[b0b0baggins]

======================= < original post > =======================
I just unwrapped a PC I built for my mum as a Crimbo present and ended up scratching my head quite a bit so I thought I'd better provide feedback.

Build is an intel skylake pentium G4400, no extra graphics card. So basically decoding is handled by the CPU alone
Other details include 8GB of memory & Gigabyte B150N motherboard + M2 SSD running on Windows 10 Pro (N+Win media pack)

I'm getting "visual effects" during playback, but only on files I've encoded using handbrake (HEVC, 720p or 1080p, constant quality 25, all else default)
this happens on Jarvis and the latest Krypton beta
best way to describe this is : picture for the most shows all details normally, however, there's a kind of mosaic effect.
essentially there are two lines of super large squares showing, these squares seem to have slightly different colours making them noticeable.
It's like the squares are "translucent", but are set at different percentages.
These squares are arranged diagonally like a set of stairs

I thought maybe I'd done something stoopid with my encode so I got my hands on some less than legal sources (TV series etc.. from PB)
Same issue, so it's not my encodes.
I then tried x264, no issues whatso-ever
I then tried VLC, no issues whatso-ever
I then tried MPC-HC, no issues whatso-ever
All files play just fine on my own HTPC using Kodi
...and I do not remember seeing anything on a really old Pentium PC I installed in the kitchen (this has a very old dedicated graphics card)
conclusion. Perhaps skylake pentiums not fully supported by Kodi if using the onboard graphics??

(or is this because I mistakenly installed Win 10 "N" and had to then install Windows Media pack seperately? I know I couldn't play any music until I did this so I have to wonder if maybe something is still missing)

If this has been reported elsewhere I apologise I did run several searches and didn't find anything (i.e. I hope this is useful)

Merry xmas to one and all

======================= < confirmed fix : advanced settings > =======================
(thanks Michael2063 & Fritcsh)

create an xml file called "advancedsettings.xml"
include the following text

<advancedsettings>
<video>
<forcedxvarenderer>false</forcedxvarenderer>
</video>
</advancedsettings>

save it to %appdata%\Kodi\userdata\
(for example C:\Users\[YourUserName]\AppData\Roaming\Kodi\userdata\advancedsettings.xml)

references :
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=278799
http://kodi.wiki/view/AdvancedSettings.xml

======================= < confirmed fix : external players > =======================
(thanks PatK)

note : there are both benefits and drawbacks to external players, warner306 has done a very comprehensive how to, which includes these details
see : http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=209596

brief summary of side effects of using an external player "watched" tracking and resume functionality will be compromised. Kodi specific onscreen overlays and controls will be replaced by whatever you link up, so while you may still get play pause etc.. in some form.
Things like this program will end at a specified time will not be available

======================= < untested fixes : sounds like the easiest solution > =======================
(thanks Gracus & FernetMenta)

intels contrast enhancement feature may be the culprit, you can disable this in the drivers control panel

* Open Intel® Graphics and Media Control Panel by right clicking in the desktop and selecting Graphics Properties
* Once the software is open, you may click on Media > Image Enhancement > Adaptive Contrast Enhancement
* Uncheck the Adaptive Contrast Enhancement option.

see : http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=...pid2425481