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Can my setup support blue-ray?
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Riggin
Newbie
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16. July 2008 @ 18:22 |
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I'm interested in getting an internal blue-ray player for my PC, but I'm not sure that I could get the full benefits of the upgrade. I don't want to spend the money and time installing it if it's not any better than a standard dvd.
Here's my setup:
AMD Athlon 63 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+
EVGA NVIDIA Geforce 8600 GT 256 MB
2 GB RAM
LCD monitor with 3 ms response time
Running Windows XP Home Edition SP2
and other stuff that doesn't seem relevant to the topic
Are there any other factors I need to mention or is this enough to give the thumbs up or thumbs down? Should I get the blue-ray, or would it be a waste? What do I need to do to handle the upgrade?
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AfterDawn Addict
3 product reviews
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16. July 2008 @ 19:18 |
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Moderator
1 product review
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16. July 2008 @ 20:01 |
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One thread per topic, I've closed your other thread so stick with this one.
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Riggin
Newbie
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16. July 2008 @ 21:04 |
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I accidentally posted in the wrong area, so reposted in the right one. Sorry for not deleting it. Can anyone help me instead of criticizing me?
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rulisky
Senior Member
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16. July 2008 @ 21:45 |
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136137
The above link is to an LG burner that sounds appealing to me. Thought about getting it, but the system requirements are beyond my computer. Specifically the one about Pentium D as mine is a Pentium 4.
Your rig seems like it meets the requirements, be sure to look at the specs tab. Different burners may have different requirements. This one seems to cover all the bases. You would be able to play just about everything and burn all except the dead HD DVD.
Newegg is good about posting the tech info you won't find at some other sites. You might find a cheaper price but you won't beat their customer service, at least in my experience. I have never had a problem returning an item when necessary, count me as one of their happy customers.
As far as benefits of the upgrade . . . probably only you can decide. High def does look good, but standard DVD is not that shabby. Cost of blank media is high now for Blu Ray, sure to come done in the future.
IF you don't need to burn blu ray, consider a play only drive which would be less than the above.
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Riggin
Newbie
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16. July 2008 @ 22:01 |
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So, will my DVI output generate the same video quality as HDMI (which my system lacks)?
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rulisky
Senior Member
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16. July 2008 @ 22:59 |
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I don't think it will be exactly the same. Assuming that your video card is HD capable and that your monitor is HD capable, then your picture should at least be better than standard def.
How much? Can't say as I don't have a high def system. But, it is my understanding that the quality of the connection to the monitor effects the final display to some degree. HDMI cable is best. S video is somewhat less. Three RCA cables are more less. Not sure where DVI fits in the range. And not sure how big the range might be.
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Member
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17. July 2008 @ 07:58 |
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Originally posted by Riggin:
I'm interested in getting an internal blue-ray player for my PC, but I'm not sure that I could get the full benefits of the upgrade. I don't want to spend the money and time installing it if it's not any better than a standard dvd.
Here's my setup:
AMD Athlon 63 X2 Dual Core Processor 5600+
EVGA NVIDIA Geforce 8600 GT 256 MB
2 GB RAM
LCD monitor with 3 ms response time
Running Windows XP Home Edition SP2
and other stuff that doesn't seem relevant to the topic
Are there any other factors I need to mention or is this enough to give the thumbs up or thumbs down? Should I get the blue-ray, or would it be a waste? What do I need to do to handle the upgrade?
I have gone through this experiance and here is what youshould note.
1) Your CPU and RAM are good to go
2) Your 7600 GT can play HD (technically) but is not HDCP compliant. (I had one and had touse AnyDVD to overcome the HDCP handshake required between the GFX card and the Display)
3) You will need a digital connection (DVI or HDMI or a conversion between the two to enable a HDCP signal to be passed)
4) If you cannot achieve HDCP compliance you will need to use either AnyDVD HD runningin the background or use an analogue connection such as component or VGA.
