Building a Windows MCE 2005 PC - Part 4
Living with the finished machine: what worked, what did not, and what I would do differently.
This article was written by me and published on Audioholics, where it remains: read it there. Audioholics asked permission to run it. It is republished here for information, as part of the record of what I have written.
This is a set of articles summarising my experience choosing the components and building a a custom-built Home Theatre PC running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (or “MCE2005” for short). Part 1 is an introduction; Part 2 shows a step by step pictorial guide to assembling the hardware; Part 3 details the software installation steps; and Part 4 (this section) contains some objective and subjective impressions of the result
E-MU 1212M Audio Rightmark Test Results
The following summarises Audio Rightmark 5.5 test results for various sampling rates (24-bit recordings) of the E-MU 1212M in external loopback mode (Analog Out L/R to Analog In L/R using balanced co-axial cables):
| Test | 44.1kHz | 48kHz | 96kHz | 192kHz |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.03, -0.20 | +0.02, -0.20 | +0.02, -0.18 | +0.02, -0.17 |
| Noise level, dB (A): | -117.5 | -117.4 | -117.3 | -114.6 |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): | 116.8 | 116.8 | 115.7 | 110.1 |
| THD, %: | 0.0006 | 0.0006 | 0.0007 | 0.0007 |
| IMD + Noise, %: | 0.0010 | 0.0010 | 0.0011 | 0.0020 |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: | -118.1 | -117.0 | -113.7 | -107.7 |
These are excellent results, fairly close to State of the Art, and confirm that the 1212M is properly installed and operating within spec. Note that the best results are obtained at 44.1kHz 24-bit mode.
For more detailed graphs of the benchmark results, click on the following links for Audio RightMark test reports:
ABIT AudioMAX Audio Rightmark Test Results
The following summarises Audio Rightmark 5.5 test results for various sampling rates (24-bit recordings) of the the output of the Front Left/Right channels of Intel HD Audio (RealTek ALC882M codec) as measured using the Analog L/R in of the E-MU 1212M:
| Test | 44.1kHz | 48kHz | 96kHz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB: | +0.13, -0.18 | +0.14, -0.27 | +0.14, -0.27 |
| Noise level, dB (A): | -89.7 | -89.8 | -89.8 |
| Dynamic range, dB (A): | 89.9 | 90.1 | 89.8 |
| THD, %: | 0.0068 | 0.0067 | 0.0067 |
| IMD + Noise, %: | 0.012 | 0.011 | 0.013 |
| Stereo crosstalk, dB: | -86.8 | -86.1 | -85.6 |
The results are clearly not as impressive as the E-MU 1212M, but probably above average for motherboard-based audio solutions. The noise level corresponds to approximately 15 bits accuracy (out of 24) and the stereo crosstalk results are reasonably good given the use of 1/8“ output jacks. It appears that there is no resampling of 44.1kHz audio into 48kHz given the lack of resampling artefacts. No measurements were taken at 192kHz sampling rate as the AudioMAX failed to generate consistent output.
For more detailed graphs of the benchmark results, click on the following links for Audio RightMark test reports:
Microsoft WHQL 3.0 DVD Test Annex results
Test results for Disc 1:
| Test Group | Test | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Audio Tests | MPEG-1 Layer 2 | Pass |
| Audio - 48 kHz PCM | Pass | |
| Dolby Digital - Multi-track Stereo | Pass | |
| Dolby Digital - 5.1 | Pass in SPDIF mode, downmixed to 2.0 on analog outputs | |
| Digital - DialNorm | Pass | |
| Dolby Digital - DRC - Activated Stream | Pass | |
| Dolby Digital - DRC - Deactivated Stream | Pass | |
| 96 kHz PCM | Downsampled to 48kHz on SPDIF, presumed pass on analog outputs | |
| Subpicture - Subpicture Palette (DCS) | Still | Pass |
| Bob | Pass | |
| Weave | Pass | |
| Subpicture - Default Palette Color Index | Still | Pass |
