ASRock CoreHT 252B Review
by Ganesh T S on September 2, 2011 3:45 AM EST- Posted in
- HTPC
- Intel
- ASRock
- Media Streamer
Video post processing aspects such as skin tone correction and denoising are part of the HQV 2.0 benchmark. However, it is cadence detection which forms a major part of the tested aspects. Deinterlacing is closely tied with cadence detection. Although deinterlacing, by itself, is not stressed in the HQV 2.0 benchmark, it is very important for the end users.
In contrast to the performance of the Core 100, the CoreHT 252B manages to ace all the HQV 2.0 cadence detection tests.
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| Film Mode Detection Off | Film Mode Detection On |
2:2 Cadence Detection Test Stream from the HQV 2.0 Benchmark
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| Film Mode Detection Off | Film Mode Detection On |
2:3:2:3 Cadence Detection Test Stream from the Spears & Munsil Test Disc
Despite handling these test streams properly, the GPU fails at localized cadence detection for scrolling text on the video. This is reflected in the HQV benchmark score also. As the GPU takes its time to lock on to the local cadence (the scrolling text and the video do not have the same cadence), the text appears shredded for quite some time at the start.
Scrolling Text Shredding (HQV 2.0 Benchmark Clip)
In order to determine the deinterlacing capabilities, we took the standard Cheese Slices clip and put it through the CoreHT 252B. The interlaced H.264 version was played back using DXVA (MPC-HC / EVR-CP / Microsoft DTV-DVD Decoder). For this clip, we compare the quality of deinterlacing with the Core 100 and Vision 3D. The Zino 410 would made a good comparison point. Unfortunately, the Zino review unit is longer in our hands.
Deinterlacing - Video Reference
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| CoreHT 252B | Core 100 | Vision 3D |
Deinterlacing - Cheese Slice Ticker
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| CoreHT 252B | Core 100 | Vision 3D |
Deinterlacing - Noise Response
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| CoreHT 252B | Core 100 | Vision 3D |
Deinterlacing - Algorithm Type
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| CoreHT 252B | Core 100 | Vision 3D |
Deinterlacing - Disc Test
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| CoreHT 252B | Core 100 | Vision 3D |
It is quite clear that the deinterlacing quality of Intel HD Graphics 3000 is not as good as the GT 425M in Vision 3D. However, it does show some improvement over the Intel HD Graphics in the Core 100.
Moving on to real life streams, we compare the CoreHT 252B and the Vision 3D with respect to the playback of the boat sequence from the Spears & Munsil test disc.
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| CoreHT 252B | Vision 3D |
Edge Adaptive Deinterlacing Test Stream from the Spears & Munsil Test Disc
In this stream which tests edge adaptive deinterlacing, there is actually nothing to choose inbetween the GT 425M and the Intel HD Graphics 3000. The nature of the ropes around the sail is almost exactly the same. Before moving on to the next section, we have to note that the AMD Radeons remain the GPUs to beat when it comes to deinterlacing quality.
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ganeshts - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
There is a no-OS option. (in fact, that is what will be sold mostly)For Linux drivers.. well, let us not go down that road right now.
martajd - Sunday, September 4, 2011 - link
Read the article. It CLEARLY says in the specifications chart "Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (Retail unit is barebones)"That means NO OS IS DEFAULT. It's not Asrock that has the stupidity.
DaveSimmons - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
Item#: N82E16856158025, that's pretty high for no Windows or blu-ray software.($87 for PowerDVD).ganeshts - Friday, September 2, 2011 - link
If this is anything like the Vision 3D, I bet the price will definitely go down, or there will be a rebate / combo deal of some sort to sweeten things up. I stand by what I said in the review.. if they get the price down to the Core 100's launch price, I will have no hesitation in recommending the unit.ypsylon - Saturday, September 3, 2011 - link
External power supply is instant kill for any HPTC system. What is the point of SFF if you have to use external PSU? You can't move the case without moving PSU.No thank you AsRock. Small Lian-Li cube will do nicely.
miahallen - Saturday, September 3, 2011 - link
"The ASRock CoreHT 252B is primarily built out of notebook components, and it is not possible for the average enthusiast to build such a system with off-the-shelf components."Yes it is...I did about 3 months ago (with the H67 version) and I've been quite heppy with it.
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t228/miahallen/...
miahallen - Saturday, September 3, 2011 - link
This is the low cost version w/o BluRay but with an SSD...more similar to what I built.http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t228/miahallen/...
At only $400, it's a steal next to the version in this article.
ganeshts - Sunday, September 4, 2011 - link
I only intended to convey that it is not possible for consumers to build a desktop with a mobile procsesor / mobile chipset.However, yes, you have an interesting build with a similar power profile. Andrew at MissingRemote also has a similar build reviewed: http://www.missingremote.com/review/intel-core-i3-... : This uses the more HTPC centric motherboard from Intel.
Lolimaster - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
Should be a better deal buying a E-350 APU/Mobo combo. Why have intel subpar image quality gpu?ganeshts - Tuesday, September 6, 2011 - link
350 is too weak. Higher end Llanos are good, but need some driver work in the common scenarios like 1080p60 AVCHD decode.Intel is pretty good for the average consumer. If you are a stickler for image and video quality, go with AMD, and if you want the best of freeware / open source software to do the work for you, go with NVIDIA.