[mythtv-users] Re: HDTV and the VIA EPIA

[Brandon Beattie]

Regarding VIA boards, it is not possible to decode HDTV on the card.
You can not fully offload the decoding to any type of card (nvidia or
whatever) and have it work.  Even when you offload to an nvidia card, it
still takes around 1.7Ghz processing power.  And in some cases,
offloading to some nvidia cards takes more CPU than doing just in
software.  I know VIA is working on resolving this when new boards come
out.  I for one am waiting for this. :)  And as mentioned, VIA's mpeg2
decoding chip is not fast enough to decode full res HDTV.  The new
boards should when they come out.  (HDTV is a good market and people are
still trying to get into it. :)  VIA/S3 also have a new video card
coming out (The chromo) It is reported to have HDTV output on it.  (True
HDTV signals, not the normal video output on videocards).

--Brandon