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DVBViewer Filter 3.9


Griga

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I've just uploaded DVBViewer Filter 2.2 to the Service Center.

It provides a better stabilty in case of faulty streams, since it additionally handles uncomplete data packets now. This should fix the following issues (already verified):

- Timeshift playback doesn't start or doesn't continue from a certain point on in the DVBViewer. The control bar slider jumps to the end of the file.

- Similar behaviour of the TSPlayer when playing back faulty TS files.

...and probably other issues. The error message "Lost Sync in TS" on the filter's property page will not show up anymore.

Please note: DVBViewer Filter 2.2 will be required for the coming TSPlayer update.

Thanks to admi-ral for helping to improve and test the DVBViewer Filter 2.2!

Overview:

Changes since version 2.1

- Handling of uncomplete transport stream data packets added, in order to increase the overall stability in case of discontinuities and faulty streams.

Changes since version 2.0:

- Better AC3 format detection. The type of broadcasted AC3 (e.g. 2/0 or 3/2) is displayed on the property page
- Displays the video bit rate on the property page, calculated as moving average of the last 100 PES data packets.
- Provides additional functions for future DVBViewer and plug-in releases.

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  • 2 months later...

It's time to update this thread...

 

DVBViewer Filter 2.2.3 is available in the Service Center.

 

The latest fix will be especially important for the coming TransEdtit release 2.0, that uses the DVBViewer Filter for its preview function. When scanning one occasionally encounters channels that provide an audio PID, but without an actual audio stream belonging to it.

 

The version history (also included in the ReadMe):

 

Changes in version 2.2.3

 

Important: After replacing DVBViewer Filter 2.2.1 or an earlier version by DVBViewer Filter 2.2.3, it must be re-registered (e.g. by using the RadLight Filter Manager), due to changed connection formats of the video output pin!

 

- Fixed: The DVBViewer Filter could let the host application crash when switching over to a TV channel with a valid audio PID, but without an actual audio stream belonging to it (in case of a wrong audio PID in the channellist, or an only occasionally broadcasted audio stream).

 

Changes in version 2.2.2

 

- Removed: MPEG2 PES Video format from the video output pin, in order to prevent AC3 Filter from connecting to it.

 

- Added: Possibility to change the PCR Lead Time (see 2.2.1 changes) on the property page. Please note: New settings will take effect after rebuilding the filter graph.

 

Changes in version 2.2.1

 

- Handling for certain file playback issues added.

 

If you experience jerky picture/sound or drop outs when using the DVBViewer Filter 2.2 for MPG/TS file playback (e.g. in the TSPlayer or DVBViewer GE), try the following:

 

- Open the file DVBSource.ini (the one in the folder of the affected application) with a text editor

- append the line

 

udPCRLeadTime=500

 

- Save the file

- Restart playback by re-launching the program or rebuilding the filter graph.

 

The PCR lead time (in milliseconds) lets the DVBViewer Filter tolerate larger time differences within the file - up to 500 ms in the example above. You may increase this value even more. It will cause more buffer usage and less searching/skipping precision, however.

 

Changes in version 2.2.0

 

- Handling of uncomplete transport stream data packets added, in order to increase the overall stability in case of discontinuities and faulty streams.

 

Changes in version 2.1

 

- Better AC3 format detection. The type of broadcasted AC3 (e.g. 2/0 or 3/2) is displayed on the property page

 

- Displays the video bit rate on the property page, calculated as moving average of the last 100 PES data packets.

 

- Provides additional functions for future DVBViewer and plug-in releases.

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter updated to version 2.3 in the Service Center.

 

Changes:

 

- Added: Support for playback of *.mp2 and *.ac3 audio files (used by DVBViewer GE 1.4 and probably future DVBViewer Pro versions).

 

- Increased: Buffer capacity

 

- Seems to work better with Twinhan cards than former versions, for some unknown reason....

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter updated to version 2.4 in the Service Center - now available separately. It's already included in the latest DVBViewer Pro release 3.21, however.

 

If you are unsure about your version, just keep the mouse cursor on the file PushSource.ax for a little while - you'll get the version info as tooltip.

 

Changes since version 2.3:

 

Fixed: A small AC3 format detection bug - most likely without practical relevance.

 

Added: Support for host applications running in different (especially restricted) user accounts with different settings. This feature will be used in future by DVBViewer GE 1.5. More about it after all components/plug-ins have been updated accordingly.

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  • 2 weeks later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.4.1 in the Service Center.

 

Changes:

 

- Fixed: The version number displayed on the DVBViewer Filter property page was still 2.3 :)

 

- Fixed: In case DVBViewer GE was set up to store all configuration files (INIs and such) in the user profile under documents and settings/application data, the DVBViewer Filter still wrote a changed DVBSource.ini to program files/DVBViewer GE.

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  • 1 month later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.4.2 in the Service Center.

 

Fixed: Under certain (rare) circumstances determining the internal stream time could fail, resulting in jerky playback or a long delay after channel switching, due to wrong time stamps.

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  • 3 months later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.4.3 in the Members Area.

 

- Fixed: Potential buffer overflow if an expected audio stream does not arrive or is heavily corrupted.

 

Please note the hints in the included readme file!

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  • 3 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 2.6 is available in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

It provides new internal functions that are already supported by DVBViewer GE 1.8.7 (and in future by DVBViewer Pro). DVBViewer Filter 2.6 is included in the GE package.

