Recently, Rage3D examined the capabilities of the AMD ATI Radeon HD 5570 (HD5570 review) and AMD ATI Radeon HD 5450 (HD5450 review). Amongst the gaming, compute and media tests, we examined image quality for these low powered budget cards, to evaluate their claims as the Ultimate HTPC cards. Using the AMD provided beta drivers, we tested interlaced media playback using the 'Cheese Slices' MPEG-2 1080i vide file, to put the cards through their paces. We found that the use of 'Enforce Smooth Playback' would reduce the available deinterlace modes to Bob and Weave methods only, ultimately reducing the quality of the displayed image - albeit very slightly.

Video - Basic Quality

Our test results prompted a phone call from AMD, to confirm what settings and tests we used on the cards, and to let us know that a non-mature set of drivers was released to the press with the sample hardware. As we were testing not at 2560x1600, but at 1920x1200, it was not expected that there would be a perceivable image quality difference. This happens from time to time, as hardware is released and driver revisions put out to get all functionality working. AMD has now provided us with an early beta of a new driver package that is intended to resolve the issue.

The CCC Video settings pages contain options to improve or tweak video playback to your satisfaction. Out of the box, as it were, the options for automatic deinterlacing method and enforce smooth playback are checked, to provide the simplest and easiest way for consumers to get great video playback.

Deinterlace Methods

Using the new drivers, we retested both the AMD ATI Radeon HD 5450 and HD 5750. Technically, the HD 5450 should have enough shader power to perform vector adaptive deinterlacing and maintain smooth playback. Using the Advanced Color controls along with Enforce Smooth Playback might result in some of the advanced color options being skipped as the shaders load up in complex scenes. However, the new drivers allowed the HD 5450 with default settings to use vector adaptive deinterlacing and maintain smooth playback, without a loss in quality.

HD 5450 Deinterlacing

The AMD ATI Radeon HD 5570 with it's Redwood core has a lot more shader power than the Cedar cored HD 5450, and so should have no trouble processing Advanced Video Controls and Vector Adaptive Deinterlacing at the same time. AMD expressed surprise at our results showing a drop in quality when using Enforced Smooth Playback, which prompted the call. Retesting with the new drivers shows the HD 5570 powering through the Cheese Slices, no discernable difference in quality when using different settings - even with Vector Adaptive Deinterlaced forced and Enforced Smooth Playback selected.

HD 5570 Deinterlacing

In conclusion, both the AMD ATI Radeon HD 5450 and HD 5570 have what it takes for 1080i playback with maximum quality. If you are a HTPC enthusiast looking for Ultimate HTPC features, the advanced video controls and unrivalled Bit-streaming audio support should put the AMD ATI Radeon HD 5570 and HD 5450 on your short list.

We'd like to thank AMD for their assistance with this investigation. Click HERE to discuss our ATI Radeon HD5570 article in the Rage3D Forums!