| Bob | Pass | |
| Weave | Pass | |
| Subpicture - Custom Palette Color Index | Still | Pass |
| Bob | Pass | |
| Weave | Pass | |
| Sequence/ Branching Tests | Seamless multi-angle | Pass |
| Non-seamless branching | Pass | |
| Graphics & Menu Support Tests | Motion Menu - Menu that Ends | Pass |
| Motion Menu - Menu that Loops - Long (72 Seconds) | Pass | |
| Motion Menu - Menu that Loops - Short (20 Seconds) | Pass | |
| Field Freeze Bob | Pass | |
| Field/Frame Freeze Weave | Pass | |
| 16x9 Menu | Pass | |
| Elapsed Time/Chapter | Pass | |
| Video Port Performance Tests - Excessive Cropping | 352 x 240 | Fail, button text not displayed |
| 720 x 480 | Pass | |
| 704 x 480 | Pass | |
| 352 x 480 | Fail, button text not displayed in correct location | |
| Video Port Performance Tests | Aspect Ratio | Pass |
| Film - Basic | Pass | |
| Film - Alternate | Pass | |
| Video | Pass, Bob mode | |
| Video Port Performance Tests - Variations | Speed | Pass |
| Discontinuity - Alternate Y | Fail, periodic lapses into Bob mode and occasional feathering | |
| Discontinuity - Basic X | Pass, periodic lapses into Bob mode | |
| Discontinuity - Alternate 2 | Fail, periodic lapses into Bob mode | |
| Discontinuity - Alternate 1 | Fail, periodic feathering and jerk | |
| Mixed Mode - Basic Y | Pass | |
| Mixed Mode - Alternate X | Faill | |
| Mixed Mode - Alternate 2 | Pass | |
| Mixed Mode - Alternate 1 | Fail, oscillate between Bob and Weave in 60fps sequences | |
| Video Port Performance Tests - Chapter Breaks | Alternate 1 | Pass, at least one lapse into Bob |
| Alternate 2 | Pass, at least one lapse into Bob | |
| Decode - High Bit Rate - 4 Mbps | Numbers | Fail, frame splitting |
| X Parade (60Hz) | Fail, some judder (Pass in 720p) | |
| Title Roll | Pass (some judder) | |
| Clock 24 fps | Pass | |
| Clock 60Hz | Pass | |
| 24 fps Film | Pass | |
| 60 Hz Video | Pass (some judder at 1368x768@56Hz) | |
| Decode - High Bit Rate - 6 Mbps | Numbers | Fail, frame splitting |
| X Parade (60Hz) | Fail, some judder (Pass in 720p) | |
| Title Roll | Pass (some judder) | |
| Clock 24 fps | Pass | |
| Clock 60Hz | Pass | |
| 24 fps Film | Pass | |
| 60 Hz Video | Pass (some judder at 1368x768@56Hz) | |
| Decode - High Bit Rate - 7.95 Mbps | Numbers | Fail, frame splitting |
| X Parade (60Hz) | Fail, some judder (Pass in 720p) | |
| Title Roll | Pass (some judder) | |
| Clock 24 fps | Pass | |
| Clock 60Hz | Pass | |
| 24 fps Film | Pass | |
| 60 Hz Video | Pass (some judder at 1368x768@56Hz) | |
| Decode - High Bit Rate - Highest | Numbers | Fail, frame splitting |
| X Parade (60Hz) | Fail, some judder (Pass in 720p) | |
| Title Roll | Pass (some judder) | |
| Clock 24 fps | Pass | |
| Clock 60Hz | Pass | |
| 24 fps Film | Pass | |
| 60 Hz Video | Pass (some judder at 1368x768@56Hz) | |
| Decode - Low Bit Rate | Numbers | Fail, frame splitting |
| Clock 60Hz | Pass | |
| Jazz Montage | Pass | |
| Decode | Cycling Bit Rate | Pass |
| V-bench | Pass | |
| Decode - Half Horizontal | Numbers | Fail, frame splitting |
| X Parade (60Hz) | Fail, some judder (Pass in 720p) | |
| Title Roll | Pass (some judder) | |
| Clock 24 fps | Pass | |
| Clock 60Hz | Pass | |
| 24 fps Film | Pass | |
| 60 Hz Video | Pass (some judder at 1368x768@56Hz) | |
| Other | 48kMPEG-1.mpg | Pass |
| AM_Mux_441.mpg | Pass | |
| AM_Mux_48.mpg | Pass | |
| Nonreeltimemux.mpg | Pass | |
| Reeltimemux.mpg | Pass | |
| Otherspace.mpg | Pass | |
| UrbanAssault/Robit | Pass |
Test Results for Disc 2 Side A (NTSC):
| Test Group | Test | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Audio - DTS | DTS with PCM | Pass |
| DTS without PCM | Pass | |
| Audio - Lip Sync | Visual Sync Test - Film | Pass |
| Visual Sync Test - Video | Pass | |
| Scope Sync Test | Pass | |
| Cadence - Incoherent 3-2 | Film | Pass (bad edits recovered within 1-2 frames) |
