Bit-tech.net did a roundup of micro-ATX mobos for HTPC use with built-in video. While the boards were fine, unfortunately the results showed that none of the on-board solutions could handle Blu-Ray or HD-DVD decoding. So basically, either wait for the next gen, buy a video card, or just use a set top box:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2008/02/05/home_theatre_pc_motherboards_feb_08/1 On Wed, Mar 5, 2008 at 1:19 PM, Hayes Elkins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > If this is accurate, this is by far the best IGP for HTPC: > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMD_700_chipset_series#Integrated_graphics > > AMD/ATI right now clearly has the superior IGP for hardware accelerated > H.264 and VC-1, plus superior post processing vs NVidia's VP2 generation. > Intel may as well just scrap the G35 and rethink their plans for G45. > > I like the direction these things are going - these are now legit players in > a growing market and they can focus on HTPC and abandon the idea of trying to > get an IGP to play Crysis at reasonable FPS :) > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To: hardware@hardwaregroup.com > > Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 11:24:15 -0600 > > Subject: [H] Brief comment: 780G > > > > > > Ok, so now that it's out, I can say a few things: > > > > (1) The 780G on AMD's end is maybe one of the more impressive chipsets I've > > seen in a very long time. We've been giving it a run on a few of our > > monitors using the Asus MB, and have found it pretty stunning what kind of > > performance you can get. Even using a simple (read: CHEAP) 3800+ X2, we had > > no problems running BlueRay discs at full acceleration to a 61" Samsung > DLP. > > Video is fast, smooth, and power usage is very low.. > > > > (2) Putting this thing in a micro case works, which is an advantage. > > > > (3) I'm not sure about the market for "Oh, combine to a 3450 and do Hybrid > > SLI. First, it only works under Vista SP1, which will be primarily new PCS > > (fine, and BTW, when it is available to public download it's worth it) > > > > (4) Now we have to see what Intel responds with. Nvidia's already kind of > > boned themselves, the 9800 series is delayed (AGAIN), and the 8200 IGP is > > both behind and, by their projections will be at least 15% slower then the > > 780G. Intel's G35 looks particularly putrid in comparison > > > > For those looking to do a Media Center box, this is the best combo I've > > seen. The chipset has it all - Full HDMI 1.3 support with DTS Master Audio, > > TrueHD capability, Blueray decoding at low CPU usage on even a cheap ass > > CPU, and tons of SATA ports for drives. > > > > While AMD has been in the doldrums on their CPU side, it's good to see > > something positive over there going on. > > > > CW > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ > Climb to the top of the charts! Play the word scramble challenge with star > power. > http://club.live.com/star_shuffle.aspx?icid=starshuffle_wlmailtextlink_jan
