High CPU Usage

[kinghuzi]

Im getting 90-100% CPU usage on my E2220 (2.4 ghz .. dualcore) when running 1080p MKV videos ... Is this normal ... Data is on local HDDs and everything else is running fine .

I am using XBMC Live (via kingston 4gb USB)

[althekiller]

1080p is A LOT to decode, I'm surprised that processor is keeping up as well as you say.

[kinghuzi]

1080p is A LOT to decode, I'm surprised that processor is keeping up as well as you say.

Same 1080p files runs without any issues on VMC (Vista) under FFDSHOW ... I was under the influence that that xbmc live is not resource hungry like vista

[kinghuzi]

Also a unrelated question :

I am not getting sound on Stereo sources (Tv episodes etc) but sound is fine on DTS/Dolby sources ... (im outputting to a Denon digital amp)

[kinghuzi]

I think i made a mistake here

CPU0 = 40-50% , CPU1= 40-50%

But im getting constant frames dropped ... FPS stays at 20ish

Any idea guys

[kinghuzi]

Im reading in other forums that turning on triple buffer can have a good effect on this issue ... Can anyone tell me how to turn on triple buffer in live

[jozwikjp]

I believe in Vista if you have the proper codec setup much of the video decompression for certain hi def formats is off loaded to the GPU. Which can cause lower CPU usage. I don't think that this hardware acceleration is available on linux yet. That being said getting windows to have the proper codecs installed and installed to run optimized without dieing was a incredibly horrible experience that I would not wish on my worst enemy. I finally seem to have got it right on vista media center however the video doesn't look as good whatever codec I am using that seems to use less CPU is giving me a crappier picture.

I have found a couple high stream 1080P movies or video that are choking a little on the live cd but for the most part they are all working good and the picture seems much cleaner in XBMC then in vista media center. I am running a AMD 5000 X2 right now and I am considering just adding some more horse power and be done with it.

[kinghuzi]

I believe in Vista if you have the proper codec setup much of the video decompression for certain hi def formats is off loaded to the GPU. Which can cause lower CPU usage. I don't think that this hardware acceleration is available on linux yet. That being said getting windows to have the proper codecs installed and installed to run optimized without dieing was a incredibly horrible experience that I would not wish on my worst enemy. I finally seem to have got it right on vista media center however the video doesn't look as good whatever codec I am using that seems to use less CPU is giving me a crappier picture.

I have found a couple high stream 1080P movies or video that are choking a little on the live cd but for the most part they are all working good and the picture seems much cleaner in XBMC then in vista media center. I am running a AMD 5000 X2 right now and I am considering just adding some more horse power and be done with it.

Like i corrected myself above ... The issue is not with CPU Usage (cpu usage stays around 40-50% per CPU) but there is framedrops and constant 19-21 fps on both 1080p and 720p content

In 720p the cpu usage is like 20% per CPU (dualcore) but still i constant framedrops ... tried both best resolution and 1920 fullscreen

Please will someone help me

[harryzimm]

The reason your fps is dropping to 19-21 is because your cpu is not powerful enough to decode the 1080p stream. Dont pay attention to the cpu usage trust me with a faster cpu the issue will dissapear.

[jozwikjp]

I have also noticed video performance change based on weather the audio is on analog or digital.. Analog seemed to give better performance but that could unrelated.

[kinghuzi]

The reason your fps is dropping to 19-21 is because your cpu is not powerful enough to decode the 1080p stream. Dont pay attention to the cpu usage trust me with a faster cpu the issue will dissapear.

But even 720p are giving the exact same framerate ... 2.4ghz@2.6 (OCed) cannot do 720p on a dedicated media center software :sad:

[harryzimm]

That is strange, 720p should be no problem. Maybe the tripple buffer option will work for you. It gives me terrible tearing on vids but try it and see.
To enable tripplebuffer in xorg.conf boot up the xbmc live. hit ctr+f1 , log in as root no password.
type : cd /etc/X11
then : pico xorg.conf
scroll down to device and add option "trippleBuffer "True"

It should look something like this,

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "EnableMonitor" "auto"
Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
Option "NoLogo" "True"
# Important!!! need this option to use nvidia card at 1360 x 768
Option "NvAGP" "1"
# Needed for ACPI suspend to RAM
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
Option "ModeValidation" "NoWidthAlignmentCheck"
Option "UseEvents" "True"
# Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
Option "CoolBits" "1"
Option "NoFlip" "1"
Option "TripleBuffer" "True"


try Option "useEvents" "True" as well It might help a bit.When your done hit ctr o to save then reboot

cheers

[kinghuzi]

That is strange, 720p should be no problem. Maybe the tripple buffer option will work for you. It gives me terrible tearing on vids but try it and see.
To enable tripplebuffer in xorg.conf boot up the xbmc live. hit ctr+f1 , log in as root no password.
type : cd /etc/X11
then : pico xorg.conf
scroll down to device and add option "trippleBuffer "True"

It should look something like this,

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"
Driver "nvidia"
Option "EnableMonitor" "auto"
Option "AddARGBVisuals" "True"
Option "NoLogo" "True"
# Important!!! need this option to use nvidia card at 1360 x 768
Option "NvAGP" "1"
# Needed for ACPI suspend to RAM
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
Option "ModeValidation" "NoWidthAlignmentCheck"
Option "UseEvents" "True"
# Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
Option "CoolBits" "1"
Option "NoFlip" "1"
Option "TripleBuffer" "True"


try Option "useEvents" "True" as well It might help a bit.When your done hit ctr o to save then reboot

cheers

Root login does not work ... access denied .. Are you sure its root and no password !!!

[harryzimm]

ok log in as xbmc, pass xbmc, then type sudo -s, pass xbmc that will give you root access.
cheers

[kinghuzi]

Issue resolved

Thanks to Harry

It seems that Nvidia 630i chipset people need to turn on triplebuffer

[harryzimm]

Glad it worked. :grin:

[rodercot]

Thanks Harry,

I searched all through the NVIDIA man pages for frame dropping and cpu usage and could find nothing.

I have a 7300 Intel C2D overclocked to 3.06 from 2.66 on a P5N7A-VM with an onboard nvidia 9300 using the 177.82 driver and I was seeing huge frame drops on my hd and bd rips playback. like some I was not able too watch almost assuming it was a bad rip.

I made these changes to the xorg.conf and to my surprise the difference is amazing I am seeing less than 10 frame drop on hd and 1 or 2 on bd. my hd's are .mkv and bd are .ts.

That little tidbit of triple buffer should be a sticky I think, for the amount of issues I have read in the last couple days regarding the issues.

rgds,

Dave