Quote:
Originally Posted by
Dalat 
Guys,
I currently have a HTPC hooked up via optical to the receiver and via HDMI to the projector. I only have SD DVDs ripped to ISOs. I'd like to start with the few HD DVD movies that I have. What are the minimum hardware and software that you guys recommend? I'm considering upgrading the whole PC if necessary.
Thanks,
If you do a search, PowerDVD requirements will come up. I am in the same boat.
It seems alot has to do with what resolution you are trying to display at .
I am looking at 720p. It says you can get away with a Pentium D945 or a 3.4 single core pentium... but I think you will realistically need more bang.
It seems the question is whether you want to go nuts on a card or nuts on a processor. You don't necessary have to do both.
I read here someone is running at 720p fine at 2.6Ghz but they had it using a 2600 xt which is really good at video decoding.
I currently have a celeron D 356 (3.33 with 1mb l2 cache) and a 6600 nvidia card. I run all the SD stuff great.
I myself am going to trying the video card route first and get a 2600xt to see how that works. I have a Pentium 520 (2.8) that I could also try instead of the celeron. If that doesn't work, then I will either need to add a dual core inel or go amd (more likely amd)
I think the first step is actually getting the drive and seeing how your system handles it. It will give you a better idea of what you need. If your CPU utilization is through the rough, you will need a card. If it is ok, but it still runs choppy, it might be a processor issue. But it seems to be a bit touch and go. The problem is that there are so many variables. Even the type of movie itself plays a part.
Just an FYI, The HD-A1 uses a 2.4 P4 and a heavy duty GPU. So don't let some of the EGOs here tell you you need a phenom AMD or quad core intel.
