Most suitable Nvidia 8500GT or ATI HD2400PRO

[martint123]

I'm going to be giving someone a hand at getting gbpvr running on one of their PC's. It is going to start off running dvi/vga to their TV and if they're happy, then move to a PCH/MVP at Christmas.

They have a choice of video card - the Nvidia 8500GT 512mb (AGP I think) and the ATI HD2400pro 1gb PCIe

Which would be your choice?

thanks, Martin

[McBainUK]

They have a choice of video card - the Nvidia 8500GT 512mb (AGP I think) and the ATI HD2400pro 1gb PCIe

I assume by this they have a choice of motherboard also?

[martint123]

I assume by this they have a choice of motherboard also?

Indeed The clue was in there

giving someone a hand at getting gbpvr running on one of their PC's

As far as I can tell, the hardware is otherwise similar.

[sub]

If they're intending to have any H.264 channels, then the 8500 is probably a better choice. There is some long standing issues with the H.264 hardware acceleration on ATI devices.

[martint123]

OK thanks for that. No HD at present, just pvr150 from an STB and a dual dvb-t tuner (no HD in the UK for some time on that) But I guess if they take to it then Freesat HD could be a possibility.

As a sidenote, I've borrowed their Harmony 1000 remote to have a play with - most impressed to see GBPVR in there as a "manufacturer". I must have a play and see if I can improve on the PCH remote and make it MVP like

[sub]

As a sidenote, I've borrowed their Harmony 1000 remote to have a play with - most impressed to see GBPVR in there as a "manufacturer".

lol - that is funny

[stustunz]

8500 all the way

the 2400 is over worked runs very hot (not what you want in htpc more heat )
i had a really bad experience with 2400 so i may be biased

[martint123]

lol - that is funny

They also have the cheek to say :-

Uncontrollable Software Application

The model number you have entered is for a software application. Control of this software is dependant on the computer's remote control.

[smajor]

FYI, I upgraded to a HD-PVR and it seems the 8500 will suit it well. I have been using a large tower as a test bed with a 7900GT (256MB RAM). It works well, but I want to go back to my low profile PC. NewEgg has a low profile 8500 (512MB RAM) for $79 right now.

[martint123]

Thanks all - 8500 it is. Had an initial tweak today and the ATI is a pain in the rear end.
Only plays first half a second of an h264 file (as suggested already) with vlc or media player.

Worse of all though is it stops standby or hibernate running on their PC. Shutdown and it just restarts again. I'd have thought ATI would have learned to write a driver by now!