Best card for streaming to big tv

[yaboy]

Whats the best card to stream blu-ray and hd-dvd content from a pc to a 37" tv?

What i've found is

* ATI (recommended requirements): ATI Radeon HD 2400, 2600, 2900,
3400, 3600, 3800 series

Graphic Card Memory:
We recommend having at least 256 MB of video memory to ensure the smooth playback of Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD titles.
Note: If you want to use digital output during Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD playback (through DVI or HDMI connection), make sure the graphics card is HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) compatible. If your graphics card is not HDCP-compliant but with a DVI connector, you can use a DVI-to-VGA converter (or cable) to output the video in analog format. To determine whether your graphics card is HDCP-compliant, please visit the hardware manufacturer's Web site.

What are people here using, and/or recommend ?
Price range around 50-60

thanks

 

[Mud]

The 3450 is advertised as capable of 1080p HD-DVD/BluRay, and I've had no issue with mine. It's adequately powered, small, cheap and passively cooled; couldn't ask for more really. Just make sure you get one with the HDMI audio-passthrough dongle.

 

[Grimley]

Using a 3850 with mine, though I've had to change the cooler on it.

 

[Chronictank]

Ati Radeon 3xxx

 

[Skeeter]

Passively cooled mid/low end ATI cards with HDMI audio passthough own all when it comes to HTPC graphics...

 

[kylew]

Passively cooled mid/low end ATI cards with HDMI audio passthough own all when it comes to HTPC graphics...

+1 a 3xxx series would be perfect with a HD TV, I use my 3870X2 to play movies on my 1080p TV and it all works flawlessly.

 

[yaboy]

Thanks guys.

 

[Skeeter]

+1 a 3xxx series would be perfect with a HD TV, I use my 3870X2 to play movies on my 1080p TV and it all works flawlessly.

I hope you also use it to get UBER MEGA L33T FRAMERATEZ on games, as a 3870X2 is overkill for just HDTV lol

Yayboy: Do you plan on gaming on the card aswell? or just dedicated HDTV playback? If its just a HDTV/HTPC setup then a passive 3450 is your best bet at a wallet friendly £32 (or 3470 at a tenner more, but OcUK dont stock them), whereas if you want to game aswell you will need to look towads the 3850/3870 area, which start at £80+, but could possibly be had for £50-£60 second hand.

 

[Sp00n]

512mb 2600xt to stream 1080p video to my tv, works like a charm.

 

[kylew]

I hope you also use it to get UBER MEGA L33T FRAMERATEZ on games, as a 3870X2 is overkill for just HDTV lol

Yayboy: Do you plan on gaming on the card aswell? or just dedicated HDTV playback? If its just a HDTV/HTPC setup then a passive 3450 is your best bet at a wallet friendly £32 (or 3470 at a tenner more, but OcUK dont stock them), whereas if you want to game aswell you will need to look towads the 3850/3870 area, which start at £80+, but could possibly be had for £50-£60 second hand.

I do, my main monitor is a dell 2407, which I play most of my games on, though my TV is 1080p, and I occasionally play games on it instead of the monitor.

 

[yaboy]

It wont be used for gaming (it's not for me) just for HDTV

 

[Chronictank]

It wont be used for gaming (it's not for me) just for HDTV

word to the wise, if the rest of the system is passive silent as said earlier in this thread i suggest you go for a passive mid end gfx card. You wont notice it initially but after a while you will hear the fan if your cinema enviroment is silent at least with passive/mid end cards they can have their fans tuned to be even quieter provided your htpc case is well ventilated