| xXx Test Pattern | Fail (serrated edge encountered for 1-2 frames) | |
| Wedge Test Pattern | Pass (dropped into video mode for 1 frame) | |
| Cadence - Field Dominance | Field 2 Dominant - Flag False | Fail (drops to video mode, but no incorrect weaves) |
| Field 1 Dominant - Flag False | Fail (drops to video mode, but no incorrect weaves) | |
| Field 1 Dominant - Flag True | Fail (drops to video mode, but no incorrect weaves) | |
| Cadence - 2-3-3-2 | Film | Fail (drops to video, slight judder) |
| Test Pattern | Fail (drops to video, slight judder) | |
| Cadence - Judder | Video | Fail in 1368x768@56Hz, Pass in 1280x720@60Hz |
| 30 fps | Fail in 1368x768@56Hz, Pass in 1280x720@60Hz | |
| xXx Parade | Pass | |
| Cadence - Motion Adaptive | Motion Adaptive | Pass |
| Cadence - Film Recognition | Film Recognition | Pass |
| Video - Chroma Bug | Flag True | Pass |
| Flag False | Pass | |
| Flat Alt | Pass | |
| 30 fps | Pass | |
| Video - Crushing | Crushing | Pass |
| Overlay - Aspect Ratio Format | 16x9 (Allow PS and LB) | Pass |
| 16x9 (Allow LB Only) | Pass | |
| 16x9 (Allow PS Only) | Pass | |
| 4x3 Full Frame | Pass | |
| Overlay - Subpicture Palette | MPEG-1 | Fail, no subpicture displayed, navigation inactive |
| Half Horizontal MPEG-2 | Fail, subpicture displayed in incorrect size and location, navigation inactive | |
| Features - Multi-Angle | Multi-Angle | Fail, no multi-angle button on remote |
| Features - Slide Show (Menu Domain) | 4x3 slide show | Pass |
| 4x3 still show | Fail, slide show advances too quickly, and does not exit back to menu | |
| 16x9 slide show | Pass | |
| 16x9 still show | Fail, slide show advances too quickly, and does not exit back to menu | |
| Features - Slide Show (Title Domain) | 4x3 slide show | Pass |
| 4x3 still show | Fail, slide show advances too quickly, and does not exit back to menu | |
| Features - Captions/Subtitles (Pop-on closed captions) | SH and PS ‘copy permitted’ | Pass |
| SH and PS ‘No Copy’ | Pass | |
| SH ‘Copy Permitted’ and PS ‘No Copy’ | Pass | |
| Features - Captions/Subtitles (Roll-up closed captions) | Roll-up Closed Captions Ratings | Pass |
| PS ‘No Copy’ | Pass | |
| SH ‘Copy Once’ | Pass | |
| Features - Captions/Subtitles (No closed captions) | No Closed Captions: SH ‘No Copy’ | Pass |
| PS ‘Copy Once’ | Pass | |
| Features - Karaoke | Karaoke | Pass |
| Features - Animated Subpicture | Animated Subpicture | Pass |
Apart from exhibiting judder at 1368x768@56Hz (particularly for 30fps sequences), the PC performs as well as most good DVD players. It does not exhibit the chroma bug, but drops down to video mode for 2-2 and 2-3-3-2 sequences. I was a bit disappointed by the bugs in still show and overlay handling.
Test results for Disc 2 Side B (PAL):
| Test Group | Test | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Cadence - Incoherent 3-2 | Film | Pass |
| DV Camera | Fail, some combing noticeable | |
| Cadence - Field Dominance | Field 2 Dominant - Flag False | Fail, dropped to video mode |
| Field 1 Dominant - Flag False | Pass | |
| Field 1 Dominant - Flag True | Pass | |
| Video - Chroma Bug | Chroma Fish - Flag True | Pass |
| Chroma Fish - Flag False | Pass | |
| Faces - Flag True | Pass | |
| Faces - Flag False | Pass | |
| Features - Slide Show (Menu Domain) | 4x3 slide show | Pass |
| 4x3 still show | Fail, slide show advances too quickly, and does not exit back to menu | |
| 16x9 slide show | Pass | |
| 16x9 still show | Fail, slide show advances too quickly, and does not exit back to menu | |
| Features - Slide Show (Title Domain) | 4x3 slide show | Pass |
| 4x3 still show | Fail, slide show advances too quickly, and does not exit back to menu |
Note that although the HTPC fails on quite a number of the above tests, I don’t know of any DVD player, hardware or software, that currently passes every test.
