nVidia videocard to HDTV?

[alijiwani]

So I found the 30 buck convertors for ATI to Component VIdeo for HDTV

Is there something similar for nVidia cards? I was using newegg as my primary source...

thanks in advance
-ali

[cummings66]

For what it's worth, the last 2 nvidia cards I've purchased have come with adaptors to do this. Nothing had to be bought beyond the card.

Not all Nvidia cards have component out however, you have to check your card. My current card which is a 6600gt has the adaptor, but I use DVI because it's better.

[stanger89]

No, your card needs to support it out of the box. That ATI dongle just changes the plug, the card does the conversion.

[alijiwani]

the only cards from nVidia that newegg has listed with the component is quite pricey - 200+

I have no need for a high end card, the system that its going in will only be used for Sage and nothing else and price is a major concern.

Also, cant use the DVI as the DVI on the TV is already in use by the HDTV Tuner that came with the TV. I have two sets of Component inputs to be used for High Def.

I read up on the ATI Cards and any card thats on the support list for the convertor will support the HDTV resolutions out of the box with the 5.x series of Catalyst.

However, when reading about the nVidia cards, I couldnt find any consistant material point to anything in the low end supporting HDTV. I dont want to spend over 100 for the video card, esp since nothing high end will ever be needed of the card.

the system is shaping up to be a PVR150+A180+Sagetv4 so far. I'll add in a DVD Burner to allow my dad to move his old family videos to DVD. I am using an Old PIII 700 for it. The PVR150 doesnt seem to be complaining so far. Also the MB only supports AGP 4x. (Its an old Dell 4100 series machine thats been painted black)

-ali

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by alijiwani

the only cards from nVidia that newegg has listed with the component is quite pricey - 200+

Here's one for $69:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122222

Though for playing HDTV, I'd strongly recommend something 6600GT class:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125179
or slightly cheaper but louder:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814139171

You could have trouble running VMR9 at HD resolutions on the 6200 (I have no experience, just anecdotes from others).

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by alijiwani

the system is shaping up to be a PVR150+A180+Sagetv4 so far. I'll add in a DVD Burner to allow my dad to move his old family videos to DVD. I am using an Old PIII 700 for it. The PVR150 doesnt seem to be complaining so far. Also the MB only supports AGP 4x. (Its an old Dell 4100 series machine thats been painted black)

That's not enough enough for HDTV, don't even bother, you need something over 1GHz, preferably over 2GHz for HDTV playback.

[alijiwani]

Hmm, the 6200 might do it then. Like I said 100 bucks or less. The Gigabyte 6600 has a lot of people talking about the heat it produces. Dont really want another furnace in the house.

As for HDTV - I dont have the A180 yet...cant order it till after Jan 1st when my new loan checks arrive (medical student), but I did test the playback of the HDTV 1080i files that someone had linked in one of the other threads. It played back on screen just fine..did jack my processor to 99%, but it played.

If it all fails in the end, then the machine will be used in a bare minimum config for non HDTV. I have cable access and I need to replace the current SageBox using a PVR-350 - so I will use that computer, the PVR150 and add in a cheap ATI9550 or something with TV Out.

TigerDirect has a Celeron 330+MB for $100 currently. Add in 512 for $40, case from Microcenter for $30. Then its the video card issue. Does HDTV offload anything to the video card at all? Is there a way to force playback to offload it to video card? If there was, wouldnt that allow me to use the PIII?

[stanger89]

The video card will help with HDTV playback, but the bare minimum requirement for DXVA playback I've seen anywhere is PIII 800, but even then I think that's overly optomistic.

My suggestion would be to DL Sage (if you haven't already) and try and play some HD files with it and your config.

[Commodore 64]

That $69 Geforce 6200 is a 64-bit card. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

I've tried to do HD with VMR 9 and a 128 bit, 128MB Geforce 6200 and even DVDs wouldn't pan with out micro-stutters.

I've since switched to a 6600GT, and in the course of upgrading and reformatting I accidentally set my TV to 1920 x 1080 @ 60Hz instead of 30Hz. Since the TV seems to be able to handle it with no problem, I've been running it that way. I watched 2 NFL games in with VMR 9 HD yesterday and they were fantastic. The picture KILLS Overlay (which the 6200 could handle), and there is no micro stuttering whatsoever.