 

Changes in version 2.6

 

Enhanced: Memory handling by using the FastMM Memory Management Unit for Delphi, that is released under the Mozilla Public License 1.1 (MPL 1.1, http://www.mozilla.org/MPL/MPL-1.1.html). The source code is available from http://fastmm.sourceforge.net.

 

Enhanced: Again memory handling :). The DVBViewer Filter now frees all buffers when stopped and re-allocates them on run, e.g. on channel change: After having watched HDTV, switching over to a normal TV channel decreases the amount of used memory according to the lower bitrate. Before the DVBViewer Filter kept all memory once it had been allocated in order to avoid time-consuming re-allocation. With FastMM this is no issue anymore.

 

Added: New functions for error and buffer overflow handling (that's why the version number jumped up to 2.6). Must be activated by DVBViewer (currently only supported by DVBViewer GE 1.8.7).

 

Added: Automatic input data rate adjustment for file playback. Must be activated by DVBViewer - see above. Will (hopefully) help to avoid jerky file playback / timeshift under difficult timing conditions.

 

Fixed: Race condition on run -> stop state transitions, that could block the host application under adverse circumstances.

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Update: Due to feeddback from halalev I replaced the DVBViewer Filter in the Members Area by version 2.6.0.1.

 

Just a little thing - when playing certain files the filter reported hundreds and thousands of errors on its property page. No functional bug, but in order to avoid irritations...

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  • 2 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 2.6.1 is available in the Members Area, Plugins Section. DVBViewer 2.4.3 has been re-uploaded as fallback, in case the new version causes trouble unexpectedly.

 

Changes:

 

Fixed: The error checking and input data rate adjustment introduced in version 2.6.0 resp. 2.6.0.1 did not work reliable under certain circumstances. Hence a different method is used in 2.6.1 - no more based on the DirectShow timing, but on the number of queued audio buffers. DVBViewer Filter 2.6.1 assumes that the playback time base is not "balanced" correctly if they exceed a certain number.

 

Removed: The PCR Lead Time input field on the property page (see View -> Filters -> DVBSource).

 

Added: Two input fields on the property page for the maximum number of queued audio buffers, that is assumed to be ok. There is one input field for TV/Radio, and one for file playback.

 

Please note: Click OK resp. Apply and then rebuild playback (View -> Rebuild Graph resp. Playback) to let changes take effect.

 

If the number of queued audio buffers exceeds the TV/Radio Value (default 5), the DVBViewer Filter regards it as an "unhealthy" high buffer usage and sends a message to DVBViewer, that in return tries to reset playback by stopping and restarting it (applies to DVBViewer GE 1.8.7 and the current DVBViewer Pro Beta). Increase the value, if the automatic correction leads to jerky or interrupted playback. Decrease the value, if you want it to react more sensitively.

 

If the number of queued audio buffers exceeds the File Playback Value (default 1), the DVBViewer Filter stops reading data from the file, until the audio decoder has fetched the surplus buffers, thus trying to keep buffering as low as possible, which enhances the navigation resp. seeking precision. If you experience jerky file playback, increase this value stepwise by 1.

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter 2.7 is available in the Members Area, Plugins Section. DVBViewer Filter 2.4.3 can still be downloaded from the Old Versions section, in case of unexpected trouble with the new version.

 

Changes in version 2.7:

 

- Fixed: Memory leak. The occupied memory wasn't freed completely when removing the DVBViewer Filter, e.g. on Rebuild Graph or a TV <-> Radio change.

 

- Fixed: Compatibility issues with DVBViewer Pro 3.2.6

 

- Enhanced: The playback timing, particularly the timing relation between the DVB resp. file stream and the playback components (DirectShow filter graph) has been reorganized, in order to achieve more stability and flexibility. This part has been rewritten completely.

 

- Enhanced: Better discontinuity handling

 

- Enhanced: The property page additionally displays if there is video/audio output ("no data") and if the DVBViewer Filter is connected to a video and audio decoder ("unconnected", "connected", "reconnected"). Reconnection occurs on format changes (e.g. resolution changes or stereo -> mono) if the "Automatic Video/Audio Format Detection" is enabled in the DVBViewer options.

 

- Enhanced: Letting changes on the property page take effect doesn't require "Rebuild Playback" resp. "Rebuild Graph" in the host application anymore (which necessarily closed the property page). Stopping and starting playback is sufficient.now, e.g. by performing Stop/Play or channel switching in DVBViewer, or moving the seek bar slider a bit.

 

- Fixed: Minor property page issues.

 

- Changed: "Max. queued audio buffers" of version 2.6 has been replaced by "Max. queued audio (ms)" on the property page.

 

With other words: The internal data flow control is no more based on the number of queued (not yet fetched) audio buffers, but on the duration of the buffered audio data. This method is more reliable, since its behaviour does not depend on the size of the audio packets or the audio bitrate. Broadcasters and multiplexers handle it quite differently, which caused issues with the method used in version 2.6 (counting the number of used buffers regardless of the content).

 

 

Adjusting the DVBViewer Filter settings:

 

The default values for the adjustable settings (Latency, Max. Queued Audio) are quite "conservative" to fit almost all circumstances. However, in many cases it is possible to achieve more speed and less memory usage by optimizing the values. For doing this, you should know the following:

 

Max. Queued Audio for TV/Radio applies to live streams. The value specifies how many milliseconds of audio are allowed to queue up in the DVBViewer Filter. If it becomes more, the DVBViewer Filter assumes over-buffering and sends an error message to the host application, which in return tries to clear the situation by stopping an re-starting playback (supported by DVBViewer Pro Beta and DVBViewer GE).

