Quick HDMI Output Video Card Rundown
As HDMI connections are becoming more and more prevelant on Televsions and monitors alike, there are more and more video cards that include HDMI connections being released. I have compiled a list of cards that are suitable for usage.
Gigabyte NVIDIA Geforce 7600GS 256MB with HDMI and DVI
This card is especially excellent since it is completely passive. Being that it is a 7600GS it is of high enough GPU class so that it can successfully de-interlace HDTV smoothly. Combine this card with NVIDIA's purevide decoder and you have an excellent silent HDCP compatible HD signal. not only that, this card's DVI port is also a Dual-link port allowing you to run 30" DELL, Samsung, or Apple Cinema Displays at the uber high 2560x1600 resolution. This card integrate HDCP support as well.
ASUS ATI X1600 PRO 128MB
Excellent card choice for low profile Media Centers. Suitable for smooth HDTV playback all the way up to 1080i and with enough horsepower to de-interlace properly on the fly.
Sapphire X1600Pro HDMI 128MB or 256MB
Another decent choice for low profile Media Centers. Suitable for smooth 1080i HDTV playback
MSI 7600GT Diamond Plus
An NVIDIA based card for perfectly smooth playback of 1080i HDTV as well as support for SLi
256MB DDR3 onboard, 560MHZ core clock, Vista Aero Ceritified, and 1400 MHZ memory clock. Onboard fan can be rather loud at times.
Power Color X1600 Pro HDMI 256MB
The only downfall to this card is the fact that it wold require and HDMI to DVI converter to connect to a DVI port. I have had problems with these types of adapters in the past. Many monitors are unable to properly sync with with video card when an adapter is in use. This card is also certified to support HDCP as well as blu-ray and HD-DVD decoding at up to 1080P.
ASUS 7600GT HTDI 256MB
Gecube X1600PRO 256MB DDR2 HDMI slim Edition
Yet another low profile choice based on the ATI x1600. This model from Gecube has a surprisingly quiet fan and enough horsepower to de-interlace 1080i content. It is HDCP certified and supports hardware acceleration for MPEG2, MPEG4, DiVX, WMV9, VC-1, and H.264. it is also crossfire ready for al the gamers in the crowd.
Gecube X1300 256MB
A lower end model of the HDMI capable cards. not suitable for 1080i de-interlacing but is perfectly suitable for 720P playback as well as SDTV playback. incorporates ATI's AVIVO technology for realistic on screen images and enhancement as well as ATI's crossfire technolgy.
