Expert HTPC High Def Help Needed

1211 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by nm88, Jan 14, 2008

srthomas21

Discussion Starter · Jan 13, 2008

Hi Everyone

I've been reading through the HD posts and now I'm confused as ever so I thought I ask specific questions I have regarding my specific set up

I have a Panasonic AE900U Projector (only 720P but will be upgrading to the panasonic that does 1080P - 2200U) The projector is connected via VGA from my computer to the projector.

I use SPDIF output from my computer to my Denon reciever

I am going to buy a combo hd/bluray drive

I use AnyDVD and AnyDVD HD to rip movies onto my hard drive and then I use My Movies as the interface to store and play them.

I use TheaterTek for standard def and I guess my only option for HD playpack is Cyberlink Power DVD ultra

Ok now for my questions:

1) Since I'm connecting using VGA does HDCP apply in my situation? Since I'm ripping the movies onto my computer via Anydvd hd doesn't it remove that crap anyway? Also I've heard HDCP doesn't apply to VGA

If I want to just stick a high def disk in my player will it play?

2) Will VGA give me true 1080P once I have the hardware and projector to support it?

3) Is there any downsides to using VGA? Will I get as good a picture as say using HDMI would?

4) My motherboard (Intel D975XBX) has built in SPDIF port and I use Intel Audio Studio to manage my sound (It also says audio hardware by SigmaTel). This has always confused me. Does this Intel Audio Studio do any kind of processing of the sound or does it just pass through the audio to my reciever. The choice I use for my theater is Dolby Digital Live for the Digital Output Format.

Is there a better choice for handling audio (like buying a soundcard) I still wand to us SPDIF as that is all my system is set up to do. Should you let your computer handle the processing of the audio or is it better to let your reciever do it?

Anyone know if the Panasonic Projectors are HDCP compliant? Also if my monitor is not HDCP compliant but my projector is is the software smart enough to know that i have both displays hooked up? I have a ATI Radeon X1600 Pro graphic card with a vga and dvi outputs.

5) Is there any other software out besides Power DVD? Seems a lot of people don't like it

6) Why can't it be as simple as buying and HD/Bluray Drive, popping in a movie and having it play

Thanks for any help you can give me.

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nm88

· #2 · Jan 13, 2008

VGA will support HD resolutions but HDMI is much better quality (pixel perfect, better contrast, no noise, etc.).

SPDIF will not support HD audio formats, only standard DD and DTS. Generally, HTPC HD audio is problematic .

Newer PowerDVD versions won't play from the hard drive. PowerDVD in general sucky badly but it's really the only complete playback option right now. Arcsoft's upcoming offering hardly looks appealing, with many bugs of its own.

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srthomas21

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 14, 2008

Thanks for your reply. I'm just wondering because my HD in 720P looks pretty darn good over VGA but I've never compared HDMI so I wouldn't know if I'm missing anything.

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srthomas21

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 14, 2008

So if new version of powerdvd won't play stuff from the hard drive than we're basically SOL if we want to rip movies and play them from the hard drive? I can't believe there is nothing else out there. Maybe I'm going to wait a year until software catches up to the technology.

Once again security issues are killing a new technology.

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tsb

· #5 · Jan 14, 2008

You can make isos from the rips and play them after mounting with DaemonTools or use an old version of PDVD (2911a or before). Some people have stutters using files; some people have stutters using isos. When I create isos and mount them, some movies have stutters for me, but others don't. When I play them from folders they are all fine. Your best bet is to get PDVD and Arcsoft. Chances are it will play one way or the other then. The new version (1.1) of PDVD is coming soon and Arcsoft's player may already be 2.0 compliant on release. I just did a fresh Vistax64 install and eagerly await the two to be released. Intil then I'm just using my PS3 and SAs.

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srthomas21

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 14, 2008

Wll the new version of pdvd allow you to play from hard drive?

Anyone have any idea when HD will be more mainstream on the PC? (more software, easier to use, less problems ?)

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nm88

· #7 · Jan 14, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by srthomas21 /forum/post/12805285

Wll the new version of pdvd allow you to play from hard drive?

The new version is what disables hard drive playback -- that's a new "feature."

Even using the older v3104a, I've had mixed results with HD playback. (In case I haven't mentioned it, PowerDVD sucks badly.)

Another option is AnyDVD HD + Media Player Classic, if you don't mind losing the menus and BD+ support and getting your hands a bit dirty. Look for sarah99's thread for more info.

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srthomas21

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 14, 2008

Cyberlink will not be getting any of my money that's for sure. There is an interesting thread on it over on AnyDVD's forum if you're interested.

Do you have any experience with onboard SPDIF over using a soundcard? Also when using SPDIF is anything happening on the computer end or is it just passing the audio through to your reciever and is the reciever doing all the work?

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nm88

· #9 · Jan 14, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by srthomas21 /forum/post/12806061

Do you have any experience with onboard SPDIF over using a soundcard? Also when using SPDIF is anything happening on the computer end or is it just passing the audio through to your reciever and is the reciever doing all the work?

DD and DTS streams (on DVDs) are passed through unchanged, DD+/DTS-HD (HD/BD) are recompressed to lower bit rate DD/DTS, and TrueHD/uncompressed is downsampled and sent as two channel stereo.

Onboard SPDIF is the same as a sound card.

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