CineFX3.0 and NVIDIA 6600GT Card

[lefranc]

Would upgrading from an NVIDiA 5700LE to an NVIDIA 6600GT video card make an appreciable improvement in picture quality during playback?
My encoder is a PVR-250 and I've also thought about upgrading to the new ATI Theatre 550 cards (the Sapphite Theatrix 550Pro or the ATI TV Wonder Elite).

I'd like the picture quality, contrast, etc. to be as good as the original programming.

Which should I do?

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by lefranc

Would upgrading from an NVIDiA 5700LE to an NVIDIA 6600GT video card make an appreciable improvement in picture quality during playback?
My encoder is a PVR-250 and I've also thought about upgrading to the new ATI Theatre 550 cards (the Sapphite Theatrix 550Pro or the ATI TV Wonder Elite).

I'd like the picture quality, contrast, etc. to be as good as the original programming.

Which should I do?

Number 1 is whatever you do buy from someone with a liberal return policy just in case you're not happy with result. I have no experience with the GF 5700 or ATI 550 but recently replaced the ATI 9600 in my HTPC with MSI NX6600GT AGP, very happy with result. Crisp, clear, vibrant picture and works much better VMR9 than the 9600 did for me, no more intermittent stutter VMR9. (I'm using component output)

[lefranc]

MDMINT, These are comparable generations of chip, so I believe my results will be similar.
Return policy makes good sense.
Where did you purchase your MSI?

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by lefranc

MDMINT, These are comparable generations of chip, so I believe my results will be similar.
Return policy makes good sense.
Where did you purchase your MSI?

Well, I sorta ignored my own advice and purchased from a new to me vendor based soley on price. (They did have good reviews.) GamevE Prompt shipping, haven't needed to test their return policy.