I have been using PowerDVD 7.3.2911 as my preferred player, since it is the last version that allows playback from HDD and acceleration selection (and software decoding gives me better quality under XP). However, I have implemented version switching as suggested on this forum to handle the growing number of titles that won't play properly with v2911, but it is not optimal with v3516.
One of these titles is the Japanese version of Harry Potter Order Of The Phoenix.
It plays fine from disc or ISO with v3516 and AnyDVD, but PowerDVD closes with v2911 after the WB intro and before the feature start. I think there is a "black" segment that is played which results in the termination of playback. The curious thing is that maybe once out of every 5 attempts, v2911 will continue on to play the feature, but then crash after a few minutes.
I have tried all the settings in AnyDVD HD, but none of them will permit playback consistently with v2911 (whether disc or ISO).
I have resorted to editing the .XPL file and discovered that by removing everything but the feature and removing superfluous soundtracks and all subtitles, I can play the feature in v2911 perfectly fine.
I haven't yet attempted to create a version of the .XPL with IME enabled.
My question is: what could be causing the difference in playback behaviour between v2911 and v3516 and is this something AnyDVD HD can help with?
I would much prefer to use v2911 for all titles as it gives me control over hardware acceleration and this is important to me.
Obviously it is not the actual video content that is the issue as I can play the feature fine in both versions, so it must be these additional navigation files. However, navigation files exist on other titles too, which play perfectly fine in v2911.
I'm sure it is something added to the authoring to force continual upgrade of players and consequently enable removal of features that give too much control, to the end user, but hopefully someone can find a workaround.
Exactly why did Cyberlink force hardware acceleration for versions newer than v2911 anyway? There doesn't seem to be a reason to remove functionality that on the surface has nothing to do with DRM (or does it?).
One of these titles is the Japanese version of Harry Potter Order Of The Phoenix.
It plays fine from disc or ISO with v3516 and AnyDVD, but PowerDVD closes with v2911 after the WB intro and before the feature start. I think there is a "black" segment that is played which results in the termination of playback. The curious thing is that maybe once out of every 5 attempts, v2911 will continue on to play the feature, but then crash after a few minutes.
I have tried all the settings in AnyDVD HD, but none of them will permit playback consistently with v2911 (whether disc or ISO).
I have resorted to editing the .XPL file and discovered that by removing everything but the feature and removing superfluous soundtracks and all subtitles, I can play the feature in v2911 perfectly fine.
I haven't yet attempted to create a version of the .XPL with IME enabled.
My question is: what could be causing the difference in playback behaviour between v2911 and v3516 and is this something AnyDVD HD can help with?
I would much prefer to use v2911 for all titles as it gives me control over hardware acceleration and this is important to me.
Obviously it is not the actual video content that is the issue as I can play the feature fine in both versions, so it must be these additional navigation files. However, navigation files exist on other titles too, which play perfectly fine in v2911.
I'm sure it is something added to the authoring to force continual upgrade of players and consequently enable removal of features that give too much control, to the end user, but hopefully someone can find a workaround.
Exactly why did Cyberlink force hardware acceleration for versions newer than v2911 anyway? There doesn't seem to be a reason to remove functionality that on the surface has nothing to do with DRM (or does it?).
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