Cheap Bluray Player for PC at $199

[yoda313]

IIRC only HDMI and DVI support HDCP. Component and VGA do not.

Sorry.

You know I forgot that my nvidia 8400 has a dvi port after I posted this. I could use a dvi-hdmi cable in order to get a legit hdcp connection correct?

Also does anybody have system requirements for playing back bluray discs?

[jagabo]

[quote="yoda313"]You know I forgot that my nvidia 8400 has a dvi port after I posted this. I could use a dvi-hdmi cable in order to get a legit hdcp connection correct?[quote]
I would have mentioned that but I assumed you already knew it. Yes, you can use a DVI-HDMI cable. But your video card may not really support HDCP. A lot of video cards were sold claiming to be HDCP compatible but did not contain the encryption chip.

Also does anybody have system requirements for playing back bluray discs?

It depends on you graphics card. Some have the ability to offload much of the MPEG 2/4 encoding from the CPU.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3047
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2977

Search for other articles there too.

[yoda313]

thanks jagabo. I'll have to check those links out later.

[yoda313]

Bump:

Are all bluray/hddvd rom drives SATA models? I'm not sure how to tell if I have sata ability on my hp pc. Are there converters if there aren't?

Also do you have to have a dual core pc to play bluray/hddvd? Would a amd 64 3800 2.4ghz cpu be fast enough?

[rhegedus]

http://www.cyberlink.com/english/support/bdhd_support/system_requirement.jsp

A lot will depend on the video codec - mpeg2 is less demanding than AVC or VC1

[yoda313]

thanks rhegedus.

Here is the amd listing:

AMD
Minimum

Athlon 64 X2
3800+ (2G), 4000+(2G)

Turion 64 X2
TL-50 (1.6G), TL-52 (1.6G), TL-56 (1.8G)




AMD
Recommended

AMD Athlon 64 FX
FX-60 (2.6G), FX-62 (2.8G)

AMD Athlon 64 X2
4200+ (2.2G), 4400+ (2.2G), 4600+ (2.4G), 4800+ (2.4G), 5000+ (2.6G)

AMD Turion 64 X2
TL-60 (2.0G)



I don't have a dual core amd. Is that a killer for this deal then? I mean it does show some single core intels I believe in the updated list:

Pentium 4
541 (3.2G)

Pentium D
840 (3.2G), 930(3.0G), 940(3.2G)

Core Duo
T2400 (1.83G)

Pentium M
755 (2.0G)




Intel
Recommended

Pentium EE
840 (3.2G)

Pentium EE
955 (3.4G)

Pentium D 9xx series
945 (3.4G), 950 (3.4G), 960 (3.6G)


I have a single amd 64bit 3800 2.4ghz processor. I'd hope this would be enough.

Also it mentions that some high def movies would be more taxing on the processor than others. Why would that be? Would action movies have a higher bitrate than say a comedy? Is that what they are driving at?

I want to know before I have to return it because I don't have enough cpu horsepower.

By the way I'm not planning on buying this until after christmas

if this gets too demanding I may try my hands on those 200-250 new in box bluray players that are on ebay. Though the most I've spent on ebay is 110 in a single purchase and that was my xbox 360 hddvd drive.

Choices.. choices...

[jagabo]

I have a single amd 64bit 3800 2.4ghz processor. I'd hope this would be enough.

That is not sufficient for full 1920x1080 h.264 decoding in software. If you get one of the new cards with hardware h.264 encoding it should be OK -- but only if your player supports hardward decoding. I think it was only in the last year or so that Microsoft introduced the API for hardware video decoding. I don't think many players use it yet. Obviously, the most recent PowerDVD does as can be seen by all the benchmarks.

Also it mentions that some high def movies would be more taxing on the processor than others. Why would that be?

h.264 and VC1 decoding require more CPU power than MPEG2 decoding. Also a 1920x1080 video requires more power than a 1280x720 video (at the same frame rate).

[Ollie6431]

...

I have a single amd 64bit 3800 2.4ghz processor. ...

I want to know before I have to return it because I don't have enough cpu horsepower.

...

I have tried to play h.264 files (1920x1080) on two PCs (not Duo core):

1. Pentium 4, 3.4 GHz, 2 Gb RAM, Radeon X800XT: the files play smoothly.

2. Pentium 4 , 3 GHz, 1 GB RAM, GeForce 5950 FX: the files play with lots of hiccups (freezes, choppy sound)

The sofwares used are either (a) Nero Showtime in Nero 8, or (b) Windows Media Player with ffdshow and Halli Splitter installed.

