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

[Steve Adeff]

On Tuesday 24 January 2006 15:43, Todd Ignasiak wrote:
> On 1/23/06, Todd Ignasiak <ignasiak at gmail.com> wrote:
> > On 1/23/06, Steve Adeff <adeffs at gmail.com> wrote:
> > > On Monday 23 January 2006 16:35, Todd Ignasiak wrote:
> > > > On 1/23/06, Greg Estabrooks <greg at phaze.org> wrote:
> > > > > > I have been surprised that the Dxr6 / EM8621 video decoder cards
> > > > > > haven't gotten any traction with the MythTV crowd.   It seems to
> > >
> > > be an
> > >
> > > > > > ideal
> > > > >
> > > > > card
> > > > >
> > > > > Got a link to these cards?   Maybe I've just being blind (wouldn't
> > >
> > > be the
> > >
> > > > > first time) but all I can find are the chips themselves and not
> > > > > commercially
> > > > > available pci cards with them onboard.
> > > >
> > > > The only one I found is the AllWell EM6821 PCI card,  their site has
> > >
> > > some
> > >
> > > > links to docs for it ( http://www.allwell.tv/ ).
> > > >
> > > > Other links with info:
> > >
> > > http://www.mpeg-playcenter.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t
> > >=534
> > >
> > > >3
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > http://www.sigmadesigns.com/products/em8620Lseries.htm
> > >
> > > whoa, thats awesome, too bad its not actually being made...
> >
> > Do you mean the Allwell card?   I know some vendors are pretty aggressive
> > in pre-announcing.  But, it explicitly says "WMV9 and High Definition PCI
> > decoder released" on their home page.
> >
> > I e-mailed the contact on the allwell site.  We'll see if I get any
> > pricing or availability information back.
>
> I got  a response from AllWell sales.   The "EM8621 PCI Card" is on their
> price list for $125.
>
> But, he said that the drivers are not included, apparently Sigma Designs
> requires purchase of their SDK to get access to the drivers (I read
> something about them flip-flopping on this in forum discussions of the
> card,  the drivers were available, then removed, then back, etc.)
>
> He is working with a third party software company to provide a bundle with
> the card & linux software.  He estimated the bundle would be available in
> mid march.
>
>
> Hopefully this card won't be completely limited by Sigma's software
> licensing restrictions.  To me, it seems like open drivers would be an
> enabler for selling a lot more of their chips..   But, apparently they
> don't see it that way.


especially considering Sigma has already stole from the OSS community.

Either way, I can't wait for this card to come out if it will be able to 
support MythTV's menus and OSD. 
Did they say anything about this?

-- 
Steve