HQV Benchmark DVD
The results are pretty good considering that there’s no support in the current version of the NVidia PureVideo decoder and/or Forceware driver for non standard film cadences, although I was a bit disappointed it did not detect 2:2. Also it did not handle jaggies as well as a Faroudja based deinterlacer, however bad edit detection was very good and almost seamless.
| TEST | HTPC |
|---|---|
| Color Bar/Vertical Detail | 5 |
| Jaggies Pattern 1 | 4 |
| Jaggies Pattern 2 | 3 |
| Flag | 5 |
| Picture Detail | 10 |
| Noise Reduction | 0 |
| Motion Adaptive Noise Reduction | 5 |
| 3:2 Detection | 10 |
| Film Cadence 2:2 | 0 |
| Film Cadence 2:2:2:4 | 0 |
| Film Cadence 2:3:3:2 | 0 |
| Film Cadence 3:2:3:2:2 | 5 |
| Film Cadence 5:5 | 0 |
| Film Cadence 6:4 | 0 |
| Film Cadence 8:7 | 5 |
| Film Cadence 3:2 | 5 |
| Mixed 3:2 Film Mixed With Added Video Titles (Horizontal Text Crawl) | 10 |
| Mixed 3:2 Film Mixed With Added Video Titles (Vertical Text Crawl) | 10 |
| TOTAL | 77 |
Subjective impressions - Video
Despite minor imperfections, the HTPC easily delivers DVD and DVB-T Digital TV video playback superior to all but the very best set top box players/decoders, no doubt due to native pixel resolution of the RGB video output.
The hardware assisted MPEG2 decoder is essentially flawless, with no signs of chroma errors or macro-blocking, and consistently delivers low level detail equal or slightly better than dedicated chipsets. Best of all, there are no signs of edge enhancement ringing, and Gibb’s effect artefacts are kept to a minimum. In fact, low level detail is sometimes too good, resulting in occasional moire patterns that some DVD players avoid through high frequency filtering.
I consistently notice details on the HTPC (particularly fabric patterns on clothes, and wall rendering texture and other low level detail) that are absent or less pronounced on even high end players. On the downside, the HTPC is also very good at highlighting noise and other artefacts in the source material.
Similarly, deinterlacing quality is top notch, apart from very occasional pixel crawl due to the pixel adaptive spatial-temporal algorithm. The 3:2 pulldown and bad edit detector implementation is very good, and in terms of speed and accuracy is somewhere between the Silicon Image (best) and Faroudja (not as good) hardware based solutions. Unfortunately, as of the time of writing, there is no support for 2:2 pulldown or bad edit detection (although NVidia promises this in “future releases”) - I’ve noticed some instances of combing due to inappropriate weaving, particularly during the Region 4 PAL version of Forrest Gump (Chapter 13).
Subjective impressions - Audio
The E-MU 1212M does a superb job of PCM stereo playback, with audio quality that rivals all but the most expensive high end players. It’s strength is effortness and natural rendition of high frequencies, and in this respect I feel it is even better than my Sony SCD-XA777ES playing CDs (which has the very slight tendency to exhibit ringing and other high frequency artefacts). Dynamics (macro and micro) are also extremely good, and perhaps only one or two notches below perfection. Finally, low level detail is superb, and the 1212M is capable of extracting even tiny nuances of timbre or sounds on the threshold of audibility.
Weaknesses are few, perhaps it lacks the presence or the soundstage of the best of the best, and the bass could do with a bit more authority and confidence.
The motherboard based AudioMAX sound quality can only be described as mediocre, and really suitable only for playback of lossy sources such as Dolby Digital or WMA.
Conclusion
As a DVD player, or a DVB-T tuner/PVR, or a DVD recorder, or a hard disc music player, the custom built HTPC probably doesn’t represent as much value for money as dedicated components. But when all the separate functionality is added together, the value proposition is quite compelling. And of course, half the fun of owning a unit like this is the pleasure of choosing the components, building and assembling it!
(Reprinted with Permission)
Visit the other parts to this 4-part series:
Building a WindowsXP Media Center Edition PC: : Part 1| Part 2| Part 3 | Part 4