View Full Version : XBMC and external video scaling
astensland
2009-02-24, 10:31
Hi
I am new to this forum, and also new to XBMC. I am considering to buy a xbmc pc and use with my home cinema. The plan is to connect the xbmc pc with my amp (onkyo sr-875) via hdmi (and from the amp to the tv). In my Onkyo amp there is a HQV Reon upscaling chip, and I am pretty sure this will do a better job than xbmc in upscaling the video. My plasma tv is 1080p. So my question is, is it possible to have xbmc output the video in its navtive resolution over hdmi? At least when it is a standard resolution (480i/p, 576i/p, 720i/p, 1080i/p etc).
SlaveUnit
2009-02-24, 15:33
I THINK leaving "High Quality Software Upscaling" disabled would send out the native res.
Hmm, I think that having it "disabled" would use something along the lines of "low-quality software upscaling" instead of no upscaling at all.
When XBMC plays video it doesn't change the resolution.
Whatever resolution XBMC is set to use it will stay at that resolution and upscale the video to fit the screen. Theoretically if the resolution is 1080p, and a video that is 480 is played the software will upscale it to fit, but because the resolution is still 1080 the up scaling chip won't be used.
When XBMC plays video it doesn't change the resolution.
This is the problem right here, because you're right. XBMC doesn't have an option to change resolution to a "best fit" when starting video playback. The resolution code / fullscreen code is somewhat wonky in that respect and needs a rewrite.
It's been mentioned before (Automatic screen resolution adjustment (http://xbmc.org/forum/showthread.php?t=41184)) but unfortunately even outputting video in it's 'Original Size' doesn't do what you want.
I'd suggest you post a request on the Trac (http://xbmc.org/trac) for it.
astensland
2009-02-25, 01:09
Thanks for your replies guys. This means that XBMC does not support external scalers, at least not for the time being. I will try to add this feature request in Trac.
Most surround receivers that are sold today support hdmi and upscaling, and even the cheaper models will still upscale better than XBMC.
Support for external upscalers must be the next evolutionary step for XBMC in my opinion.
EDIT: Typo...
SlaveUnit
2009-02-25, 01:25
Im curious where you get the info that says your receiver's chip will scale better than XBMC?
It would certainly help with performance since the CPU/GPU doesn't have to do it.