 

So if the TV/Radio value is too low, you will experience an ongoing or occasional stop-and-go, due to assumed over-buffering. If the value is too high, over-buffering may not be recognized as sensitive as desired. Please note: The value 0 switches the control function completely off.

 

Over-buffering typically occurs if the filter graph (the chain of playback components) becomes late in relation to the live stream, so that the data is not fetched in time, e.g. if playback gets locked for a moment when another video-playing instance (like the DVBViewer Preview function) starts or stops. If this happens repeatedly, without the control function some seconds of video/audio would eventually queue up in the filter, yielding a kind of unwanted "timeshift from memory".

 

Max. Queued Audio for File applies to file playback. The value specifies how many milliseconds of audio are allowed to queue up in the DVBViewer Filter. If it becomes more, reading from file is stopped until the decoder has fetched the surplus data. In this way the DVBViewer Filter adjusts the read data rate to the playback data rate.

 

If the File value is too low, you may experience jerky / stuttering playback. If it is too high, the DVBViewer Filter occupies memory uselessly, and the track bar navigation in the host application is less precise. The default value is 200 ms, but even with 0 ms playback should work flawlessly in most cases.

 

Latency applies to TV/Radio and File playback. The value specifies how many milliseconds the DVBViewer Filter shifts the presentation time stamps of the data packets to the future when passing them to the decoders. This considers the time that is required for processing (= decoding and rendering).

 

Decreasing the default value (350 ms) lets playback start faster (particularly noticeable on channel change). 200 ms will also be ok in most cases. If the value is too low, jerky playback may occur, due to the renderers dropping data with timestamps that indicate presentation in the past. Increasing the value leads to more buffering and may trigger the over-buffering control function (the Max Queued Audio values must be increased as well in this case).

 

 

So, if you are feeling a bit confused after these explanations, here are my current settings as clue:

 

Max. Queued Audio for TV/Radio: 400 ms

Max. Queued Audio for File: 0 ms

Latency: 150 ms

 

Particularly the last value in conjunction with the timing enhancements makes channel switching pretty fast - within a transponder close to the speed of an analogue tuner (tested with SkyStar2, DVBViewer GE and DVBViewer Pro Beta, NVidia decoder and AC3 Filter, automatic video/audio format detection switched off in the options).

 

So try, and let me know how it works... maybe your feedback helps to make it even better. :bye:

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We proceed... :bye:

 

A faulty DVB-T stream and the resulting problems (reported in the German forum) triggered further researches on the behaviour of the DVBViewer Filter and other components (decoders) in case of disontinuities resp. missing data packets.

 

Conclusion: Playback may block / crash, depending on how the decoders can cope with faulty streams. Particularly the MPEG Audio Decoder (provided by Windows) doesn't seem to handle it as clever as desirable.

 

Result: A new DVBViewer Filter version 2.7.2 in the Members Area, Plugins Section,, with improvements that avoid at least the worst...

 

Changes in version 2.7.2

 

- Fixed: Bug in the video bitrate calculation (only concerns versions 2.7 and 2.7.1)

 

- Fixed: Audio discontinuities were not reported to the decoders in certain cases (only concerns versions 2.7 and 2.7.1)

 

- Improved: Blocked / crashed playback doesn't interrupt the stream within DVBViewer anymore.

 

Blocked /crashed TV/Radio playback (due to decoders that can't cope with a faulty stream) usually causes a buffer overflow in the DVBViewer Filter, since the decoders don't fetch data anymore. Previous versions stopped the input stream in this case, waiting up to 1000 ms for a buffer to become free, and finally sent an overflow message to DVBViewer, that in return tries to clear the situation by stopping and re-starting playback (supported by DVBViewer Pro Beta and DVBViewer GE).

 

Version 2.7.2 doesn't stop the stream anymore, but abandons passing the data to the decoders and sends the error message immediately, thus avoiding further problems resulting from the 1000 ms delay (particularly additional data loss, that may corrupt ongoing recordings completely).

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter 2.8 is available in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

Changes:

 

- Added: Full H.264 video playback support, as already provided by the 2.7.5.1 version in the H.264 Kit (PushSource_H264.ax). There will be no separate versions with/without H.264 support in future anymore.

 

- Added: Batch files for convenient registering / unregistering of the DVBViewer Filter.

 

Please note: The new version has to be registered in any case, due to the H.264 support. Store the file Register_DVBSource.bat in the Filters folder and double-click it. After that you may delete the file PushSource_H264.ax, if present.

 

- Enhanced (compared to 2.7.5.1): H.264 format detection, enabling playback of files created by the CyberlinkH.264 Encoder. Additionally requires changes in DVBViewer/TSPlayer, however.

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  • 2 months later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.8.1 in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

- Added: Work-around for issues caused by the CoreAVC H.264 Decoder (DVBViewer completely freezes on H.264 -> H.264 channel changes or when playing a H.264 file and using the control bar slider).

 

- Removed: Work-around for issues caused by the Mediamatics (DVD Express) MPEG2 decoder, formerly part of the TechniSat software (now Sonic decoder). In rare cases this work-around caused playback problems with certain channels (e.g. Raceworld TV) as a side-effect.

