blu-ray on this h/w

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hasole

383 posts

Ultimate Geek

#35344 8-Jun-2009 21:32

I'm debating if I should upgrade my media center h/w or buy a blu-ray drive so I can watch blu-ray.

What is everyones thoughts.

pentium d 805 2.66ghz
1.5gb mem
256mb 8400gs
win7 ult rc b7100

just messing with powerdvd9 now, and would prolly use that for blu-ray as it integrates into media center

Is the processing power not enough? is 256mb of the 8400gs enough?

jjnz1

1358 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#222847 8-Jun-2009 22:39

Playing blueray is a tough subject.

You need to have an HDCP (high def copy protection) capable monitor as windows will not let you play an HD signal without HDCP. Most new LCD or plasma full HD tvs will work. Your graphics card also needs to be HDCP able. Not sure yours is.

If you dont have this setup, you will need to buy a program called "Anydvd". This program 'tricks' windows and lets you use full hd.

Your 8400gs graphics card only has enough memory for 1 screen @ Full HD, and if you were planning on having your monitor and your tv connected at the same time it will be slow and jumpy. You should have 256MB for every Full HD output.

Because Blueray drives are still $300-$400+, i would wait a while unless you plan on connecting your computer to a 50inch+ tv.

Normal Dvd's are really good on a computer connected to a 42 inch tv, with the resolution turned up to 1920x1080 (Full HD) and all the upscaling settings turned all the way up to AA 16x etc.

I watched a few blueray dvds (the matrix triology) on my setup, and decided against a blueray drive for now, as my 42inch tv is not big enough to see all the detail when sitting at my couch. -i need a bigger screen!

Blueray looks almost the same as my beefed up computer DVD setup.

Thanks
Joel
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Althon x2 4800, 8GB ddr800 ram, 1200GB HDDs, Asus 9600GT 512MB Graphics, 22inch samsung monitor, 42 inch phillips plasma, onkyo HDMI reciever, B&W 6 series speakers, MediaPortal, Thru the walls Ati remote, Vista 64bit, Xbox wireless controller for windows, MySkyHDi.
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hasole

383 posts

Ultimate Geek

#222915 9-Jun-2009 06:57

Thanks for the reply. The card is hdcp and the only monitor is my son 40 1080p lcd. So it sounds like I could get away with it.

I can get the Blu-ray drives for about 250.

No one in auckland has one they could lend me for testing could they?

hasole

383 posts

Ultimate Geek

#222916 9-Jun-2009 06:57