Upscaling DVD's (Using ffdshow)
Here's yet another function that can be performed by your HTPC. Upscaling all your standard DVD's to HD resolution to further improve picture quality. I should mention that this can be done via other software, including an excellent package called TheaterTek. However, as we're doing this as cheap as possible, we will be doing this with MediaPortal. It's also nice to have all your functions seamlessly performed within the same application. It's also good to know that using ffdshow, you can get better picture quality than top-end upscaling DVD players!
Check the next page for the results based on these settings
1.) Download "ffdshow tryouts" from here - ffdshow tryouts nightly builds
2.) Install the file as follows:
Personally I have found some HD movies (x264) to play very dark. If you enable H.264 as the screenshot below:
I have found this helps fix this problem. However, this is something you may want to test on your system, as it can use more processing power from your CPU. If you are unsure, leave it unticked as you can change it later in the ffdshow settings.
3.) Once installed, find ffdshow in your start menu and open Video decoder configuration. Follow the screenshots below, and change your settings accordingly:
Codecs --> Raw video = all supported
OSD ---> Check settings below
This is only for testing purposes to make sure ffdshow is working. It will display information in the top left of your screen, so if you can see this you know its working, and you can then turn it off.
Resize & aspect ---> Specify size = Enter resolution of your screen
No aspect ration correction = On
4.) Click settings and change as recommended below (obviously you can modify these how you please):
5.) Click Apply and OK
6.) Now, to turn on ffdshow upscaling in MediaPortal open MediaPortal Setup, go into DVD---->DVD Post Processing and find ffdshow Video Decoder in the list. Double click it so it appears in the top box, and make sure its ticked as per the screenshot below:
7.) Click on Filter properties to make sure the settings in steps 3 and 4 above are all correct, including Raw video - all supported.
8.) Under DVD Codec some people have reported problems using the MPV decoder, and they set the Video Codec to NVIDIA Video Decoder (if you have it).
Update: However, Further testing has actually shown less CPU usage using MPV decoder. See our forum. So I now use the MPV Decoder here.
9.) Click ok, Run MediaPortal, insert a DVD and goto Play DVD. You should now see the OSD in green the top left displaying CPU usage and the new output upscaled resolution that you set in step 3. Note Output Size below:
Note: This process will use extra CPU usage, but from the tests i've conducted it definately improves picture quality and is worth it.
I hope this helped, if there are any problems or suggested ffdshow settings feel free to post in the forum.
See the screenshots based on these settings