Ongoing HTPC Motherboards with HDMI (6 Viewers)

[OgdenP]

ok..one thing..

my TV has HDMI input..but only 2 channel sound..makes sense as there are only 2 speakers on the TV
my amp has HDMI input...but its PASSTHRU ONLY

so why on earth would u use a combined HDMI (audio and video) from a HTPC to an AMP and then to the TV?

i just doesnt make any sense in my case where the sound is not processed at the amp....my amp is stupid

it could possibly be used to go from PC-AMP-TV-AMP with the last step being optical audio cable back to the AMP...but then its only 2 channel..and u probably get some lag..more stupidity

so..how i have my current setup is:

PC to TV(DVI-HDMI) for video and PC to AMP(Optical cable) for audio


these new combined HDMI(including audio) mobos just baffle me

could someone explain why ppl would want this?

Well the problem here is in your A/V Receiver, not your motherboard. Your receiver only provides HDMI switching rather than processing. Other receivers will actually play the audio. Eventually, most/all will do this. But, as this is a relatively new technology it will take time for it to be a normal part of receivers.

The best you can do with your equipment is exactly as you have done.

 

[Beechus]

I am running ffdshow as my video codec with software deinterlacing and 1 core runs at 80% on MPEG2 HD TV (13Mb/s). My CPU is AM2 +4800 with 1GB of Ram and that is good enough for me.

Thanks charli181. I'd be interested to hear how you go running some H.264 through that config, particularly using ffdshow. I think H.264 would drive your CPU up further and 80% is getting pretty high. You might need to consider using CoreAVC instead of ffdshow. I've found this can improve H.264 performance considerably. BTW, I am interested in a config that supports HD and AVC/H.264.

Hey, i'm configuring my HTPC to do exactly what you want now, should be done by the morning- i'll let you know how it copes with HDDVD + 1080p see: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/my_first_htpc-t34626.html

 

[Beechus]

I'm using the Asus M2A-VM HDMI. Just a note for anyone who gets this. When you power it up for the first time, HDMI is disabled by default. power it up with a VGA or DVI screen first and configure the BIOS to enable HDMI

 

[SiLenTYL]

I am running ffdshow as my video codec with software deinterlacing and 1 core runs at 80% on MPEG2 HD TV (13Mb/s). My CPU is AM2 +4800 with 1GB of Ram and that is good enough for me.

Thanks charli181. I'd be interested to hear how you go running some H.264 through that config, particularly using ffdshow. I think H.264 would drive your CPU up further and 80% is getting pretty high. You might need to consider using CoreAVC instead of ffdshow. I've found this can improve H.264 performance considerably. BTW, I am interested in a config that supports HD and AVC/H.264.

Hey, i'm configuring my HTPC to do exactly what you want now, should be done by the morning- i'll let you know how it copes with HDDVD + 1080p see: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/my_first_htpc-t34626.html

ok..now go get Powerdvd 7.3 Cyberlink codecs and turn hardware acceleration ON..see my sig >.> ..oh wait u need a PROPER H/W accelerating graphics card

 

[Beechus]

Well, i'll hold my hands up, my boards graphics card has failed me. PowerDVD fails to enable HDCP, and so doesnt work at all, however using ArcSofts HD-DVD software, it does play. However, not very smoothly! I am now in the market for a budget PCI-E graphics card which can churn out HD-DVD and Blu-Ray.

 

[Beechus]

I used some software by ArcSoft to play back HD-DVDs and BluRays, it was pretty choppy... However, it's had no problem playing back in 1080p

 

[ichessblumen]

so, better wait for the new AMD/ATI Chipsets which have been published on January 23rd. They will be available in March for the rest of the World and will have the UVD chip for playback blu ray and vc-1.

Interesting reviews can be found here...

http://www.ocworkbench.com/2008/J&W/J&W RS780UVD-AM2+/g1.htm
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2008/jetway/PA78GT3/g1.htm
http://www.ocworkbench.com/2008/supox/AK780G/g1.htm

in Chinese...but some good facts can be deciphered http://www.hkepc.com/?id=734&fs=c2mh

For example a VC-1 Movie "Bourne Supremacy" has averaging CPU load of 33% with a midrange X2 Athlon.

I hope to grab one of the first boards... ;-)

 

[Beechus]

Cool, are there any indications of prices yet? I paid £45 for mine!

 

[ThaClown]

Those look really cool!
mmmm makes me want to start a new HTPC project....

 

[ichessblumen]

Cool, are there any indications of prices yet? I paid £45 for mine!

yes, referring to this link for example the RS780 respectively 780G ( that is the basic chipset w UVD chip, ati radeon hd 3200 ) has a FOB price between USD 70-90. So I expect it between 52 to 67 Brit pounds and accordingly between 70-90 € for the rest of the civilized world.

the high-end chipset 790GX or RS780D ( Ati radeon hd 3300) has a FOB between 100 - 120 USD. Maybe the price is 100-120 € or 75-90 £ . Well, that's just a "guesstimation".

however, I'm gonna attend the Cebit in Hannover March 5 and have a closer look at it.

edit: here's a comparison between RS780 vs RS690 & MCP68 . they've used a single-core athlon 3500+ !!
funny, tried chinese to english translation...