[mythtv-users] HD on SDTV playback question

[Kevin Kuphal]

Steven Adeff wrote:
> On 2/25/07, Paul Bender <pebender at san.rr.com> wrote:
>   
>> jason maxwell wrote:
>>     
>>> I am about to order my HDHomerun and have a question, but
>>> silicondust.com seems to be down at the moment.
>>> I have one HDTV in the house that will be attached to a myth
>>> frontend/backend that can play back HD content. I would like the
>>> option of watching recorded HD shows on other TVs in the house as
>>> well. Will I need very powerful frontends on the other TVs to play
>>> recorded shows, or will an average system be adequate, since i don't
>>> need to output the full resolution?
>>> thanks,
>>>       
>> Most of the frontend's power is used to decode the video. Therefore, the
>> power needed depends on the resolution of the content much more than the
>> resolution of the display. Of course, by today's standards, a below
>> average computer system can decode and display HDTV.
>>     
>
> If the other frontends have an FX5200 or better you can use XvMC to do
> the decoding if the CPU isn't fast enough.
>
>   
I seem to be agreeing with Steve alot today.  I have this scenario.  
Main frontend is P4 3.2ghz that does HD decoding. Backup frontend 
downstairs is an Athlon 1800 with GeForce MX440 that does HD decoding 
with XvMC

Kevin