jakmal
01-27-09, 10:34 PM
I have a HTPC configuration as below:
Dell Dimension 5150 (DM051)
P4 3 GHz
1 GB RAM
Windows XP
(ATI 3450 / S3 Graphics Chrome 530 GT) with HDMI out to Onkyo TX-SR606, with HDMI out to Toshiba Regza 37" 1080p TV
(Catalyst 8.12 Drivers / S3 Graphics Chrome 530 Drivers)
MPC-HomeCinema with the CCCP (Combined Community Codec Pack) to take advantage of DXVA
My troubles with the ATI 3450 are documented in this thread:
http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=279&threadid=106911
My troubles with the S3 Graphics Chrome 530 are documented in this thread:
http://forums.s3chromezone.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=625
I have been looking around for some video card which can support decode of 1080p H264 streams out there (with any number of reference frames). I don't care too much for my OS, and I was even ready to shift to Linux when I found this thread documenting how Nvidia has helped the Linux community by developing VDPAU and opening it up for hacks / modifications:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1037625
Apparently, with the appropriate amount of Video RAM, I could even decode H264 streams with 16 reference frames (maximum supported as per the spec).
I began to search for Nvidia cards similar to the ATI 3450 and supporting VDPAU.
My requirements were:
(1) HDMI out (both video and audio together, with digital passthrough of DTS and other such audio streams)
(2) Passive cooling, if possible
(3) Cheap (~ $50), if possible
As I was researching further, I found that Nvidia doesn't support sound through HDMI (except through SPDIF connection from motherboard to card). Unfortunately, my Dell's motherboard doesn't have a SPDIF out connection. Is there any Nvidia card with HDMI out which doesn't need SPDIF connector, but still passes audio through?
I came across this article:
http://it-review.net/article/news/news/Native_HDMI_Support_from_Sparkle
....In order to keep pace with HD tideway, the SPARKLE GeForce 9600 GT and GeForce 9800 GT Low Profile 512MB GDDR3 Graphics Cards feature native HDMI support without SPDIF connectors on PCB...
I assume the article paraphrased it from the press release, but when I searched on NewEgg for this card, the pictures showed a SPDIF connector:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187060
The Sparkle website also indicates a SPDIF In for this model.
I am now confused as to the exact ability of this particular card.
I seek the wisdom of the forum members in helping me choose the perfect HTPC card for my requirements. Thanks in advance :)
Dell Dimension 5150 (DM051)
P4 3 GHz
1 GB RAM
Windows XP
(ATI 3450 / S3 Graphics Chrome 530 GT) with HDMI out to Onkyo TX-SR606, with HDMI out to Toshiba Regza 37" 1080p TV
(Catalyst 8.12 Drivers / S3 Graphics Chrome 530 Drivers)
MPC-HomeCinema with the CCCP (Combined Community Codec Pack) to take advantage of DXVA
My troubles with the ATI 3450 are documented in this thread:
http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=279&threadid=106911
My troubles with the S3 Graphics Chrome 530 are documented in this thread:
http://forums.s3chromezone.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=49&t=625
I have been looking around for some video card which can support decode of 1080p H264 streams out there (with any number of reference frames). I don't care too much for my OS, and I was even ready to shift to Linux when I found this thread documenting how Nvidia has helped the Linux community by developing VDPAU and opening it up for hacks / modifications:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1037625
Apparently, with the appropriate amount of Video RAM, I could even decode H264 streams with 16 reference frames (maximum supported as per the spec).
I began to search for Nvidia cards similar to the ATI 3450 and supporting VDPAU.
My requirements were:
(1) HDMI out (both video and audio together, with digital passthrough of DTS and other such audio streams)
(2) Passive cooling, if possible
(3) Cheap (~ $50), if possible
As I was researching further, I found that Nvidia doesn't support sound through HDMI (except through SPDIF connection from motherboard to card). Unfortunately, my Dell's motherboard doesn't have a SPDIF out connection. Is there any Nvidia card with HDMI out which doesn't need SPDIF connector, but still passes audio through?
I came across this article:
http://it-review.net/article/news/news/Native_HDMI_Support_from_Sparkle
....In order to keep pace with HD tideway, the SPARKLE GeForce 9600 GT and GeForce 9800 GT Low Profile 512MB GDDR3 Graphics Cards feature native HDMI support without SPDIF connectors on PCB...
I assume the article paraphrased it from the press release, but when I searched on NewEgg for this card, the pictures showed a SPDIF connector:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187060
The Sparkle website also indicates a SPDIF In for this model.
I am now confused as to the exact ability of this particular card.
I seek the wisdom of the forum members in helping me choose the perfect HTPC card for my requirements. Thanks in advance :)