HDCP Compatible

[BBB3000]

Does anyone know if the Intel processors that integrate the video into the CPU are HDCP compatible? Specifically, I am looking at the Sandy Bridge Intel i3.

[StumpyBloke]

As far as I know yes, but Google is your friend if you don't get a definite answer here.

[RehabMan]

Yes, Definitely.

See: http://software.intel.com/en-us/article ... -graphics/

[richard1980]

Not sure if this is a concern, but the Sandy Bridge i3 exhibits stuttering on 29/59 content, whereas the Clarkdale i3 doesn't.

[RehabMan]

Not sure if this is a concern, but the Sandy Bridge i3 exhibits stuttering on 29/59 content, whereas the Clarkdale i3 doesn't.

I think that claim is debatable. I've had both. First a Core i3-530, then Core i3-2100T. Both worked well enough (with proper configuration) with 29/59 content, but both also exhibit issues (the kind you can live with) with 29/59 content such as is typical on HBO... With common drivers for both and with constant updates (at least monthly) to those drivers, one can never be sure whether issues experienced one day are from the specific drivers involved or the specific hardware.

At any rate, I've run both systems side-by-side with the same content and was not able to see any difference.

I will also note that the 29/59 issue has nothing to do with HDCP (just a clarification there...)

[richard1980]

All I can say is WEC user WhatHappend managed to get his Clarkdale i3 to play 29/59 content without any issues (see his post here). I'm not sure what all settings he applied or what driver version he was running. And so far I haven't seen any similar claims with any Sandy Bridge GPUs....in fact, I've seen a few people with Sandy Bridge GPUs confirm that they cannot get smooth playback with 29/59 content. So I'd recommend anyone looking at purchasing a Sandy Bridge to verify that they do not have the 29/59 framerate flipping in their content before they make their purchase. If the content has the flipping framerate, it may be beneficial to consider a Clarkdale instead.

[BBB3000]

Thanks for the info guys. BTW, what is 29/59? My main goal with this setup/system will be to play and record live TV. Ripped media, pictures, and music is secondary.

[richard1980]

For an explanation of the 29/59 framerate issue, see http://experts.windows.com/w/experts_wiki/71.aspx. AFAIK, this issue only exists in the US.

[BBB3000]

Does the 29/59 occur on cable television, or only on incorrectly ripped movies?

Not sure if this is a concern, but the Sandy Bridge i3 exhibits stuttering on 29/59 content, whereas the Clarkdale i3 doesn't.

I think that claim is debatable. I've had both. First a Core i3-530, then Core i3-2100T. Both worked well enough (with proper configuration) with 29/59 content, but both also exhibit issues (the kind you can live with) with 29/59 content such as is typical on HBO... With common drivers for both and with constant updates (at least monthly) to those drivers, one can never be sure whether issues experienced one day are from the specific drivers involved or the specific hardware.

At any rate, I've run both systems side-by-side with the same content and was not able to see any difference.

I will also note that the 29/59 issue has nothing to do with HDCP (just a clarification there...)

[RehabMan]

Does the 29/59 occur on cable television, or only on incorrectly ripped movies?

Movie "backups" play wonderfully, assuming you find a suitable format and tools (in my case, MKV, using LAV splitter). If you are playing your movies from a server, you are best off having an Intel NIC. Most of the Intel SandyBridge motherboards have Intel NICs and they work very well. Avoid RealTek NICs -- they have issues. They can be made to work -- for a while I had a RealTek NIC on my server, an HP EX495, but there were always tweaks I had to do to the settings after every driver update (turning Green Ethernet off, for example). No problem with the onboard Intel NIC on my DIY build WHS 2011 server with Intel DH67BL motherboard and Core i3-2100T CPU.

The 29/59 is an issue that mostly affects HBO content, although there are those that have seen it on other channels (CBS has been mentioned).
I've only seen it on HBO and with any "post-processing" in the Intel GPU control panel turned off it is very hard to notice.

Ceton has stated they have some tricks up their sleeves for the Ceton InfiniTV firmware. I suspect they are going to try to detect the issue (alternating framerate for 1080i content) in the stream and "fix" it before it reaches the Media Center A/V pipeline. If they are successful, it will give them a leg up on the competition wrt this issue.