Video Memory needed for 720p / 1080i?

[tji]

I set up my new Mac Mini for dual boot between Mac OS X and Mythbuntu 9.04, and updated the MythTV builds to the VDPAU capable versions (from the Avenard repository).

When I have playback set to use VDPAU, 720p works fine, but 1080i doesn't play - it gives me an error message in the Myth GUI.

My Mini has the default 1GB of RAM, meaning it has 256MB of video memory. Is this a factor?


Are there any other tips for people using the nvidia-based Mini? I'm guessing this is a very common HTPC platform.

[jyavenard]

Originally Posted by tji

I set up my new Mac Mini for dual boot between Mac OS X and Mythbuntu 9.04, and updated the MythTV builds to the VDPAU capable versions (from the Avenard repository).

When I have playback set to use VDPAU, 720p works fine, but 1080i doesn't play - it gives me an error message in the Myth GUI.

My Mini has the default 1GB of RAM, meaning it has 256MB of video memory. Is this a factor?


Are there any other tips for people using the nvidia-based Mini? I'm guessing this is a very common HTPC platform.

As far as I'm aware, having 1GB of RAM, only gives you 128MB of video memory, which may not be enough.
To get 256MB of shared video RAM, you must put 2GB of RAM.

You say you get an error in the log, which one is it ?

[tji]

Yes, you're right, it's 128MB and 256MB. But, I guess the same question applies.. is 128MB the reason I can't play 1080i? Have others with 1GB Minis had any different results?

The error message I saw was in the GUI, it was just a basic "playback failed" message. I looked in the log file, and found some logs that look relevant:

2009-05-18 18:58:51.615 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.616 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.616 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.616 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.617 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.617 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.619 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.619 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.620 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.620 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.620 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.620 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.621 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.621 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.621 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.621 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.702 OpenGLVideoSync()
2009-05-18 18:58:51.745 Video timing method: SGI OpenGL
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 NVP: Error condition detected in videoOutput after Show(), aborting playback.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 VideoOutputXv Error: IsErrored() in ProcessFrame()
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 NVP, Error: AVSync: Unknown error in videoOutput, aborting playback.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 VideoOutputXv Error: IsErrored() in ProcessFrame()
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 NVP, Error: AVSync: Unknown error in videoOutput, aborting playback.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 VideoOutputXv Error: IsErrored() in ProcessFrame()
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 NVP, Error: AVSync: Unknown error in videoOutput, aborting playback.
2009-05-18 18:58:51.779 VideoOutputXv Error: IsErrored() in ProcessFrame()

[cthulhu]

Insufficient memory is the cause of many VDPAU related problems, so it might very well be causing your as well.

[cehoyos]

Originally Posted by tji

The error message I saw was in the GUI, it was just a basic "playback failed" message. I looked in the log file, and found some logs that look relevant:

2009-05-18 18:58:51.615 VDPAU Error: Picture format has changed.

You could try latest MPlayer svn: Its first error message (if there are any) should answer the question if it is a memory problem.

Carl Eugen