[Mambobuzzz]

Hi there,

I got a GT 1030 with the Kodi 19.3. My step-up is this:

TV : Sony 4K 120Hz HDR
GPU : nvidia GT 1030 2gb DDR5
2600k, 16gb RAM SSD etc...
Windows 10 with 4K/60Hz resolution

When I play 4K videos with Pixel Shaders, it's all smooth. Aswell 4K playback with VLC is fine.

If I actiate DVXA/DXVA2, playback becomes choppy. GPu load is at 100% almost the whole VRAM is full.
If I activate HDR, screen flickers in green.

Is my GT 1030 too weak for 4K HDR playback?

[Mambobuzzz]

Oh I could get something better. Windows refresh rate seems to play a role. I switched from 60Hz to 30Hz. Now I can get a smooth 4K HDR playback with Pixel Shaders. GPU is still pretty much loaded (like 85/90% usage)

DXVA is still very choppy. But no green screen anymore.

Can someone help me understanding?

[brazen1]

The only way you're going to get smooth 4k HDR playback is by using the 'Match refresh rate' setting in Kodi.  Otherwise, any refresh rate that does not match your 4k HDR title is going to drop frames and introduce judder which is not even close to smooth playback.  So, if you're playing a common 23.976 4k HDR video at 30Hz or 60Hz or any refresh rate other than 23Hz, it isn't going to be smooth. 

Afaik, the Pixel Shader setting relies on the CPU for video tasks which is software rendering.  Using the GPU for video tasks is hardware rendering which is much more efficient.  I've read threads claiming a GT 1030 is sufficient enough for 4k HDR video playback but I've never tried one.  Tbh, imo, it isn't strong enough especially at only 2GB.  Those claiming it does work are probably overlooking all the flaws.  Same goes with using VLC.  You should be using DXVA hardware decoding.  Imo, the reason you can't is because your GPU is not strong enough for 4k HDR video.

[Mambobuzzz]

Oh wow... Thank you so much for this very helpful answer. Activating this function allows me now to activate DXVA playback. But still DVXA2 isn't good. GPU is just in its knees...

Drawback is that PVR playback is not smooth anymore. I had to go back to Pixel shaders.

I had a try at MPC-BE 4K HDR with MadVr as renderer. Same DVXA playback experience.

A RTX 3050 is on it's way. Should help.