Maybe it is my blu-ray playing program, Arcsoft Total Theater, but between these low cost HDCP graphics card, the Nvidia 8400GS looks much better than the ATI 3450 on the exact same computer. The blu-ray depth of contrast is way better with the 8400GS. I think Nvidia Purevideo does a really good job, at least with my 720P DLP projector.
One thing I liked about the ATI is the HDMI port, which allowed me to connect another HDMI to the DVI, so I could have both my projector and LCD-TV hooked up at the same time as multiple monitors, but I just could not stand how poor blu-ray looked compared to the Nvidia.
Hopefully someone can comment on whether this is incomplete support of ATI's version of PureVideo, or some other problem.
From my personal experience, the 8400GS is a much better choice for cheap blu-ray playback. HDTV looks darn good with the Nvidia also.
For budget cards, especially if you have 720P, the 8400GS is a winner. Now if you are a gamer, move onto another thread, this isn't for you.
One thing I liked about the ATI is the HDMI port, which allowed me to connect another HDMI to the DVI, so I could have both my projector and LCD-TV hooked up at the same time as multiple monitors, but I just could not stand how poor blu-ray looked compared to the Nvidia.
Hopefully someone can comment on whether this is incomplete support of ATI's version of PureVideo, or some other problem.
From my personal experience, the 8400GS is a much better choice for cheap blu-ray playback. HDTV looks darn good with the Nvidia also.
For budget cards, especially if you have 720P, the 8400GS is a winner. Now if you are a gamer, move onto another thread, this isn't for you.
