[yehiasalah]

Thank you for your reply. I went ahead and bought PDVD Ultimate, it runs UHD 4k when I use it by itself, I have not done the batch files, I assume I have to switch them so that they call on powerDVDinstead of the default ones you gave an example. I have a few points, questions..

First, I use WASAPI for sending audio over HDMI to my reciever, it handles DTS, dolby, etc. I keep device alive in Kodi so that there is no delay in audio when I play anything, but I assume that will mean PDVD wont be able to take control of the audio output, so in your setup are you using shared audio mode, and do you think that degrades the quality

Second, I run Kodi as a full screen window (not windowed, but full screen then the option under it that said full screen window). When I switch to Kodi with windows HDR turned on it flickers and goes blank for a second then switches over to Kodi (I later found out that this is because the screen resolution changes to non-HDR), so is there a setting I am missing that would prevent Kodi from switching to the non-HDR resolution.

Thanks again for the help

[brazen1]

Just edit this line of code in the PCF.xml

<rule filename=".*HDR10.*|.*HDR.*|.*hdr.*" player="DVDFab"/>

to

<rule filename=".*HDR10.*|.*HDR.*|.*hdr.*" player="PowerDVD"/>

Provided you have HDR10, HDR, or hdr as part of the file name, PowerDVD will now be the default player.  As always, you can press 'menu' aka 'C' to bring up the 'play using' menu and select any player(s) you have installed.

I too use HDMI/Wasapi.  I've found no reason to use the 'keep audio device alive' or the 'send low volume noise' settings.  My Denon doesn't need any help.  I don't know what you mean by "shared audio mode"?  PowerDVD has it's own audio settings.  They are independent of KODI's settings.  Kodi audio settings outputs its settings when using its internal VideoPlayer and likewise so does PDVD.  Use Full Range Non Decoded HiDef.  Once you adjust settings in any player, you forget them and that's how they will always respond provided you use the players and your AVR correctly.  For instance, using PDVD, FAB, KODI, etc. with your AVR OFF will revert your settings to be applicable for a stereo environment (only if you actually start playing something).  Once you turn your AVR ON, the settings remain defaulted for a stereo setting and not a high bitrate multi channel environment.  You'd have to manually readjust.  Don't play anything with your AVR OFF unless you're prepared to redo some adjustments.  There is nothing "degrading" any quality because multiple players are used.

I too use FSE (Fullscreen).  I don't understand your second question too well?  There is nothing for KODI to switch?  The windows HDR can't always stay engaged because SDR will be negatively affected.  I can't suggest what you have to do with your HDR dilemma?  I assume Windows HDR must be ON to use PowerDVD for UHD HDR playback?  I don't have the special hardware required by PDVD.  This is why I use various other players for HDR.  They all engage HDR mode only when needed and turn it back off when not in use because they use private API's from the manufacturer.  This way, windows desktop is not affected. 

KODI GUI is in essence, windows desktop.  Even if I did meet PDVD's hardware requirements, I prefer this method because I never have to manually enable/disable windows HDR.  It is NEVER enabled.  It's always OFF since windows HDR is primitive and the private API's are a different way of engaging HDR.  The API's also work at display level meaning HDR adjustments to contrast, etc. take place.  Windows HDR has no affect at display level.  You'd have to manually make the adjustments.  When using KODI's internal VideoPlayer, HDR and SDR work fine.  HDR is converted to SDR and looks ok-ish.  Certainly better than nothing.  I suggest you 'try' the free player options in this guide for HDR playback so you can compare not only the quality, but the ease of use.  None of them will handle menus but at least you get a feel for what HDR should look like.  PDVD is not the only HDR player with a menus option.  So is DVDFab v.3.  It too uses the private API's so imo, the quality and ease of use is worthy of consideration.

[Alcarimon]

Hi Brazen1,

since today I used your method to watch 4k HDR Videos and I felt really good, tks a lot again.
Now I'd like to change and I'd upgrade to Leila version, but I don't understood something:
Kodi 19 is native 4k? (sorry my English).  Could Kodi use the native player for 4k HDR movies? Is it always necessary using an external player to watch 4k HDR movies? 

