ASRock CoreHT 252B Review
by Ganesh T S on September 2, 2011 3:45 AM EST- Posted in
- HTPC
- Intel
- ASRock
- Media Streamer
One of the main issues with Intel's integrated GPU solutions for HTPC users was the absence of 23.976 Hz refresh rate support. When Sandy Bridge was launched, it was discovered that the 23 Hz setting could be activated and made to function as intended if UAC was disabled. With v2372 drivers, the disabling of UAC became unnecessary.
While we don't get perfect 23.976 Hz yet, it is definitely much better than the earlier scenario. Though there are user reports of lip sync still being an issue (particularly when used with a projector), we were unable to corroborate this finding. Personally, I managed to watch two complete movies at their native refresh rate without losing lip sync in our test setup.
23.976 fps Video Playback (MPC-HC/EVR-CP) with 23Hz Refresh Rate Setting
24 fps Video Playback (MPC-HC/EVR-CP) with 24Hz Refresh Rate Setting
The 24 Hz refresh rate feature works as before. Unfortunately, the drifting in the refresh rates doesn't seem to average to 23.976 Hz in the first case. The player locks to 23.972 fps, which implies a skipped frame every 250s (~4 minutes). The scenario seems similar for other refresh rates.
Another aspect we found irritating with Intel's GPU control panel is the custom resolution section. Intel seems very reliant on EDID and doesn't allow the user to input any frequency not supported by the display. I recently got hold of a display (Sony KDL46EX720) to help test 3D as well as multiple refresh rates. Since the unit was sold in the US, it doesn't indicate PAL compatibility in its EDID information. I was able to play back PAL videos with matched refresh rates using the Vision 3D (NVIDIA GT 425M), but Intel's control panel wouldn't allow me to set up 50 Hz as the display refresh rate. It is possible that an EDID override might help, but we can't help complaining about Intel's control panel not being as user friendly as NVIDIA's.
In the next section, we will look at how the integrated GPU in the ASRock CoreHT 252B handles cadence detection and deinterlacing.
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casteve - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
page 3, GPU paragraph:"However, WiDi is supported by the CoreHT 252B. "
I think you meant to say NOT supported.
Great article! Thanks, Ganesh.
ganeshts - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
Thansk! Fixed.jensend - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
If somebody made a system like this with a 65W Llano, esp. an A8-3800, I'd be all over it. Mobile Llano would be ok as well. (Barebones would be nice- I'd like to put in my own small ssd, and I have no need for Blu-Ray.)Foggg - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
I thought there was a chance that ASRock's next level "Vision 3D series" which Ganesh referred to was possibly so-named because of AMD's "Vision" labeling for the Llano's.No such luck. That series has mobile i7's/i5's/i3's paired with Nvidia's GT425M. Guaranteed to be pricier than a mobile Llano. And for most, unnecessary, given this uses for this thing.
smdx - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
Following the last comment, is there any news on a possible update for the ZInoHD 410 line? (I guess they will be using Llano on their next lineup)Last year model was presented in September 2010...
Don't know in Anandtech has any feedback on this...
jabber - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
Yeah would be nice. I got one in for a customer and he loves it. I thought it a great bit of kit.Shadowmaster625 - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
I would like to see performance and power consumption comparisons to a desktop running an i3-2105. I suspect they are close, even though the i3 costs significantly less. My scam radar is going off like crazy here. Since when is a small form factor worth that much? Why not just buy a notebook and use that as your HTPC???? That is a much higher volume product and thus it is highly likely you'll be able to find one on sale for cheaper than this product.Shadowmaster625 - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
Just saw these on slickdeals:Sony VPC EG13FX/B 14" Notebook - i5 / 500GB / 4GB RAM - $549 @ Frys
(New) ThinkPad Edge E420/ i5-2520M/ Win7 HP 64/ 2GB/ 320GB/ 9-Cell for $488 @ lenovo outlet
ganeshts - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
Yes, a laptop can be a portable HTPC nowadays.As you say, pricing is just a matter of scale. I would expect this to weigh in around the 500 - 600 range. Laptops are mass produced. So, they have an advantage there.
justniz - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
I'm looking for a mythtv frontend.But this thing has Intel graphics and you can't buy it without windows.
What stupid marketing decisions. I think I'll pass.
I would have bought one if they had a nVidia GPU and a no-OS or Linux option.