G200 HW-DVD'ers - Check out SoftDVD3.5!

[Bixler]

Do the following in this exact sequence and you'll be fine:

1. uninstall everything Matrox either using the official uninstall utility, or manually editing the registry and deleting all Matrox/G200/MGA references.
2. Make sure that your DVD navigator software is also uninstalled.
3. Install the OEM driver set that came bundled with your hardware Module...this should be PD version 4.33.
4. Install the OEM Vid Tools as per step 3.
5. Install the OEM DVD Software
6. At this point you should be able to run Tweak SD available for download here: http://www.murc.ws/Utils.html
Set your region correctly. If that doesn't work, from the 4.33 drivers and VT, run the official Bios Reset utility if you have it.
7. Go through another thorough uninstall of everything Matrox including the DVD Software.
8. Install the PowerDesk 5.25 (NOT the 5.30) and the compatible Vid Tools.
9. reinstall the OEM navigator software last.

If this sequence doesn't work at step 5, you might try
5a. Installing the MGI software instead of the OEM,
5b. Run Tweak SD from there, then
5c. Uninstall the MGI software and proceed.
Tweak needs a compatible navigator installed to work.

Perhaps Cods can verify this, but it is my understanding that the new MGI software working from any compatible 5.x driver series from Matrox completely ignores the region change coding in your card's bios, so once you successfully get past this roadblock, you shouldn't have to fight through that issue ever again.


[This message has been edited by Bixler (edited 06 May 2000).]

[cods]

I'm still testing flat out at the moment, (after doing a full re-install of 98SE from scratch).
I can't confirm the region does completely ignore the modules setting in MGI, but it does appear to do this from my brief testing, although I think the MGI does have some other hooks in the registry somewhere. I must admit my testing has been focused in another direction.
I can confirm that the MGI3.5 does work well with the 4.33/1.21 combination with/without hacks.
What I am not able to do (which is my main aim) is play MPEG's/VOB's using either the ZORAN/MGI/MSMediaplayer triggering TVOUT like the DVD drive. Couldn't do it with 4.33/1.21, 5.25/1.50, or 5.52. I have done it before, but cannot reproduce it so far.
Anyway, back to the region stress-testing.

Flee: Bixler is correct; use either 5.25 if you want VideoTools, or use 5.52 if no VT is req'd. Also, try installing the OEM DVD software from the 'SoftDVD' directory, which there is another setup.exe file, rather than the setup.exe on the root of the OEM CD (the one on the root does some sort of region check).

[This message has been edited by cods (edited 07 May 2000).]

[Bixler]

cods:

My own guess is that the MGI 3.5 software no longer checks the VidCard bios, since it is being promoted as a software player that works with a number of different brands of cards. Since this is the case, it wouldn't care what the region code or count would be in the VidCard BIOS, and all region issues are dealt with in the Registry, which makes DVDGenie a solution/hack for anyone running 5.x drivers.

I believe that Matrox also went from BIOS based region codes to Registry based in the 5.x series of drivers, although I think that the drivers still do check the bios to keep MPAA happy.

If I'm correct, changing regions while running on the 5.x drivers doesn't change the count contained in the bios, even though it may check there first. This would also apply to the OEM software running on 5.x. Much of the above is my own guess, based on the way all this behaves on my machine.

I'd be interested if anyone could confirm this. Comments anyone?

[cods]

After a format/install of W98SE, DX7.0a, PD5.52, Zoran2.5 & MGI3.5, and MSMediaPlayer6.4, I am
finally playing *.mpg's and *.vob's on MP6.4, and it 'looks like' its using HARDWARE, and definitely
triggering TVOUT!!!!!! As I type this, I'm on the net with 8 Netscape screens loading, copying a 600meg file
from D to C, playing a VOB from HD near perfectly!!!!!!!
The MP6.4 has a shitty interface, but it bloody works! The system wipe fixed the buggy driver situation,
which wouldn't go away, even with Matrox Uninstall program and doing it the manual way.

Anyway, the above combo works very well at the moment, losing no sync as it did the previous time I got this
'feature' working.

P.S. I also tried the MSMP7.0 beta, but it crashes and BSOD's on me when opening files of any type.

P.S.S I am not using any hacks on MediaPlayer 6.4, just using '*.*' to see the vob's in the open dialog box.

P.S.S.S Opening files with the Zoran hangs my system, and MGI just plays on monitor (no TVOUT), so I'll
stick to the MP.

Check it out and Enjoy.

[Bixler]

Great news Scott! Another use for hardware decoding.

Would you mind, (with all your experience with region hacking) verifying my speculation in my post above about the region security scheme difference between the 4.x and 5.x driver series?

One caution to EVERYONE using TweakSD...DO NOT LEAVE YOUR REGION SET TO ZERO when going through any install/uninstall procedures. Trust me on this, restoring and reinstalling the OEM software is a NIGHTMARE if your BIOS is set to 0 as advised in the TWEAKSD notes.

[cods]

Another small update......After my above procedure, I again tried playing MPG and VOB files from HD to the Zoran and MGI players, and they now do TVOUT triggering!!!!! (Zoran buggy, MGI not bad)
The ONLY change in between the TVOUT 'not-triggering' and 'triggering' from these players was the install of MSMP6.4!!! Huh?

Now this to me is rather strange......will other DirectShow players, after installing MSMP6.4 , trigger TVOUT??? Ravisent?

Still testing regions, but yes, Bixler is correct that the MGI does ignore the HW region setting!!!

[cods]

MGI SoftDVD 3.63 released, and it too works with the G200 DVD Addon!! Much like the 3.5, it works clean at the interface end (new interface!!) and actually seems a bit quicker again on chapter changes, loadup etc.
It also has 'Dolby Headphones' feature, but I haven't fully stressed it yet, but 1 apparent 'bug'; audio button not appearing sometimes, but maybe it was me and lack of sleep.....

Get on it, fellow long suffering G200 DVD'rs, oh and BTW, I'm using 5.55 and VT1.54

While your at the MGI site, check out the partners list of MGI.....Diamond, NVidia, Rendition, S3........No Matrox?
http://www.mgisoft.com


[This message has been edited by cods (edited 01 June 2000).]

[Jack Hearn]

Cods,

I have been over this thread several times. I must be missing something.

I download the MGI software, followed the directions from this thread. All indications are that the hardware module is being used with processor usage running at 5 percent on my machine vice 80 percent with other players.

My problem is getting anything out of the Marvel BOB to the TV. Dont get anything out. Is there a hack being used that I need to get to have the TB out trigger?

Jack

[cods]

No hacks Jack! TV Triggers without additives. Straight Drivers on a clean system work.

PD5.55 VT1.54 BIOS2.6 on Win98SE. Also worked on the PD5.52, PD5.25, and others I am told.

[Jack Hearn]

Okay, I will try again.

Jack

[flee]

I know this has been going on for yonks.....

But has anyone finaly got a working solution?
Or anyone know if matrox has revivied the driver support?