 

It is not recommended to use the out-dated DVD Express MPEG2 decoder with DVBViewer Filter 2.8.1.

 

Please post comments, questions, reports etc in this thread.

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  • 1 month later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.8.2 in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

Changes:

 

- Continuous H.264 video format detection replaced by "only once" format detection (per stop/play cycle), in order to save CPU power. Thus "on the fly" H.264 format changes will not be detected any more. However, I've never heard of them...

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  • 4 months later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.8.4 in the Members Area, Plugins Section. Changes:

 

- Improved: Provides additional format information when connecting to a MPEG2 decoder, thus fixing TV playback problems with the Elecard Decoder (horizontally squeezed picture in case of resolutions like 480x576). Requires ticking the Video Format Detection checkbox in DVBViewer -> Settings -> Options -> DirectX (Pro) resp. DirectShow (GE).

 

- Added: Optional timestamp continuity checking. If the DVBViewer Filter detects a timestamp gap > 10 s (that usually prevents proper DirectShow playback), it sends an error message to the host application, which in return clears the situation by stopping and re-starting playback The DVBViewer Filter's property page will show an "Graph too late" message in this case.

 

May be useful e.g. in case of broadcasted demo loops, that reset the timestamps every few minutes to 0. The timestamp checking is activated by inserting the line

 

CheckTimeStamps=1

 

in the DVBSource.ini file. Please note that the actually used file may be located in the DVBViewer's configuration folder (depending on the user mode), not necessarily in the program directory.

 

- Minor fixes

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  • 1 month later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.8.5 in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

- Fix: The H.264 format detection wasn't able to read the correct BBC HD resolution (1440 x 1088) anymore due to additional high profile header values.

 

If this issue occurs again, please let me know. The new parameters may entail further additional parameters in future, that can't be handled without a test stream.

 

When playing BBC HD recordings, there may be still issues resulting from the format detection in DVBViewer/TSPlayer, that has to be fixed in the same way.

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  • 6 months later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.9.1 in the Members Area, Plugins Section. Please pay attention to the installation instructions in the included ReadMe file.

 

Changes in version 2.9.1

 

- Fix: Frozen picture for several seconds on channel switching or seeking with ffdshow as MPEG2 decoder.

 

- Changed: The batch files for registering / unregistering the DVBViewer Filter have been replaced by EXE files, since it is difficult to execute batch files with administrator rights under Windows Vista.

 

- Added: Possibility to specify a separate latency value for H.264 video in the file DVBSource.ini (see "Adjusting the DVBViewer Filter settings" in the ReadMe file for more information). Implemented for experimental purpose (already available in previous 2.9.0.x beta versions). You may specify the H.264 latency by inserting the line

 

udH264Latency=xxx

 

in the file DVBSource.ini, where xxx ist the latency in milliseconds. A negative value (e.g. -1) lets the DVBViewer Filter use the general latency value that is specified on its property page. Please note that the actually used DVBSource.ini is located in the DVBViewer's configuration folder, not necessarily in the program directory.

 

 

Changes in version 2.9.0

 

- Added: The host application receives messages in case of aspect ratio or resolution changes. Will be used in future DVBViewer versions.

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  • 1 month later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 2.9.2 in the Members Area, Plugins Section. Please pay attention to the installation instructions in the included ReadMe file.

 

Changes in version 2.9.2

 

- Added: Supports AAC Audio (only relevant for Norwegian DVB-T up to now). AAC has already been supported by version 2.9.1.1 (included in the DVBViewer Pro 3.9.1 installation), but version 2.9.2 contains some additional AAC fixes, and the AAC output pin connects to the CyberLink audio decoder. Please note: Version 2.9.2 must be re-registered (see the included ReadMe), particularly if a non-AAC-version of the DVBViewer Filter was registered before.

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  • 3 weeks later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 3.0.0 in the Members Area, Plugins Section. Please pay attention to the installation instructions in the included ReadMe file.

 

Changes in version 3.0.0

 

- Fix: Two AC3 audio tracks in one MPG file caused playback disturbances, because both tracks were sent to the decoder. Now only the first one that is found in the file is processed..

 

- Added: Possibility to configure the DVBViewer Filter for selecting a particular AC3 track out of two or more contained in a MPG file (will be used by future DVBViewer versions).

 

- Fix: Audio transport streams without timestamps (PTS/PCR) were not played.

 

- Fix: "Max Queued Audio" buffering control caused problems with AAC live playback, due to the special structure of AAC data. Now it is disabled for AAC.

 

- Enhanced: AAC handling in general. The property page displays the number of channels (mono/stereo) and a bitrate, that is no longer a default value (64 kbps), but calculated according to the first received frame after stop -> run. Since AAC works with variable bitrates, this is only a momentary snapshot, however.

 

- Fix: The generation of PTS (Presentation Time Stamps) for the DirectShow filter graph could get confused in rare cases.

 

P.S. Re-uploaded, since the Filter displayed the old version number on its property page. No technical changes.

Edited by Griga
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The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 3.0.1 in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

Changes in version 3.0.1:

 

- Fix: One of the AAC related changes in version 3.0. caused problems with certain MPEG audio decoders (particularly the one from Microsoft): After channel switching there was no sound.

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  • 4 months later...

