Video Experience (2017)

Introdution:  I was undecided about publishing this post because i don't have enough knowledge about codecs. Anyway this post is a start point and anyone has better informations can publish here something. Video\audio quality can be changed using different settings.
There are several video players and codecs but anyway you will not notice so much difference in terms of quality but only in cpu usage.
(N.B.Codec: CoreCodec AVC wasn't tested but is good to see WMV HD videos and other HD formats. PowerDVD Codecs can be used as external filters for some players; Intel Media Codec Pack includes  also VC-1 Codecs)

TEST: Windows Media Player vs PowerDVD vs MPC-HC vs VLC vs PotPlayer

The aim is to help you in  Video Player choice so I'm going to show you faster Video Renderers.
Programs: WMP v12.0.7601.17514 (KLite Codec Pack Full 9.7.0)
                VLC v2.2.5.1 (2017)
                MPC (KLite Codec Pack Standard v13.1.6 2017)
                PotPlayer 1.7.1916 (2017)
                PowerDVD v11.0.1620.5 (i had some problems with v11.0.2024.51 and IEMGD)
                (I did't use  PVD12 because there is Cinavia)
GPU: GMA500@200MHz with latest IEMGD
CPU: ATOM Z520@1.33GHz (NO OVERCLOCK!)
O.S.: Windows 7 Home Premium 32bit

GMA500 Supported Codecs (GPU fast Rendering)

Video TEST: 
-Serenity Trailer.mp4 1280x720 HD VIDEO
-The Lincoln Lawyer.mkv 1280x544 HD VIDEO
-The Bourne Ultimatum - Trailer.mp4 Resolution 1980x816 FULLHD VIDEO
-Lincoln 720x304 DIVX
-Robotica_1080.wmv (under test) 1440x1080
-I'm Legend Trailer.mp4  (under test) 1920x816
-Big Buck Bunny (under test)
P.S. Other videos HERE


1)Windows Media Player (Klite Codec)
WMP use more CPU because doesn't have full hw support in all file video format
FullHD VIDEO: CPU 50%
HD VIDEO: The Lincoln Lawyer.mkv 1280x544 (slow fsp; CPU 100%)
HD VIDEO: Lincoln 50%

2)PowerDVD : Settings\Video\Enable Hardware Acceleration (Intel ClearVideo)
CPU USAGE:45%

Results:
DIVX: strange cpu usage but smooth
MKV video: unsupported\errors
HD VIDEO: Perfect
FullHD VIDEO: Perfect

3)Media Player Classic HOME CINEMA (with k-lite codec standard Full version)
On installation don't select LAV copy-back  (slow performace on gma500)

HOW to install correctly: (directly from Klite codec pack info) 

LAV video supports only DXVA 2.0 (supports Vista-7-8)
MPC and ffdshow DXVA 1 and 2.0 (support also for win xp)
Which form of hardware acceleration should I choose?
You use Media Player Classic Home Cinema: Use the internal DXVA decoder.
You use a basic player such as Windows Media Player?
If you need subtitles then use ffdshow DXVA.
If you do not need subtitles then use LAV DXVA native (when available)
P.S.The newer MPC version with LAV supports subtitles!
Video DirectShow on Windows Vista/7/8:
EVR Custom Presenter [recommended]
EVR Sync
EVR [not compatible with internal subtitle renderer of Media Player Classic ]
Video DirectShow on  Windows XP:
VMR-9 (renderless) [recommended]
VMR-7 (windowed) [not compatible with internal subtitle renderer of Media Player Classic ]
Overlay Mixer [not compatible with internal subtitle renderer of Media Player Classic ]

How to set it:
1)Set LAV Codec and DXVA native for best performance and powersaving
2)Open a video than check if settings are correct: right click on video

3) Disable Shaders
4)Check Hardware acceleration for the filter LAV Video Decoder:

If you have enabled Hyper Threading on your Atom processor (5xx series support it), choose 2 threads but ,anyway, there is no real difference between Auto\1 or 2.
Select DXVA native if you want the best quality\power saving ratio (suggested)
You can use also DXVA copy-back with EVR stock render or Render sync (EVR sync) but CPU load will be about 40%
Check SD,HD resolution (you can check also 4K) and H264,MPEG2,VC-1
5)Open Options and go to Output. Select the Video Renderer
The best choice is Enhanced Video Render (CPU Load 15-30% ,A. 20%) anyway you can also use EVR sync (CPU Load 20-32, A.25%).
If you use Render sync (EVR sync) you can also enable, in this page, Enable Direct3D when in fullscreen mode (will reduce tearing but no more scrollbar in fullscreen). Don't change buffer EVR 5 is the best choice (max 6 level)

Results: Enhanced Video Render is faster then Enhanced Video Render Custom Presenter
HD VIDEO: The Lincoln Lawyer.mkv 1280x544
1.Enhanced Video Render (Winner)

HD VIDEO: Serenity - HD DVD Trailer.mp4 1280x720
1.Enhanced Video Render (Winner) ->CPU LOAD 30%
2.SyncRender  (with enabled Direct3D: menu bar disabled)
3.Enhanced Video Render (custom)  (with enabled Direct3D: menu bar disabled)

FullHD VIDEO The Bourne Ultimatum - Trailer.mp4 Resolution 1980x816:
1.Enhanced Video Render (Winner) ->CPU LOAD 30%
2.SyncRender (quite Good)

FullHD VIDEO: Robotica_1080.wmv (under Test)
without CoreCodec 100% CPU
with CoreCodec 80%

4) PotPlayer
Light and easy like MPC but probably with a better UI.
It includes only internal codecs (will not change any system codec) and can be used as external youtube player via web browser extension (1080p videos) or drag & drop youtube video name link into PotPlayer
CPU Load 20-30% A.23%  Using EVR+internal codecs FFMpegs+DXVA acceleration
If you will use DXVA copy-back the CPU usage: 40-50%

5)VLC
I don't know how to play correctly videos on GMA500 :\
Results: Video output=directx quite good for 720p but not fullhd

Other Infos
What is a Video Splitter: It is a media demultiplexer, a software able to divide streams into elementary part = video, audio and or subtitles and send them to their respective decoders

Summary:
In the sea of video players, the best choices for Intel Atom Z5xx and common users are MPC and PotPlayer enabling DXVA with EVR and LAV(better) or ffmpeg. Them are freeware and easy to setup.

Final Results: "My Compatibility Chart"
1. MPC with Enhanced Video Render for every videos and low cpu usage
2. PotPlayer (minor user interface bugs)
3. PowerDVD (first for quality but not for compatibily)
4.WMP with external codecs
4.VLC