I hope this info helps.

[mats.hogberg]

Though the most I've spent on ebay is 110 in a single purchase and that was my xbox 360 hddvd drive.

Why don't you use the XboX HDDVD drive on your computer and try HD playback out?

/Mats

[yoda313]

Intersting mats hogberg.... I might.... though I'm leary of trying to use firmware to play the drive on the pc and then go back to the xbox. I don't know if I want to risk having it only useable on the pc if it won't read again on the xbox.

What I can try is I have monsters inc recorded on a .tp file that I can test on a usb harddrive.

Would a 720p .tp file be an adequate high def test for playing bluray?

Thanks for all the reports everyone

[jagabo]

Would a 720p .tp file be an adequate high def test for playing bluray?

You may aalso want to test 1920x1080 24 fps progressive h.264 and MPEG2 files, and 1920x1080 30 fps interlaced h.264 and MPEG2 files.

[mats.hogberg]

Intersting mats hogberg.... I might.... though I'm leary of trying to use firmware to play the drive on the pc and then go back to the xbox.

From what I've read, you don't need special firmware - just a special driver PC side. This was early in the XboX HDDVD era, so things may have changed, but I can see no reason for MS to prevent the use of their drive with a PC (but then MS do a lot of things without logical reason...)

/Mats

[yoda313]

Well I tested the 720p file and it seems to work very well. I only have some playing issues that I suspect is using vlc and mpc instead of a high def dvd pro software. Also it is on a usb harddrive instead of internal (my internal drive is only 80gb and nearly full).

I think my next step will be to try the xbox drive. if that performs adequaltly I should be in good shape. I currently have my vista pc reconnected to my hdtv.

I also checked with the guys at Bestbuy today. They were figuring a single core amd with a nvidia 8400 should be sufficient for bluray playback. I also upgraded to 2gb ram today so that should help tremendously.

Are there good places online to download high def sample trailers in the res's and formats mentioned above?

[jagabo]

Well I tested the 720p file and it seems to work very well.

720p 24 fps or 60 fps? And was it MPEG2 or H.264?

720p60 (video source, broadcast HDTV) MPEG2 will take much more CPU power than 720p24 (film source) MPEG2. 720p60 h.264 will take even more.

Stage6.com has some high res divx files. These will be somewhere in between MPEG2 and h.264 in decoding difficulty.

Microsoft has a lot of VC1 encoded files:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/musicandvideo/hdvideo/abouthdvideo.aspx

These are probably close to h.264 in decoding complexity.

[yoda313]

720p60 (video source, broadcast HDTV) MPEG2 will take much more CPU power than 720p24 (film source) MPEG2. 720p60 h.264 will take even more.

The first one - it was a high def cap off of the hdtv digital abc station which broadcasts at 720p - unfortunately I don't know the frame rate - whatever standard us hdtv fps is for 720p areial signals.

Thanks for the links jagabo.

Actually I have my hddvd attached to the pc now. I just need to get high def software to play it back for my test run.

Thanks everyone

[jagabo]

yoda, here's a post that links to a 720p60 VC1 WMV file:

https://forum.videohelp.com/topic341287.html#1787329

[yoda313]

Thanks jagabo. That looked great. It played without any apparent hiccups. THough I didn't have any speakers on so I don't know about sound support.

I did hook up the xbox 360 drive and finally bought powerdvd ultra. It looks very good.

HOWEVER, I have noticed that there seems to be some line tearing on occasion. I haven't used it enough to pinpoint scenes that show it. IT's kinda like watching a video on a slow net connection - BUT only on certain parts. There are great blocks where it is nearly perfect. I was able to watch the lobby shooting spree scene in matrix 1 with only one or two of these "tears". Barely noticeable but still there.

I'm considering getting a amd dual core processor. That should solve this issue. I have started a thread in the computer forum regarding that. Thanks.

[yoda313]

BUMP!!!!

Well I did it. I bought the liteon bluray rom model at newegg. Price was 189. I got the standard overnight shipping. HOWEVER since tomorrow is Christmas I don't know when it will actually be sent out.

I already got the email saying my card has been charged. So the automated systems are up and running. My guess would be it will probably ship Wednesday for Thursday delivery.

This should be interesting

[Nilfennasion]

I was about to try and answer some of your questions, but I wish you luck, Yoda. However, in my experience one's first drive with a new format often prompts a lot of anguish and mistakes, so try to keep a cool head when you put it all together.

