VC-1 playback improvements

Help and Support Vero 4K / Vero 4K +
1

There have been some issues with VC-1 playback, particularly when the Adjust Refresh Rate feature is being used.

We’ve worked on some improvements that will hopefully improve things in a lot of cases. Unfortunately it’s not a magic bullet, and we are still dependent on the introduction of a bitparser for VC-1. We expect this to land sometime in the near future in Kodi v18 (Leia).

It would be great to get some feedback about this. To test these improvements:

  • Ensure that your system is on the latest version.
  • Go to My OSMC -> Updates -> Manual Controls.
  • Under Apply Hotfix, enter (without quotation marks): [deprecated]
    Your device should now reboot.

I’m keen to hear your feedback

Sam

2

I downloaded the three VC-1 video clips from http://kodi.wiki/view/Samples.

Without the hotfix only the two 23.976 fps samples doesn’t look being played smooth (micro surges) but sound is absolute correct (I use pass-though to a 7.1 AVR processing all sound formats).

Before I install the hotfix and report: How do I revert back to previous state?

Addition:
I’ve to correct my statement: After playing the 23.976 fps samples for 20-30 seconds and longer, video and sound are totally out of sync and sound gets cruel drop-outs. The 29.970 fps sample plays fine till the end, my TV shows 60 Hz.

3

This is before or after applying the hotfix?

4

Still before. I will not install the hotfix without knowledge how to revert the change.

5

Hi,

If the changes are not satisfactory, you can use ‘xaviwinaro’ in the hotfix dialog and follow the steps above to restore the system.

Sam

6

Bad news here: Installed hotfix goyamopiza, system automatically rebooted … but the problem persists means the 23.976 fps samples show permanent video surges/stutter and sound gets drop-outs after around 30 seconds; some seconds later my AVR shows me “no stream” for the sound.

Addition:
Uninstall hotfix xaviwinaro seems to hang somewhere
…
15:11:39.411 T:3792434160 WARNING: script.module.osmcsetting.updates : User entered hotfix ID - xaviwinaro
15:11:39.411 T:3792434160 WARNING: script.module.osmcsetting.updates : Retrieving hotfix from - https://paste.osmc.tv/raw/xaviwinaro
15:11:39.772 T:3792434160 WARNING: script.module.osmcsetting.updates : HotFix Result - sudo apt-get install --reinstall vero3-mediacenter-osmc/jessie
reboot
15:11:39.782 T:3792434160 WARNING: script.module.osmcsetting.updates : Description - No description available
15:11:39.783 T:3792434160 WARNING: script.module.osmcsetting.updates : Instruction - [u’sudo apt-get install --reinstall vero3-mediacenter-osmc/jessie’, u’reboot’]
15:11:39.783 T:3792434160 WARNING: script.module.osmcsetting.updates : Resolution -
---------------------- Kodi Log END --------------- HyhIT4UP

Will try to reboot via ssh.

7

We tested with the intro of The Shining (HD-DVD) rip. It’s got a lot of panning shots which makes judder very easy to see.

Can you paste the output of: paste-log /usr/bin/mediacenter. I want to make sure the fix has been applied correctly.

For downgrade, you can just do sudo apt-get install vero3-mediacenter-osmc/jessie. The hotfix was for those not familiar with SSH.

Sam

8

Reapplied hotfix goyamopiza, verified problem is still tere, paste-log /usr/bin/mediacenter: https://paste.osmc.tv/dusiyaqebu

9

Hi

Looks like the fix has been applied properly. So this may be a problematic VC-1 clip in particular. @bmillham reported some success. Unfortunately we can only improve VC-1 to an extent until we move to Kodi v18; but I want to check that the changes we have made are being applied properly.

When you get judder, can you paste the output of cat /sys/module/di/parameters/bypass_prog. It should be 1 for VC-1; otherwise 0 for any other content.

Sam

10

I tested this last night, and everything I tried played fine. All are direct BD rips (using MakedMKV)

Fletch
The Mask
Purple Rain
Se7en
The Shining

Do you have other clips you can test?

11

cat /sys/module/di/parameters/bypass_prog - is always 1 while the play.

Fair deal to save my time: I showed you the clips I used for the test (see my first post), you show me the clip(s) I should test for you.

12

My clips are all complete BD rips, so not easy for me to share.

But I think we know where the problem is. Looks like the hotfix wasn’t quite right. Sam’s looking at it now.

Just for fun try this:

sudo chown osmc:video /sys/module/di/parameters/bypass_prog

and then play your clips again. (Do not reboot)

1 Like
13

YES, that let play both problem VC-1 videos correct. :+1::v:

14

Cool, so the hotfix for some reason didn’t change permissions correctly. @sam_nazarko will have a fix again soon I bet.

The chown is only temporary. It will revert after a reboot.

15

I go back to previous state using sudo apt-get install --reinstall vero3-mediacenter-osmc/jessie

16

I see the issue. It’s a typo (late night).

@JimKnopf I’ve updated the original hotfix in the 1st post.

Sam

1 Like
17

Can confirm that hotfix ibeyinusog makes his job for all VC-1 video clips from the kodi sample URL. Video and sound is synchron, no video judder, no sound dropouts. Tested some other coded videos, all ok.

1 Like
18

Brilliant. Thanks for testing.

Hopefully we can get some more feedback from others too.

Sam

19

OMG I was actually giving up on VC-1 support on Vero 4K but every single movie I have with VC-1 works perfectly now! Thank you thank thank you Sam! Tested over 20 Blu Ray movies that I have thanks to Makemkv and they all work great.

Do we have to apply this fix every time there’s an update for Vero 4K?

1 Like
20

No — it will be in the next update