Some broadcasts are in 720p and others are 1080i depending on the channel. I have two questions regarding this:

I assume that since HD cards (like the HD3000) are just writing the data to the drive, then the mpeg2 file is written in the broadcasted resolution and this resolution is not converted in anyway when being written to the disk.

1. Does Myth output 720p when playing 720p files and 1080i when playing 1080i files, and switch on the fly when jumping between them? Or does Myth only allow for one output resolution to be set, and has to compensate by converting all played video to the resolution specified in XF86Config-4?

The HDTV that I want to get natively supports 720p, but has to convert 1080i. I've read some posts on 720p being a little easier on the CPU than the 1080i. (In theory 33% easier.)

2. Assuming the answer to question #1 is pick one resolution and stick with it, will playing everything at 720p be easier on my CPU? Is downconverting 1080i to 720pmore or less CPU intensive than just playing 1080i straight out at 1080i? On one hand, less output resolution is always easier on the CPU, but on the other hand, conversions are usually intensive.

I guess I'm trying to rank these in the proper order:

A) 720p played at 720p
B) 1080i played at 720p
C) 1080i played at 1080i

I know A < C, but is C > B?

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Currently running: R5.5, HD5000 x 2, PVR150, Athlon 64 3000+, Chaintech VNF4, 1GB RAM, 2 x 250GB in LVM, MSI NX6200TC -> AA 9A60 -> HDTV

Short answer pick your display devices native resolution and use that.

If your display accepts multiple resolutions it is theoretically possible to setup xrandr to change to the native resolution of the video and use that (theoretical in that I haven't been able to make it work. though haven't spent too much time on it.) However if your tv is just going to have to convert it anyways might as well just give it the native resolution.

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Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

I agree with Xsecrets (as usual). My set is hardlocked to 1080i, so I have one config line in my XF86Config-4 file for that mode. When I watch 720p shows, the resolution is converted to 1080i automatically in software and output at 1080i to my device.

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Is that conversion any more CPU intensive than not converting it? What CPU are you running? Is it getting pounded or does it run the video without any hiccupping?

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Currently running: R5.5, HD5000 x 2, PVR150, Athlon 64 3000+, Chaintech VNF4, 1GB RAM, 2 x 250GB in LVM, MSI NX6200TC -> AA 9A60 -> HDTV

I'm sure the conversion is a bit more cpu intensive, but it does not give my PIV 3.0GHT any problems.

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Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets