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    What is the best graphics card for HD-Playback

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by Sumfoo1, Aug 26, 2007.

  1. Sumfoo1

    Sumfoo1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I would like to use my computer as my home theater blue-ray player connected to my 1080p- native tv

    what would be the best graphics card for this, the 8600gt? or does ati make a better video playback card?
     
  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    any mid-range would be fine....just make sure that the system has DVI and/or HDMI. (since DVI can be converted to HDMI easily with an adapter).

    And make sure that the system is HDCP compliant for video output
     
  3. vespoli

    vespoli 402 NBR Reviewer

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    Processor is also something to consider.
     
  4. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    Any current Core 2 Duo that has the Santa Rosa works for sure. My Athlon X2 4400 or something can't :/
     
  5. hlcc

    hlcc Notebook Evangelist

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    in terms of processing power a X2 4400+ is on par with a E6300 which should perform similarly with a 2.0 Santa Rosa
     
  6. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    I have an Opteron 175 (server equivalent to a X2 4400+) in my notebook w/ 7800GTX, it outputs 1080p on external displays.

    Its still faster than most mobile CPU's... par with the T7400 in terms of performance and number crunching.
     
  7. Waveblade

    Waveblade Notebook Deity

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    Perhaps it's the 6100 LE then :rolleyes:
     
  8. Cinner

    Cinner Notebook Evangelist

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    Both the 8600 GT and its Ati equivalent are highly recommended for their post-processing video capabilities. I'd choose the 8600, which is regarded as the best GPU on the market for 2D video if I'm not mistaken :)
     
  9. Sumfoo1

    Sumfoo1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    yeah i was planning on the T7500 for a processor but didn't know how much $ i really needed to spend on a graphics card.... i mean the only games i really play are COD and MOHAA
     
  10. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    A GeForce 8 series GPU will handle all of the high definition processing so I'd suggest getting one of those.
     
  11. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    Playback also depends on the mediaplayer/codec. VLC/media player classic+ffdshow/coreavc are much more efficent than Quicktime or Windvd/Powerdvd. With those you can actually watch a 1080p H.264 file without the help of the gpu.
     
  12. SymphonyX

    SymphonyX Notebook Evangelist

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    I heard the new ATI Mobility cards all have the AXIOM chip with HDMI and DVI output. ATI always was better with picture quality. :/ Nvidia's Pure Video isn't a slouch though.
     
  13. fabarati

    fabarati Frorum Obfuscator

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    AXIOM is ati's answer for MXM. You're thinking of AVIVO. Radeon X1k had AVIVO as well. You can have AVIVO without having DVI/HDMI.
     
  14. SymphonyX

    SymphonyX Notebook Evangelist

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    Oh yeah, AVIVO. Silly me. BTW, I met someone the other day that's using the same laptop as me, but his GPU is an X700. Odd. I'm using a Uniwill 259EN BTW. It's better known as the Alienware M5500.

    Not all the Radeon X1xxx had AVIVO though.