Slight choppiness in Blu-ray content

Ben Ryves

Member Joined: May 06, 2009 19:03 Messages: 61 Offline

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May 09, 2009 18:01

I'm hardly using top-of-the range equipment - 2.13GHz Core 2 Duo, ATi Radeon HD 3450 512MB - but the slight choppiness in Blu-ray output seems odd. It's not a deal-breaker (it's only in fast-paced scenes where it becomes noticeable), but I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on it.

When Blu-ray content is running, CPU usage hits 12% and GPU usage hits 9%. The GPU increases its clock speed from 110MHz to 550MHz, and is 44°C.

In contrast, when any 3D game is running the GPU increases its clock speed to 600MHz, and if ATi Overdrive is enabled it will go up to 740MHz safely.

It looks like the system isn't being taxed at all, which is why the slight choppiness seems odd. I'm using PowerDVD 7.3.

Edit: Typically, soon after posting this I find the "culprit" - MOM.exe, aka Catalyst Control Center's Monitoring program. Killing this process removes all choppiness. I'm not sure what this process "monitors", so disable it at your own risk.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at May 09. 2009 20:25

Keith

Newbie Location: UK Joined: Dec 27, 2008 10:09 Messages: 13 Offline

May 10, 2009 09:58

Although apparently not the cause of the problem you described, this also sounded a bit like the effect of having your monitor at the wrong refresh rate. It needs to be at a multiple of the frame rate, ie 48Hz or 72Hz for most Blu-rays (which run at 24fps).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at May 10. 2009 10:01

Regards,
Keith

As of October 2009: PDVD 7.3.5711 Ultra; LG GGC-H20L BD-HD combo; NVidia 9600GT; Samsung SM2333SW; Windows 7 Home Prem 64

Ben Ryves

Member Joined: May 06, 2009 19:03 Messages: 61 Offline

May 10, 2009 13:35

Cheers for the suggestion; my monitor is not at an optimal refresh rate (60Hz) but the effect is not as noticeable as whatever was happening with MOM.exe enabled.

Do you know of a way to set monitors to run at 48Hz/72Hz etc? ATi's tool only let me set 1680x1050 @ 60Hz, unless I drop to a non-native resolution (and even the only options are 59Hz/75Hz). Is this a feature (or lack thereof) of the monitor?

Edit: I guess I need a better monitor. Attempting to use the HDTV resolutions and refresh rates causes my monitor to switch off (not helped by only being a 1680x1050 panel).

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at May 10. 2009 13:39

Keith

Newbie Location: UK Joined: Dec 27, 2008 10:09 Messages: 13 Offline

May 10, 2009 17:42

On my setup (see my signature) I had to set up a custom resolution in the Nvidia Control Panel. I also had to do this with a Samsung 20" panel with the same resolution as yours.

I'm not sure how you would do this for an ATi graphics card, but if there's a similar feature that's probably how you'd do it. You will also have to uncheck the option to "hide modes this monitor cannot display" (in Windows' own advanced display settings) - in fact that would be a simple first thing to try if you haven't already as you might then find 48Hz is listed. Although if you have already managed to access these settings and that causes the monitor to switch off, it may not be supported by the monitor. Regards,
Keith

As of October 2009: PDVD 7.3.5711 Ultra; LG GGC-H20L BD-HD combo; NVidia 9600GT; Samsung SM2333SW; Windows 7 Home Prem 64

Ben Ryves

Member Joined: May 06, 2009 19:03 Messages: 61 Offline

May 10, 2009 18:19

ATi's control centre has a bit that lets you add HDTV profiles. Using any of them cause my monitor to switch off.

I tried manually setting the refresh rate using PowerStrip; I managed to squeeze it down to about 49.1Hz before the monitor started complaining (and it won't go above 60Hz). It's only rated to run at 60Hz.

I guess a new monitor needs to go on my wish list now.

Thanks for your help!