Minimum video card requirements

[abnatc]

I have been searching the forums in an attempt to find the minimum video card requirements for HD playback. I have an older system that only has an AGP- 8X slot and am currently running off of the integrated video out. I know I need an upgrade but am not exactly sure what I should look for. I have an HDHR and can pick up off-the-air channels in my local area, but the live tv viewed is very jerky in SageTv. Playback is fine in VLC. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Razillian]

I ran Sage for years with an nVidia 6600GT on AGP without problem (using nVidia Purevideo decovers), including HDHR content. I upgraded my system this past summer to a PCIe motherboard and video card (8600GT) for h264 content with the HDPVR.

At this point if you have any intention of getting an HDPVR, I would save the money from buying an AGP video card and go with a new motherboard that supports PCIe (they pretty much all do now, but figured I should state the obvious to be safe).

[abnatc]

Thanks for the response. I was just trying to keep things as inexpensive (cheap) as possible. I may just have to wait until the media extenders are available again.

[Clift]

You can pick up an AGP card such as the ATi HD3400 that supports HDCP (Blu-ray and HDMI copy protection), has H.264 decoding (HD PVR) and MPEG-2 (HDHR) hardware assist, DXVA. Such as this card...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121273

I agree that getting a PCIe motherboard may be best in the long run, but this card should be able to throw anything you will toss at it from an HTPC perspective.

[abnatc]

Thanks Clift. That will probably be good enought to get me by for a while. Eventually, I will build a decent server and get a few HD media extenders, but I can't get the boss to sign off on it right now. That was exactly the info I was looking for.

[Wirenut]

I have an ATI HD3850 on the AGP bus and it works great with any format I've thrown at it. HD included. I'm still waiting for an HD extender though.

YMMV,

Wirenut