GraphEdit Tips and Tricks

Cyberlink PlayDVD Example

Cyberlink PlayDVD Example

If everything is setup correctly in your system then the ATI Cyberlink filters will be used when DVD's are played.

If the default filters used are not the ATI Cyberlink filters then the user should determine if the filters being used are the ones they really want to use. GSPOT may be used to force the default DVD codec's to use with all players in Windows XP.

The "Microsoft Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility" may also be used to force the filters you desire.

In the following example we will use GraphEdit and only add one filter.
The "Cyberlink DVD Navigator (ATI)" filter will be added and we will use the smart render feature to finish the graph and play the DVD.

Once you play with the Graph you may subsiture different filters for the video and audio to see what works best in your system.

This graph is simple and is a great example for anyone who has never used GraphEdit before.



PowerDVD 6.0 version of Graph


Direct Link to Images:

http://img297.echo.cx/img297/1420/playdvd4oy.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9714/powerdvd5kg.jpg

Greg
 
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Beginner help Graph Edit - Watch TV

Beginner help Graph Edit - Watch TV

Just starting but have some issues about using HDTV with non-ATI software such as beyond tv and windows movie maker. (Can't get audio) Downloaded watch tv and graph edit but not sure how to register proppage.dll. Do you use "run" and type in regsvr32 space file path? I haven't been able to call up the remote graph on watch tvwith graphedit to check why I have sound but no video on the various channels. My ATI software works okay on both analog and digital inputs after a lot of tweaking. Thanks
 
mrhaffer said:
Just starting but have some issues about using HDTV with non-ATI software such as beyond tv and windows movie maker. (Can't get audio) Downloaded watch tv and graph edit but not sure how to register proppage.dll. Do you use "run" and type in regsvr32 space file path? I haven't been able to call up the remote graph on watch tvwith graphedit to check why I have sound but no video on the various channels. My ATI software works okay on both analog and digital inputs after a lot of tweaking. Thanks
Click to expand...

To register/unregister your Direct Show filters (ax, dll)

grog says;
"On my system I create folders for filter packs I use.
You can change to the folder from a DOS command prompt and type something like this.

Register all the filters in pack
C:> cd MyFilters
C:\MyFilters> regsvr32 *.ax *.dll

Un-Register all the filters in pack
C:> cd MyFilters
C:\MyFilters> regsvr32 /u *.ax *.dll

The reason I use the seperate folders for "experimental filters is I can remove them from use without trying to rememeber what I put in a system directory.

Greg"


RegDrop makes it as easy as drag and drop.

Explanation of Regsvr32 Usage and Error Messages

MSDN Regsvr32
 
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This is on the 1st page but it does answer the question about registering the "proppage.dll".

GraphEdit Property Page Issue

For any who are having issues with the newer DXDSK showing property pages with GraphEdit you must register the proppage.dll first.

Find the proppage.dll and register it.

regsvr32 \dxsdk_feb2005_extras\extras\Extras\DirectShow\Utilities\proppage.dll

Now the graph property pages should work fine.


Note: The location of the filters used do not need to be in "C:\WINDOWS\system32" in fact I don't recommend doing that when you are trying 3rdParty filters.

On my system I create folders for filter packs I use.
You can change to the folder from a DOS command prompt and type something like this.

Register all the filters in pack
C:> cd MyFilters
C:\MyFilters> regsvr32 *.ax *.dll

Un-Register all the filters in pack
C:> cd MyFilters
C:\MyFilters> regsvr32 /u *.ax *.dll

The reason I use the seperate folders for "expermintal filters is I can remove them from use without trying to rememeber what I put in a system directory.

Greg


rbV5 said:
To register/unregister your Direct Show filters (ax, dll)

1.) Copy the files you would like to register to [C:\WINDOWS\system32]
2.) Go to the command prompt Start --> Run --> cmd
3a.) To install/register the file, type in: regsvr32 file.dll or regsvr32 file.ax
3b.) To uninstall the files, type: regsvr32 -u file.dll or regsvr32 -u file.ax
4.) Some type of message should be displayed that says you successfully registered or unregistered the file


RegDrop makes it as easy as drag and drop.
Click to expand...
 
The reason I use the seperate folders for "expermintal filters is I can remove them from use without trying to rememeber what I put in a system directory
Click to expand...

Probably a good idea, I'll edit my post :)
 
Greg - Thanks for help. Successfully registered proppage.dll but after running watch hdtv and graph edit my table for selecting remote graph had no entries and refresh did not produce any either. I am running directx 9.0c. I tried ATI TV with same result - no remote graph.TV works fine, Watch TV has audio but no video. The filter selections seem to be complete for building a new graph but I didn't try that. Have Rosewill Radeon 9600 and ATI HDTV wondor Athlon XP 3200+ Audigy 2ZS Gamer sound card. NForce Ultra 400 MB
 
Unless the program exports the graph you can not use "connect to remote graph". Most programs do not export their graphs so you will have to build the graph from scratch.

