Best way to play MKV files

Pinkeyes · 19 Feb 2008 at 09:37

Hi

Trying to find the best software to play 720P MKV Files.

My HTPC is a P4 2.5 with 1 GB RAM.

When playing the files in VLC I get picture freezes, making them unwatchable.
When playing them in Media Player Classic, the picture is fine, but the audio goes out of sync now and again, it's not as bad, it just looks like bad dubbing for a few seconds.

Under both CPU usage is 80-99%, so I know I am pushing it.

Is there anything better to play these files with ?

Thanks

nimz · 19 Feb 2008 at 09:51

I tried a few players before finding Inmatrix's Zoom Player. This works a treat for 720 and 1080 mkv's.

Other players I tried, including VLC, I got lag/v-sync issues etc.

Zoom Player will also download the latest codecs for you too.

Pinkeyes · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:00

nimz said:
I tried a few players before finding Inmatrix's Zoom Player. This works a treat for 720 and 1080 mkv's.

Other players I tried, including VLC, I got lag/v-sync issues etc.

Zoom Player will also download the latest codecs for you too.

There appears to be a few versions of this, do you mean the professional version, or the freeware one ?

bledd · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:04

up the ram & gfx card

Pinkeyes · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:12

bledd. said:
up the ram & gfx card

Granted it only has a Geforce 6200 in it, but it does have 1GB RAM.

I thought HD stuff was a bit more dependent on CPU Ooomph.... ?

Dingleberry88 · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:16

Media Player Classic + CoreAVC Codec.

nimz · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:18

Pinkeyes said:
There appears to be a few versions of this, do you mean the professional version, or the freeware one ?

Freeware Standard one will work fine. Other 2 are DVD and DRM playback support.

nimz · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:28

Pinkeyes said:
Granted it only has a Geforce 6200 in it, but it does have 1GB RAM.

I thought HD stuff was a bit more dependent on CPU Ooomph.... ?

True, my Shuttle's onboard Geforce plays full screen fine using Zoom. Just tested it on work pc with onboard Geforce too, works great.

yaboy · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:34

I use VideoLAN all the time.. never fails me

Peg · 19 Feb 2008 at 10:38

Dingleberry88 said:
Media Player Classic + CoreAVC Codec.

Excellent combination.

Pinkeyes · 19 Feb 2008 at 11:00

nimz said:
Freeware Standard one will work fine. Other 2 are DVD and DRM playback support.

Thanks, I will give this a try along with MPC + CoreAVC.

yaboy said:
I use VideoLAN all the time.. never fails me

As I said, this has already failed me, it freezes the picture (whilst continuing the sound) can take 15 seconds to get back again.

Using the same video file - MPC has been better, never loses the picture, but the sound struggles very occasionally.

ubern00b · 19 Feb 2008 at 11:22

The pc just isnt fast enough really. CoreAVC will definately make an improvement but upping the CPU is really the only way to guarantee smooth playback.