That said, I would be interested to know what will be needed to rip and burn Blu-Ray. Blockbuster in the dinky little village I currently inhabit are already renting them out, and I should stop there, really. It is not like I can burn my Blu-Rays for friends, either, considering I am the only person in a four-street radius with any kind of HD capability at present.

[rhegedus]

You need Slysoft AnDVDHD for ripping.

I haven't got DVDFabHD to work with either BD or HD-DVD.

[yoda313]

That said, I would be interested to know what will be needed to rip and burn Blu-Ray.

Well I am only getting the ROM unit not the burner. That is like an extra 200-300 minimum to burn from what I could see.

Thanks for the info rhegedus.

I should be able to rip both bluray and hddvd for conversion for whenever I get anydvd hd - I've never used it but now have a reason to buy it

EDIT - IT SHIPPED!!!!! I got one day delivery so I will have it tomorrow!!! This Thursday I will be bluraying it!!!!!!

Now I guess I will brave the stores and go find a bluray movie to buy!!!!!! SWEET!

[Nilfennasion]

My personal recommendation would be Casino Royale, but that is just my way of thinking.

I went to the local Clive Peeters store in search of a Blu-Ray player today, and found that the store had sold the last stock it had of one player I was particularly interested in. Only hours before I showed up, too. Then I had a good laugh when I saw the stack of HD-DVD players in their boxes that nobody was so much as taking a look at. The stack was near as tall as I am. Granted, it is only one retailer, but with the total absence of HD-DVD from the rental outlets to boot, I just had to point and say "ha ha!".

[mats.hogberg]

Now I guess I will brave the stores and go find a bluray movie to buy!!!!!! SWEET!

Aren't you going about this the wrong way? I'd think you'd buy a new player because there is something you want to watch?
"Yay! I got an iPhone! Maybe I should find someone I can call?"
"Look at my new car! Wonder if there is somewhere I can go?"
"A new King Size bed! Maybe pop down to the bar, see if there's some chick to pick up?"

/Mats

[Nilfennasion]

There is always something you want to watch, it is just a matter of getting a copy. Oddly enough, I have the ultimate collector's set of Blade Runner on its way.

[rhegedus]

Now I guess I will brave the stores and go find a bluray movie to buy!!!!!! SWEET!

Casin Royale, Blood Diamond, Shooter, The Reaping.

[yoda313]

@ mats - yeah I can understand the perceprtion - but hardware first than software. Actually I have already picked up Xmen 3, Stargate, and Final Fantasy. I didn't know Xmen was on bluray, I figured it just wasn't on high def yet but wasn't on hddvd so I didn't know.

I have rented Ice Age 2 and it looks absolutely fantastic. I also rented Ratatouille at blockbuster and it is phjenomenal in picture quality - and the movie was fun.


@ rhegdus - sorry I didn't like casino royale - CRAIG IS NOT BOND!!!! tHOUGH if this menas all of 007 will be released on bluray than I will be happy with my purchase.

Sorry also I personally don't own any dicaprio movie and will not start - isn't he in blood diamond? what about reaping? Is that a horror movie?

[rhegedus]

Sorry also I personally don't own any dicaprio movie and will not start - isn't he in blood diamond? what about reaping? Is that a horror movie?

Put your misconceptions away.

I didn't much like him until I saw 'Catch Me If you Can'. He's also put in a very good performance in 'The Departed'.

Watch the film for what it is. The cinematography is brilliant!


The Reaping - a not really a horror movie as such. Along the lines of The Mothman Prophecies in terms of scariness.

[Nilfennasion]

I am sorry you think so, yoda. Having read Casino Royale, I can tell you authoriatively that the only previous Bond who comes within pissing distance of playing Ian Fleming's Bond rather than Albert Broccoli's is Timothy Dalton. Pierce Brosnan had a chance, and did okay with GoldenEye (a script that was intended for Dalton anyway), but he blew it big-time.

I have just acquired the Sharp BD-HP20X, and I am laughing my arse off at the people who go on about how you apparently cannot tell the difference between SD and HD on a 42" and all that rot. Progressive video is a different enough beast, but even if you are completely blind, the difference in audio is more than enough to justify the upgrade. Six channels uncompressed... excuse me whilst I clean the drool out of my lap.

Oh yeah, and Blood Diamond has the distinction of being the first film in which I took Leo DiCaprio seriously as a man. That is quite a feat in itself.