NVIDIA driver with HD post-processing Publicly Available

[Dashken]

A graphics driver with HD post-processing is now publicly available. This Windows Vista 32-bit driver, 163.11, significantly improves HD video quality and should be used when testing PureVideo HD with HD movies or the HQV HD benchmark.

The driver is available here:
http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_do...etadriver.html

Use the following for PureVideo HD video testing:

• ForceWare 163.11 Vista 32-bit drivers
• NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS graphics card
  - The new drivers leverage the GPU shaders to perform HD post-processing. With 8800 and 8600 GTS we expect to get full HD post-processing and perfect HQV HD scores. The majority of driver testing has been focused on 8600 GTS thus far so we request that limit your testing to this model for now.
• Cyberlink PowerDVD Ultra 7.3 build 2911e.0 or higher (right-click on the movie window and select About)
  - Note that the initial retail build of PowerDVD (7.3.2911.0) will work but has a known interaction with post-processing that may cause dropped frames.
• Real protected BD/HD movies on disc. Playing ripped movies stripped of copy protection does not place the same demand on the CPU or GPU and will not give an accurate indication of what consumers will experience.
• A 1920x1080 or higher display

Before testing:

Please read and follow the HD HQV testing and scoring guide http://www.hqv.com/benchmark.cfm.

When testing:

• With HQV HD use the following settings in the NVIDIA control panel:
  - "Inverse Telecine" ON
  - "Noise reduction" 75-100
• With HD movies use the following settings in the NVIDIA control panel:
  - "Inverse Telecine" ON
  - "Noise reduction" 0
  - "Edge enhancement" 0 (should be 0 all HD content, but should be set to your preference for SD content)
• If the monitor is 1920x1200 or 2560x1600 ensure the video is not stretched vertically. Scaling digital video to a non-native resolution produces sub-optimal results, and some features—especially the fine single-pixel horizontal lines in the HD HQV test patterns will only be clear and sharp when the video is displayed pixel-for-pixel

Some points about HD Codecs

• H.264 codec is both the most demanding and the most capable codec of the three available for use on BD/HD discs. Delivering about 15% more efficient compression than VC-1 while providing superior video quality. As a result H.264 gaining momentum the codec for key movie titles. H.264 has the vast majority of the best-selling new movie releases. When checked on July 13, 2007, six out of the top ten Blu-ray titles sold on Amazon used the H.264 codec.

With this driver you should see excellent quality and perfect scores in HQV HD. If you have don't or have questions please contact me and Peter Sheerin, our technical marketing manager.

Source: http://www.nvidia.com/