only been playing some x264 720p content, so I can't say if this is the case for all types of files... I'd guess so, since the resolution is wrong anyway!
Second issue: too low brightness. As I don't think anyone can come up with a solution to this (as I'm already myself mostly blaming my hardware) I'm not gonna go in to much detail. Brightness is too low, it's only possible to correct this through XBMC, but the image quality suffers greatly from this. It was much better on Windows though still visible (a setting of 53 on brightness would fix the problem on Windows, but with Hardy I need a 60 - loosing quality either way).
And third issue: VDPAU. When renderer is set to auto, I'm quite sure VDPAU isn't utilized (as someone else posted, too), as my CPU is just running wild. The funny thing is, I chose Hardy over Intrepid as some reported errors on the latter, but my Core 2 Duo isn't being used equally - the load on each CPU can jump from 20-100% at any given time (mostly 100%).
When choosing VDPAU, I get noticeably lower performance; testing with killa sample, when render method is set to auto the CPUs get a load of about 85-95% (actually, it never exceeds 95% and the load IS actually spread equally), and about 170 dropped frames. Choosing VDPAU lets a bit of load off the CPUs, but only about -5%, whereas the number of dropped frames are now 230+.
Specs:
HW: GIGABYTE 965P-DS3 r3.3 w/ latest BIOS (F14b), Core 2 Duo 6400 @ 2,13Ghz (though XBMC just says "Core 2"), Geforce 8800GTS 320MB, 2GB DDR RAM, through a NAD T775 to my Pioneer LX 5090 plasma.
SYS: Hardy (minimal install, upgrades as per the guide).
SVN: 19410
I've used XBMC since it's Xbox glory days, but as HD became a necessity, alternatives had to be found - I had a brief venture into XP MCE... what a horrid experience! When I became aware that XBMC had been ported to Windows (Atlantis beta1) I was ecstatic! Made the switch right away and a tear almost made it to my eye: XBMC was back. Once you go XBMC there's no going back. That's just a fact.
So, if my above problems could be sorted, I'd be out of words
I know I'm supposed to post a lot of logs/confs, but I really don't know which... ?
I have to add one last comment: I usually know my way round a computer and also act as a supporter both in my spare time and profesionally (yeah, sucks!), but when it comes to Linux I am NOT on steady ground to say the least. So my above questions may seem n00bish and poorly explained, but I simply don't know what's relevant and what's not! My geeky pride is really taking a hit on this one! :p
... had to get that out of the way!
Anyway, sorry for a way too long post and I hope my less-than-perfect english i tolerable
PiNCH