Really that is what this thread is all about. Once you build a graph or two you should have no problem build more complex graphs. It will start to become clear once you try it.

Greg


mrhaffer said:
Greg - Thanks for help. Successfully registered proppage.dll but after running watch hdtv and graph edit my table for selecting remote graph had no entries and refresh did not produce any either. I am running directx 9.0c. I tried ATI TV with same result - no remote graph.TV works fine, Watch TV has audio but no video. The filter selections seem to be complete for building a new graph but I didn't try that. Have Rosewill Radeon 9600 and ATI HDTV wondor Athlon XP 3200+ Audigy 2ZS Gamer sound card. NForce Ultra 400 MB
Click to expand...
 
ATI HDTV WONDER - Sound filter options

ATI HDTV WONDER - Sound filter options

This is what I know about 5.1 sound with the ATI DirectShow filters.

ATI Cyberlink audio filter does not support anything beyond stereo.
SPIF must be controlled outside of the filter.

Other filters that may be in the system do support 5.1 analog connection to speakers such as the Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultra's which I have.

The way to tell if it is working is to look at the Direct Sound filter to see how many speakers are seen at that level.

ATI HDTV WONDER (Default sound filters)
Note: 2 channels max supported.



ATI HDTV WONDER (Cyberlink PDVD-6 sound filters)
Note: 6 channels max supported. 8 speakers max. SPIF supported.



ATI HDTV WONDER (Intervideo WinDVD 4 sound filters)

Note: 6 channels max supported. 8 speakers max. SPIF supported but from Intervideo Audio Decoder, speaker output is controlled by Intervideo Audio Processor filter.

Final Notes
For 5.1 sound with my Klipsch Promedia 5.1 Ultra's here is what we have.

* The "ATI Cyberlink sound Filter" does very well but lacks 5.1 sound option.
* The "PDVD-6 Cyberlink sound Filter" does very well and includes 5.1 sound option.
* The "Intervideo WINDVD 4 sound filter" is just plain awesome.

Direct link to images
http://img32.echo.cx/img32/712/s0015bh.jpg
http://img32.echo.cx/img32/7913/s0027pr.jpg
http://img32.echo.cx/img32/5471/s0032zk.jpg

Greg
 
ATI Theater 550 Pro (TV render without lipsync)

ATI Theater 550 Pro (TV render without lipsync)

Great thread here.

What I hate most about using the 550 in applications other than PowerCinema and Media Portal is lipsync (Video and Audio out of sync) when previewing them or watching it live.

Both the applications above use the hard drive to cache videostream before displaying it creating anywhere from 3 to 5 seconds of delay everyone talks about. The graph displayed here does not cache to disk and only has a delay of .5 to .75 of a second. Most likely the least delay the 550 will give. The audio is also in sync with the video.

 
Very nice QIX. Great job!

This is also the first example using the ffdshow filter. Nice open source package that is getting better and better!!!

For those who do not know about ffdshow here is a link to the main download page:

FFDSHOW 2005-07-03

http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/ffdshow.cfm

It might be good to list the version of ffdshow you are using if it is older than the one on the site.

Again, great job....


Thanks,

Greg
 
grog said:
Very nice QIX. Great job!

It might be good to list the version of ffdshow you are using if it is older than the one on the site.

Again, great job....
Greg
Click to expand...

Thanks. I stumbled upon this in fustration of the lipsync. I hate what ATI gave to us for software bundled with the 550 so much I believe I'll start building a more usable C++ app from scratch.

ffdshow version I have is listed as June 19th, 2005. I'll upgrade to the new version and post if it acts any different.

EDIT: Upgraded and no difference that I could see. Works flawlessly. ;)
 
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I hate what ATI gave to us for software bundled with the 550 so much I believe I'll start building a more usable C++ app from scratch.
Click to expand...

I'd agree because of the price of ATI's card vs the partners cards. I also think that if the Power Cinema application simply had an EPG on the line of MCE or SageTV it would be pretty good. PQ is very good and slow channel changing isn't an issue when you pick shows from a decent EPG, it's tortuous simply going through channels......but nobody does that that uses an EPG with their TV application.

These cards really should be targeted towards existing softwares if real application support isn't provided (<cough> MMC <cough>) They work great in MCE 2005, but without offering a bare card at a decent price, TV Wonder Elite is just too damn expensive compared to its competition. The partner cards are a much better value IMHO. I got the Sapphire Theatrix myself ~ half the cost of TV Wonder Elite.

Thanks for the graph, I'll add it to the list on Post #1. I've not had much time to keep the thread updated or add to it lately, so I appreciate contributions :) The views this thread gets shows that it is worthwhile, and grogs contributions have been the driving force without a doubt...Thanks all!
 
