[mythtv-users] Mac Mini and Broadcom Crystal HD PCI Express mini-card

[Brian Wood]

On Thursday 31 December 2009 03:52:42 pm Brian Phillips wrote:
> Yeechang Lee wrote:
> > Jarod Wilson <jarod at wilsonet.com> says:
> >>> Just want to get an idea.  Also how does this compare to VDPAU?
> >>> Better? Worse?  Same?
> >>
> >> As Byron said, it'll use a bit more cpu, as we have to move buffers
> >> around from the crystalhd decoder to your video card . . . It can be
> >> used with any video output card, assuming you have a slot to put the
> >> decoder in
> >
> > But the Broadcom card still requires a slot. I am still seeing the
> > rationale for buying one when a $40 Nvidia card today is a) fully
> > supported by MythTV, mplayer, XBMC and other software, and b) has the
> > latest-and-greatest video-output hardware built in too.
> 
> It's definitely not an "end-all" product.  Some will go with it, some will
> go with VDPAU.  But it now brings intel onboard graphics chipsets onto the
> same playing field as NVIDIA GeForce cards.  However cheap VDPAU cards may
> be, intel onboard graphics are cheaper...

And more ubiquitous. I have a ton of older hardware laying around, and if I 
can build some of it into Myth systems for my family and friends, I am happy.

Certainly a lot cheaper than perhaps having to purchase a new mobo, new CPU, 
new RAM and a VDPAU-capable video card.

Those 9xx series Intel graphics chips are all over the place, and it would 
definitely be nice to be able to play HD with them.