View Full Version : videos not playing...a final plea
I know i've discussed this before, and i hate to beat a dead horse but its driving me insane as to why its specifically not working for me. everything else is fine, library configured, etc. when i play the video, i just get a blank black screen with any and all videos i've tried. sound on some videos works fine (specifically divx), but most with ac3 or dd audio just have a loud hissing noise and no sound either in addition to no video. i've tried 1080p mkv content, 720p mkv, normal 700mb divx's, xvid, etc. none of them work.
the thing is that these work flawlessly using mplayer, i have ffmped, coreavc for mkv's, haali media splitter. im running these on bootcamped mini c2d 2.0, 950gma vid card with 1 meg ram. even though these files work fine outside xbmc, id expect if soemhow xbmc feels my comp is underpowered id get stuttering playback, not just a black screen. i just recently did a clean install of xp specifically to see if something i had previosuly installed was having an issue with xbmc but no luck. i currently have ffmpeg coreavc and haali installed. can anybody suggest anything? im using the latest t3ch build, and the latest xbmc for win. no outside the ordinary software otherwise as i only use this as an htpc.
Hey nmirza,
I'm afraid I have no help for you, other than to say I have the exact same problem.
Basically the interface works beautifully, just blank videos.
I notice we both are using Bootcamp on a Mini, that may be a factor.
Have you tried earlier t3ch builds? I admit to n00bishness, so I haven't scoured the forum yet.
Anyway, you are not alone.
bobrooney_78
2008-03-25, 22:25
have you tried the latest Intel drivers? On ATI cards we have to use specific versions of drivers to get xbmc showing videos - because of opengl issues.
agathorn
2008-03-25, 22:35
Pretty sure all T3CH builds are the DirectX skinning tool and not XBMC for Windows. Media playback is not supported nor even intended in the DirectX versions.
Use the actual XBMC for Windows SDL builds.
Now with that said, I could be tottaly wrong and there may be a T3CH build that is SDL in which case feel free ot ignore me :p
Re: Builds, it seems there is a distinction between binary builds and the various support files.
My (limited) understanding is that to test the XBMC for Windows (SDL/OGL) we start with, e.g., a T3CH distribution and then add/replace key binaries.
I'm using the binaries in the XBMC_win32_rev12185 distro from sourceforge.
Please correct me if I've got it wonky, and/or give me a RTFM if I have failed in basic research.
bobrooney_78: you might be on to something. But Bootcamp has always supplied drivers, I've had a hard time identifying alternative drivers on this hardware.
agathorn
2008-03-25, 23:07
Re: Builds, it seems there is a distinction between binary builds and the various support files.
My (limited) understanding is that to test the XBMC for Windows (SDL/OGL) we start with, e.g., a T3CH distribution and then add/replace key binaries.
Ahh I gotcha. My apologies then.
bobrooney_78
2008-03-25, 23:17
maybe it's worth a try?
http://www.123macmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15393
@bobrooney_78:
Thanks for the info, it wasn't so hard after all to find an updated driver (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2102&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go%21) for the mini. Unfortunately, it didn't solve the problem.
Once again for the record, the basic interface is silky smooth and the sound is perfect.
I've been searching in vain for a few years for media software that would allow me to retire my XBOX. Nothing comes close to XBMC, so this is very tantalizing.
i do infact have the latest 945 gm video drivers but i admit i havent downloaded the chipset drivers...i thoguht video was all that was needed. this MAY solve the problem, im hoping it does.
as for the various builds here is how i am running xbmc. i downloaded the files as per the instructions on the forum to run xbmc on xp. i did a google search for t3ch xbmc and went to the first page which i sthe correct page i think then i downloaded the latest release of 9th march 08.
then i download the 12185 build for xp, replace xbmc.exe into the directory, replace the visuals folder as instructed, and there is an additional dll which i replaced aswell somewhere.
i am not aware if there are any other builds out there such as mentioend above opengl/direct x/windows sdl. im assuming windows sdl is the 12185 with the xbmc.exe file. i did hear some talk of directx and open gl version and how there were variosu builds but my queries went unanswered so im still confused about this although i did get the files based on instructions in the forum post.
sjmiles: yes, might just be a bootcamp thing althoguh i highly doubt it, unless theres some minor tweaks in the ahrdware that mkae it slightly non-standard and thus act wierd in our case. i love the xbmc os x and videos work fine and hope the xp xbmc works for me soon so i can use xp for this stuff, as i absolutely cannot use a music player other than winamp which is my biggest hinderance for using leopard.
just read your most recent post sjmiles...unfortuante that the chipset driver didn't solve the issue as that was pretty much my last hope to get this working.
