Is DirectShow broken? (FIXED)

[tirian]

For some reason I can't seem to find how to enable Directshow video. The About page for Reaper still says it's supported. (https://www.reaper.fm/about.php)

I see that in Version 6.57, a change was made:
+ Video: deprecate DirectShow video decode mode, must be manually re-enabled in preferences

However, I can't seem to find that setting option available anywhere in the preferences. Am I blind, or is this broken? For the short term I'm using 6.56 which still has it available.
Thanks!

[nofish]

Hi,

in Preferences > Video/... click on "Show decoder information" you'll probably see something like

This version of REAPER supports video decoding/playback via:

• wmf: Windows Media Foundation: Windows Vista+ only, no additional download required
• qt: Quicktime: (bridged to 32-bit), Quicktime must be installed
• ffmpeg: FFmpeg/libav: minimal build included with REAPER, v2.8-v4.2 can be downloaded separately for more functionality
• vlc: VLC media player: v2.x-v3.x for correct architecture must be downloaded separately
• dshow_depr: DirectShow: deprecated, not recommended

So looks like dshow_depr must be added to the Video decoder priority textbox to re-enable it (didn't test).

[tirian]

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to work. In v6.56, I can put only dshow or dshow_depr in that textbox and the video displays fine. When I upgrade to v6.66, the video window is just black if I have either only dshow or dshow_depr in that textbox. No other changes were made to the system besides the Reaper upgrade install. Reinstalling v6.56 again and the video works fine again. So, could there be some other "code" needed in that textbox to enable directshow now? Or, does it just not work anymore?

[nofish]

That changelog line you mention in your opening post is the most recent one I see in the changelog regarding DirectShow, so going by that I think it should still work in current Reaper (when re-enabled), why it doesn't, I don't know.

[MacroMan]

I have used Direct Show for years and it doesn't work in current versions. I've tried using "dshow_depr" and that doesn't work. This is a real problem.

[Justin]

ah oops that is confirmed, fixing!

[Amazingmax]

Originally Posted by Justin

ah oops that is confirmed, fixing!

Sorry, but how do I access the DirectShow decoding? Neither "dshow" nor "dshow_depr" do not seem to do anything in the newer versions. Video just won't load.

[dimonnaruton]

Originally Posted by Amazingmax

Sorry, but how do I access the DirectShow decoding? Neither "dshow" nor "dshow_depr" do not seem to do anything in the newer versions. Video just won't load.

Just rename the imported file to *.avi
then "dshow_depr" will work
It is strange that this is not mentioned anywhere
Is this done intentionally or just broken associations for DirectShow...
(this way, any video file is imported, be it mkv or mp4. Just rename the extension to avi)

[dimonnaruton]

Originally Posted by Justin

ah oops that is confirmed, fixing!

Please note there is a problem with "dshow_depr".
When using it, most video files are not imported and you need to rename the file to avi.
This is a big problem under certain usage scenarios REAPER
Fixit this, or give an answer about the specifics of using "dshow_depr". All topics about directshow remained unanswered. Few people thought of renaming the file.

[Justin]

Originally Posted by dimonnaruton

Please note there is a problem with "dshow_depr".
When using it, most video files are not imported and you need to rename the file to avi.
This is a big problem under certain usage scenarios REAPER
Fixit this, or give an answer about the specifics of using "dshow_depr". All topics about directshow remained unanswered. Few people thought of renaming the file.

what extension is the file? can you post an example with content?

[dimonnaruton]

Originally Posted by Justin

what extension is the file? can you post an example with content?

Absolutely any video file is not imported mp4, mkv... if you leave only "dshow_depr" in the priority of decoders. (error Could not import 1 of 1 items!)
If you set priority for other decoders (dshow_depr, vlc, ffmpeg), the file will open through the next one, bypassing dshow_depr.
at the same time, if you rename the file extension to avi, the file is imported and works via directshow.
(in addition to *.avi, *.wmv is also imported (from what I checked))
This problem started with version 6.57 and persists until now (7.05)
Demonstrated the problem:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19yt...ew?usp=sharing

[Justin]

Thanks. The problem is that .mp4 files are incredibly unreliable via DirectShow (depending on what codecs are installed) and can cause hangs and crashes, so they are not allowed. For 7.06 we will update it to allow, but only if you explicitly enable it for that extension, e.g. dshow_depr:mp4 .

For the file in question, WMF should decode it (if on Win7+)... or if on an old version of Windows, install VLC and that decoder should work too.

[dimonnaruton]

Originally Posted by Justin

Thanks. The problem is that .mp4 files are incredibly unreliable via DirectShow (depending on what codecs are installed) and can cause hangs and crashes, so they are not allowed. For 7.06 we will update it to allow, but only if you explicitly enable it for that extension, e.g. dshow_depr:mp4 .

For the file in question, WMF should decode it (if on Win7+)... or if on an old version of Windows, install VLC and that decoder should work too.

The problem is not only with mp4, but also with mkv (avc).
WMF decoder does not always correctly reproduce AEC3 sound
VLC is great and eats everything, but...
I, like many others, use directshow in combination with DirectVobSub to display subtitles inside the window Video (near or inside mkv). With k lite mega installed, there have never been any problems with any video format
It is convenient for voicing.
and other decoders don't allow you to connect external subtitles, which is why directshow is so important to us.
If you allow us to forcibly select formats for directshow, that would be great! I will be waiting for an update.
Thank you for your prompt response!