Blu-ray Done Right: How Does Your Integrated GPU Stack Up?
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GPUs
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Blu-ray
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Today we're looking at Asus motherboards armed with integrated graphics processors from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia to see which core logic vendor can offer the best Blu-ray playback quality, features, and value for a high-definition HTPC.
Blu-ray Done Right: How Does Your Integrated GPU Stack Up? : Read more
Blu-ray Done Right: How Does Your Integrated GPU Stack Up? : Read more
More about : blu ray integrated gpu stack
epsiloneri
September 21, 2009 6:42:29 AM
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HalfHuman
September 21, 2009 7:24:53 AM
i don't get it why a home theater would use a 1200w power source. at the same time i don't get why would someone evaluate the power efficency using this kind of power sorce. if you ask me i'd make this crazy ass power supplies illegal. a normal hometheater should not use more than 50w at idle and 100-150w at load. seems that this is what these actually consume. factor in the less than 5% load on the power supply and you get a masterfull 50-60% power efficency. i'd love to see some proper power supply test.
Score
14
falchard
September 21, 2009 7:25:22 AM
falchard
September 21, 2009 7:26:17 AM
HalfHuman
September 21, 2009 7:43:55 AM
the 1200w power supply is green as in blue-green mould green.
this is in fact an excellent power supply... if you use it. at 100watts load it has a "cool" 76% efficency. if the intel pc uses less than 82watts in load and 66watts in idle you can only imagine the efficency a power supply has at below 5% load. the site suggest around 65% so instead of having a proper power supply using 40watts or less when idle, you get this "green" efficient hummer who swollows 66w. i really like you articles guys but this kind of testing is not the way to go.
Score
11
Anonymous
September 21, 2009 9:14:04 AM
Score
1
HalfHuman
September 21, 2009 9:23:09 AM
drew_a
September 21, 2009 9:31:54 AM
Uh, guys... you might want to edit this article...
"For the last CPU utilization test, we will check the capability of these graphic chipsets to accelerate picture-in-picture (PIP) video streams. To do this, we will use the Blu-ray dick Sunshine, which utilizes the H.264 codec and features PIP commentary during playback."
on page 6
"For the last CPU utilization test, we will check the capability of these graphic chipsets to accelerate picture-in-picture (PIP) video streams. To do this, we will use the Blu-ray dick Sunshine, which utilizes the H.264 codec and features PIP commentary during playback."
on page 6
Score
2
icepick314
September 21, 2009 2:00:40 PM
"If you are an audiophile, you should know that out of these remaining options, only the GeForce 9300/9400 can handle uncompressed eight-channel LPCM audio over HDMI 1.3."
i did NOT know this...
i thought only way to listen to uncompressed audio on blu-ray was using Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 audio card to bitstream to your receiver...
it's nice to know that IGP has enough power to handle 1080p while streaming HD audio codec....
i did NOT know this...
i thought only way to listen to uncompressed audio on blu-ray was using Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 audio card to bitstream to your receiver...
it's nice to know that IGP has enough power to handle 1080p while streaming HD audio codec....
Score
1
raptor550
September 21, 2009 2:21:23 PM
videoxprt
September 21, 2009 2:21:44 PM
I've tried the HD version of HQV a few weeks ago on my G45 based HTPC (Asus P5Q-EM), with slightly different results.
The Film Resolution Loss test actually works, almost perfectly. There is just a minor glitch at the beginning of each scene, that you can see only if you know what to look for.
In fact, if the "Film Mode Detection" control is toggled in the middle of playback, I can see a significant improvement in image quality at runtime.
I would actually give 90 points to G45, for the simply reason that the denoise is not as good as the GeForce - but still one of the best HTPCs in the market.
The Film Resolution Loss test actually works, almost perfectly. There is just a minor glitch at the beginning of each scene, that you can see only if you know what to look for.
In fact, if the "Film Mode Detection" control is toggled in the middle of playback, I can see a significant improvement in image quality at runtime.
I would actually give 90 points to G45, for the simply reason that the denoise is not as good as the GeForce - but still one of the best HTPCs in the market.
Score
0
Anonymous
September 21, 2009 2:25:23 PM
I find this review to be problematic on several fronts.
First of all, there is way too much emphasis given to de-interlacing tests. This is mostly an issue with standard-definition DVDs and with some HDTV channels. The VAST majority of Blu-Ray content is stored in 24p format (23.976 frames per second, progressive). It does not need to be de-interlaced at all because it originated on film. This is even true of many newer TV shows, which are often shot on film, not video.
