[mythtv-users] Lots of confusion as to which card(s) to buy for vdpau

[Allen Edwards]

So what is the point here?

The idea is to shift processing power from the CPU to the Graphics
chip.  What is gained?

I did a small comparison based on Tom's Hardware power consumption and
Newegg product cost.

8400GS  system power 136 watts video card $30,  AMD 5400+ CPU 65 watts  $68
8600GS system power 172 watts video card $64, cheapest CPU $38 45 watts

I assume that the vdpau system saves 20 watts by using a slower cup
than what Tom's Hardware used and add the

video card and cpu costs:
vdpau system 152 watts $102
standard system 136 watts and $98.

The non vdpau system wins.

I must be missing something.

What I am saying here is that computing power is computing power. Put
it on the graphics card or in the CPU it is still
computing power. I guess if adding a new graphics card to an old
system that is sitting around makes it usable, that
could be a big savings but I don't see any other advantage. If vdpau
worked with an 8400 like I was assuming, that
would be another story but if you all are saying it doesn't, then I
just don't see the point, at least for a new system.

Allen