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

[sean darcy]

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.

Should be a better choice somewhere.

sean