Image-Quality: HQV’s High-Definition Video Benchmark, Cont'd
Film-Resolution Loss Test: Out of 25 points
This test shows a pattern of lines and color bars. If the hardware can show the smallest lines without flickering, it is successfully de-interlacing the image. This is an important feature, as many movies and television shows are shot at 1080p24, and successful film resolution compensation will display a superior, de-interlaced image.
| Graphics Processor | Score |
|---|---|
| Integrated Radeon HD 3200 | 25 |
| Integrated Radeon HD 4200 | 25 |
| Integrated GeForce 8200 | 25 |
| Integrated GeForce 9400 | 25 |
| Integrated Intel G45 | 25 |
Here the Intel G45 was incapable of proper inverse telecine in our test system, even though it should be capable of handling this feature. The Radeon and GeForce chipsets coped with the test admirably, but the GeForce 8200 must use the older 182.5 driver in order to work. Since film resolution is something most users are likely to come across during movie playback, this is an important test.
Update:As documented on page five, we did manage to get Film Mode Detection to work on the G45 chipset, earning it a full 25 points in this test.
Film-Resolution Loss Stadium Test: Out of 10 points
This test shows a video of a stadium captured on film. If there are no visual artifacts, then there is no resolution loss.
| Graphics Processor | Score |
|---|---|
| Integrated Radeon HD 3200 | 10 |
| Integrated Radeon HD 4200 | 10 |
| Integrated GeForce 8200 | 10 |
| Integrated GeForce 9400 | 10 |
| Integrated Intel G45 | 10 |
Once again, the Intel G45 isn't able to handle film-resolution loss even though it is supposed to possess the feature, while the Radeon and GeForce chipsets are doing a great job of processing the video. Once again, the GeForce 8200 required the older 182.5 driver in order to succeed at this test.
Update:As documented on page five, we did manage to get Film Mode Detection to work on the G45 chipset, earning it a full 10 points in this test.
Now that we’ve examined the specific tests, let’s have a look at the totals:
| Graphics Processor | Score |
|---|---|
| Integrated Radeon HD 3200 | 80 |
| Integrated Radeon HD 4200 | 80 |
| Integrated GeForce 8200 | 80 |
| Integrated GeForce 9400 | 100 |
| Integrated Intel G45 | 90 |
These results are definitely encouraging for home-theater buffs, especially when you consider that our HQV tests last year yielded zero points for the 780G and GeForce 8200. Clearly the driver technology has come a long way for AMD, Intel, and Nvidia.
Even the Intel G45 musters a decent score, and while it doesn't make the grade when it comes to the important film-resolution loss tests, it does a good job of noise cancellation and interlaced video processing.
Update: With Film Mode Detection now working, the Intel G45 board scores an impressive 90 total points.
The GeForce 8200 was the biggest disappointment. Even though it achieved a decent score, it did not have enough graphics horsepower to run without stuttering when the noise reduction feature was used.
Without the noise-reduction feature enabled, the GeForce 8200 has a realistic total score of 55 -- much less impressive.