The DVBViewer Filter has been updated to version 3.0.2 in the Members Area, Plugins Section.

 

This version is already included in the DVBViewer Pro 3.9.4 release, hence no reason to additionally stress the server. You know why... :(

 

Changes in version 3.0.2

 

- Changed: A different data structure is used for connecting to H.264 decoders (VideoInfoHeader2 replaced by MPEG2VideoInfo as de facto standard for H.264 originating from DVB sources).

 

- Changed: Thread handling for file playback, in order to reduce the probability of blocking. It may increase the amount of buffered data slightly as consequence.

 

- Enhanced: A 16:11 pixel aspect ratio in H.264 headers is now translated to a 16:9 picture aspect ratio (instead of 11520:6336 in H.264 SD broadcasts) by applying more generous rounding.

 

- Added: Continuous AAC format detection (previously only once per stop/run cycle).

 

- Enhanced: Checking for administrator rights in Register_DVBSource.exe and Unregister_DVBSource.exe.

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  • 2 months later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.2.0 Beta is available in the members area, beta section

 

This is the first release of a new DVBViewer Filter generation. It will enable future DVBViewer versions to handle additional video/audio formats without having to rely on other splitter/demultiplexer components, particularly aimed at

 

- MP3 playback without the drawbacks of the standard Microsoft MPEG-I Stream Splitter, that can't handle MP3s with variable bitrate or huge ID3 tags sufficiently.

 

- playback of the various video/audio formats in m2ts files (Blue Ray file type), like VC-1, DTS-HD or Dolby TrueHD, provided a suitable decoder is installed. In most cases the well-known AC3 Filter will do the audio job, since the DVBViewer Filter is able to extract a backward compatible AC3/DTS core out of the advanced formats.

 

Please note: DVBViewer Filter 3.2.0 entails considerable changes. There are only three (multi-purpose) output pins instead of six. The consequences are:

 

1) DVBViewer Filter 3.2 is not compatible with older DVBViewer/TransEdit/TSPlayer versions. Particularly H.264, AC3 and AAC won't work. The following DVBViewer/TransEdit/TSPlayer versions are already prepared for it:

 

- DVBViewer Pro 3.9.4 or later

- DVBViewer GE 2.5 or later

- TransEdit 3.2 or later.

- TSPlayer 2.0 or later (will be released soon).

 

2) Due to the new pin layout, the DVBViewer Filter must be re-registered after updating to version 3.2.0 or reverting to a previous version (by executing Register_DVBSource.exe with admin rights).

 

Other changes since version 3.0.2:

 

- Added: Additional aspect ratio values are identified in H.264 headers (fix for Luxe TV HD on Astra 28° East)

 

- Changed: The timestamp (PTS) continuity checking is enabled by default. If the DVBViewer Filter detects a timestamp gap of more than 10 seconds, it will send an error message to the host application, that in return tries to clear the situation by stopping and immediatly restarting playback. It was introduced in version 2.8.4, but only available through a DVBSource.ini tweak (see above), which now can be used to switch the continuity checking off.

 

- Enhanced: More elaborate state and format information on the property page. Particularly the following states are indicated:

 

1) No format display at all: Output could not be started (no data coming in or data without the expected headers).

 

2) Three question marks (???): Output has been started, but the video/audio format could not be detected (TV/radio only).

 

3) Normal format display, including video/audio type, aspect ratio, framerate, bitrate, samplerate etc.: Everything as expected.

 

- Several minor enhancements and fixes.

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  • 2 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.2.0 has been moved in the members area from the Beta to the Plugins section, because it proved to work well so far (no changes).

 

I've provided a test version 3.2.0.1 in the Beta section - an attempt to handle time stamp issues resulting from the buffering of DVB device drivers in certain (rare) cases, that have been reported in the German forum. This version is not yet intended for regular use.

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.2.1 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.2.1:

 

- Added: "Check Timestamp Continuity" checkbox on the property page (spares tweaking the DVBSource.ini file, see 3.2.0 changes).

 

- Added: PCR (Program Clock Reference) checking if Check Timestamp Continuity is switched on.

 

Former versions only checked the PTS (Presentation Time Stamp) continuity, which was not enough to cure playback problems in the following case: After having switched from channel A to B, DVBViewer sometimes gets remaining data from channel A out of the DVB device driver buffers. If both channels have the same video and/or audio PID, the DVBViewer Filter is not able to distinguish the data and adjusts the filtergraph timing according to channel A, which is not applicable to channel B.

 

- Added: The property page displays some more video and audio types when they are played (e.g. MP3, DTS, VC-1, that formerly appeared as "Video" or "Audio").

 

- Fix: Sound artefacts with open source MP3 decoders (ffdshow, MPA decoder) when playing certain MP3 files.

 

- Changed: Setting changes on the property page are now applied on stop -> play state transitions (not on play -> stop as before), which makes more sense.

 

- Fix: Detection and playback of TV/Radio with ADTS AAC audio probably didn't work anymore (no opportunity to test it).

 

- Some minor fixes and enhancements.

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Another update: DVBViewer Filter 3.2.2 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.2.2:

 

- Fix: Heavy playback problems (until next "Rebuild Graph") if the following conditions met: TV/Radio playback, Options -> DirectX -> Audio Format Detection switched on, the decoder selected for MPEG or AC3 audio is not able to decode the other type, channel resp. audio track change with MPEG <-> AC3 change.

