The news
GIGABYTE USA will launch next month a zero-noise PCIe graphics card aimed at enthusiasts of high-definition TV. The snappily-named GV-NX76G256HI-RH is based on an NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS GPU and features not just the ability to handle HDCP-encrypted video, such as used on Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD commercial movies, but also an HDMI port for one-cable audio/video connection to high-def screens - TV sets and monitors - plus Dual-Link DVI support for widescreen HD monitors at resolutions up to 2560x1600.
Would-be builders of media-centre PCs don't need to worry about the card adding further noise to their systems because it uses a fanless heat-pipe system to keep the graphics processor cool.
When next-generation high-def DVD drives do eventually arrive in the UK, a card such as this will be a necessity for anyone wanting to build a bang-up-to-date HD-capable media-centre PC, as will player software able to handle commercials movies on Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD.
GIGABYTE includes CyberLink's PowerDVD 7 player app, and we'd like to presume that it's opted for the OEM version that offers support for Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD. However, GIGABYTE's press release (see page two) says nothing at all about the card or CyberLink's player being able to handle commercial movies in Blu-ray Disc or HD DVD format.
That's either a major oversight or a daft shortcoming - we'll try to tell you which asap. But our expectation is that the software will be right for the job because the card is also said to use NVIDIA's PureVideo HD technology. This, in NVIDIA's own words,
Combines hardware
acceleration from an NVIDIA graphics processing unit, high definition
movie player integration and HDCP feature support to make it easy for
manufacturers and consumers to build powerhouse PCs that can play HD
DVD or Blu-ray movies.
As a result, NVIDIA says,
Consumers will be able to
enjoy a stunning high-definition movie experience on their PCs.
CyberLink's retail version of PowerDVD 7 is able to play a couple of PC-based HD video formats - WMV-HD and MPEG-2 HD - and the range can be extended to include MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) and DivX Pro with a paid-for Advanced Audio Pack, so we're also trying to find out what HD file formats the GIGABYTE-supplied version can handle. We're trying to check UK availablity and pricing, too, of course.
The card has SLI functionality - so can be paired with a second SLI-capable card to boost performance - and is said to use "the finest 256MB GDDR2 memory in the industry" and provide 128-bit memory bandwidth and 12 pixel pipelines.
In addition to an HDMI port, the card has two other sockets and, by using a variety of adaptors, these provide outputs for DVI-I, D-SUB, HDTV, S-video, composite video and analogue and digital audio. Seemingly, though, the card has no options for bringing in and manipulating video - not even standard-def.
The company says that "a host of accessories" are provided and mentions an HDMI-DVI connector, an S/PDIP audio cable, an HDMI-HDMI cable and an HDTV "converter hub", plus Sid Meier's strategy game, Civilization IV.
Oh, and if you are considering turning an existing system into an HD-compatible media-centre PC, you might like to try out the beta of a compatibility tool for BD and HD DVD that CyberLink has available for download (643KB).
Click for larger imageUpdate - August 25, 2006 15:25
Cyberlink has advised us
that the OEM version of PowerDVD 7 that GIGABYTE has opted to
bundle with the GV-NX76G256HI-RH doesn't have any high-def DVD
capabilities. The companys says,
The bundled version does
not come with the HD DVD and Blu-ray capability, but it's capable of
playing back H.264 file. Users who are interested in
HD DVD and Blu-ray playback, will be able to purchase our HD
DVD Pack and Blu-ray Pack in late Q3 to early Q4.
As for upgrading the audio capabilities of the PowerDVD version supplied by GIGABYTE, Cyberlink has confirmed that the cost to users for the Advanced Audio Pack will be US$39.95.
Thoughts? Share them with us in this thread in the HEXUS.lifestyle.news forum.
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community :: discussion thread about this articleGIGABYTE's press release follows on page two
External.links
GIGABYTE USA - home pageNVIDIA - PureVideo HD technology
CyberLink - BD & HD DVD Advisor (includes link to tiny, 643KB, downloadable compatibility-checker tool)
The Register - Gigabyte readies silent HDMI, HDCP graphics card
