On Wed, Feb 23, 2005 at 01:25:15PM -0500, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > I purchased a pchdtv 3000 card a while ago. Didn't want to forget or miss > the deadline. :) > > Now I'm ready to purchase the rest of the computer that will function as a > frontend/backend mythtv box. > > One option available to me is a current Dell deal for an Intel based P4 2.8 > Ghz machince. I would upgrade to a 3.0 Ghz processor. > > Another option would be building my own system around an AMD 64 3200+ > Socket 939. I switched to AMD processors years ago and have never looked > back. And except for the first computer I ever bought (386DX20 system) I > have always upgraded my current machince. > > Every thread I've seen about minimum hardware says a p4 3.0Ghz intel with > Hyperthreading is needed to watch HDTV. These same threads are usually > older. > > So can I use a AMD 64 3200+ based system? Would it have enough horsepower > to be a backend/frontend machine for HDTV viewing and recording? Does > anyone have this current setup? > > Thanks, > > jb
I would recommend a p4 2.8ghz if you're watching your budget. I have an AMD 2400+ XP system that I've used for 2 years. I used to be able to play 1080i and de-interlace it but depending on special compiling options and what features were in CVS. As it stands right now, 1080i even none de-interlaced and *not* using the new mpeg decoding library will not work without annoying pauses. I can use the new mpeg decoding library and watch 1080i but any digital noise (loss of packets) is _very_ noticible using the mpeg decoding library vs the standard decoder. The difference between them is you notice about 5x-10x more packet loss because with the mpeg decoding library it's usually green blocks and I swear the corruption is larger/longer than the build in decoder that is just blocky (but the colors of the mpeg j frames). I can't stress how much this difference is and how annoying it can be. I really believe you're playing with fire trying to use an amd 2400 system, or anything under an amd 3200. It may work now, but if new featuers are added then it may not be enough, just like what happened in the last 2 years with myth and my setup. XvMC is an option, I used it for a long time. It's just not stable right now and not much is being done to improve this. I personally won't count on XvMC being available. As for AMD vs Intel, for whatever reasons if you put an intel P4 system next to an AMD system it is very apparent that the intel system is much more smooth on video playback. I can't tell you why for sure, it just is. It may be intels instruction pipelines, hyper threading, cache size, or whatever. I just this last week ordered hardware for a P4 3.0 ghz system to use as a new frontend because I'm done spending hours tweaking my amd system to work well. My new system cost me $400 (p4 3.0ghz, 2x256, asus P4P800-e delux MB nvidia fx5200 and seagate 160GB drive). Thanks to outpost, newegg and rebates this was a very good choise. You're welcome to pick whatever, but in my experience you may regret what you get if you cut corners. There's no way I'd get an 1800 AMD system. It would be a minimum of 3200 XP. --Brandon
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