Rather than wasting time with obsolete de-interlacing tests, you should have tested stutter-free 24p playback with compatible TV sets. Most new LCD flat panels that run at a 120Hz refresh rate are capable of supporting smooth 24p playback with 5:5 pulldown. However, not all chipsets can send this out properly. There have been reports of problems with the Intel G45 and some other chipsets - stuttering on 24p playback has been an issue in the past. I would be interested to know if this has been fixed. Also, you should have tested whether the HDMI repeater function (needed for hooking up through an A/V receiver) works properly with all chipsets.
First of all, there is way too much emphasis given to de-interlacing tests. This is mostly an issue with standard-definition DVDs and with some HDTV channels. The VAST majority of Blu-Ray content is stored in 24p format (23.976 frames per second, progressive). It does not need to be de-interlaced at all because it originated on film. This is even true of many newer TV shows, which are often shot on film, not video.
Rather than wasting time with obsolete de-interlacing tests, you should have tested stutter-free 24p playback with compatible TV sets. Most new LCD flat panels that run at a 120Hz refresh rate are capable of supporting smooth 24p playback with 5:5 pulldown. However, not all chipsets can send this out properly. There have been reports of problems with the Intel G45 and some other chipsets - stuttering on 24p playback has been an issue in the past. I would be interested to know if this has been fixed. Also, you should have tested whether the HDMI repeater function (needed for hooking up through an A/V receiver) works properly with all chipsets.
Score
2
burnley14
September 21, 2009 2:35:55 PM
philosofool
September 21, 2009 4:15:11 PM
I'm not really sure why anyone would even both spending money to build an HTPC and not spend the $40 for a Radeon 4350 or a 9400GT. They're passively cooled solutions that will easily outperform anything reviewed here today. It could even save you money because it would allow you to get a less expensive motherboard. Anyway, if you are serious about building an HTPC, it seems to me that one of these cards is just a no brainer. Why would you even risk blu ray stutter or graininess in your home theater?
Anyway, I would really like to see a review of the 9400gt and hd 4350 as far as their effectiveness in video play back.
Anyway, I would really like to see a review of the 9400gt and hd 4350 as far as their effectiveness in video play back.
Score
0
Anonymous
September 21, 2009 5:09:15 PM
Anonymous
September 21, 2009 5:12:16 PM
It would be nice next to the graphics card roundup, to see some articles about integrated graphics!
Most people buy a mobo or laptop with integrated graphics card, and don't even bother to see how their performance could differ between AMD, intel, or an NVidia graphics powered mobo.
I think it could really help the people who want to buy a new computer,eg: for work purposes, but would like to casually game on it, without suffering too horrible resolutions or lagging framerates.
Ofcourse everyone serious about gaming would buy an additional graphics card to play their crysis, and I don't expect IGP's to run that game.
But perhaps they are good for games like Tycoon, Formula 1, some basic 3rd and 1st person shooter games, etc...
Most people buy a mobo or laptop with integrated graphics card, and don't even bother to see how their performance could differ between AMD, intel, or an NVidia graphics powered mobo.
I think it could really help the people who want to buy a new computer,eg: for work purposes, but would like to casually game on it, without suffering too horrible resolutions or lagging framerates.
Ofcourse everyone serious about gaming would buy an additional graphics card to play their crysis, and I don't expect IGP's to run that game.
But perhaps they are good for games like Tycoon, Formula 1, some basic 3rd and 1st person shooter games, etc...
Score
0
icepick314"If you are an audiophile, you should know that out of these remaining options, only the GeForce 9300/9400 can handle uncompressed eight-channel LPCM audio over HDMI 1.3."i did NOT know this...i thought only way to listen to uncompressed audio on blu-ray was using Asus Xonar HDAV 1.3 audio card to bitstream to your receiver...it's nice to know that IGP has enough power to handle 1080p while streaming HD audio codec....
Actually, the ASUS card is used to bitstream those high-def audio codecs to your receiver, where they can be decoded (giving you 24-bit 192kHz, if the content offers it). If you're happy decoding the audio locally on the HTPC and sending the uncompressed LPCM (16-bit 48kHz) to your receiver, Nvidia's GeFOrce 9300 will do the trick!