5) If you use an analogue connection the BluRay software player such as Power DVD will not let the movie be output in High Definition resolutions.
6) I have a 32" HD ready LCD and the Bluray picture is superior to DVD but it does vary. Newer films seem to have the edge. One thing for sure is that it is more impressive on very large displays but is not the revolution in video that the industry were pushing. There were statements made that compared it to the difference between the old black & white TV and Colour. Well that certainly was a step change but HD over DVD is not that big of a step I can assure you.
Any more questions feel free to ask.
PC Specs: CPU-C2D E8400, M/B-P5N-E SLI, RAM 4Gig OCZ Platinum rev2 ,VGA- Nvidia 8800GT 512MB, HDD- Hitachi Deskstar SATAII 1TB, 250Gig Maxtor IDE HDD.
Corsair HX520 PSU, Liteon Lightscribe DVD Writer, Pioneer BluRay drive.
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ThadiasJ
Junior Member
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18. July 2008 @ 20:06 |
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I thought you needed Windows Vista in order to play Blu-Ray disks.
My setup is:
AMD 2600+, 512MB RAM , MYHD TV card, I am just using a PCI video and capture card till I can find the right PCI express video card to get.
I would like to just watch Blu-Ray movies in HD on my PC if I don't have to upgrade to Vista.
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ThadiasJ
Junior Member
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18. July 2008 @ 20:13 |
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Well, it looks like you also need a true HD monitor which I don't have. I will probably just look for a player for my HD TV. Sounds like that will actually be cheaper.
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rulisky
Senior Member
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18. July 2008 @ 20:52 |
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Vista is NOT the only choice to play blu ray. XP will do it as well, check the specs tab on the burner I mentioned before.
What I did learn after reading some the posts here is about the term HDCP. Click on the link provided via AfterDawn, it clarifies how you need BOTH a compliant video card and a compliant monitor.
My card is, the monitor is NOT. That means, in my case, you won't get HD even if you tried and you might get nothing.
byngo stated that unless your monitor is "larger" HD is not that big of a deal on the PC anyway. As I stated before, regular DVDs aren't that shabby either.
SO - I will not be making the jump for a while.
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Member
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19. July 2008 @ 18:05 |
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Its not a limitation of the PC that makes HD not such a "Revolution".
Its the format itself.
I was just emphasysing that it aint all its craked up to be by the industry.
Hd is very good. It is better than DVD. Just not the step jump you might have ambitions of.
Oh, and a 8600GT video card is not HDCP compliant. I even had XFX telling me that my previous 8600GT card (by product number and serial number) was by their records, HDCP compliant. I proved their own specs were wrong when I added a 8800GT on exactly the same set-up and I acheived HDCP compliance. Remember also that Nvidia will state that the GPU will be HDCP "Capable". That means the board manufacturer has to implement the rest of the circuitry and pay a license fee to enable HDCP. Its not Free to them, so they only go that far on more expensive cards. (8600GTS is OK for example)
PC Specs: CPU-C2D E8400, M/B-P5N-E SLI, RAM 4Gig OCZ Platinum rev2 ,VGA- Nvidia 8800GT 512MB, HDD- Hitachi Deskstar SATAII 1TB, 250Gig Maxtor IDE HDD.
Corsair HX520 PSU, Liteon Lightscribe DVD Writer, Pioneer BluRay drive.
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Member
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19. July 2008 @ 18:15 |
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Originally posted by ThadiasJ:
I thought you needed Windows Vista in order to play Blu-Ray disks.
My setup is:
AMD 2600+, 512MB RAM , MYHD TV card, I am just using a PCI video and capture card till I can find the right PCI express video card to get.
I would like to just watch Blu-Ray movies in HD on my PC if I don't have to upgrade to Vista.
Not sure an AMD 2600+ is up to the job.
