Hardware requirements for HD playack on a client PC? (1 Viewer)

[alexeix]

Hi,

I'm planning to set up a TV server with DVB-S2 cards and I want to feed the signal for live and recorded programmes, to a client PC.

The client PC I'm considering is the base model Dell Studio Hybrid (see Dell Studio Hybrid 4037 (Blue) Dell Studio Hybrid 4037 (Blue) - cheap Desktop PCs - Dixons.co.uk) - this is a 2GHz Pentium Dual Core CPU, with 2GB DDR2 RAM and integrated graphics.

The thing is, I'm not sure if it will be up to streaming HD TV from my server, to a full HD TV.

I really want a low-power solution, but at the same time, I don't want stuttering video, dropped frames, etc.

Can anyone out there with knowledge and experience of HD set-ups for Media Portal advise?
Thanks.

 

[Owlsroost]

There is a review of one version of the Dell Studio Hybrid here - PC Pro: Product Reviews: Dell Studio Hybrid

The problem is going to be the low-powered integrated graphics, which don't have much in the way of hardware acceleration for h.264 decode and de-interlacing. To get high-quality pixel-adaptive hardware deinterlacing for HD, you need to be looking at ATi HD4350/HD3650, nVidia 8600GT/9500GT and upwards.

I don't currently have off-air HD, but I play interlaced HD (1440 x 1080i MPEG-2) camcorder footage in MP - I recently had to upgrade from an HD3450 to 9500GT to get better deinterlacing (the 3450 would only do 'bob' deinterlacing at HD) - it looks fabulous now on a 1080p TV

Tony

 

[allanp81]

I would say that the studio hybrid will play HD TV (h.264) back no problem, as in my experience the CPU is more important than the GFX card.

 

[WileECoyote]

alexeix,
I have two Dell studio hybrids with the base configuration (the 499 model) that work perfect with HD streaming (HD-PVR & Blu-ray rips.) The only thing you need to upgrade is the verion of Vista from Home Basic to Home Premium. The reason is you will need Windows Aero to run with no stutter.

A quick view of my setup is as such...

Main HTPC...
DIY
Vista Ultimate
Quad Core 2.66 Intel Processor
Intel DP35DP MB
500GB HD
eVGA Nvidia 9600 GT
4 GB Memory
2 - HD-PVR's (Thanks to Garry!)

Clients....
2 - Dell Stuid Hybrid base configuration
DIY Windows Server 2008

Also I use the CoreAVC codec on all the machines for my H.264 decoder.

Wile E.

 

[alexeix]

Thanks for the replies.

WileECoyote, are you playing back 720P? I'm sure the Hybrid can manage that, but how about full 1080p?

I don't have this set-up right now, but hope to within the next year, so I want to future-proof as much as possible.

 

[Owlsroost]

There is a comparison/feature list of the Intel graphics hardware here - http://download.intel.com/products/graphics/intel_graphics_guide.pdf - according to Dell the Studio Hybrid is GMA X3100 equiped, so it does support advanced deinterlacing and some level of hardware decode acceleration - so the comments in my earlier post might not be relevant.....

Tony

 

[WileECoyote]

alexeix,
I have one on a 19" running 720P and the other on a 32" running 1366X768. I do have a 42" 1080P I can hook it to for a test this weekend if you like.

The way they perform at 720P I wouldnt think it would be an issue, but better be safe than sorry.

 

[Tsurany]

A 2ghz dual core processor could easily play 1080p movies without any trouble. You don't need any form of gpu acceleration.

 

[allanp81]

You may struggle with high bit rate h.264/vc1 etc. My 1.86ghz struggled to play the superbad bluray but upgrading to a more powerful cpu fixed that. To give an example, cpu on the 1.86ghz was maxed out and obviously struggling, but upgrading to a 2.4ghz settled this down to about 40-50% cpu when playing back the same bluray. Both are core2duo cpus.

 

[kellizer2]

Hey alexeix,

I'm also thinking of getting the dell studio hybrid - Did you purchase it? If so, did HDTV (h.264) work as hoped?

Ta,

Ian.