New HTPC Video Card Recommendation

[Bachfire]

I am building a new HTPC which will be used for watching TV, storing and playing both video and music files. I need some suggestions on which which Video Card would be best for my needs. I will not be using this HTPC to play any 3D intensive games, but will be using it heavily for watching DVD's, stored video files and cable programming.

Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Thanks!

[Endersothergame]

ATi R9xxx AIW? or maybe an add in card to supliment onboard video found on most mATX mobos?

[Kero-chan]

from what i've read, the 6600gts dvi>hdmi are pretty good. frankly i dont like my x800xt aiw's hdtv support. it has a very limited set of options.

[Vengance_01]

Look at Nvidia new 7300, 1080I support, cheap, Prue video, lastest core, Passive cooling, looks to be a winner for me. It will probally be my HTPC card when it comes.

[shadow_chazzer_killer]

get the Nvidia 6800GT best to suit ur future needs........or the 7300 which vengance specified....not much diff tho

[vertices]

I'm using an MSI 6600GT that is silent. Using DVI to HDMI to my Sony Grand Wega IV and couldn't be happier.:)

[Kero-chan]

get the Nvidia 6800GT best to suit ur future needs........or the 7300 which vengance specified....not much diff tho
wow, someone went thread digging...

the problem with the 6800 is the busted HD video acceleration. that's why i suggested the 6600. remember, he's not playing intensive 3d games... it's mostly for media.

[Bachfire]

Can you supply more information on your comment concerning "busted HD video acceleration" on the 6800 GT?

[Kero-chan]

Can you supply more information on your comment concerning "busted HD video acceleration" on the 6800 GT?
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=37673&page=10&pp=15

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2305&p=11

NV40/45 vs. NV43 - WMV9 HW Accelerated CPU Utilization (Lower is Better) - VMR9 Full
Minimum Average Maximum
NVIDIA GeForce 6600GT 5.5 17.3 24.2
NVIDIA GeForce 6800GT 18.8 34.2 49.2

[Bachfire]

Major differences here. Thanks for all the information. It was a big help!!!!