Setting up MPC-HC for Video Playback in XBMC

Configuring madVR

Now that MPC-HC is configured for both XySubFilter and madVR, the rest of the configuration is geared towards madVR and fine tuning it a bit.  As a note, these settings are settings that I used for my configuration and you may need to do some tweaking for yours.  Everyone’s living room is different.

To begin the configuration of madVR, you need to open a video to play with MPC-HC.  The process of doing so is as simple as dragging a video into the MPC-HC screen.  While the video is playing you can right-click anywhere in the screen and navigate to Filters then madVR.  Additionally, you can right-click on the MAD icon in your system tray to Edit Settings.

Upon entering the settings for madVR, you will immediately be prompted to identify your devices.  In my case, the LCD TV I purchased for $5.00 USD needs to be identified as a Digital Monitor / TV.

Once you have identified your device, you can configure the display modes madVR may switch to.  I am not going to go nuts here trying to define what frame rate is and what refresh rates are; where and why, but it is best to configure your display mode for your source.  If your source is a DVD or a BD, you can safely say that the frame rate will be 23.976fps.  In order to have these frames delivered without being repeated, you can tell madVR what your display supports and it will adjust accordingly. This is done by expanding the menu tree and choosing display modes.

You can safely determine what refresh rates your TV supports without pulling too much of your hair out.  Just go to your desktop (for Windows 7), right-click, choose Screen Resolution, Click Advanced Settings.

That will open a new Window.  Along the top you will see a tab for Monitor.  Here you can see the Screen refresh rates supported by your display.  Write them down if necessary to remember them.  Don’t forget, mine is a $5.00 display…  You need to take this information to madVR along with your resolution.

I generally like to follow the flow of things.  I read from left to right and work in applications from top to bottom.  The next menu item in the tree is for processing.  Here you set the decoding, deinterlacing and artifact removal options of madVR.  In decoding, I typically leave defaults.  In deinterlacing, check the box for disable automatic source detection and force film mode.  I also regularly leave artifact removal set to defaults.

There has been a lot of debate in the next section about what is better for what.  I can safely say that I am not the expert and that I have had very positive results by listening to those that are far more informed than I on the subject.  Under scaling algorithms, working from top to bottom, the settings detailed below have worked very well for me.

Chroma upscaling, Jinc is widely considered the best to use here.  3 taps is a safe bet and activate anti-ringing filter.  More taps, more horsepower required from your HTPC, but sharpness increases.

Mirror the same configuration for image upscaling.

For downscaling, Catmul-Rom and defaults.

Under Rendering on the menu tree, most options can be left at their default settings.  However, for some displays, like mine, enabling smooth motion frame rate conversion is the alternative support for 23.976hz modes.  I enable it and leave the option for only if there would be motion judder without it…

The rest of the options under dithering and trade quality for performance sections are areas where you need to tweak and test for your configuration.  For my living room, an overkill HTPC, I disable every option in trade quality for performance and use Error Diffusion – option 2 in dithering.

All that is left to do is pop some corn, grab a soda or beer, and fire up your favorite movie.