Configure Media Player Classic BE app to use external LAV filters

This article will guide you to configure the Media Player Classic Black Edition (MPC-BE) app to use the external LAV filters.

MPC-BE is a lightweight and stable video player. It uses Microsoft DirectShow API for playback of media files.

Software: MPC-BE 1.8.4

MPC-BE System Requirement: Windows 7 or later OS

First, user need to download and install the MPC-BE app and LAV Filters, if the apps are not already installed in the system.

How to configure MPC-BE app to use external LAV Filters

To configure the MPC-BE app to use external LAV Filters, do the following:

Open the MPC-BE app.
Select View > Options from the Menu bar.
Go to the External Filters tab.
Click on the Add Filter button.

Select LAV Audio Decoder.
Click on the OK button

Select LAV Audio Decoder in the External Filters list.
Select the Prefer.
Click on the Apply button.
Click on the Add Filter button.

Select LAV Splitter.
Click on the OK button

Select LAV Splitter in the External Filters list.
Select the Prefer.
Click on the Apply button.
Click on the Add Filter button.

Select LAV Splitter Source.
Click on the OK button

Select LAV Splitter Source in the External Filters list.
Select the Prefer.
Click on the Apply button.
Click on the Add Filter button.

Select the LAV Video decoder.
Click on the OK button

Select LAV Video Decoder in the External Filters list.
Select the Prefer.
Click on the Apply button.

Configure the LAV Filters

A. Configure LAV Video decoder

The LAV Video Decoder offers several hardware decoding options to enhance video playback performance by leveraging your GPU.

What is Hardware Decoding?

Hardware decoding offloads the video decoding process from your CPU to your GPU, which is typically more efficient. This results in smoother playback, lower CPU usage, and better performance, especially with high-resolution videos like 4K.

Hardware decoders options:

Options available for Hardware Decoders are:

DXVA2 (copy-back):
- Uses the DXVA2 (DirectX Video Acceleration 2) API to decode video on the GPU. With copy-back implementation, the decoded video is copied from the GPU memory back to the system memory(RAM).
  - Pros: This is most compatible method especially with older GPUs and systems.
  - Cons: The copy-back process adds slight overhead, making it less efficient than other methods.
  - When to use: Ideal for older hardware or if you encounter compatibility issues with other options.
DXVA2 (native):
- DXVA2 API is used to decode the video in native mode. With native implementation, the decoded video stays in GPU memory until it has been displayed. The video decoder must be connected to the video renderer with no intermediary processing filter. The video renderer must also support DXVA.
  - Pros:
    - More efficient than copy-back by reducing memory transfers.
    - Improves performance, especially with high-resolution videos.
  - Cons:
    - Requires a compatible video renderer (e.g., EVR or madVR) that supports GPU rendering.
    - May not work on all hardware, especially older systems.
  - When to use: Best for modern GPUs paired with a compatible renderer, offering a balance of efficiency and compatibility.
D3D11:
- Utilizes the Direct3D 11 API for hardware decoding, a more modern approach than DXVA2. It supports both native and copy-back modes. Users are recommended to use this mode if it is available.
  - Pros:
    - Offers the best performance and efficiency on supported hardware.
    - Supports advanced features like zero-copy decoding.
    - Ideal for newer GPUs and high-resolution content.
  - Cons:
    - Requires a GPU that supports D3D11 decoding (most modern GPUs do).
    - May not work with older systems or some renderers.
  - When to use: The top choice for recent GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA Pascal or later, AMD Polaris or later) and modern setups.

To configure LAV Video Configuration, do the following:

Open Windows Start Menu.
Find and open LAV Video Configuration.

Select D3D11 from the drop-down menu labeled Hardware Decoder to use.
Click on the Apply button.

B. Configure LAV Splitter Settings

Set preferred language for playback of Audio track

The LAV Splitter settings allow you to specify preferred languages for audio when playing media files with multiple language options. This feature automates the selection process, making it easier to enjoy content in your preferred languages.

