Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
I know everyone thinks the PS3 is the best thing since sliced bread. However, I might be able to acquire PC parts more economically. What is the prevailing opinion on the viability of hardware and usability of the software to play Blu-Ray via a PC? Must I have Vista? Thanks for your wisdom
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
If you gave up beer for a few months, you could have yourself a PS3 at a discount...
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488
axiomite
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OP
axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 |
But life wouldn't be worth living.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 43
buff
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buff
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 43 |
Is there a way to get the HD audio formats from a htpc?
Do they make a card that outputs HD video and sound through HDMI in a single output?
I imagine the hardware requirements for blue ray playback are preety steep although pc parts are pretty cheap these days.
M80,VP150,QS8,ERD-1,XPA-2,XPA-5,UMC-10,PS3,XBOX360,Dish VIP622,PB13 Ultra,Panasonic PT-AE3000U
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
The way to do it is binge for a whole week, then you'll be good going without for a month or so. It will taste sooo good when you resume after the PS3 is in your possession.
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
If its HDMI passthrough there will be no penalty. The most recent video cards do onboard hardware decoding so again, there is no processor penalty.
I havn't done any reading on this in a couple of months, so I don't know what the state of affairs is for HDMI 1.3 either for video cards or players.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786 |
Tom, I'm a little out of date on hardware and software players for bluray. Last time I checked a month ago the only player I could find was the older hp (I think) HD-DVD/Bluray combo player at around $200. I doubt it will handle HDMI 1.3.
A quick search on someplace like avforums will probably give you an answer.
Fred
------- Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,056
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,056 |
In order to get that Blu Ray player to work on your PC, be prepared to drop some coin on a pretty decent graphics card, most of which won't pass the audio at all. Processing capabilities are a different issue entirely. On the audio side, I suppose you could get a card to send the PCM stream out to your receiver to decode, but that's pure speculation. I bet that there is an audio card that can either do that, or decode the Blu Ray signal internally and pass it via multi-channel outs.
For my money, I think you're better off with the turn key stand alone player or a PS3. All that hardware (not to mention software compatibility issues and no tech support) to buy makes me concerned - and I looked into this option a couple of months back before deciding to go the stand alone player route.
Also consider that, if you buy a stand alone player today - get one cheap, try eBay - you can always hustle that one to a second TV when the players get cheaper and better.
Just seems like a bigger headache than its worth.
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
Have a look at this card for your sound needs.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Blu-Ray HTPC Drives
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Stop being a tight ass and just buy a damn player Tommy.....
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