CPU / GPU Recommendations

[reedlabarge]

I just bought a second computer that I am using to run XBMC / NPRV full time. It has good playback of HD content, however the Live HDTV feed from NPRV is a little choppy. Here are the relevant specs of my computer:

Core 2 Duo 2.66ghz
2 Gig Ram
GeForce GT 610 1GB 64-bit DDR3

I noticed that NPVR system requirements page says, "A more powerful computer (with a faster CPU and better graphics card) is required for playback of high-definition (HD) content. Or if running several processes at the same time, for example, by recording one show while watching another, and then transcoding or running commercial detection processes in the background."

Does anyone have a feel for if my problem is due to hardware that isn't powerful enough? Can it be fixed with a better GPU?

[johnsonx42]

Ought to be plenty powerful. What video decoder are you using? Renderer?

[reedlabarge]

Whatever the default was. I am at work right now, but I can check when I get home. Any recommendations on which one I should be using / how to get it?

[Graham]

Any recommendations

Many of us use SAF. Send a forum private message to Hoborg and ask for the "unlocked" version. http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post414049

For the avoidance of doubt, XBMC includes its own decoders. I watch H.264 HD content on a Nvidia 210 GPU so I doubt that you would have problems on a 610.

[johnsonx42]

There is no default for video decoder. I think the renderer defaults to EVR, which is what I recommend for Vista and above; for XP you'll probably have to use VMR9.

For Vista and 7, I've found disabling Aero on the desktop makes video choppy, so leave it enabled.

If you are on Windows 7, I definitely recommend the Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder. For other versions of Windows, I suggest hoborg's SAF package. (http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php...post414049). Try the regular version first, if not satisfactory then send him a PM and ask for the unlocked version.