HDTV Video - Graphics Cards

The HDTV Video - Graphics Card

The graphics or video card has probably changed more than any other component needed for a HDTV PC. With the introduction of Vista Aero and DirectX 10 a whole new series of graphics cards have been developed. As we learned from the Microsoft and Intel mess earlier this year, not all graphics chips and card work well in this new environment. Both ATI/AMD and Nvidia, the two leading manufacturers of graphics chips and cards, have also had their share of problems with Vista but fortunately things have stabilized over the past few months.

Decoders for HDTV MPEG-2 streams are now included in Vista unlike MCE 2005 and XP where you had to supply your own decoders. Most new pre-built PC’s (with the exclusion of the lowest end) have a PCI-e slot for a graphics card. The lower end PC’s rely on an onboard chip for graphics which usually provides marginal HDTV support especially with Vista which seems to demand a better graphics card for optimal HD performance.

A quality graphics card in your PC will assure that there will be no jerky picture display because of poor through-put. Also all of the new mid to higher end graphics cards support onboard decoding of the H.264 spec which is used for displaying high def DVD’s (1080p). Some of the higher end cards also have HDCP (the encryption component) which may be required for Blu-ray DVD playback. Others come with HDMI output or an HDMI to DVI adapter.

There are two main types of graphics cards the AGP, an older technology, and the PCI-e. Most new cards are PCI-e, however there are AGP versions of the latest technology, although usually at a premium price.

From left to right PCI, PCI-e and AGP card slots

ATI has introducted it’s new HD Series and Nvidia has the 8000 and recently the 9000 Series. There are loyal fans for each manufacturer mainly among gamers, but both produce quality products.

The nice thing for consumers is this technology is moving so fast that some excellent graphics cards are available at discounted prices or with rebates. An example is the Nvidia 8600GT PCI-e, a great HD card for both TV and Blu-ray (have one myself), now starts in the $90 range (or less when rebates are offered) when they were over $130 just a few month ago. There are similar saving on some ATI graphics card as well.

With the Vista OS, you can just install most graphics cards and Vista will automatically download the latest software for you. With XP or MCE2005 you will need to download the latest drivers from the ATI or Nvidia site.

Compare prices for the Nvidia 8600GT here.

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