@nmirza: to be clear, I only updated the graphics driver itself (14.32.4), not any "chipset" driver per se.
For completeness, here is my xbmc.log:
http://pastebin.com/d61fba3c7
I highlighted a line at the beginning of the information notices about OpenGL, in case that's an issue. It's also roughly where video playback begins.
jaredharley
2008-03-26, 03:47
Maybe this is just a stupid question, but if you guys are using a bootcamp'ed Mac mini, why wouldn't you use the OSX version of XBMC...
OSXBMC: Sure, am trying that out too.
Fwiw, I know I can use my MCE remote on Windows, that's a variable on OSX (the Apple remote is insufficiently buttoned).
Praise His Noodly Appendage.
jaredharley: xbmc on osx works flawlessly for me. BUT...i needs my winamp. if there was a winamp port for osx id totally switch, but since there isn't, and the alternatives dont even come close to it i can't. i've heard people sing praises about itunes, and im sure its great for them, i'm a pre-itunes guy, winamp all the way, flexibility with adding directories, vis, plugins, etc etc etc nothing compares to it.
bobrooney_78
2008-03-27, 11:02
maybe it helps if you compare the debug log of the working osxbmc with the one of the windows port?
i think i read something about specific tweaks which were done for the GMA950 on linux and osx, but i am not sure.
ok so i looked throguh the log and identified an error related to all videos...it says opengl 1.4 present...and then says opengl 2.0 not present right before video. i'm guessing maybe this has something to do with it? i looked and theres no opengl 2.0 download.
now i've heard that theres two versions of xbmc, opengl and directx. could it be i'm using an incorrect version? i followed the instructions on the forums to setup my xbmc, i.e. i have the t3ch build, and also have the newest released xbmc windows build released yesetrday. where do i try the directx version if there is infact one?
ok so i looked throguh the log and identified an error related to all videos...it says opengl 1.4 present...and then says opengl 2.0 not present right before video. i'm guessing maybe this has something to do with it? i looked and theres no opengl 2.0 download.
now i've heard that theres two versions of xbmc, opengl and directx. could it be i'm using an incorrect version? i followed the instructions on the forums to setup my xbmc, i.e. i have the t3ch build, and also have the newest released xbmc windows build released yesetrday. where do i try the directx version if there is infact one?
I'm kinda new to all of this too, but did you do steps 3 and 7 and posted here:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31623
also AFAIK there isn't a ton of support for the directx version... its mostly the SDL/OpenGL port, since that is based off the linux port, which has more backing already.
agathorn
2008-03-28, 19:39
You do not want the DirectX version. The DX version is not intended for actual use or media playback. It is solely a skinning tool.
The notice about OpenGL2.0 is because I think the base requirements for XBMC are that your card supports OpenGL 2.0. This may be different form the Windows port though.
yes i hcecked the specs and intel gma 950 is not opengl compatible, only opengl 1.4. xbmc for mac os x works on the same mac mini leaopard partition though, so im not sure thats the problem, but then again thats exactly waht the error states. i have heard there were some mods to the intel 950 chip in the mini, maybe thats exactly what the problem is some sort of defficinecy in drivers.
now if i can only convince the developers to drop the opengl 2.0 requirement (if there is one) since it works fine on the same hardware in os x.
agathorn
2008-03-29, 00:05
Well looking at the hardware requirements of each version:
MacOSX:
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_for_Mac_OS_X_port_project#Hardware_req uirements
Windows:
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_for_Windows_port_project#Hardware_requ irements
There is definitely a difference.
But there is also this:
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_for_Windows_port_project#Why_is_OpenGL _2.0_recommended_for_XBMC.3F
Which does state that OGL2 is not REQUIRED for the most part, but is for some functions. Might want to take a gander at that see if it relates to what you are doing.
Gamester17
2008-03-29, 00:10
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_for_Linux_port_project#Why_is_OpenGL_2 .0_needed_for_XBMC.3F
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_for_Mac_OS_X_port_project#Why_is_OpenG L_2.0_recommended_for_XBMC.3F
http://xbmc.org/wiki/?title=XBMC_for_Windows_port_project#Why_is_OpenGL _2.0_recommended_for_XBMC.3F
i guess this is the point i should give up on getting video to play...my 1080p's work flawlessly outside xbmc via coreavc, also xbmc os x plays them flawlessly, so the mkv 1080p decoder on xbmc is def on par with the coreavc, so my hardware is capable as long as there is good decoder present (c2d 2.0ghz, 1 gb ram), but i guess even though opengl is only recommended someho theres something missing with my drivers or how xbmc interfaces with my hardware and software. not much can be done about it since the program wont even process the video. if i saw some stuttering on video id atleast know hardware is not up to par, but blank video means its not even trying to process the stream.
indigocc
2008-03-29, 11:09
Did you ever try the ATI fix in this thread?:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31513
bobrooney_78
2008-03-29, 11:21
Did you ever try the ATI fix in this thread?:
http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=31513
The MacMini uses an intel chipset (GMA950).