Also, I highly reccomend a VBox DTA 151 or 150 in lieu of the A180. I've had both, and the A180 is in a box right now. After the first of the year, I'm getting another Vbox DTA 150 for my HTPC.

If you want to use a 6200, it's a nice card, but since I run my TV at 1920 x 1080, it was a little underpowered. It too is sitting in a box. I'm gonna sell off a lot of my used hardware here after the holidays. I've tried a bunch of different hardware and software to get to this point...I'm finally pleassed with what I've got. Don't make the same mistakes I did. Decide what you want to do with your HTPC and buy the appropriate hardware. If you want VMR 9 (which, IMHO is the best way to great PQ), you've got to get a 6600GT. You can find them pretty cheap on newegg during their sales.

Or you can consider getting one used. I don't like Ebay, but I do like the well-moderated and smaller trading community at Ars technica. Here

[Robsters]

I have pretty much the same setup, Phillips 30", Gigabyte 6600GT, etc.. But get stuttering of the video or non-smooth motion using VMR9. The CPU is barely above 10% usage. Using PureVideo for both Audio and Video. I think the driver version is 71.xx (came on the CD). I have tried upgrading to the latest version offered by nVidia but can't get the HDTV to output without the driver from the CD installed. If I upgrade the driver I lose any options regarding component output.

I'm wondering where you got your nVidia driver and what version is it?

Are you hooked up using the VGA, DVI or component outputs?

Since you are using the 1920 x 1080 resolution, how are you compensating for the large amount of overscan on the TV? I used the overscan wizard myself and it brought the resolution down a little in each dimension and the desktop fits perfectly on the screen.

Sorry the large amount of questions, but I've spent weeks trying to get this to work flawlessly with VMR9.

Thanks,
Robert Annetta
Moreno Valley, CA

[Commodore 64]

I have tried upgrading to the latest version offered by nVidia but can't get the HDTV to output without the driver from the CD installed. If I upgrade the driver I lose any options regarding component output.

Component out is broken on the 81.95 drivers. Currently I run the 78.03 version of the drivers. I can't remember wher I got them. If you have no luck googling, PM me and we can try to figure out a way for me to transfer them to you (e.g. IRC DCC).

Are you hooked up using the VGA, DVI or component outputs?

Component. My TV is the PW8520 model.

Since you are using the 1920 x 1080 resolution, how are you compensating for the large amount of overscan on the TV? I used the overscan wizard myself and it brought the resolution down a little in each dimension and the desktop fits perfectly on the screen.

I only use the computer for video/HTPC duties. I leave the overscan there. I adjust the SageTV interface to accomodate the overscan, but I leave the TV natively at 1920 x 1080i. I read on the AVS forums that deinterlacing with the PureVideo decoders only works properly at 1080i native resolutions.

Sorry the large amount of questions, but I've spent weeks trying to get this to work flawlessly with VMR9.

I know what you mean. I've been working with my HTPC since March. Make sure FSE is enabled in SageTV. The only other thing I can think of is the PureVideo version you are using. I use the nV codecs from TheaterTek, and I *THINK*, I'm using slightly older revision than what is currently available.

[jptaz]

They have archives of old Drivers here:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp-2k_archive.html

I was considering installing the driver included with my card, but I see a 78.01 Version in the archive. I will try that and see if it works.

I was getting pretty annoyed, because not only did the PureVideo Codec suck compared to the old NVDVD 2.55, but also no Component out for my projector. I hope NVidia gets there act together with these drivers and the Pure Video Decoder.

John

[jptaz]

Well the 78.01 Driver fixes the component out issue in 81.95. I have not played with VMR9 and FSE mode again to see if the older driver is better...maybe this weekend. I was just happy to get the projector working again.

John

[parkimar]

Hi Commodore 64 (Cool old system !!),

I've splashed out recently on a Samsung DLR 46 inch DLP, which left me kind of broke. This was a bummer, as my PC got trashed during my move to the US.

As part of the rebuild process, I've just invested in a 6200 card, I prefer overlay, can you confirm that it works ok at 1280 x 720.

Thanks

Mark

[Commodore 64]

Originally Posted by parkimar

Hi Commodore 64 (Cool old system !!),

As part of the rebuild process, I've just invested in a 6200 card, I prefer overlay, can you confirm that it works ok at 1280 x 720.

