GPU for HD video playback

scarab47

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Dec 6, 2013
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10,510
Hi folks I am looking for a graphics card aimed at video playback rather than gaming. Is this even considered with modern cards? Or are they all the same that they can do video well and are aimed at gamers mostly?
I understand that its mostly down to software. But when I play a 1080p file through my blu-ray players usb it looks better than if I play it through the pc.
Can anyone offer some advice here thanks.
 
Solution
the players. the gpu would only accelerate a bit the decoding. it the video stutters/freezes/lags/gets cut you need a gpu, it means your current one isn't offloading enough of the decode from the cpu and it can't manage to keep up. check your cpu usage (taskmanager) while playing, if it's close to 100% means you need a gpu.

from the vlc player options you should find some deinterlacing and various filters that can improve the playback. try them.

also... try to switch the hdmi cables used by the blu ray player and the pc maybe the pc one is an older version of smth and can't transmit properly 1080p (but this is a long shot)
any current gen video card will playback hd without any issues. the blu ray player could have a couple of filters/optimizations built in which may make the image look better.

when you say it looks better, what do you mean? also does the tv/monitor have the proper 1080p resolution set on the pc? could it be caused by color calibration?
 

scarab47

Honorable
Dec 6, 2013
3
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10,510
Thanks for the reply Laviniu.
The tv is set right at 1080p and I am happy with the color cal. The playback from the bluray player just looks less jagged and colors seem to pop more. I know the bluray player upscales.

What I am wondering is does the gpu upscale when it plays back video or would that be vlc players job?
 
the players. the gpu would only accelerate a bit the decoding. it the video stutters/freezes/lags/gets cut you need a gpu, it means your current one isn't offloading enough of the decode from the cpu and it can't manage to keep up. check your cpu usage (taskmanager) while playing, if it's close to 100% means you need a gpu.

from the vlc player options you should find some deinterlacing and various filters that can improve the playback. try them.

also... try to switch the hdmi cables used by the blu ray player and the pc maybe the pc one is an older version of smth and can't transmit properly 1080p (but this is a long shot)
 
Solution

scarab47

Honorable
Dec 6, 2013
3
0
10,510
cpu usage is only at 20%. However playing around with the deinterlacing settings in vlc makes a big difference. I think you found the answer there Laviniu. Thanks for the help.