I made the leap...to an i3 system

[teedublu]

I just built up an i3-530 system using internal graphics -- works great!
I have not had any screen size issues when the HDMI TV goes off/on.

I did install the latest video driver from Intel. Not from Gigabyte (motherboard).

Win7-32bit
I'm getting best results using Arcsoft decoder that comes with HD-PVR (for both MPEG and H.264) with Overlay Renderer -- so the DXVA acceleration isn't utilized. Overlay will disable Aero desktop, but that doesn't bother me. EVR Renderer and Microsoft DTV decoders did work -- and the CPU utilization was very low, but not as buttery smooth as Arcsoft (the HD-PVR H.264 was particularly jittery using MS DTV). Without EVR / DXVA, it does use more CPU, but below 30%.

TW

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by teedublu

Win7-32bit
I'm getting best results using Arcsoft decoder that comes with HD-PVR (for both MPEG and H.264) with Overlay Renderer -- so the DXVA acceleration isn't utilized. Overlay will disable Aero desktop, but that doesn't bother me. EVR Renderer and Microsoft DTV decoders did work -- and the CPU utilization was very low, but not as buttery smooth as Arcsoft (the HD-PVR H.264 was particularly jittery using MS DTV). Without EVR / DXVA, it does use more CPU, but below 30%.

TW

Did you enable FSE? It will bypass DWM - and smooth out playback as well.

[teedublu]

I tried FSE while it was in EVR MS-DTV mode. It seemed to improve the video quality, so it stayed that way for a day or two, but after restarting the Sage client (for some misc reason...), I couldn't get control/focus over Sage. So I disabled FSE and haven't tried it since.

TW

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by teedublu

I tried FSE while it was in EVR MS-DTV mode. It seemed to improve the video quality, so it stayed that way for a day or two, but after restarting the Sage client (for some misc reason...), I couldn't get control/focus over Sage. So I disabled FSE and haven't tried it since.

TW

If you're using V7 you should send in a bug report, they might be able to fix it.

[Fuzzy]

On win7, with EVR and Aero enabled, FSE shouldn't be required for smooth playback. It was more of a 'workaround' for XP + VMR systems.

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

On win7, with EVR and Aero enabled, FSE shouldn't be required for smooth playback. It was more of a 'workaround' for XP + VMR systems.

Unless you're using a high end discrete card FSE will make a difference in UI responsiveness and PQ, because it tells the DWM to take a break (i.e. not composite the desktop).

[Fuzzy]

All but the most basic Intel GMA's these days should have no problem at all running the whole DWM, certainly not enough to affect the EVR's playback capabilities. The newer H55 chips should not have any issue whatsoever...

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

All but the most basic Intel GMA's these days should have no problem at all running the whole DWM, certainly not enough to affect the EVR's playback capabilities. The newer H55 chips should not have any issue whatsoever...

I've tested FSE on/off with a lot of different low-mid range GPUs. It makes a difference for all of them - including Clarkdale (i5/i3 with H55/H57).

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by babgvant

I've tested FSE on/off with a lot of different low-mid range GPUs. It makes a difference for all of them - including Clarkdale (i5/i3 with H55/H57).

Agreed. Much more smoothness with fse. My intel graphics aren't in use right now because of the window resizing issue that seems to be fixed. My main reason for not using the intel chip is vc-1 and intel don't get along very well.

I haven't tested since I've changed to tmt 2 codec yet. DXVA and the intel chip work fine in the tmt player, but I haven't tested the codec outside of tmt. The MS codecs worked very well (im using 64 bit) except for vc-1.

Overall pic quality seems good, but I still like my ati card better, more tweaking options.

[Hyrules]

I actually jumped too to and i3 system. I just bought an Asrock Core 100HT-BD Mini System. I'm eager to get this new baby and install sage on it.

CPU - Intel® Core™ i3 Mobile Processor Family
Chipset- Mobile Intel® HM55 Express chipset
Memory - 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM slots, 4GB per DIMM (Max 8GB*)
- Support dual channel DDR3 1066MHz
VGA - Intel® HD Graphics
HDD - 2.5"HDD, support 2nd 2.5"HDD
ODD - BD Combo
I/O - 1 x HDMI, 1 x D-Sub VGA, 6 x USB 2.0, 1 x S/PDIF, 1 x eSATAII*
LAN - Gigabit LAN
Sound - 7.1 CH HD Audio with THX TruStudio Pro™
WiFi - 802.11b/g/n wireless LAN*
Remote Controller - Support MCE function
Power Unit - 90W/19V Adapter
Dimension - 195mm(W) x 70mm(H) x 186mm(L)
Volume (liters) - 2.5L

http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overvie...ore%20100HT-BD

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by Hyrules

I actually jumped too to and i3 system. I just bought an Asrock Core 100HT-BD Mini System. I'm eager to get this new baby and install sage on it.

Just saw a review at Anandtech, looks like a really nice system.

[cncb]

Originally Posted by babgvant

II asked a contact at Arcsoft about it and they confirmed that a special, not currently released, driver is required for these types of displays. All of the GPU vendors are working on 3D, no one has all the pieces in place yet. Both ATI and Intel have demoed 3D content playback, but AFAIK neither was on a 120Hz sequential display so Nvidia does have a greater chance of bringing something to market sooner (since we know a special driver exists).

Does this mean that the i3 will be able to support 3D/120Hz with a new driver or is it not possible with this GPU?

[babgvant]

Originally Posted by cncb

Does this mean that the i3 will be able to support 3D/120Hz with a new driver or is it not possible with this GPU?

I think it's possible - the spec's claim dual stream HWA decode and Intel has demoed a different kind of 3D a few times. I don't think they've said anything publicly about it though.