Render This Fast

[unixronin]

C|Net reports that nVidia is releasing itx GTX260 and GTX280 graphics chipsets today.  The GTX280 has 240 cores and 933 gFLOPS of processing power.

Yeah, that's right — almost 1 TFLOPS in a single GPU. nVidia claims the GTX280 can render three million triangles per frame.  That's some serious graphics performance.

I couldn't help but notice this paragraph further down, though:

Nvidia is also boasting that a dual-core GTX 280 can convert a high-definition movie into iPod video format in 35 minutes, compared to about five hours for a quad-core CPU system with low-end integrated graphics.

Um, OK, I guess I'm impressed.  Or something.  But you know, I can't help thinking that might actually mean something if an iPod had a high-definition screen.

It reminds me of an article I was reading the other day talking to a professional audio engineer about CDs vs. vinyl.  He made the good point that no vinyl record ever offers perfect audio reproduction and no vinyl record ever can, no matter how careful the engineer, because the playback stylus is a different shape from the cutting stylus and tracks the groove differently, even on a linear-arm turntable.  He discussed how the "warmth" that vinylphiles like to talk about as part of vinyl's "faithful reproduction" is largely composed of surface noise, and it isn't there on the master.

Then he went and blew his cred by saying that all compression formats are bad, and that he loads his iPod only with uncompressed raw PCM to get the most flawless possible reproduction of his classical music favorites.

Flawless reproduction ... on an iPod with a pair of earbud headphones?

Sorry, buddy, but you're kidding yourself there.  It may sound good, but invent a pair of earbud phones capable of flawless, 100% faithful reproduction, and half the audio world will beat a path to your door begging to license your secret.

Comments

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I think I'd sooner have my eyeballs scooped out with a dull spork than seriously try to watch a movie — or almost any video I actually wanted to see — on a 2" 320x240 screen.

[randwolf.livejournal.com]

Ah, but the iPod touch (http://www.apple.com/ipodtouch/specs.html) has a 3.5" 480x320 screen--that's about LDTV resolution. If you're using it like a book--close focus--it's actually pretty good.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry, a 3.5" display is still way smaller than I want to watch anything on that I actually care about watching. My near-field visual accomodation isn't what it used to be.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

but it's not FOR YOU. doesn't matter if you can't see it, many can.

they are providing a real world mapping of speed to common application that many people can relate to.

also, all of those things can output via an NTSC cable. so the devices resolution is nearly as good or better than 480i.

what that means: really fast. okay, let's skip rendering. how about breaking primes numbers or other encryptions? very very fast. combine 4 of those... and you've got a nice super duper computer.

#

[gdmusumeci.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but 480x320 on a 3.5" display isn't that bad....

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

See just above. :)

[argonel.livejournal.com]

My portable device is a Nokia N800. It has a 4" 640x480 screen. I love it and have good nearfield vision, but I still wouldn't want to watch a movie on it. It does OK for youtube clips though.