Minimum CPU for PS3 Media Server Transcoding on the fly?

jaybee

jaybee

jaybee

Soldato
Joined
10 Jul 2008
Posts
8,499
Hi all,

I will probably be asked soon to do a couple of builds for friends. One of the minimum requirements will be to play full 1080p high bit rate rips using PS3 media server transcoding .mkv files on the fly. I used to have an old e2180 rig overclocked and even that stuttered, however I can't be sure that it was my CPU that was the bottleneck as this was before I discovered PS3 media server and was using tversity with codec issues.
Anyway, my current q6600 rig happily transcodes on the fly any high quality 1080p rip at all with minimal fuss. What would be the minimum cpu that could do this as well? I've been looking at building very low cost rigs preferably as cheap as possible. So would an AMD Athlon X2 240 be ok? ? Would going intel core2duo be preferable or a quad over a dual? Or is that just overkill? What about a laptop cpu minimum?

Cheers
 
I have the same software and it works fine for 1080p with my laptop which runs a T8100, if you read the FQA it might help you out on why your old pc was stuttering, it helped me out a lot.

2. My video playback is stuttering. What can I do ?
---------------------------------------------------

The answer depends on the video type, your network configuration, and cpu power.
For almost SD/DVD videos, transcode should be fine. But if you are using default settings, and willing
to play HD videos (or very, very good looking SD videos) on a WiFi/CPL connection, the stuttering is normal.
You'll need to set a limit to the bandwidth used by the program, in the "Transcoding Settings->Encoder settings
->Maximum Bandwidth" textbox. A value of 14, or 15 (in Mbits) is an average value for Wifi/CPL. But you can set more or less,
depends on the strength of your network. Please also be advised that reducing the bitrate will stress even more your CPU.

That's why, if after setting a fair value for your network, or if you are on a wired connection, stuttering still occurs,
it may be caused by an old (or not shiny anymore :p) CPU. Actually a Core2Duo CPU is enough to transcode 1080p with default
network/quality settings, but a P4 is the very low limit in order to play a 720p video. If you stand
between these two, you can adjust the video quality settings ("Transcoding Settings->Encoder settings")
and test the examples provided in the drop down (you can also play with the parameters vqscale, vqmin, etc.)
It's also recommended if you are on Windows, to try the AviSynth/Mencoder trancoding engine, as you could play your videos
with CoreAVC, a fast H264 decoder (see Readme for instructions).
Try also to reduce the number of channels. By default the application output a 5.1 channel video, so if you switch to
stereo, the transcode will be a little faster. The good behavior of the transcoder is dependant on many parameters.
It's up to you to find the most adapted ones to your configuration !

Good luck, hope it helps.
 
Sorry to clarify, the reason it was stuttering for me last time was because I was using tversity with dodgey codecs I think. I'm now using PS3 media server with ethernet and a q6600 and obviously it's completely fine.
On the other hand, my friend has an aging Pentium 4 3ghz with 768mb ram and he can't stream 1080p .mkvs on the fly. Stutter fest. This is over ethernet and is definitely the old PC that it the bottleneck.

Define a "good quality" dual core though?
 
If it helps, my Q6600 has trouble with things with 5.1 surround sound with the same setup over an ethernet cable.
 
Well to tell you the truth my laptop doesnt get stressed at all by video ecoding even when its at 1080p and its just a T8100, it like reachs around 30% on both cores and my vids play just fine. My friend has sa Q6600 and its works, it doesnt even break a sweat so maybe you didnt enable multi core and stuff Lonz
 
Lonz said:
If it helps, my Q6600 has trouble with things with 5.1 surround sound with the same setup over an ethernet cable.
Click to expand...

That certainly doesn't sound right. I would suggest that you have some bad settings? Make sure you cap the bandwidth at 100mbits if you are on a 100mb lan, also check transcode settings and ensure you have multicore support checked as said above. A q6600 shouldn't struggle even at stock. The surround shouldn't have much to do with it either, it depends on the bitrate of the whole movie you watch.

I was hopinh a x2 245 would do it, but maybe the only way to find out is to try it.
 
er, I can stream 1080p .mp4 straight to my PS3 and it plays them natively with no problem, why don't you just get some software and repackage (not re encode) your .mkv files to .mp4? shudnt take very long if its just changing the container..
 
ubersonic said:
er, I can stream 1080p .mp4 straight to my PS3 and it plays them natively with no problem, why don't you just get some software and repackage (not re encode) your .mkv files to .mp4? shudnt take very long if its just changing the container..
Click to expand...

Because I can't be bothered with that. They all exist as .mkv files from the start, and that's adding another process when I can simply use PS3 media server. However, that's where the higher spec machine is required to transcode on the fly. I see a lot of people on the net talk of how their processor can handle 1080p ok, but not many specify if it can handle transcodes of full high bitrate 1080p rips on the fly. Not to worry though. I will bite the bullet and take a chance.
 
I just use a tb nas and converted the mkv movies to mpeg.. converting around 35 hd movies took me around an hour or less with mkvtovob.. less power.. cost less..

but if you want a pc then something like i3 x3 or quad with a decent gpu
 
i gave up on the transcode route for mkv's and bought a netbook with amd x2 cpu and a ati dedicated gfx chip so a, i can use a computer easily in the lounge, b, playback mkv or h264 with dxva via hdmi straight to the tv.

its not the cheapest solution but it works great!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom