Choose the right HD graphics card

[admin]

http://www.itweek.co.uk/personal-computer-world/features/2191760/small-box-big-picture

Looks like low profile HTPC video cards (at least the ones they tested in this review, the ATI X1600 and NVIDIA 7300 GS, with Intel Core Duo T2600) can't really handle high def DVD decoding without taxing the CPU somewhat ... a quiet Blu-ray/HD DVD media PC is hard to build at the moment (passive cooling, perhaps).

The new ATI Radeon HD 2400/2600 range should prove interesting, if they come in low profile form.

[gonwk]

Hi Admin,

Can you use a powerful "Laptop" instead? Say a laptop with T7300 new chip?

Thanks,
G!

[admin]

I would say yes, probably. There are already Sony laptops with Blu-ray drives and all the new Toshiba ones will come with HD DVD as standard, so I would say these would be able to play back these movies, albeit perhaps at near 100% CPU usage without acceleration. Intel's new Centrino format might also have built in HD video acceleration.

The best thing about laptops is that they don't have to have HDCP support, because the graphics path is internal, so no copy protection needed. The best way to test if your system is fast enough is to download some 1080p WMV-HD clips (they use VC-1 encoding, same as most HD DVDs) - if it plays well, then you have a good chance to play HD DVDs and some Blu-rays (Blu-rays that use H.264 will stress the system a bit more):

http://www.drfoster.f2s.com/trailers_hd-dvd.shtml

[gonwk]

Thanks Admin.

G!