DVD playback CPU utilization oddity...

[DaShadow]

Ok, I'm running the latest 71.20 drivers but did not purchase the Nvidia special decoder to unlock the "video processor".

I like many other people have witnessed when using programs like WinDVD, Nero DVD Player, and Windows Media player to view DVD's about 20-25% CPU utilization on a P4-3.06 Northwood 533 FSB CPU.

However, what is odd, is that a little freeware Video player called VLC which I use because it supports virtual every video format known to mankind only uses in between 2-4% CPU.

The interface is a little clunky but hell that's a HUGE efficiency advantage.

I wonder why the "Big boys" suck up so much CPU but this little (6.7MB w/Installer) freeware tool does it effortlessly?

Can someone else verify my findings?

 

[aidanjm]

Players like WinDVD, PowerDVD will have software de-interlacing turned on by default. De-interlacing improves the output quality quite a bit if you are watching on a computer monitor or lcd screen. But it does require a fair bit of CPU resources. Possibly VLC isn't de-interlacing the output - it would have a lower CPU utilisation if that is the case.

The new PureVideo feature on the NVIDIA cards allows hardware de-interlacing, which should reduce CPU utilization when enabled. I think ATI cards have had hardware de-interlacing for a while, it is on the 9550, 9600 Radeon cards IIRC.