 

- Fix: ADTS AAC in TV/Radio streams was not detected correctly (file playback was not affected). Now finally working again, as confirmed by Derrick.

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  • 4 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.3.0 is available in the members area, plugins section (also included in DVBViewer Pro Beta 3.9.4.99).

 

Changes in version 3.3.0:

 

- New: The DVBViewer Filter provides a reference clock for TV/Radio playback, that is based on the system clock, but continuously adjusts to the broadcasted Program Reference Clock (PCR), thus ensuring that playback is not running faster or slower than data arrives.

 

This reference clock will be (optionally) used by future DVBViewer versions for TV/Radio playback. Up to now DVBViewer uses the audio renderer (resp. soundcard) clock, which may cause playback issues after some (mostly long) time if this clock drifts in comparison to the broadcaster's clock.

 

If the soundcard clock runs a bit faster, short (mostly inaudible) audio gaps will occur, and later stuttering playback, due to a buffer underrun.If the clock runs too slow, data will eventually queue up in the DVBViewer Filter or some other DirectShow component, until a buffer overflow occurs or the DVBViewer Filter's buffering control triggers stop/play in order to reset playback, letting it "freeze" for a moment.

 

- New: Checkbox "Use DVB Clock" on the property page. Lets DVBViewer use the PCR-adjusted clock for TV/Radio, if ticked. A change (after clicking Apply) takes effect when DVBViewer rebuilds the filtergraph (chain of playback components) - use View -> Rebuild Graph in DVBViewer.

 

This setting requires DVBViewer Pro 3.9.4.99 Beta resp. DVBViewer GE 2.6.2 or later to take effect. With previous versions switching the DVB clock on causes useless overhead. So better try this feature only with suitable DVBViewer versions.

 

If DVBViewer uses the DVB clock, the audio renderer resp. sound card must adjust to it, and now things depend on how well and accurately it is done. Cheap soundcards or onboard sound will perform a rough adjustment, resulting in slight (mostly inaudible) pitch changes from time to time. High-end soundcards will probably show a more sophisticated behaviour. However, if the soundcard does a bad job, even clicking noises may occur.

 

So it is impossible to say which setting is better in general (if we knew, we wouldn't provide a checkbox). You will have to try...

 

- New: "Clock Drift" line on the property page. Only applies to TV/Radio playback, if "Use DVB Clock" is ticked. The displayed value indicates the clock adjustment performed by the DVBViewer Filter resp. how many milliseconds the broadcaster's clock (PCR) would run ahead of the system clock (positive value) or fall behind (negative value) without adjustment.

 

- Enhanced/Changed: Timestamp continuity control. "Check Timestamp Continuity" now applies to TV/Radio playback only. On file playback automatic play/stop isn't required anymore to readjust the DirectShow time base. On live playback more cases of PCR discontinuities are detected than before. A "PTS Gap" error message will appear on the property page, after a timestamp discontinuity has triggered stop/play.

 

- Enhanced/Restructured: Property page in general. Displays the complete version number. Prevents opening the property page twice for one DVBViewer Filter instance.

 

- Added: Interface extension enabling DVBViewer Pro Beta 3.9.4.99 or later to synchronize DVB subtitles with video/audio.

 

- Added: Support for Enhanced AC3 (EAC3) audio, as used by French terrestrial HD broadcasts. Requires DVBViewer Pro 3.9.4.99 Beta resp. DVBViewer GE 2.6.2 or later. Additionally a suitable decoder must be selected for AC3 (see Options -> DirectX in DVBViewer). Up to now the only known decoder that can cope with it is the Sonic Cinemaster Audio Decoder 4.3.0.

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  • 2 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.3.1 is available in the members area, plugins section. Just a minor update for rounding a few things off.

 

Changes in version 3.3.1:

 

- Fix: When processing certain MPG files, the DVBViewer Filter didn't output timestamps to the audio decoder as intended.

 

- Enhanced: The DVBViewer Filter now corrects timestamp discontinuities on file playback simultaneously for video and audio, not separately as before.

 

- Added: Some empty extra space at the bottom of the property page, in order to prevent Windows from hiding the control elements in this area by downsizing the property page window (as reported from China).

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.3.2 is available in the members area, plugins section (already released as test version 3.3.1.1 before).

 

Changes in version 3.3.2:

 

- Fix: An AC3 format detection bug could cause short TV/Radio playback stops under certain conditions.

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  • 3 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.3.3 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.3.3:

 

- Fix: A large block of non-audio data at the end of a MP3 file could cause the DVBViewer Filter and the host application to hang.

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.4.0 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.4.0:

 

- Added: VC-1 media subtype enabling connection to the ArcSoft Video Decoder for VC-1 playback.

 

- Added: Interface extension allowing future DVBViewer versions a better end-of-stream handling on file playback.

 

- Enhanced: Several optimisations, particularly the buffer handling and data transfer to the decoders. More efficient now, requires less memory.

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  • 3 months later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.4.2 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.4.2:

 

- Added: Checkbox "Keep Track of H.264 Aspect Ratio" on the property page. It lets the DVBViewerr Filter read all H.264 video headers and report aspect ratio changes to DVBViewer, if ticked. If this option is switched off (default) the DVBViewer Filter only reads the first H.264 video header after stop/play and does not detect subsequent dynamic aspect ratio changes.

