Needed: Advice on 720p vs 1080p versus performance

[tjb]

Hi All,

I'm looking for some advice on graphics performance. I currently have an older 55" Mitsubishi HDTV that supports 1080i (no 720p or 1080p). I run the full 1980 x 1080 resolution (smaller resolution = smaller screen size) from an Nvidia GeForce 6600 in TV out mode (component video). GbPvr runs perfectly in FSE mode, however there is a lot of stuttering in VMR9, and even a small amount in Overlay mode. Since I am running such high resolution, it's almost impossible to use the system as a PC because all the text is so small, even with settings at the highest font size. If I change the DPI setting, then this messes up the display for a number of applications, including GbPvr. Another problem I have is that I cannot stream video from hulu.com in fullscreen mode. It plays fine until I go to full screen, then the display is very jerky. If I temporarily change the graphics display to 13xx x 768, I get a much smaller picture on the TV as it does not use the entire screen, but the streaming is much better in full screen mode.

Finally I come to my main question. I am looking to upgrade to an LCD HDTV in the near future. I have tried a 720p LCD in the past and my performance problems in VMR9 mode disappeared. I connected the 720p TV via standard vga input rather than component video, so I know this will work fine and the PC text display looks good. However, since the price of 1080p systems is coming down, I would much rather get the higher resolution if I can verify that it would work OK. My question is: are my performance problems running at 1920x1080 caused by using the component video TV Output from the nVidia card as opposed to the standard vga output? Also, is there anyone out there running 1080p on an LCD TV that can comment on the readability of text on approximately a 40" screen without messing around with the DPI settings?

[Captcol]

I would think that your issues would be the same as 1080i and 1080p are the same resolution just the first is interlaced and the second progressive scan so the second would probably be harder work. Personally I would think that your graphics card is underrated for such I high resolution. I look at the fps losses for even a 7600gt from 1280 x 768 to 19XX x 1080 and the difference is huge, and would expect it to be even more noticeable on a 6600

I can not remember what the drivers are like for the 6 series cards but you should be able to "zoom" the desktop to some point if you want to run a smaller resolution.

[SirJYK]

Like Captcol mentioned, I believe your vid card is way underpowered. In my setup, since I recently purchased a 50" plasma, I have been experimenting with vid cards and Blu Ray playback. I was using Win DVD 9.0 and Power DVD with AnyDVD running in the background. Power DVD had the most cpu usage, but it was close to Win DVD. With the 7600GS vid card, playback was stuttery and cpu usage was pegged. I replaced the vid card with a 8800GT and cpu usage dropped to under 50% at peaks. I am fairly sure my cpu is slowing me a bit, but, at least for now, it is very workable with Blu Ray. Also, AnyDVD running in the background uses some cpu cycles I am sure. I removed the copy protection and moved the movie to the hard drive and cpu usage dropped a little more. I hope this helps.

[Deusxmachina]

If the CPU of tjb's HTPC was listed, I don't see it. The video card may not be the problem if he has a weak CPU in there.

Component vs. VGA shouldn't matter for frames per second. I wouldn't worry the slightest about using a component connection. It's arguable if there is any advantage either way between component and DVI/HDMI. VGA is said to be the worst of the bunch for quality, but I don't know if most people could tell.

One thing I found interesting is the mention of "upgrading" to a different TV. Probably 90% of people on good audio/video sites will tell you a CRT has a better overall picture than LCD/plasma. Black levels, screendoor effect on 720p screens, etc.

Don't get me wrong, LCD has made great strides and are quite good now, but they're still not necessarily an upgrade other than in size and weight. Just thought it was worth a mention.

[tjb]

Thanks for all the advice! I did forget to mention my cpu - it's a 2.0 Gh Core 2 Duo. I just finished trying out an ATI 3450 board in the same system. There doesn't appear to be as much stuttering in VMR Custom mode, but the tearing is much, much worse. To my surprise, FSE mode was just as bad. I was also able to get EVR running with this card, but it also was not acceptable.

My real question was whether or not I could expect better performance from the same hardware using a vga connection, and you have answered this. So I will save the money on the TV and probably look into upgrading my display card.

One thing I did notice was that with the 3450 I was able to change the resolution output from the display card from 1920x1080 to 1366x768 and the display still filled the entire screen. Had my hopes up, but all 3 modes (VMR, FSE, and EVR) had almost the same amount of tearing at this resolution.

[tjb]

Like Captcol mentioned, I believe your vid card is way underpowered. In my setup, since I recently purchased a 50" plasma, I have been experimenting with vid cards and Blu Ray playback. I was using Win DVD 9.0 and Power DVD with AnyDVD running in the background. Power DVD had the most cpu usage, but it was close to Win DVD. With the 7600GS vid card, playback was stuttery and cpu usage was pegged. I replaced the vid card with a 8800GT and cpu usage dropped to under 50% at peaks. I am fairly sure my cpu is slowing me a bit, but, at least for now, it is very workable with Blu Ray. Also, AnyDVD running in the background uses some cpu cycles I am sure. I removed the copy protection and moved the movie to the hard drive and cpu usage dropped a little more. I hope this helps.

Ouch! Sticker shock on the 8800GT. Do you have any idea whether a 3650 would be able to run 1920x1080 without frame loss or tearing?

[stustunz]

is your tv native 1920x1080 or does it just downscale to fit screen dont bother trying to go above the native resolution of your tv as no gain will come from it
for HD a 8500nvidia and above or a ati 3650 will work setup right
ensure wait for vertical sync is forced on
and the refresh rate is set to 60hz90hzor120hz for ntsc or 50hz75hz100hzfor pal what ever suites your tv best

[tjb]

is your tv native 1920x1080 or does it just downscale to fit screen dont bother trying to go above the native resolution of your tv as no gain will come from it
for HD a 8500nvidia and above or a ati 3650 will work setup right
ensure wait for vertical sync is forced on
and the refresh rate is set to 60hz90hzor120hz for ntsc or 50hz75hz100hzfor pal what ever suites your tv best

I believe it is native. It is a 55" rear projection Mitsubishi. For the time being, I switched back to the nvidia 6600 since it works flawlessli in FSE. But I did try to check to make sure that Vertical Sync is forced on, but cannot find the setting. Can anyone tell me where to find this for the nvidia 6600? Maybe that will help with Vmr9 Custom mode.