You do not need vista but 512mb Ram is only just about there these days. However, in video circumstances the Video card plays the most important role. The minimum specs for RAM on the Video Card for BluRay is 256Mb because the frames that are about to be displayed are stored in the Video RAM (about four frames in advance I read somewhere). I would go for 512Mb Video Ram but then be careful you've not got a card so power hungry that its not only noisy but needs a bigger power supply.
When I had my old PC that had an AMD 3000+ 1.5GIG of RAM and a 7600GT video card. The video card was only 128Mb and HD video Clips I had downloaded always stutterd along. I guess this was a limitation of a 128Mb video card and the rest of the system was satisfactory.
PC Specs: CPU-C2D E8400, M/B-P5N-E SLI, RAM 4Gig OCZ Platinum rev2 ,VGA- Nvidia 8800GT 512MB, HDD- Hitachi Deskstar SATAII 1TB, 250Gig Maxtor IDE HDD.
Corsair HX520 PSU, Liteon Lightscribe DVD Writer, Pioneer BluRay drive.
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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21. July 2008 @ 09:53 |
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I purchased an internal Lite-On OEM Blu-Ray drive from newegg for $119 and they even included two copies of PowerDVD blu-ray edition playing software, but it only has two channel sound. I went with PowerDVD Ultra which decodes all currently known surround sound formats. The drive plays quite decently thus far and was reasonable fast ripping a blu-ray movie to my hard drive considering their size.
I don't recommend going with Blu-Ray burner unless you're prepared to pay $15 for a single media, just get a Blu-Ray rom playback unit. Blu-Ray movies can be compressed and burned to a single or dual layer disc that will playback in many Blu-Ray players. jdobbs the author of DVD Rebuider claims to have ripped, compressed, burned a 1080P disc that played well in his blu-ray player. To me that sound more like value although I would probably still go with a dual layer disc because $1.75-$2.00 just sounds like a better deal than $15. Just imagine getting one of those as a coaster. LOL
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. |
AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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21. July 2008 @ 10:19 |
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A small point that I overlooked in my previous post. In order to playback 1080P you will need at least a 24" LCD monitor, 1080P requires 1920 by 1080 and a 24" monitor has 1920 by 1200 screen resolution.
I haven't tried to play an HD DVD or Blu-Ray movie on anything smaller so I can say what the quality will be like.
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. |
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goodswipe
Suspended permanently
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21. July 2008 @ 11:43 |
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Originally posted by 7thsinger:
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/683669
Multiposting is against forum rules.
Way to go 7th, you will be on your way to mod status in no time. ;)
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ThadiasJ
Junior Member
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21. July 2008 @ 21:49 |
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Actually I looked again and my processor is a 3500+ but I am still lacking in other areas. My monitor is only 17" LCD, it has a DVI input but I doubt it is HDCP compilant. I could always get more RAM and a good video card but looks like I would still need a new monitor. In the end sounds like it would be more money than its worth. Unless there is a work around the monitor problem please let me know. thanks
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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21. July 2008 @ 22:01 |
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Quote:
Actually I looked again and my processor is a 3500+ but I am still lacking in other areas. My monitor is only 17" LCD, it has a DVI input but I doubt it is HDCP compilant.
17" LCD is a little small so you can't possibly get the full benefit of a blu-ray drive. As far as HDCP is concerned AnyDVD will room HDCP so that it doesn't affect playback.
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 21. July 2008 @ 22:03
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jeice28
Junior Member
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21. July 2008 @ 23:07 |
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I hate to burst a few bubbles here about blu-ray and hd-dvd's but where it really can matter is the video card. Thankfully dvi is usually compliant... but it usually needs to be a card over a 256mb. A small hand full are but they either need to be a super-clocked or an over-clocked card. Strangely enough it doesn't matter if its Pci-express, or agp card; from what I've seen as I work in computer retail. Now your 17 inch monitor... because its got a 3ns response time, if I'm not mistaken it ought to beable. Usually most monitors that have this response timing are hi-end capable, but it all needs to be digital! This is the other key, if your card does have dvi ports and your using a dvi cable which sounds to be the case, I'd say there's a good chance your okay... however you won't be able to get the depth factor of 1080i or p.
