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cunim
Joined: 01 Sep 2008
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: best display implementation on htpc |
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Here's a general topic that I have not seen covered in one easy lesson. Easy is good.
Currently running my G90 1080i/60 via HDMI (Moome) from a BD player and Classe SSP800. Great picture, by the way. About to switch to 1080p/48 and my htpc as source. Initial fiddling yielded inferior image quality from an Nvidia 8800 GTX. I will find myself a fanless graphics card (perhaps the 9600) and make a more serious effort to achieve a good image at 1080p.
To summarize, I need the image at 1080p/48, I need to play a bit with the vertical line spec, and I want image quality equivalent to a good hardware processor. I am not religious about color fidelity.
Issue Does a PC have this capability? Has anyone actually made this conversion on a top-line PJ and medium-large screen?
If the pc struggles, does it help to put a hardware processor on the output and do my scaling etc. there - or is it a case of garbage in garbage out?
The experts have given me both "no processor can match a properly implemented PC" and "no PC can match a properly implemented processor". Looking for experience here.
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Chuchuf
Joined: 11 Mar 2006
Posts: 548
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 2:17 pm Post subject: |
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From what I read above, a well built HTPC will have no problem implementing what you want. Actually I don't understand if there is a question here. I run a HTPC on a G90 for BluRay, HD DVD and any other format I want to play back. This is all pretty well documented on building one of these on the AVS Home THeater Computers forum.
But I have a few questions for you.
1. Why are you running 1080i/60 via HDMI to Moome card in your G90 and not 1080P60??
2. Why do you want to run 1080P48 from a HTPC. While this was tried a few years ago, some folks found that they could not tolerate the flickering of the 48hz refresh rate. Why not run 60 or 72?
Terry
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benareeno
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 1614
Location: ottawa, canada
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| Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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I run 48 because I like a small amount of flicker...it reminds me of a real theater. Also, 48 is easier on the projector...a win win for me.
I would say that if you have the means (money) get a scaler...don't even bother with a PC. PC is great for me because as much as I love this hobby, I'll do something on the cheap if I can. Scaler will require far less fussing and configuration and hair pulling...and in the end, will probably have a better picture too.
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perisoft
Joined: 29 Aug 2007
Posts: 2920
Location: Ithaca, NY
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: |
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| benareeno wrote: | I run 48 because I like a small amount of flicker...it reminds me of a real theater. Also, 48 is easier on the projector...a win win for me.
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Same here. I wonder if different tubes behave quite a bit differently, though - there's barely any visible flicker with the Sony tubes in my bg808s at 60hz, and the flicker at 48 is the same or a little less than at the theater.
Of course, my buddy who comes over to watch movies complained about it... I told him it was just like the theater, so it should be fine, but apparently he can't stand it in a theater either! Doh... 
Anyway, maybe some tubes have much shorter persistence phosphor? God knows 48hz on my CRT monitors would be horrifying!
_________________
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benareeno
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 1614
Location: ottawa, canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject: |
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Agreed...48Hz on my crt monitor is rough...until I put video on, then it's ok.
But 48Hz on my BG808s has virtually no flicker...it all depends on the light output I think. Lower contrast = less flicker. Plus, darker scenes won't flicker at all anyhow....I love 48Hz!
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benareeno
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 1614
Location: ottawa, canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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Cunim,
you mention that the pc was not as good at 1080p...were you watching Blu-Ray when you tested it?
Ben
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cunim
Joined: 01 Sep 2008
Posts: 14
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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I was watching bluray. Just got a new graphics card (GTX295) with hdmi out. I will try again to get that set up with reasonable image quality. If it works, I will get a new calibration done at 1080p. Then I just have to figure out how to bitstream the audio (seamlessly without running multiple cranky apps). Couple of new cards claim to allow that. If I fail, I expect it will because I become fed up with the state of HT software. Actually, I am fed up now.
The pessimist in me would hate to go to a good scaler at this point. I keep expecting the G90 to blow up with little recourse to repairs and any new projector would probably have its own scaling. I would probably look again at digital, though I have yet to find one I like. Wonder how the new Lumis compares to the G90. The postings are promising and another year might see that level of quality become standard at the high end.
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benareeno
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 1614
Location: ottawa, canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 04, 2009 8:05 pm Post subject: |
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Might you need powerstrip to run 47.952 Hz? If so, I think the Nvidia card is not your best option...
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