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

[Todd Ignasiak]

On 1/24/06, Steve Adeff <adeffs at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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?



No, he didn't give details on what they were doing.     I did recommend that
he look into MythTV.  If he's looking for a proof of concept implementation
for those third party software companies..   That card was obviously
designed for PVR usage,  and unless Microsoft changes MCE to support
hardware decoders, MythTV seems like a no-brainer for that chip/board.
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