Computer Requirement to play 1080i videos smoothly

[dhyane]

hey all,

i have a laptop which i use to play HD videos..it has no problem playing 720p videos(MPEG-4/AVC1/AVC) with 1280 x720p resolution, but when it comes to 1080i videos(1280x800 resolution),the video will start lagging,freezing and video and audio will be out of sync at the beginning of playback,and basically i have to stop playback immediately..when i check windows task manager,my CPU is at 100%..i know it's because i have a terribly ancient laptop with terribly ancient hardware/requirements,as below

IntelCeleron M CPU
1.60GHz
248 RAM

and i don't even have a proper graphics card but i'm suprised i could still watch 720p videos ...and with that kind of hardware i shouldn't even be thinking of playing 1080i HD videos right?

anyways i'm thinking of upgrading or buying a new laptop with better hardware so i could finally watch my 1080i HD contents...

my question is,could someone tell me the best system requirement or brand like what processor,graphic cards,drivers,RAM,etc

i would greatly appreciate the tips...

thank you and cheers...
dhyane

[dphirschler]

I am able to play HD video (mkv) 1280x720 on my 2.8GHz Linux PC with no stuttering. Very smooth playback. And it even has to decode mkv and downscale to 720x480. Note, I do get stuttering video if I attempt to play the file across my network. It must be copied locally to play smoothly.


Darryl

[jagabo]

To play 30 fps 1080i/p h.264 you need a dual core CPU or a graphics card with h.264 decoding (and supporting software like MPCHC). 60 fps 720p takes about the same.

[MysticE]

You can cheaply put together a desktop that will play even 1080p with no problems.

Start with an all in one AMD/ATI MOBO (with HDMI out) like this and a $60 AMD X2:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128382

This processor is more than enough.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103210

[jagabo]

And given that graphics cards with hardware h.264 decoding start around US$60 there's not reason not to have both a dual core CPU and the graphics card.

[MJA]

You can cheaply put together a desktop that will play even 1080p with no problems.

Start with an all in one AMD/ATI MOBO (with HDMI out) like this and a $60 AMD X2:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128382

This processor is more than enough.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103210

I own the GA-MA78GPM-DS2H with Integrated 128MB DDR3 SidePort memory ,and Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200 and tons of other features HDMI,firewire,,,,, excellent MB for HD playback

[MysticE]

[quote="MJA"]

I own the GA-MA78GPM-DS2H with Integrated 128MB DDR3 SidePort memory ,and Integrated ATI Radeon HD3200 and tons of other features HDMI,firewire,,,,, excellent MB for HD playback

I have the older GA-MA78GM-S2H. Works very well. And with a cool running Brisbane X2 no fancy HSF is required (the MOBO controlled cpu fan spins at about 1100rpm). With the MOBO's low power needs I paired it with a very quiet Antec Earthwatts 380W PS. I can't even tell the system is running. The Xpress Recovery2 software (disc imaging) that came with it was also a nice touch.

[Constant Gardener]

I'd recommend one of the 45W processors. I have a BE-2350 (2.1 GHz) which is a bit old now; there's a BE-2400 and several of the "E" series that are 45W. The CPU fan never spins above 1300 rpm even at full load.

[dhyane]

hey guy,just wanna say a big thank you for all the tips,suggestions and links..i greatly appreciate them all.. well,i guess i know now what i need!!

thanks all..and cheers!!! i'm glad i came here for help!!