DVD Playback on GeForce2 GTS?

[tk149]

I wasn't sure which forum to put this in.

I want to play DVD movies on my computer, since it's actually a better system for Home Theater than my TV and stereo (yes, it's sad ). I'd like to know:

a. Can my GeForce2 GTS (32 Megabytes) video card can do this with good resolution on a 21" monitor?
b. Will any DVD drive work?
c. What software will I need?
d. Is "Progressive Scan" an option on computers? What hardware/software do I need to get it?

BTW, I'm using Win98SE on an AthlonXP 1800+.

 

[tk149]

Bump. Anybody?

 

[Tanner]

hey buddy...from what little I know... here ya go (if anyone knows diff. feel free to post some linkies)

a. yes (what is a good rez? 1600x1200?)
b. 1x is all you need for DVD playback...I would @ LEAST get a 2x.
c. google search for DVD software
d. I have no idea...but I don't think so...b/c I think that progressive is simply a TV thing... nothing like pixels on Monitors...

If you want to RIP DVD's grab the Liteon 16X DVD drive from DELL.com (find it in HOT DEALs section)

good luck and God Bless!
Tanner

 

[MrPabulum]

Hmm...let'd give this a try:

a. Make sure you have the latest updated drivers. It shouldn't be a problem. The playback is pretty good.
b. Any good quality drive should do the trick. I'm partial towards Toshiba, though Pioneer makes nice ones too. A Linkie
c. Either get PowerDVD XP 4.0 or WinDVD 4.0 -- both are terrific software players, though many people like the features of PowerDVD, while some discerning folks (in my opinion ) like the marginally better image quality of WinDVD. Let your eyes and ears decide.
d. I'm not fully up to date on this, but I'm going to assume no. It's possible that either PowerDVD or WinDVD might offer it as an option. Check their websites out.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

 

[Torghn]

I sure hope you have a progresive scan monitor. If not you've got one old peice of junk. Even my 16Mhz 386 came with a progresive scan monitor.

 

[onelin]

a) I'd imagine so, the only thing I'm unsure about is resolution scaling...but it should do it fine...esp since my GF1 did (just not on a 21")
b) (it's been answered) ...personally I'm keen on the Pioneer drives.
c) PowerDVD is a good one, personally since I got my new board I use the MSI DVD player for the hell of it since it came with it. Works well. PowerDVD actually outdid my hardware dvd decoder card (it was sad, but I think I had a defective card, RMA'd) ... Depending on the DVD, I did notice an artifact or two that I didn't notice on my DVD _player_ downstairs. Albeit that was with an old PowerDVD version.
d) I believe so, someone answered. I know it's a common encoding option, so that'd mean it has to be an option.

 

[GregANDTCH]

In reply to C:
I played "The Fellowship of the Ring"
on my computer, and it automatically asked if
I wanted to install a player that was included with the movie.
So you might not even need additional software.
It worked fine on a Velocity 100 card, Geforce card should be great.
Just get a drive that will let you set it for DMA transfers.

 

[rbV5]

a. Since DVD's are 720 X 480 NTSC, 800X600 32bit will be fine for DVD viewing.
b. Any 2X DVD drive will be fine for DVDplayback.
c. PowerDVD or WinDVD are fine, the freebie one that comes with the DVD are not.
d. Its your ONLY option on a computer monitor.

 

[EdipisReks]

in my experience, powerdvd is the best. it is....*ahem* available, if you Know where to *Ahem* (Z) look. you should of course pAy for it, or otherwise the compAny won't stay in business.

[edit: i hope that wasn't too subtle ]

 

[ant80]

EdipisReks
hehe

btw, you may not want to install the software on the dvd movies. I had lots of issues with them.