Intel HD 2000 - artifacts with some HD Flash videos

[metroplex]

I have a Core i3-2120 processor in my Dell Inspiron 620, which has an Intel HD 2000 video graphics chipset. I run the output to my Samsung LCD flat screen TV (LN-S4051D) via HDMI. It had issues with overscan, so after consulting with Anandtech forum members, figured out how to adjust the horizontal/vertical aspect ratio using a 1280x720 resolution. Now it outputs fine in Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium.

However, I have encountered a pesky problem watching 720p flash video on one web site. YouTube videos in 1080p and 720p are fine. I am running FireFox 11 as well as IE9, with the latest Flash drivers.

On the MotoGP website, the full races in 720p format will result in severe artifacts on the lower half of the screen - the colors will get scrambled and alternate pink/green but only certain portions of the lower screen. The upper half is fine and crisp.

Watching Amazon HD instant shows/movies are fine as well, and Amazon claims these are in 720p format as well.

Back to MotoGP, if I switch down to their high-res format (860x540), everything is fine on this desktop, the only artifacts occur in 720p mode.

I tested 3 other computers (all laptops): Dell Latitude with Core i7-2600 / HD 3000 (windows 7 32-bit) and Dell Studio 15 w/ Core 2 Duo E8400 w/ Radeon HD 3450 (W7 64-bit). These played MotoGP 720p perfectly fine in Firefox 11/IE 9 with the latest Flash drivers. I also have an Inspiron 1545 (Vista 32-bit), running a Core 2 Duo T6400 w/ embedded Intel graphics (GMA 4 series???) which somehow runs the HD video on MotoGP perfectly fine without any problems and the Intel drivers are from 2008. Another desktop has a Phenom II X3 720 w/ AMD Radeon 4870 (Vista 64-bit) no problems but the 4870 is overkill for Flash video anyhow.

This rules out the MotoGP site, the video format, and the operating systems.

 

[metroplex]

I just tested this out on a Core i7-2620K w/ Intel's HD 3000 - same problem in 720P mode!!

I think this is an issue with the HD 2000/3000 graphics and whatever MotoGP uses for their HD format.

 

[nenforcer]

Despite Intel have a huge marketshare lead in terms of IGP sales and a recent push to make improvements from their anemic performance Intel's IGP still do have a number of quirks / flaws

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/7

This describes the trouble they have trying to playback standardized 23.967fps movies.

Try giving Google Chrome a shot and see if its built in custom Flash Player still has the same issues.

 

[metroplex]

Thank you for the link!

I tried Google Chrome and it had the same issues. I'm not sure if MotoGP is broadcast at 23.97 fps, but I still have that issue with their latest beta Flash player.

Aside from the overscan issue pre-OS (once in the OS, the drivers take over), I'm about fed up with the Intel graphics. I ordered a HD 6450 and hopefully it fixes everything.

This is strictly a HTPC (Dell Inspiron 620 Core i3 2120) with a 305W PSU. Otherwise I'd probably upgrade to a 600W PSU with a Radeon HD 6870 for gaming.