Regards,
Chris
Score
-1
Major7up
September 21, 2009 9:35:28 PM
UltraMagnus0001
September 21, 2009 10:46:14 PM
opmopadop
September 21, 2009 11:23:58 PM
UltraMagnus0001
September 22, 2009 1:20:27 AM
Mygind
September 22, 2009 4:51:59 AM
anamaniac
September 22, 2009 6:32:24 AM
"...there's little reason to recommend the Intel G45, which is sad, because it really does represent an excellent effort on Intel's part."
No, it doesn't. Intel + Graphics = FAIL. I think it is worth considering that Dad may set up the HTPC for his movies, but Junior is going to want to throw a game or two on it if only to see just how it looks on that big screen.
No, it doesn't. Intel + Graphics = FAIL. I think it is worth considering that Dad may set up the HTPC for his movies, but Junior is going to want to throw a game or two on it if only to see just how it looks on that big screen.
Score
-1
icetom
September 22, 2009 7:06:48 PM
Quote:
We can further discriminate with the question: how serious are you about home-theater audio? If you are an audiophile, you should know that out of these remaining options, only the GeForce 9300/9400 can handle uncompressed eight-channel LPCM audio over HDMI 1.3This is not correct statment, because Nvidia 9300/9400, as ATI HD4xxx, can provide only downsampled 16/48 7.1 LPCM due to PAP protection. Unless article author had in mind AL889A+PowerDVD9 playback
Score
-1
RCPG
September 22, 2009 10:27:52 PM
RCPG
September 22, 2009 10:30:54 PM
RCPG
September 22, 2009 10:35:50 PM
On page 2, on the "Integrated GeForce 9300/9400" table, I guess you wanted to write "450 (9200) / 580 (9300)" instead of both 9300.
Also, there are some missing words and misspelled words like in page 4 "(...) 9400 specifications in order to see if it > is < the best possible representation of the series." or "On the back panel you'll > FIND (and not fine) < eight-channel audio jacks".
Anyway, it's nice to see things are improving on the IGP camp.
PS: Sorry about the triple post. When I did < - - (all together) and - - > (all together) I guess I was doing something like "code commenting" when you're programming and that's why my last 2 posts were incomplete. Took me 2 to find out why.
Also, there are some missing words and misspelled words like in page 4 "(...) 9400 specifications in order to see if it > is < the best possible representation of the series." or "On the back panel you'll > FIND (and not fine) < eight-channel audio jacks".
Anyway, it's nice to see things are improving on the IGP camp.
PS: Sorry about the triple post. When I did < - - (all together) and - - > (all together) I guess I was doing something like "code commenting" when you're programming and that's why my last 2 posts were incomplete. Took me 2 to find out why.
Score
-1
briank
September 23, 2009 1:34:50 PM
HalfHuman20% for this would be 240watts and efficency would still be reasonable.i posted some link but i see it's been removed. that review said something about 65% minimum.
Very few power supplies can provide good efficiency at 20% load. Most hit their sweet spot at 50% or above. A poorly designed PSU may have a good efficiency range of only 30% (example: 85% efficiency at 60-90% load). If you think 65% is reasonable, then that's your opinion, but I think its pretty poor.
Score
0
JohnnyLucky
September 24, 2009 4:23:34 AM
blarger
September 24, 2009 11:13:55 PM
blarger
September 24, 2009 11:14:10 PM
Anonymous
October 10, 2009 2:03:24 AM
I own both, a GF 9400 and a 785g based Board and i can definitively say that 785g outperforms the GF 9400 deinterlacing in any way, can´t understand that the vector adaptive deinterlacing ability now included in 785g wasn´t mentioned in this test... VA is a so much better choice for TV viewers and nearly erverybody fiddling around with HTPC´s everybody knows this...
Score
0
BlueCat57
October 16, 2009 5:56:05 PM
It would be nice if they indicated which monitor they used for the tests.
I always have trouble finding Tom's monitor recommendations. I'm looking for an article on Tom's that talks about the difference of using a monitor or a television for viewing. Right now larger monitors are cost prohibitive but smaller monitors cost less than smaller TVs.
So which monitor do you use when testing?
I always have trouble finding Tom's monitor recommendations. I'm looking for an article on Tom's that talks about the difference of using a monitor or a television for viewing. Right now larger monitors are cost prohibitive but smaller monitors cost less than smaller TVs.
So which monitor do you use when testing?
Score
0
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