Tks

[brazen1]

There is no v.19 but v.18 will convert HDR to SDR using the internal VideoPlayer.  This is preferred when you do not have a 4k display and want to play a UHD HDR title and do not mind the lower quality.  If you do have a 4k display, an external player is preferred to take advantage of passing through metadata producing the best quality video.

[Alcarimon]

ops.. no 19 but 18... it's a misprint!
Ok perfect.. and also.. can I ask you how to modify the playercorefactory.xml to set the external player as default player?

Tks

[brazen1]

That depends on which player(s) you want to use and what formats (file extensions such as .iso, .mkv, .avi, etc. and furthermore - 2D or 3D or SDR or HDR) you want it/them to play?  You need to be specific.  Also your specs such as O/S version and GPU.  There's nothing in your signature to identify.

[Alcarimon]

sorry....

use MPC BE 
File: MKV
GPU: Geforce GTX 1050 Ti

[brazen1]

All and only .mkv files will be played with MPC-BE.  All other file types will use the internal VideoPlayer.

<playercorefactory>
 <players>
    <player name="MPC-BE" type="ExternalPlayer" audio="false" video="true">
      <filename>C:\Program Files\MPC-BE x64\mpc-be64.exe</filename>
      <playcountminimumtime>1140</playcountminimumtime>
    </player>
  </players>
 <rules action="prepend">
    <rule filetypes="mkv" player="MPC-BE"/>
 </rules>
< /playercorefactory>

[giulianoprs]

but can kodi v.18 execute / read 4k HDR files?

[jpil]

@ Brazen1.

I have been trying to get dvdfab3 working with UHD titles . It plays , but there is no notification that HDR  is firing . I am using latest v win 10 and nvidia drivers.

I tried using MPC-BE - and it works - one question w.r.t command line entries - you have a 3d enable and disable bat files in your madvr settings . As /enable  is in the mpc-be bat file called by PCF , is the command line entry still needed ?

[Alcarimon]

first of all tsk for your patience! 

I set with your guide the playercorefactory but , MPC doesn't star. It remains the default Kodi player. 

Where am I making  a mistake??

[brazen1]

Strangely enough, MPC-BE does not honor the PCF.xml very well but MPC-HC does.  Install MPC-HC, adjust it, and edit this code into your PCF.xml.  Then let me know if it works.  TIA.

<playercorefactory>
  <players>
     <player name="MPC-HC" type="ExternalPlayer" audio="false" video="true">
       <filename>C:\Program Files\MPC-HC\mpc-hc64.exe</filename>
       <playcountminimumtime>1140</playcountminimumtime>
     </player>
   </players>
  <rules action="prepend">
     <rule filetypes="mkv" player="MPC-HC"/>
  </rules>
 </playercorefactory>

[brazen1]

jpil,

Are you using DVDFab v.3 that uses private API's because v.5 isn't recommended.  If you are using v.5, it only works using Windows HDR.  You will need to manually turn HDR on/off.  All you need is this PCF.xml for all and only UHD HDR using DVDFab v.3.  Otherwise, edit the code to use v.5 names and locations.  Remember to have hdr, HDR, or HDR10 included in the file name.

<playercorefactory>
  <players>
     <player name="DVDFab 3" type="ExternalPlayer" audio="false" video="true">
       <filename>C:\Program Files (x86)\DVDFab Media Player 3\FabPlayer.exe</filename>
       <playcountminimumtime>1140</playcountminimumtime>
     </player>
   </players>
  <rules action="prepend">
     <rule filename=".*HDR10.*|.*HDR.*|.*hdr.*" player="DVDFab 3"/>
  </rules>
 </playercorefactory>

[brazen1]

but can kodi v.18 execute / read 4k HDR files?

Yes but it's going to play them back in SDR as stated a few posts up.

[Alcarimon]

only one question... but if i install a MPC-HC and replace the BE ones, have i got to reset lav filter and the file.bat??