[mythtv-users] whats the best graphics card for HD playback?

[sean darcy]

On 1/22/06, Wim Fokkens <wimfokkens at planet.nl> wrote:
>
>
> > -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> > Van: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org [mailto:mythtv-users-
> > bounces at mythtv.org] Namens sean darcy
> > Verzonden: zondag 22 januari 2006 20:30
> > Aan: Discussion about mythtv
> > Onderwerp: Re: [mythtv-users] whats the best graphics card for HD
> > playback?
> >
> > On 1/21/06, Michael T. Dean <mtdean at thirdcontact.com> wrote:
> > > Frank Lynch wrote:
> > >
> > > >On 1/21/06, Chris Ribe <chrisribe at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >>I'm in a similar situation to you, Frank, and I am looking for an
> > answer to
> > > >>the same question.
> > > >>
> > > >>From what I've gathered so far, the NVidia 5200 series seem to work
> > the
> > > >>best.  I'd like to hear more confirmation on that before I go drop $40
> > on
> > > >>one, though.
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >Does the amount of video ram play a factor?
> > > >The 5200 seems to come with either 128 or 256mb of ram.
> > > >I'd like to have my graphics card do as much work as possible, I want
> > > >ot keep my cpu for tasks like commercial flagging (and occasional
> > > >transcoding).
> > > >
> > > >
> > > RAM is not a problem.  It's primarily important for 3D rendering with
> > > many textures, so the 128MB will work well (be way more memory than you
> > > need) for HD MPEG-2 decoding.
> > >
> > > As far as best card goes, the best card is one whose drivers support the
> > > functionality you need.  Right now, this means NVIDIA.  Don't get ATI.
> > >
> > > The 6xxx series (at least some of them--there may be one or two
> > > "holdovers" in the group) of NVIDIA cards use pixel shaders for Xv
> > > (instead of the video overlay used by previous generations).  Myth has
> > > been designed to work well with the video-overlay-based Xv (including
> > > providing an ability to adjust hue/saturation/brightness), and still has
> > > work to be done for providing better support for the PS-based video.
> > > Therefore, you're probably better off going with a 5200 than a
> > > 6800+--unless, of course, you want to do some GLSL programming for
> > > Myth...  ;)
> > >
> > > Also, you won't get better MPEG-2 performance (including display of
> > > software-decoded MPEG-2 /and/ hardware-assisted MPEG-2 decoding with
> > > XvMC) from a "faster" or newer card.  And, on the bright side, the 5200
> > > is dirt-cheap compared to the newer-generations of cards, so save your
> > > money and go for a 5200.
> > >
> >
> > I had a 6600 because I'm trying to drive an HDTV at  1080i, and it
> > came with component out.
> >
> > I had intermittent success.  myth and the nvidia drivers are like the
> > Bickersons. They only get along enough to stay together. And new
> > nvidia drivers seem to cause more problems than they solve.
> >
> > So now that I'm looking for a new mb for a myth frontend, I'm looking
> > for a non-nvidia card that
> >
> > plays well with myth ( which means that open source is *really* important
> > );
> > does hw MPEG-2 decoding;
> > and has component out at 1080i.
> >
> > I'd also like MPEG-4 decoding and 1080p - if possible.
> >
> > AND, I'd like it to have drivers that are in Xorg-7.0.0.
> >
> > So, if I'm off nvidia I certainly don't want ATI since they have
> > proprietary drivers and even more problem reports than nvidia. I have
> > an old 8500dv, which I really like and is fully supported by xorg, but
> > doesn't do hw decoding or 1080i tv out.
> >
> > First up was intel 945g integrated video. Supports hdtv, 1080p and
> > mpeg-2 hw decoding. No mention if it supports mpeg-4 decoding, so I
> > assume it doesn't.  Also supports hdtv component out through a "Media
> > Expansion Card".  Sounds good, but it turns out there are NO Media
> > Expansion Cards" available. AverMedia announced one for 3q2005 ( even
> > won an Intel rpize for it!), but it's not been released ( or died
> > somewhere ) and the MSRP is $199!!!
> >
> > Next I looked at via unchrome pro: mpeg-2, mpeg-4, 1080p ( so I assume
> > it's 16:9). Drivers in xorg-7.0. But.. didn't find any with component
> > out, the unichrome drivers have split ( unichrome.sf and openchrome),
> > and the mpeg-4 is only for boards with the via c7. Finally it appears
> > via really isn't supporting ( assisting) the xorg drivers which don't
> > support mpeg-4.
> >
> > Sorta stuck. I guess I'm going to do the intel 945g with a
> > vga->component breakout box.
> > I do realize this is only a intel solution.
> >
> I f you want Intel and component maybe this is something
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.asp?image=13-137-061-01.jpg,13-137-0
> 61-02.jpg,13-137-061-03.jpg,13-137-061-04.jpg,13-137-061-05.jpg&CurImage=13-
> 137-061-01.jpg&Description=AOpen%20i915GMm-HFS%20Socket%20479%20Intel%20915G
> %20Micro%20ATX%20Intel%20Motherboard%20-%20Retail
>

Interesting. They claim a
 YPbPr Connector x 1 connector - component connection.

 Sadly, it's only socket 479, and I'm looking for socket 775.

sean

> > Should be a better choice somewhere.
> >

>