[Jkun]

It's been a long time since I checked this forum, and I'm trying to catch up.


But it's a bit confusing with so much data. Last time I checked the better card for HTPC was without a doubt an ATI, and Nvidia was not worth considering. Things have changed it seems...


Anyway, in order to catch up soon, could someone tell me what the current best card is for HTPC, and why, so I can start by looking for threads on this?


Thx!

J-kun

 

[giza]

Try searching for nVidia 6600GT, 6800GT, 6800 Ultra. They benefit from the new nVidia codec. If you will do any gaming on your HTPC, then the 6800 Ultra is your best deal. I play Doom 3 and I can get 60+ fps using the 6800 Ultra. Something else that matters is the size of the case you are wanting to put the new card in. If your case is smaller, go with the 6600GT or 6800GT.


My experience with the nVidia cards has been a great one. I wasn't able to get the DVI port on my ATI 9600XT to work properly with my Panasonic EDTV, but the nVidia card worked great right out the box.

 

[dm]

You really need to decide if you are going to use the current-older method of DVD playback using the video cards overlay....Or try the newer/emerging schemes of VMR7 and VMR9.


For overlay playback, any of the less expensive cards (for ATI the 9000 and above) will work nearly equally well. I am less knowledgeable about the nvidia cards so I cannot advise here. I use a ATI 9000 fanless card myself.


For VMR7/9 type playback where you are using the processing, memory and pipelines on the video card more, the newer generation cards are required for stutter/tearfree playback. In the ATI world that means 9600 pro or 9600xt or better.


If you want to do any gaming on your HTPC then the newer higher end cards will be helpful.

 

[shive]

hey giza,


i saw that you're using a dvi out to your panny edtv. I just picked up an ati x800 for my htpc (running mce2005) and i've been having trouble with my powerstrip settings. since you've probably gotten yours all tweaked, I was hoping you might share...


Thanks

 

[Razor(Blades)]

Just get the Component video dongle from newegg.com and connect via component video.. ATI already has preset WS resolutions.. 1152x648 is my favorite.

 

[giza]

Quote:

Originally posted by shive hey giza, i saw that you're using a dvi out to your panny edtv. I just picked up an ati x800 for my htpc (running mce2005) and i've been having trouble with my powerstrip settings. since you've probably gotten yours all tweaked, I was hoping you might share... Thanks

What I did to get my resolutions to work was to used the default resolution that would work from display properties, save them with Powerstrip, the try to tweak them as much as possible with Powerstrip. I still have a little overscan with the resolutions that I have setup, but it is nothing that I cannot live with.

 

[shive]

giza,


thanks for the reply...would you mind emailing me your powerstrip settings or perhaps listing them here (if that's not too much of an inconvenience). I've been tinkering now for quite some time and just can seem to get it to work correctly.


thanks...

 

[giza]

I'll post them when I get home this evening.

 

[giza]

Here are some of the resolutions that I have:


PowerStrip timing parameters:

1280x1024=1280,96,120,96,1024,36,11,53,53731,9


Generic timing details for 1280x1024:

HFP=96 HSW=120 HBP=96 kHz=34 VFP=36 VSW=11 VBP=53 Hz=30


Linux modeline parameters:

"1280x1024" 53.731 1280 1376 1496 1592 1024 1060 1071 1124 interlace +hsync +vsync



Try this one out and let me know if it works for you. I am using the default 1280x720. I am also working on trying some different resolution for gaming.

 

[mnn1265]

I think your thread has been hijacked but to answer your question: I think the best video card right now for HTPC use is the 6800 (ultra, GT and standard). I think the 6800GT is the best bang-for-buck card and that's why I bought one.

 

[raaaaaa]

Quote:

Originally posted by giza Here are some of the resolutions that I have: PowerStrip timing parameters: 1280x1024=1280,96,120,96,1024,36,11,53,53731,9 Generic timing details for 1280x1024: HFP=96 HSW=120 HBP=96 kHz=34 VFP=36 VSW=11 VBP=53 Hz=30 Linux modeline parameters: "1280x1024" 53.731 1280 1376 1496 1592 1024 1060 1071 1124 interlace +hsync +vsync Try this one out and let me know if it works for you. I am using the default 1280x720. I am also working on trying some different resolution for gaming.

sorry for the dumb question


So you just copy the line underneathe "PowerStrip timing parameters:"

and use the clipboard in powerstrip?

 

[giza]

Just copy everything below and paste in custom resolutions:



PowerStrip timing parameters:

1280x1024=1280,96,120,96,1024,36,11,53,53731,9


Generic timing details for 1280x1024:

HFP=96 HSW=120 HBP=96 kHz=34 VFP=36 VSW=11 VBP=53 Hz=30


Linux modeline parameters:

"1280x1024" 53.731 1280 1376 1496 1592 1024 1060 1071 1124 interlace +hsync +vsync