What's the difference between software and hardware DVD decoders?

[50]

Ok, I just tried watching a DVD on my system and to tell you the truth...it looks like crap. Here are my specs...
P4 2.4
MSI 648
Radeon 9700 pro
Sony DVD Rom Drive
Cyberlink POwerDVD XP
Cornea Systems MP503

Would upgrading to a hardware decoder make a BIG difference?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Cartman2003
Would upgrading to a hardware decoder make a BIG difference?

Absolutely not. You have more than enough horsepower to use a software decoder. Seeing how you are using the most popular software player, and you think it looks like crap, I'd recommend you get a different LCD monitor. Honestly CRT's do a better job displaying DVD movies.

 

[techfuzz]

You have something very misconfigured if you're having problems watching a DVD with that setup.

Hardware decoders were originally meant for low end computers with slow processor speeds. Today's processor are more than capable of handling the decoding load put on them by DVD's.

techfuzz

 

[SpeedFreak03]

I have a P-III 500 with Radeon 9000, 17'' Samtron economy CRT, Pioneer 16X DVD-ROM, and PowerDVD 4.0, and my movies look great!