One example is AMCap with is in the DirectX SDK.

Let us know how it goes.

Greg

Qix said:
Does anyone know how to programatically (C++) build my graph? An example would be nice. :) Thanks
Click to expand...
 
grog said:
One example is AMCap with is in the DirectX SDK.

Let us know how it goes.

Greg
Click to expand...
I'm into the SDK docs for the 3rd time, working with amcap along with others. I'm slow at grasping the DX-Show filter graph building. I'm not going to give up easily. The 550 pro does not act as other tv cards act so most of the examples do not apply very close.
 
Hauppauge - WinTV Go Plus TV Turner - The Graph

Hauppauge - WinTV Go Plus TV Turner - The Graph

Card: Hauppauge - WinTV Go Plus TV Turner with Remote Control

I thought it might be of interest to see how well the WDM drivers for the Hauppauge - WinTV Go Plus TV Turner compared to the ATI versions.

Your hands are really tied with the Hauppauge and funny things happen with you run the graph. The TV picture for example was scrambled a few times, upside down a few times but then would appear correctly. So with the Hauppauge card there is more work required than just connecting the pins as with the ATI cards!

The Graph


Direct link to image
http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/3362/wintvgoplus3ol.jpg

The "Hauppauge - WinTV Go Plus TV Turner with Remote Control" is not a bad card but it is not great either.

If I record for example and go full screen the TV2000 application will crash.
Could be because I am using it on a DELL 4700 with onboard graphics but still it is good enough for the friend I am building it for.

Greg
 
Nice, we have a Hauppage card graph..thanks grog (as always) Added to the OP

Looks like I'm going to have a little time again to keep the thread up (been a crazy busy summer)
 
Theater 550 Pro: Preview and Save MPEG2 @ same time

Theater 550 Pro: Preview and Save MPEG2 @ same time

Working with the Theater 550 Pro is not that hard after you learn the basics of DirectShow WDM filters.

Here is how you can watch an MPEG2 stream and at the same time save it to disk.




Direct Link to image: Link

This graph is using the CyberLink filters. If your hardware version of the 550 Pro does not use CyberLink, it should have filters closely related to the ones shown.

The filter named CyberTest on the middle left is the CyberLink Dump filter. This filter saves the MPEG2 output to a file.

I am coding this into C++ this weekend.

Qix
 
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MPEG to h.264 encoding...Moonlight method

MPEG to h.264 encoding...Moonlight method

I've been out of the loop somewhat lately, but all the h.264 buzz has me very interested so I thought I'd see what the big deal was. Short story, I really like what I'm seeing with h.264 compression, but tools are somewhat scarce.

I'm currently checking out the trial of OneClick Compressor which unfortunately not free, it is however a powerful little tool that requires little effort from the user. It also provides a number of directshow filters which can be used with Graphedit.

You'll need to install the OneClick Compressor to use this method. The trial places a watermark and is good for 21 days.

Here is a simple workflow to convert Standard Definition MPEG files to h.264 encodes. I'll post other methods using Graphedit as I come across them.
---------------------------------------------------------
(click on thumbnails for larger images)
Step 1
Start off drag-drop your MPEG file into Graphedit's window and get a playback graph similar to this:


Step 2
Remove unnecissary filters and it should look similar to this:


Step 3
Insert the Moonlight filters required and connect the pins as shown:
*Moonlight DumpPos (give your file name the *.mpg file extension)
*Moonlight H.264 Video Encoder
*Moonlight M71 Muxer (To use the Muxer, you'll need to set it up by right clicking on the filter. You change the variables in the right pane.

a)Make sure that the stream type is set to "transport stream"


b)Configure the audio pin for MPEG audio as shown: UPDATE: oddly, setting MPEG2 audio is somewhat buggy for me, but setting it to MPEG1 audio works well. Update: LOL, Make sure to check your audio tags prior to setting the Muxer, it reports back as MPEG1audio (screenshot next post)



c)
Add another input pin for the video as shown:


d)
Configure the video pin for the H264 stream:


I left the H264 encoder at the default settings as I haven't a clue as to what they should be at this point. Here's the property sheets:



Here's the filter graph with the pins connected, all thats left is to "play" the graph:
 
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MPEG to h.264 encoding...Moonlight method (continued)

MPEG to h.264 encoding...Moonlight method (continued)

Step 4
Drop the encoded file into Graphedit to build a playback graph. If everything is setup properly it should playback in any directshow player provided you have an h.264 decoder installed. The resultant file looks great despite being CBR at the default settings. I'm sure tweaking the settings I could do much better, but it came out ~ 1/3 the size of the original MPEG-2 file. More to come :) and please chime in with any help/insight you may have.

Edit: Replaced the word MPEG2 with h.264 for
it should playback in any directshow player provided you have an h.264 decoder<-- installed Doh!
Click to expand...


Additionally
------------------------------------
Audiotag
 
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