7 replies to this topic

[ThomasHej]

Folks,

I'm used to use FFDSHOW to decode all my AVI's (using the subtitles feature) and therefore needed to "break" the build-in MPEG4 decoders in Windows 7.

I did NOT want to break any build-in functionallity around recorded TV nor regular playing of DVD's. So all MPEG2 stuff should remain untouched.

I tried a lot of "tricks" both from this site, and other sites - to no avail. This includes the MCDU tool, registry hacks (including the preferred section under DirectShow). It seems that these fixes are either for a total replacement of build-in support or they simply do not work on RC1 (build 7100).


To achieve my goal, the fix was actually quite simple:

First install FFDSHOW (I'm using the build from 2009-05-06).

Then, to disable the build-in support you simply needs to RENAME the following 3 files:

c:\windows\system32
MP4SDECD.DLL
MP43DECD.DLL
MPG4DECD.DLL

to any other name (e.g. XXXX.DLL.BAK), so the MC won't be able to load them, thereby disabling the build-in MPEG4 support.

However, this requires you to "take ownership" of the files, since even the administrator only have read-only access to the files.

Therefore, for each file the process is (Close MCE first):

1) Right click the file and select PROPERTIES
2) Select the "Security" tab.
3) Click "Advanced" button
4) In the next dialog, click the "Owner" tab
5) If you have UAE enabled, you will see an "Edit" button - click it to enable ownership change
6) Select the new owner, good choice will be the "Administrators" group
7) Close the "Owner" dialog
8) In the first dialog, change the permission to "Full Control" for the Administrators group
9) Click OK.

Pheew.. NOW you have access to the file, and can do the rename.

Do this for all the above mentioned 3 files and the build-in MPEG4 video rendering will be disabled which will enable the "normal" stack and thereby allowing FFDSHOW to do the video rendering.

The audio will still be rendered by the build-in decoders.

No reboot is required, just restart MCE.

The good thing about this is that:

1) It is guranteed to work on RC1.
2) There is no "complex" can't go back step here.
3) To "undo" simply rename the files back.



The above information was compiled from a lot of other places and I spend a lot of time trying a lot of different tricks. Each time backing up the entire drive (thanks to Casper software).


Just wanted to share this,


Thomas
(The guy that is now enjoying his subtitles like he used to)

[Astrotoy7]

The above information was compiled from a lot of other places

whatever these other places are, Im sure one of their sources started here!!!

A quick search would have revealed my post from a few months ago

http://www.xpmediace...te-ffdshow.html

There is also a registry mod approach, linkied to in the same thread.

In any event, welcome to the forums!!

Astro

[falcc]

A much easier process is:-

1. Install this http://shark007.net/win7codecs.html
2. Enjoy using Media Center.

[Astrotoy7]

A much easier process is:-

1. Install this http://shark007.net/win7codecs.html

indeed... shark enabled the 'settings interface' only on the most recent build. It does indeed allow you to switch associations.

The latest release contains a new Settings Application which enables the user to choose a different splitters 'on the fly' for specific filetypes. The application will also lets you to choose from 10 different speaker configurations from 'same as input' and all the way up to full 7.1 channel output.

of course, back in feb this wasnt available to us, and indeed sharks first w7 alpha builds caused irreversible effects on uninstallation. Good to see its come along though, thanks to the efforts of numerous, and sometimes undeniably handsome beta testers

2. Enjoy using Media Center.

Not an universal experience atm Im afraid. In some cases, for various reasons, 7100 is causing more grief than previous builds.

How can something which worked a couple of builds ago(or in Vista) have been yanked? what they heck are they doing over there at Redmond....? Outside of MCE, the fact that I cant dock the sidebar, or keep it ontop freaks me out so much I have stuck with vista until the workaround is updated(or MS fix it) [/OCD when it comes to the sidebar]

Astro

[falcc]

I started using Shark's codecs when Vista first came out. Before then I was a member of the anti codec pack brigade.

So I was pleased to see that Shark had things ready for Win7 as well.

[Astrotoy7]

anti codec pack brigade

Since most of the popular codec packs allow a selectiove setup, Ive never understood the motivations of such marauders. At the end of the day, it will come down to convenience, I dare say for many users, foundation codecs allowing xvids(by far the most commonly used format worldwide - esp p2p) will be enough. Those snobby mkv types will sort themselves out eventually

Astro

[falcc]

MKV was the only reason I installed Sharky's Codec Pack! haha.

[Astrotoy7]

MKV was the only reason I installed Sharky's Codec Pack! haha.

lolz.. thats unusual. Masters of Matroska usually like to handcraft their filters in the fires of Mt Doom, and then get on the net and write a Manifesto about it no one but fellow Masters can understand. Youre taking the easy way out !!

Astro