Bringing my HTPC up to HD playback

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

I have been running a low power HTPC for 3-4 years now and it works fine for everything I want to except mkv & Divx Blu-Ray content I have created from my main PC. Then I get stuttering on my 720P 32" LCDTV.

The system specs are (don't laugh)

Biostar mATX 478 MB
Mobile P4 1.8 @ 2.4ghz
1 gig of DDR 400
250 watt mATX PSU
Radeon 9200 or 9600 LE (can't remember)

Since a complete new system is out of my price range, what can I do on the cheap to get the best playback...under the wife's radar.

 

[armstrda]

I'm not sure if any process that could fit in the 478 socket could do 720P/1080P very well. That is probably an AGP MB right?

 

[mmntech]

Originally posted by: armstrda
I'm not sure if any process that could fit in the 478 socket could do 720P/1080P very well. That is probably an AGP MB right?

I think a 3.0ghz P4 was recommended for HD playback a while ago. Most of it is handled through the GPU though. Even the Atom can produce HD on the Ion platform, though just barely. The higher end Northwood cores should do it.

As for video cards, the 9600LE is going to be a bit anaemic, though I did manage to get 720p quicktime videos working on a Mobile Radeon 9550 32mb system. ATI still makes some AGP cards for their newer lines. This HIS HD 3650 is $64, $54 after mail in rebate. Requires a floppy connector to power it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161237

 

[yh125d]

Any of the AGP 4xxx series and I think most of the agp 3xxx series should do it

 

[ChurchOfSubgenius]

OK, so the fastest P4 I can get and a HD specific AGP.....I think I can do that for under $120. Let's just hope that my puny PSU can take it.

 

[alyarb]

no, you need one or the other. you don't need both. frankly i think you should upgrade your CPU and do all your decoding within ffdshow. I've had too many image quality problems with dxva decoding both with an 8800GT and HD2400. Seeing as how you're limited to 720p content by your display, I think CPU decoding is the way to go. there are plenty of high-freq northwoods on ebay for under 30 bucks that will do the job.

 

[elconejito]

DEFINITELY either the CPU or GPU, but not both.

My vote, however is for the GPU. If you can get an ATI 4XXX series in AGP that is your winner. *especially if there is a 4350 AGP version. About 8-9w at idle and 15w at load. Won't use up too much power and/or add any heat to the system.