Now just one thing the whole 1080 aspect is the recommended requirements. That's one of the dirty little secrets, and a lot of people may also say get hdmi. I'd agree that if you want the true quality that blu-ray brings you need hdmi. I don't care what any one says about this I've heard so many arguments about 'component' that its a dead subject. Proof is always needed, and unfortunately... being in computer retail you got to prove it each and every day. Thankfully if you want proof I'll tell you go buy a PS3 play a game on component first, and then do it to an hdmi. Do the same thing with a movie... specifically a blu-ray movie and you not need to have it 1080 capable either (another dirty little secret). I promise you'll see the difference! Now then, they do make cards out now that have hdmi, but unless your building a high-end gaming machine its not worth the 600+dollar price tag.
I give total credits, and kudos to byngo; he is DEAD RIGHT about some of the cards out, also for his step by step analysis of your system, I agree completely; and to rulisky for his accuracy about xp being able to handle blu-ray or hd-dvd. I do have one last concern, and that is your mobo... what are using? I have seen a good system be of no use for this medium because they bought something cheap. If you have a mobo in the 49 to 89 dollar range... you just probably shot yourself in the foot. (Namely msi, ecs I don't like these brands its a personal thing because they always come back bad, and neither do half of the tech that work where I do). If its a low end gigabyte, abit, or asus within 100 dollars you ought to be just fine. If you got something higher end... you inadvertently may have saved yourself grief!
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ThadiasJ
Junior Member
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22. July 2008 @ 06:08 |
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I have an ASUS A8N-E mobo for about $100 with an Ultra Wizard case (great case), with 3500+ AMD processor.
So, your saying it would be a waste of money if I tried it with the 17" monitor.
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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22. July 2008 @ 09:32 |
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Quote:
I hate to burst a few bubbles here about blu-ray and hd-dvd's but where it really can matter is the video card. Thankfully dvi is usually compliant... but it usually needs to be a card over a 256mb.
That's is just simply not true, any card with moderate GPU power, DVI out, and HDCP ready will work, although with AnyDVD the HDCP requirement isn't needed. However it's almost impossible to find a card these days for even $50 that doesn't have at least 256 MB of memory, but a dedicated graphics card isn't even needed. Many HTPC's are built with boards using only integrated graphics solution which don't have anywhere near 256 MB of memory. Video playback is 2 dimensional and as a result are surprisingly undemanding for video
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That's one of the dirty little secrets, and a lot of people may also say get hdmi. I'd agree that if you want the true quality that blu-ray brings you need hdmi.
HDMI is not needed if DVI is present, there is absolutely no video quality difference between HDMI and DVI, because except for the fact that HDMI also feeds sound through it they are the same connection. A DVI connection will play full 1080P. That's why a lot of video card manufacturers claim HDMI compatibility because they include a small adapter.
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they do make cards out now that have hdmi, but unless your building a high-end gaming machine its not worth the 600+dollar price tag.
Completely true since a $50 card will do just fine.
The link below is to a popular HTPC card for $37.00 which will do just fine with it's DVI out.
Many HTPC's are built from PC's that people no longer use as their main rigs or using motherboards with integrated graphics such as the AMD 780G. Integrated graphics can even be desirable because they don't add any fan noise to the system. Where I do agree is with the minimum system memory of 512 MB, in fact my minimum would be 1 GB just because of the current low prices of memory, and because Windows XP is going to be the minimum operating system requirement.
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I do have one last concern, and that is your mobo... what are using? I have seen a good system be of no use for this medium because they bought something cheap. If you have a mobo in the 49 to 89 dollar range..