How Preferred Language Settings Work

Audio:

You can set a list of preferred languages for audio tracks in order of priority.
When you play a media file with multiple audio tracks, LAV Splitter selects the track that matches the highest-priority language in your list.
If no match is found, it defaults to the first available audio track.

Language Specificity:

These settings use language codes (e.g., eng for English, spa for Spanish) and are language-specific, not country-specific. For example, selecting eng will match any English track, regardless of regional variations (US, UK, etc.).
ISO 639-3 three-letter language codes.

Player Override:

Note that some media players, like MPC-BE, have their own language preference settings that might take precedence over LAV Splitter’s settings. Be sure to check both to ensure they align with your preferences.

To Set Preferred Languages of Audio tracks in LAV Splitter, do the following:

Open Windows Start Menu.
Find and open LAV Splitter Configuration.
In the LAV Splitter tab settings, locate the Audio section.
In the same settings window, locate the Preferred language(s) field.
Go to the Audio: section.
Enter language codes for subtitles in the same way (e.g., eng, fre, jpn).
Click Apply to save your changes. Click OK to close the window.

Set preferred language for display of Subtitles

The LAV Splitter settings allow you to specify preferred languages for the subtitles when playing media files with multiple language options.

Subtitles:

Similarly, you can set preferred languages for subtitle tracks, also in order of priority.
LAV Splitter will choose a subtitle track that matches your preferences.
If no matching subtitle track is available, it may not display subtitles or use a default setting, depending on your configuration.

Language Specificity:

These settings use language codes (e.g., eng for English, spa for Spanish) and are language-specific, not country-specific. For example, selecting eng will match any English track, regardless of regional variations (US, UK, etc.).
ISO 639-3 three-letter language codes.

Player Override:

Note that some media players, like MPC-BE, have their own language preference settings that might take precedence over LAV Splitter’s settings. Be sure to check both to ensure they align with your preferences.

To Set Preferred Languages of Subtitles in LAV Splitter, do the following:

Open Windows Start Menu.
Find and open LAV Splitter Configuration.
In the LAV Splitter tab settings, locate the Audio section.
In the same settings window, locate the Preferred language(s) field.
Go to the Subtitles section.
Enter language codes for subtitles in the same way (e.g., eng, fre, jpn).
Click Apply to save your changes. Click OK to close the window.

Maximum Queue Memory

In the LAV Splitter settings, the Maximum Queue Memory and Maximum Queue Packets options control how the splitter buffers media data during playback. These settings can impact performance, especially for high-bitrate or complex media files, by balancing memory usage and playback smoothness.

Maximum Queue Memory

What it does: Specifies the maximum amount of memory (in megabytes) that LAV Splitter can use to buffer media data before processing.
Purpose: A larger queue memory allows LAV Splitter to store more data, which can prevent playback stuttering or buffering issues, especially with high-bitrate files (e.g., 4K HDR) or network streams.
Default: Typically set to 128 MB or 256 MB, depending on the LAV Splitter version.
Considerations: Increasing this value uses more RAM, which may be an issue on low-memory systems.

Recommended settings:
- Default (128–256 MB): Sufficient for most users and standard HD/1080p content.
- High-bitrate content (e.g., 4K, HDR): Increase to 512 MB or higher if you experience stuttering on high-bitrate files or network streams.
- Low-memory systems: Reduce to 64 MB to conserve RAM, but monitor for playback issues.

Adjust Maximum Queue Memory

In the LAV Splitter settings, locate the Maximum Queue Memory field (usually in MB).
Enter your desired value (e.g., 512 for 512 MB).

Guidelines for Choosing Values

Additional Tips

Test with Your Media: Play a high-bitrate file (e.g., a 4K MKV) or a network stream to verify that your settings prevent stuttering or buffering. Adjust if needed.
Hardware Considerations: Ensure your system has sufficient RAM (e.g., 8 GB or more) if increasing queue memory significantly.
Live Streams or Low Latency: Reduce Maximum Queue Packets (e.g., 50–100) to minimize delays, but keep Maximum Queue Memory at a moderate level (e.g., 128 MB).

Cyber Raiden

Configure Media Player Classic BE app to use external LAV filters

How to configure MPC-BE app to use external LAV Filters