Since the GMA950 is often used also in Notebooks, it would be interesting if xbmc would work there.
bobrooney_78
2008-03-29, 11:55
i guess this is the point i should give up on getting video to play...my 1080p's work flawlessly outside xbmc via coreavc, also xbmc os x plays them flawlessly, so the mkv 1080p decoder on xbmc is def on par with the coreavc, so my hardware is capable as long as there is good decoder present (c2d 2.0ghz, 1 gb ram), but i guess even though opengl is only recommended someho theres something missing with my drivers or how xbmc interfaces with my hardware and software. not much can be done about it since the program wont even process the video. if i saw some stuttering on video id atleast know hardware is not up to par, but blank video means its not even trying to process the stream.
i think it is a windows port specific problem and since the windows port is only experimental at the moment, i would recommend you to use the osx version for the time being - and switch to itunes from winamp ;)
here some notes from elan reg. gma950 problems:
http://xbmc.svn.sourceforge.net/viewvc/xbmc?view=rev&revision=11461
Honestly I'm not very deep in the Video render topic but Windows uses the same Renderer like the Linux and Mac port. Wonder why it behave differently.
CrazyIvan
2008-03-30, 03:48
i think it is a windows port specific problem and since the windows port is only experimental at the moment, i would recommend you to use the osx version for the time being - and switch to itunes from winamp ;)
Isn't the OSX port just as experimental?
bobrooney_78
2008-03-30, 13:39
Isn't the OSX port just as experimental?
yeah, could be. however, development time for osx specific port has been around 3 1/2 months now vs. windows port of 1 1/2 months.
Anyway, amazing progress in both and thanks to all developers!
well then hopeuflly in another 2 months xp will run on my computer. in the meanwhile, giving up winamp vs giving up xbmc? hmmm..i think i'll just give up xbmc for now and use mpc for now. also, for the life of me i cannot get used to os x so there is no way i'm switching to that just for xbmc. my productivty on os x falls around 80%.
i guess nobody cares about a lowly bootcamped mac mini owner with xbmc, but a slight update on this. With the newest version when i scroll to the videos in non-library mode, apparently the videos are being read as the thumbnail shows a frame from the video. but still when i play them i get blank video. progress?
also another thing ive noticed in past 2-3 revisions, it started small but as the revisions ahve gone along the problem has gotten worse progressively. When i start xbmc, the opening logo has a very blocky halo ring around it. hard to explain, ill try to pull a screenshot, except my mac aluminum kb doesnt have a printscreen key. In the 3rd to last revision this was the only place where it occured. with the latest revision its on every screen, for eg on main men all pictures and shadows are surrounded by a ring of blocked graphics looks like a 16-bit image of sorts. again, im sure its my video card thats the problem, but just wanted to have this out there as it seems usability is jsut getting worse on my computer.
I have the same halo effect on my Windows laptop with ATI 9600 but only on the start logo. On my home PC with nvidia everything is fine. I think it's all about the ATI OpenGl drivers.
i have an intel 950, so i should have said "my lack of a video card thats the problem". but i guess its something sepcific to ati and intel 950.
I get the same result on my macbook.
i guess nobody cares about a lowly bootcamped mac mini owner with xbmc, but a slight update on this. With the newest version when i scroll to the videos in non-library mode, apparently the videos are being read as the thumbnail shows a frame from the video. but still when i play them i get blank video. progress.
I don't have a MacMini, but I do have an AOpen Mini-PC which is similar in size and specs to the Mac, but has the latest Intel 965G Express chipset and GMA x3100 video. When I installed XBMC on it, I got the same thing as you, thumbnails that showed a video frame, but video playback resulted in a blank screen, with audio.
Last night I updated the GMA drivers to the latest ones on Intel's support site (Ver. 158 for vista), and I now have video.:;):
Playback is jerky, even though the realtime info says theat it's not dropping frames (actually it aways says it dropped 1 frame only), but at least there's video. Not very useable yet, but hopefully improvements will come soon as they did for the XBMC for Mac OS X.
Dudeman