HD Computer Requirements

[oddjob]

Hi Sage Users,

I've been searching the internet on High Definition success.

I'm looking to build a computer around a ATI HD Wonder card.
If I choose a AMD Athlon 64 XP 4000 cpu with 1 gig of memory, should I be able to record and playback? also I've read that if I choose a Nvideo card anything 5200 and higher works...

What system configuration works for you?

thanks

[Kanati]

I don't yet have an HD card, but those specs should be way above what you HAVE to have.

[dagar]

Also it depends upon what resolution you're displaying the HD content; ie. 1920x1080/1080p or 1280x720/720p

[flashbacck]

yeah, the CPU/memory specs are overkill. If you don't mind the larger card and the noise, I'd get a more powerful videocard instead.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by flashbacck

yeah, the CPU/memory specs are overkill.

You can not go overkill for HD playback, especially if you start talking about the new codecs (VC-9, H.264), both are capable of crushing about any PC on the market.

oddjob,

Is the 4000+ a dual core? If so, you'd probably be better off going with a faster single core (video playback is currently single threaded). Also, I'd go with something like a Geforce 6600 (Gigabyte has a passive one). And don't get the HDTV Blunder, get an A180 or a Fusion. I'd go the A180 because it's "known" to work with Sage.

[oddjob]

I appreciate the reply's.. I've decided to order the

MSI RS480M2-IL Socket 939 MicroATX (motherboard)
AMD 4000+ Athlon XP 64 (single cpu)
1 gig of memory
and the gigabyte 6600 pci-e Video Card

I still feel the HDTV tuner cards on the market are all bad.
You just have to pick one and deal with it. Hopefully, I've
got enough horse power not to be second guessing.

Goodbye Cable... Hello OTA

[Kanati]

hope you have a better OTA selection that I have here... I have ABC, NBC, FOX, and PBS. That's it.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by oddjob

I still feel the HDTV tuner cards on the market are all bad.

Why is that? The A180 is a very nice card, and cheap too

[InsertHere]

Originally Posted by stanger89

Why is that? The A180 is a very nice card, and cheap too

Would you say the A180 compares nicely to the ATI HDTV Wonder in your opinion? (I am looking to get an HD card soon)

[stanger89]

I returned an HDTV Blunder and still have my A180 if that's what you mean.

Aver, AFIAK, hasn't realeased a driver update for it yet, and there's been no need to as far as I can tell. It comes with no software of it's own, but seems to work just fine in apps that use it. Caveat being I've been too lazy to install it in my Sage server so far.

[InsertHere]

Originally Posted by stanger89

I returned an HDTV Blunder and still have my A180 if that's what you mean.

That's exactly what I mean. Thanks.

[teknubic]

It can only capture up to 720 X 480?
Nice price and I'll bet that's ^ why. I'll spring the bucks and get an HDTV card that actually records HDTV.

[stanger89]

It records HD at HD, I can guarantee that. The 720x480 is referring to analog SD capture.

[dagar]

Stanger (or anyone else with A180 experience), now that I have a working ATSC tuner installed (and verified on my Sammy) I'm ready to get an A180. Do you see any issues with my AXP-M 1800 server just capturing the digital channel feeds (most here are SD 720x480 anyhow)?

As an aside, it's very nice to have my locals as a digital bitstream of that analog carrier, vice an analog datastream off an analog carrier. Waaaaayyyy better on handling error correction!

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by dagar

Stanger (or anyone else with A180 experience), now that I have a working ATSC tuner installed (and verified on my Sammy) I'm ready to get an A180. Do you see any issues with my AXP-M 1800 server just capturing the digital channel feeds (most here are SD 720x480 anyhow)?

Recording no, playback, maybe. You'll need a good video card with DXVA to playback HD on that CPU.

[zinkpig]

why does recording HD use so many CPU cycles. Since its a digital broadcast , I thought The tuner just grabs the data and its written on to the HD. Is there any encoding going on ?

[stanger89]

Read the post carefully, I said for recording that PC would be fine, but it would be a little iffy for playback.

[zinkpig]

oops, thanks for the clarification

[dagar]

Thanks man, just needed a sanity check. Well, sanity for that anyhow

My HD frontends have plenty of umph for it (thankfully).