Processor that can play 720p video?

[flow.of.soul]

How fast of a processor will I need in order to play 720p video smoothly? I'm looking into getting an ultra-portable laptop, and I don't really want a netbook because of the atom processors (when I use my bro's netbook it can barely play in SD). Right now I'm looking at an HP 13.3" laptop that comes with a Intel(R) Celeron(R) Processor SU2300 (1.20GHz, 1M Cache) w/Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD, without upgrading. Would this be suitable to play 720p, or would I have to upgrade it to something more powerful?

[rathoriel]

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/musicandvideo/hdvideo/contentshowcase.aspx#sysreq

[Mikan]

GMA and 1.2GHZ? uhh no bad idea.

my laptop was "made" according to specs to be able to cleanly handle 720p.


I did see a new  HP model for $918 that meets spec requirements.
http://www.amazon.com/HP-TouchSmart-TX2-1270US-12-1-Inch-Laptop/dp/B002BH4NOY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258991678&sr=8-2

(click to show/hide)

Half the Ram, btw.  above link is for XP, and u know Vista/win7 eat more memory.

But in all honesty, get a 15.4.
 
Low cost http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-dv6449us-Widescreen-BrightView-remarketed/dp/B000XPWOL0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258993551&sr=1-1

thats good for 720p your games and what not.  throw WIN7 and its really a beauty if you cant spend alot (this laptop was 1.2k when i bought it -.-) if you got more, get better

[Mag-X]

1.2GHz Celeron? Is that Pentium III based? My old laptop had a 1.2GHz PIII, and it couldn't even handle 576p. Even if it's P4 based, it won't work. My work computer is a 2.2GHz P4, and 720p video kicks its ass.

A modern Celeron should be able to handle it just fine though. I picked up a super cheap new laptop with a 2.2GHz Core 2 Solo based Celeron, and it handles 720p just fine.

[zherok]

It's probably a Core 2 Solo.

I got a 2.2ghz Celeron Core 2 Solo for my birthday awhile back, and it played 720p fine more or less. I have my doubts as to whether the laptop in question would manage it well though.

Personally I opted for a larger laptop. The ultra portable category doesn't seem like I'm getting my money's worth from it.

[blubart]

my notebook has a Core 2 Duo U7500 (that's 1.06Ghz if i remember right) on which i can play 720p releases using MPC/CoreAVC which no major background applications running.
bluray rips or other heavy bitrate releases are a no-go, but the normal tv encodes work with relatively few framedrops.

i would still recommend something a bit more powerful, like the Core 2 Duo SU9xxx series - but ultra-portable notebooks are imo absolutely the way to go - if you want a powerhouse, buy a desktop

[fohfoh]

Ultra ports are not really worth it.

Grab a centrino duo. grab something with two cores. It's not that pricey, but it'll work.

I have a 13.3" that is very light. Without my battery it's the same weight as a netbook (around). Though of course, the netbook is only 10.1"

[Reape]

Wtf... my old Pentium IV was able to play 720p...

[zherok]

Plenty of Pentium IVs'll outperform a very low end Core 2 Solo.

[kich]

My netbook plays 720p video pretty well with an Atom processor.

I watched Macross Frontier on it, though THORA's Vexile 720p rip won't play full speed.

It's hit and miss. Definitely go with a Core 2 Duo processor with discreet graphics if available.

[hilander72]

Look for one with a newer GPU that fully supports h264/VC-1 hardware decoding, for example nvidia 2xxM series or similar.

[Neco]

Half the Ram, btw.  above link is for XP, and u know Vista/win7 eat more memory.

Haha... No

[fohfoh]

Half the Ram, btw.  above link is for XP, and u know Vista/win7 eat more memory.

Haha... No

Yes and no. While win 7 at the basic level isn't as big of a memory hog as Vista, the application dwm.exe which is used to power the desktop effects and such, sometimes goes haywire and does random memory leaks. However, I believe this was fixed in an update. So it's a null argument.

Yet again on another hand, a newer OS (ie: Win 7) that has to deal with an integrated instead of dedicated card will have more issues in the ram area than XP. Mainly due to the fact that Win7 is more willing to dedicate more ram towards the video card than XP will. As long as you're not running only 1 GB ram, you're fine. But seriously. Ram is literally a 30 dollar upgrade to MAX OUT. Upgrade that shit if you find ram isn't enough.

[Gamerzhell]

An Atom CPU should be able to play 720p flawlessly using CoreAVC.

better yet, you could consider getting an Nvidia ION based netbook (slightly less battery but you can play 1080p no hassles)

[Takeshi]

720p isn't set in stone. Just because you're able to play one 720p video doesn't mean it goes for all. Softsubs play a big role, too. And softsubbed karaoke, though most people hardsub it so the effects don't kill your CPU. Plus:

1080p is just a generalization. 1080p refers to the resolution, not the computing power required to play it smoothly (though it is largely related).
A better measure is bitrate, and this varies wildly depending on the intensity of the scene.

[Proin Drakenzol]

I think everybody is forgetting something very important here:

Celeron processors SUCK

get a Core2 Duo machine.

[kureshii]

That would've been true for older-generation Celerons, but considering the 45nm Celerons (E3XXX) are dual-core, finally come with 1MB cache and have the same architecture as their elder brethren (essentially a Pentium E5XXX with less cache), I'd say they are more than 720p-ready.

Yeah, we've finally reached the point where (the new 45nm) Celerons climb out of the cesspit of suckage, and into the dim light of decency. In other words, it's ok to buy a Celeron now, people. (Time to update your tech trends!)

[kich]

In other words, it's ok to buy a Celeron now, people. (Time to update your tech trends!)

Saying this four years ago would have ended with a lynching.

I never thought I'd see the day... then again, with so many people running out to buy Atom processors I guess I shouldn't have been surprised.

[temuchin]

in my experience running 720p on a Pentium IV in XP, is like running a marathon without legs over miles of broken glass as your being mauled to death
by a ravenous Bengal tiger..   (previous pc)    

my current computer is a Mac Mini - Core 2 Duo processor 2.0 ghz, with 4 gigs ram, attached via firewire 800 to an external Lacie terrabyte drive.
i boot from that drive obviously.
runs 720p silky smooth in vlc, quicktime etc.
for 1080p i use Plex which runs smoothly as well.    

to all those claiming those crappy net-books are smoothly running 720p; i love to see a screen-shot of an intense series such as Evangelion 1.11
You Are (Not) Alone with a cpu index.  
me running it 1080p.

(click to show/hide)

sure there are dropped frames but it is silky smooth and the cpu(s) are not being strangled. here it's 43%. fairly respectable for 1080p.

net-books are almost avant garde in their own silly little way.    low technology becoming the "it thing" with bemused dipshit tech types.  
so in answer to your query- at a minimum Core 2 Duo processor.