 

Please note: A change will take effect after channels switching or stop/play. This option partially increases the CPU load, since analysing H.264 video headers is expensive. Only use it for receiving channels with H.264 video and on-the-fly aspect ratio changes (e.g. the Polish channels on Astra 19° East, 10861 H). It is not recommended for HDTV playback (usually 16:9 throughout), particularly if your CPU is running at its limit.

 

- Changed: Handling of time stamp discontinuities on file playback. The correction of PTS gaps/errors in video and associated audio streams is not performed in a "linked" manner anymore, but independently for each stream, decreasing the danger of hanging playback, but - on the other side - increasing the risk of video/audio getting slightly asynchronous after such occurrences.

 

 

Changes in version 3.4.1 (already included in DVBViewer Pro 4.1.x / DVBViewer GE 2.7.x releases):

 

- Fix: A MPEG2 video format detection bug caused an acccess violation in rare cases.

 

- Enhanced: Program stream (MPG/VOB file) parsing, minor additions and optimisations.

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  • 4 weeks later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.4.3 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.4.3:

 

- Fix: Building the playback graph for TV/Radio could fail badly if the following conditions met:

 

1) Check Timestamp Continuity is ticked on the DVBViewer Filter Property Page;

2) TV/Radio Pre-Format-Detection is enabled in the DVBViewer Options -> DirectX or the TransEdit Preview function is used.

3) A faulty stream triggers errors messages in the format detection phase of the DVBViewer Filter.

 

- Changed: If a PCR (Program Clock Reference) is embedded in the video/audio stream additional PCR streams are ignored (fixes playback of Radio 4 Surround, Astra 19° East 12515 H that comes with a faulty additional PCR stream).

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  • 5 months later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.5.0 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.5.0:

 

- Added: Checkbox "MPEG2 In-Depth Format Detection" on the property page. Extends the search for MPEG2 sequence headers (containing resolution, aspect ratio etc.) to the full buffer size.

 

Please note: A change takes effect after channel switching or stop/play. This option increases the CPU load. Only use it if you have to deal with (rare) MPEG2 streams or files containing headers that are not aligned to the beginning of data packets, but hidden somewhere else in the video data. If the flat search (checkbox unticked) is not sufficient, the DVBViewer Filter displays "???" as video format on its property page, and DVBViewer may display the wrong aspect ratio.

 

- Added: Support for displaying a still picture after a seek operations in paused state. Will be used by future DVBViewer versions.

 

- Added: The property page allows to open the DVBViewer Filter help by pressing F1, provided the file DVBSource.chm is present in the DVBViewer installation directory.

 

- Fix: Potential wrong calculation of time stamp offsets on playback start.

 

- Fix: A changed order of offering media subtypes when connecting to a VC-1 decoder prevents Windows 7 from replacing the user's decoder choice by the Microsoft WMVideo Decoder DMO.

 

- New: DVBViewer Filter online manual in English and German, including a download link for the manual as CHM help file. Please store it in the DVBViewer installation directory (where DVBViewer.exe is), so it can be opened by pressing F1 if the DVBViewer Filter property page is the active window.

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DVBViewer Filter 3.5.1 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.5.1:

 

- Fix: AAC audio format detection failed in case of dual channel ADTS AAC, the decoder got no data. More about it here and here.

 

- Added: AAC Media subtypes enabling the DVBViewer Filter to connect to the Microsoft MPEG-1/DD/AAC Audio Decoder (Windows 7 only). Using this decoder for AAC playback will be supported by future DVBViewer versions.

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  • 1 month later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.5.2 is available in the members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.5.2:

 

- Enhanced: Handling of erroneous timestamps. In most cases broken timestamps will be detected and ignored, and timestamp discontinuities on file playback will not cause audio/video sync deviations anymore.

 

- Fix: PCM audio playback with the DVBViewer Filter failed in certain cases. Only relevant for add-ons (TSPlayer) or future DVBViewer versions that (will) use the DVBViewer Filter for PCM output.

 

- Fix: Pressing the Alt key caused checkboxex to disappear under Vista & Windows 7.

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  • 7 months later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.5.3 is available in the new members area https://www.DVBViewer.tv/members, beta section.

 

Please note: The effect of this beta version on different decoders is not completely known yet. Please keep a backup of the previous version (PushSource.ax 3.5.2). Feedback about differences between DVBViewer Filter 3.5.2 and 3.5.3 is welcome.

 

Changes in version 3.5.3:

 

- Added: On format changes (e.g. video resolution, number of audio channels) additional format information is sent to decoders "on-the-fly", so they can adapt to it, provided they are able to handle it.

 

In case of decoders that don't perform detection themselves it may fix issues such as "no sound on mono channels" or "distorted picture when switching to channels with a different resolution". It is supposed to be an alternative to the "TV/Radio pre-format detection" options in DVBViewer, that slow down channel switching.

 

Known effects are up to now:

- ffdshow as MPEG audio decoder (libmad): fixes no sound on mono channels

- ffdshow as MPEG2 video decoder (libavcodec): fixes occasional crashes or no picture on channels with other resolutions than 720x576

- MPC MPEG2 video decoder: fixes distorted picture on channels with other resolutions than 720x576

- DScaler MPEG2 video decoder: Can't cope with the additional format information. Only works properly with other resolutions than 720x576 if "Options -> DirectX -> TV/Radio pre-format detection -> Video" is ticked in DVBViewer (disabling the new measures in DVBViewer Filter 3.5.3).