His motherboard is more than good enough to build an HTPC from. HE's using a dual core CPU which is also probably good enough.
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If you have a mobo in the 49 to 89 dollar range... you just probably shot yourself in the foot.
Here is a link to $72 motherboard with integrated AMD780G graphics probably with less than 32 MB of graphcis memory that with a decent processor will play blu-ray like a champ. If
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131289R
Don't want an open boxed unit then here it is again for $89.99 of which both prices fall within your "shot in the foot ranges."
Here's another for $76.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141
Note that these boards include HDMI out, and both will make a decent HD HTPC.
A problem in the thinking of many regarding graphics is often made because of gaming requirements which causes some to believe that HD Video requirements must also be just as demanding, and that is nothing more than an internet myth. Two dimensional playback with even HD conetent is remarkably undemanding.
I have 5 home built desktop systems and a laptop, and one of them has a socket 939 A8N SLI deluxe motherboard, opteron 170, with an $37 HD 3450 Graphics card and it plays blu-ray in full 1080P flawlessly.
ThadiasJ
Your motherboard and graphics cards are just fine and probably so is your processor, although if you can find a few bucks now might be the time to pick up a 939 dual core before they're all gone. Your LCD is less than perfect for HD playback but it will play HD content back until you can upgrade, but your picture quality will be no better than your monitors quality and pixel density. I'm using a $119 Lite-On blu ray player which has thus far proven to do an excellent job. I also have an Xbox HD player used on my PC and it too works just fine.
The best bet for good playback is for you to optimize what you have.
Riggin
Your system is largely ready to go.
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So, will my DVI output generate the same video quality as HDMI (which my system lacks)?
Yes DVI is all that you need.
I hope I didn't cross reference either of your specification but I'm trying to answer two questions at once while clearing up a little misinformation.
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22. July 2008 @ 11:22
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dburges5
Newbie
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22. July 2008 @ 12:39 |
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I also have a very similar Blu_ray requiremnt question. more specifically is my AMD ATHLON 64 X2 4200 CPU adequate?
The LG #GGW-HD20L CPU req. is Intel Pentium D 3.2GHz or Equivelent
??? All my other software/hardware is more then adequate & I get a stutter effect when I play Blu-Ray dvd's.
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AfterDawn Addict
1 product review
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22. July 2008 @ 12:57 |
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Quote:
I also have a very similar Blu_ray requiremnt question. more specifically is my AMD ATHLON 64 X2 4200 CPU adequate?
Yes it should more than adequate even without overclocking it which it does quite decently. It's a 2.2 GHz dual core that is roughly equal the Opteron 175 and at stock technically faster than my Opteron 170 (which is seriousl overclocked). The X2 4200 is an all around faster CPU than a 3.2 GHz Pentium D. My Opteron 170 overclocked blew the socks of of my D945 overclocked to 3.75 GHz.
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22. July 2008 @ 12:59
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dburges5
Newbie
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22. July 2008 @ 13:07 |
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Thanks for the quick reply!
Any Idea why i may get a stutter in my video while i play back Blu-Ray DVD on my computer? audio is fine, Can this be linked to a Monitor that is not HDCP?
CPU- AMD ATHLON 64 X2 4200 dual core
4 GB of DDR RAM
Vid Card - RADEON X1900XT 512 MB GDDR3 GPU
OS - VISTA HOME PREM
Blu-Ray Drive - GGW-HD20L
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AfterDawn Addict
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22. July 2008 @ 13:19 |
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That is possible, also I'm not certain that the X1900XT is hdcp ready, or at least mine isn't
Go to www.slysoft.com and download a copy of AnDVD which should have a 30 day trial and see if that makes a difference. Other areas to look into would also be to check for a firmware update for your drive.
" Please Read!!! Post your questions only in This Thread or they will go unanswered:
Help with development of BD RB: Donations at: http://www.jdobbs.com/. This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22. July 2008 @ 13:19
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