3D on HTPC / Panasonic Viera VT50 - what card?

[Heinrich]

One thing driving me a ittle nuts with this set has NOTHING to do with the set but with my HTPC. I hope some of you have an HTPC and can help.

I have an AMD5450 that I'm passing HDMI audio & video through to a Pioneer VSX-1020 to VT50 with WMC & TMT 5. This works fantastic for everything EXCEPT 3D blu-rays. I have to throw them into my PS3.

What's happening is that the TV does not detect a 3D signal, I have to press 3D and choose 2D->3D option on TV. Then I do get 3D, but it's just not calibrated as perfectly as the PS3.

I'm ready to upgrade the motherboard and/or video card for one that will natively pass 3D so that it's recognized and formatted natively by the TV. Can anyone recommend a specific video card?

I've tried all the Catalyst drivers today from 12.8 (the most stable for all my other video) through to the new 13.2 beta 7.

 

[Fx1]

I can put a 3D Blu ray file onto a HDD plug into the TV and play in Full 3D at 40GB per movie. Why would you need a HTPC to do this with your TV? I have a GT50 btw

 

[jaedaliu]

I would imagine ease of use. dropping a disc into the computer instead of ripping it to a flash drive.

Your playback software is configured to the correct type of 3D output? that's all I can offer.

 

[Fx1]

i store all my 3D movies on one HDD ready to play and you dont need a HTPC. if you dont want to rip them you can always download a ripped copy as long as you own the disks

 

[skulkingghost]

Try Totalmedia theatre. That has always worked well for me, as an alternative try powerdvd

 

[Heinrich]

That's what I am doing. I have 15TB of Blu-Rays .. they take up a bedroom closet (the purchased hard copies) across about 20 HDs (all data duplicated.) Everything works fantastic with DVD, HD-DVD, blu-ray. The setup has been growing for 2 years.

The ONLY thing I have trouble with is selecting any 3D movie on my HTPC w/ AMD 5450. I've tried a pile of drivers and they ALL act the same way.

Amazing Spider-Man, for instance, does not switch automatically to 3D on my Panasonic except in my PS3. In my HTPC w/5450 & TMT, I can get 3D by toggling on to 2D->3D setting on the TV. But the 3D is a little off; menu letters every so slightly blurred. It's just not as good as in my PS3.

I believe this to be an issue with the video card more than TMT itself, as TMT release notes mention all sorts of corrections for 3D blu-rays over the past year and I've tried the newest version. They all act exactly the same with Amazing Spider-Man or any of the other 3D blu-rays I own, either physical disc (purchased non-copy) or ripped.

 

[Heinrich]

When I plug any of my 3D blu-rays into my PS3, the tv flips to 3D mode by itself and everything looks perfect.

 

[Annisman*]

I have an AWESOME assasin themed HTPC, and the only problem I have is running 3D movies directly from it, that includes the actual 3D capable optical drive, and also from my mkv ripped files.

My solution ? Just pop them in the PS3. I've only got a couple native 3D movies anyways so it's no biggie.

I have a GTX 650ti in case you are wondering op.

 

[Fx1]

i am baffled why so many people need a HTPC to play movies on a TV that actually plays MKV's from HDD directly.

I swear people on these forums just want excuses to build computers. With these computers come even more problems as above. A 1TB HDD can fit 25 3D movies which is probably more than actually exist. 40-50 Blu Ray movies. Im not sure but you may be able to use the 2,3,4 TB drives also but i have never tried. Plug and Play easy as that.

 

[Heinrich]

Fx1

I have actually experimented with different builds but not found anything to replace the ease of use of using a remote at 10-12 feet than WMC + HTPC w/Windows 7. With XBMC I just can't get it to scrape and find the correct data etc to present my collection to me accurately. All sorts of multiple entries and missing cover art and whatnot, and no one on the forums would help me. I do honestly dream of XBMC on a jb Appletv though or something similar. I do need to find a replacement as WMC is retired, more or less.

Annisman, thanks for that, especially since you have NVidia. I know that Alienware advertises 3d capable Nvidia laptops, always wondered if an Nvidia card was the solution but apparently not.

 

[Fx1]

Fx1

I have actually experimented with different builds but not found anything to replace the ease of use of using a remote at 10-12 feet than WMC + HTPC w/Windows 7. With XBMC I just can't get it to scrape and find the correct data etc to present my collection to me accurately. All sorts of multiple entries and missing cover art and whatnot, and no one on the forums would help me. I do honestly dream of XBMC on a jb Appletv though or something similar. I do need to find a replacement as WMC is retired, more or less.

Annisman, thanks for that, especially since you have NVidia. I know that Alienware advertises 3d capable Nvidia laptops, always wondered if an Nvidia card was the solution but apparently not.

Are we talking Music now or Movies? Why would you need XBMC? Panansonic has its own media browser and player.

 

[MeldarthX]

Heinrich you're using 1.4a hdmi cable correct? its been while since I've checked out any htpc cards and sorry lack on memory for that that goes forward.

So when you're using your htpc for 3D; it won't change over untill you manually do it; is the player on the htpc set for auto 3D?

 

[Annisman*]

I'm pretty sure Power DVD would let you run 3D movies from the optical drive, but it's just such a crappy program stay way from it.

 

[LoveMachine]

Heinrich you're using 1.4a hdmi cable correct? its been while since I've checked out any htpc cards and sorry lack on memory for that that goes forward.

So when you're using your htpc for 3D; it won't change over untill you manually do it; is the player on the htpc set for auto 3D?

I'm too lazy to look up specs, but if I remember correctly, the 6 series AMD cards might have been the first ones to carry full 1.4 (and hence, 3D) capabilities?

 

[Heinrich]

good point - found this FAQ - the second paragraph conflicts with the first ??

Q: Does AMD graphics hardware support stereo 3D?
A: Both the AMD RadeonTM HD 5000 and HD 6000 series support stereo 3D (S3D) via the HDMI 1.4a connector, while the AMD RadeonTM HD 6800 & HD 6900 series are also capable of supporting S3D via the new DisplayPort 1.2 connector. Stereo 3D is also supported on all current AMD FireProTM professional graphics solutions, with additional hardware support for active-sync glasses on the AMD FireProTM V7900, ATI FireProTM V8800, and ATI FireProTM V9800.
Q: What kinds of displays are supported? Where can I buy these?
A: The AMD RadeonTM HD 6000 series supports displays and HDTVs with HDMI 1.4a as well as DVI with select partners. Our discussions with monitor manufacturers suggest that monitors supporting 3D over DisplayPort will also be available in North America very soon.
Q: Will active shutter glasses be bundled with displays?