
Update: Since we first published this story, working with Intel and CyberLink,we have been able to get the Film Mode Detection mode to work on the Intel G45 chipset as described on page five. This has impacted the playback image quality scoring and our conclusion as it pertains to the G45 chipset on page 15.
In our last Avivo HD Versus PureVideo HD face-off, we compared the newest chipsets with integrated graphics processors (IGPs) and examined how well they played back Blu-ray content. Frankly, the results were a bit surprising, as both the AMD 780G and GeForce 8200 chipsets scored a zero in the HQV video quality benchmarks. While they managed to provide basic hardware acceleration for smooth Blu-ray playback, the quality just wasn't there, according to the tests. At the end of our review, we concluded that the best option for a serious HD video enthusiast would be a discrete card, such as the Radeon HD 2600 XT.
However, our last Avivo HD versus PureVideo HD comparison was written a long time ago, and the drivers have come a long, long way. In addition, there are some new players to consider: the Intel G45, the GeForce 9300/9400, and the AMD 790GX/785G.
Just how far has the software supporting these integrated GPUs come? Are integrated chipsets now able to compete with discrete solutions as far as video quality is concerned? How do the new options perform? Let's dig in and see if we can sort out the current state of integrated HD video playback on the PC.
- The State Of HD Video On Integrated Graphics
- The Competitors
- Choosing The Hardware: AMD Platforms
- Choosing The Hardware: Intel Platforms And Other Components
- A Trouble-Free PC Blu-ray Playback Experience? Maybe In 2010
- Test Systems And Benchmarks
- Image-Quality: HQV’s High-Definition Video Benchmark
- Image-Quality: HQV’s High-Definition Video Benchmark, Cont'd
- CPU-Usage Benchmarks: H.264 Codec
- CPU-Usage Benchmarks: MPEG-2 Codec
- CPU-Usage Benchmarks: VC-1 Codec
- CPU-Usage Benchmarks: Picture-In-Picture Acceleration
- Power-Usage Benchmarks
- Dynamic Contrast And Color Enhancements: AMD Versus Nvidia
- Conclusion
- Video Jargon Quick Reference
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.
As long as you are talking about HTPC builds though, you might want to mention temps... aren't the 9300/9400 boards very hot?
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.
i posted some link but i see it's been removed. that review said something about 65% minimum.
"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
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 hate Blu-Ray dicks!
Otherwise nice article. How about throwing in a GTX260 or other high powered card just for shits and giggles?
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.
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.
Anyway, I would really like to see a review of the 9400gt and hd 4350 as far as their effectiveness in video play back.
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...
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
It wouldn't... It's a testbed. I don't think there's any recommendation for a 1200w PSU in the article.