FAQ or overview on using HTPC for scaling and progressive DVD? (1 Viewer)

[Josh Lowe]

Is there a FAQ on this? I was about to buy a Panasonic RP91 DVD player until I started looking into building an HTPC. I already have a Radeon 8500 and can get the DVI -> Component adaptor for it. I could then run output from the HTPC into my TV. I am considering getting a Toshiba HDTV, and one of the few flaws with the Toshiba is that it upscales all 480 line input to 540. This tends to yield some artifacts.

So I got to thinking that using an HTPC to do the scaling and sending the input as 540p directly into the Toshiba would probably yield a better quality image rather than relying on the TV to do the upscaling. Same goes for 480i and 720p inputs.

Are HTPC-based DVD players capable of doing 3:2 pulldown, etc? And what sound cards use toslink type digital optical outputs for DVD audio? I have a soundblaster live platinum 5.1 and I don't think it has a toslink out - just some proprietary spdif connector in the back. I haven't looked at the livedrive that closely, though. Even though the card can decode dolby digital I would rather output the raw audio from the DVD into my receiver and let it do the decoding..

 

[RobertR]

Josh, THE best resource for answering all your questions is here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forum...?s=&forumid=26
Yes, HTPCs do 3:2 pulldown. You can easily set refresh rates, resolutions, etc. If your display can handle it, they can do it.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

The SB series are not popular as it doesn't pass direct "bit for bit" digital- instead has some elaborate resampling system. If you want to use a HTPC for DVD playback- probably best to invest in a Maudio card- as those seem to be the popular worry-free solution.

Again, a search on Maudio in AVS will yield more info than you could shake a forrest full of sticks at...

-Vince