Thanks

Mark

I was able to run 1920 x 1080 with no problem in Overlay mode with my 6200. My 6200 is a 128MB, 128bit version. I'm not sure how well a Turbocache version (PCIe, shares system memory) or a 64bit version would perform.

[alijiwani]

OK so after getting knocked on by multiple people here for my attempts to run an underpowered HDTV setup for my dad, I am now the proud owner of a Dell OptiPlex 270 with a 2.6GHz P4, 1GB RAM, 80GB HD (have a 300 to add in there), 52XCDRW, 16XDVDR that I just literally picked up this evening for $315. There is an open AGP 4/8X slot that I now need to fill.

I have the PVR-150 sitting here (had a 100 buck certificate from Microcenter that had to be used by Sunday). I have 3 weeks to get this system into something usable for my dad and I'm still not inclined to spend as much money on that video card. 166 bucks for the 6600 is still a bit more than I want to spend considering that Sage+HDTV Card is going to add another 150 bucks to the bill.

Anyone know any information about the upcoming 5.13 drivers for ATI and wether or not they will enable Avivo? Rumor has it it will be as good if not better than nVidias purevideo and cheaper (aka free with the driver) and will also enable hardware H.264 decoding. If they can release that by the first 2 weeks of Jan, I think I will go the ATI route as you can pick up X1600s (with the new price drop) for 125 now. (provided of course the rumor of them being made available in AGP is also true :P )

[blade]

Newegg has the Aopen 6600GT for $123 after a mail in rebate. It does have a fan though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814135186

[Commodore 64]

I went through a lot of hardware and software trying to "save" money. I wish I would have listened to the people who told me what to buy instead of trying to go the cheap route.

I had 1080i OTA playing fine with an 8500, 9600pro, 9700pro, 6200pro in Overlay. But it looked like ass most of the time because (I think) there was crappy deinterlacing. I farted around for 9 months, bought a bunch of hardware (even went from xp2500+, Nforce 2 rig to the one in my profile) before I got to this point. I learned a lot.

My advice? 166 -125 = $41. Just get the 6600GT. You are in a time crunch. Do you really want to be waiting for ATi to release AVIVO? And what are teh odds that AVIVO may need a (at least) a few months to become stable release?

[alijiwani]

Originally Posted by Commodore 64

I went through a lot of hardware and software trying to "save" money. I wish I would have listened to the people who told me what to buy instead of trying to go the cheap route.

fair enough. I am leaving the state on Monday and dont return for another 2 weeks. Hence, I am not ordering anything till after I return, which gives me 3-4 weeks to decide. Many of the sites that reported the dropping ATI prices seem to indicate that nVidia may do the same Jan 1st.

Yeah its a game of cat and mouse, but for all the raw power that nVidia chips have, my previous 7 computers have always suffered thanks to their drivers. I even got to the point that I had to swap out cards with ATI ones just to get the appropriate picture quality for certain applications (i dont game). And lets not forget that PureVideo does add another $20-50 to the bottom line.

Hence I think I am going to play the wait and see game for a little bit. Thank you for all your help and input. If I go the nVidia route for this new box, I will def take that advice into mind and probably go with a 6600 varient.

[stanger89]

Just anecdotal comments (not to start an ATI/nV argument)...

Originally Posted by alijiwani

my previous 7 computers have always suffered thanks to their drivers.

I'd say the reverse about ATI, it's been a joy not having to deal with ATI drivers since I replaced my Radeon 9500 with Geforce 6 series cards.

And lets not forget that PureVideo does add another $20-50 to the bottom line.

$20, there's no reason to pay more, unless you plan on using WMP for your DVD playback AND need multichannel decoding to analog outputs.

Plus, unless you plan on using the crap Cyberlink decoders an ATI card comes with (nV cards usually come with crappy decoders too), you need to pay $20 to get good decoders on an ATI card just the same. Lots of nV cards come with PowerDVD, which is the same decoders ATI cards come with.

The simple fact is that most all video cards come with crap decoders, and you have to buy if you want better ones. nV gets a bad rap, because they offer, probably, the best decoders out there, but (foolishly IMO) don't bundle them with their cards, they leave it up to the card mfgs who use other decoders usually.