 

- Changed: The MPEG2 format detection now accepts MPEG1 video headers, that are used by few low-resolution / low-bitrate channels.

 

- Fixed: Under certain circumstances Register_DVBSource.exe and Unregister_DVBSource.exe failed to detect administrator rights.

 

- Changed: PushSource.ax is not compressed anymore, due to increasing trouble with security software regarding it as malware characteristic.

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  • 7 months later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.5.5 is available in the new members area, plugins section.

 

Changes in version 3.5.5:

 

- Fixed: A certain kind of (rather rare) timestamp discontinuity could stop TV/Radio playback.

 

Changes in version 3.5.4 (only available as part of DVBViewer releases):

 

- Enhanced: Code optimization making the DVBViewer Filter smaller and a bit faster.

 

- Changed: PushSource.ax compression with better acceptance by security software (see 3.5.3 changes).

 

- Added: Measures for conformance with DVBViewer Pro 4.6 and later.

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  • 7 months later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.6.0 is available in the members area, beta section. Purpose: A public beta test before this version becomes part of new DVBViewer releases. Before posting bug reports please check if the previous version 3.5.5 shows the same behaviour.

 

Changes in version 3.6.0:

 

- Added: Support for playing the backward compatible core stream of Dolby True HD Audio in live mode (used by the TransEdit Preview function that plays files in a simulated live mode "as if broadcasted").

 

- Enhanced: More dynamical memory allocation strategy reduces memory consumption.

 

- Enhanced: More reliable video/audio pre-format detection in case of encryped streams. As soon as unencrypted data arrives (which means the CAM finally started to work...), the timeout counter is reset, thus prolonging the detection time.

 

- Enhanced: Support for displaying a still picture in pause mode. Requires less memory and makes seeking faster and more effective.

 

- Fix: Excessive memory consumption when playing video only files (without audio).

 

- Added: Function allowing future DVBViewer versions to perform seeking more effectively without stopping the filter graph temporarily. Pausing it will be sufficient.

 

- Added: Function allowing future DVBViewer versions to detect when playback is stopped externally and to avoid uncontrolled skipping of timeshift / file content (e.g. if the video window is moved to another monitor, forcing the video renderer to stop playback temporarily and reconfigure itself).

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  • 1 year later...

DVBViewer Filter 3.7.0 Beta is available in the members area, beta section. Purpose: A public beta test before this version becomes part of new DVBViewer releases. Before posting bug reports please check if the previous version 3.6.2 shows the same behaviour.

 

Changes in version 3.7.0 Beta:

 

- Added: Dolby TrueHD output if the audio decoder accepts it as input (e.g. LAV, ffdshow, AC3 Filter). The DVBViewer Filter Property Page reports "Dolby TrueHD Audio" as audio type in this case. If the decoder does not accept Dolby TrueHD, the DVBViewer Filter falls back to outputting the backward compatible AC3 core embedded in TrueHD and displays "AC3 Audio" on the property page. Previous DVBViewer Filter versions only delivered the AC3 core.

 

Remarks:
The Dolby TrueHD bitrate displayed on the DVBViewer Filter Property Page is a maximum bitrate read from the audio headers. For TrueHD playback DVBViewer uses the audio decoder selected for AC3.

 

Restrictions:
Current DVBViewer versions will still display the AC3 core stream parameters in the status bar, not the TrueHD parameters (samplerate, bitrate, number of channels). The correct parameters are shown on the DVBViewer Filter Property Page. If the decoder accepts Dolby TrueHD, (rarely used) Dolby Plus audio on BluRay Disks or in M2TS files are mistaken for TrueHD, letting playback fail. This will be fixed in future DVBViewer versions. E-AC3 (Enhanced AC3 = Dolby Plus) from DVB sources is not affected.

 

- Added: DTS HD output if the audio decoder accepts it as input (e.g. LAV, ffdshow, AC3 Filter). The DVBViewer Filter Property Page reports "DTS HD Audio" as audio type in this case. If the decoder does not accept DTS HD, the DVBViewer Filter falls back to outputting the backward compatible DTS core embedded in DTS HD and displays "DTS Audio" on the property page. Previous DVBViewer Filter versions only delivered the core.

 

Remarks:
For DTS playback DVBViewer uses the audio decoder selected for AC3, if possible.

 

Restrictions:
When the DVBViewer Filter outputs DTS HD, its property page and the DVBViewer status bar still display the parameters (samplerate, bitrate, number of channels) of the compatible DTS core. Though some free audio decoders accept the DTS HD data as input, up to now none of them is able to actually decode DTS HD (except LAV with a DLL from a commercial product, search the web for it...), so they will only decode the backward compatible DTS core. However, bitstreaming DTS HD via HDMI is possible.

 

- Enhanced: More precise audio type display on the property page. Enhanced AC3 (Dolby Plus) from DVB sources now appears as "E-AC3" (instead of "AC3"), and AAC from DVB sources with the prefix "ADTS" or "LATM" indicating the container type.

 

- Added: The Video/Audio State lines on the property page additionally display the configured Video and Audio PID (Packet Identifier) as debug information. In case of program stream playback (MPG, VOB) the values correspond to the stream_id value in the PES header. In case of audio elementary stream playback (MP3, WAV...) it is just a dummy value without special meaning.

 

- Enhanced: More efficient an faster detection of MP2 and AC3 audio parameters.

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