Video card for 2 50" 4k TVs, HDMI

[Ahhzz]

Afternoon/Morning all I have a need to run videos (not gaming) on 2 50" 4k TVs thru HDMI, simultaneously. I need a recommendation for a video card that can handle that. Any ideas? needy thing, aren't I heheh
I'm in the <$250 range (altho a few bucks over probably won't break it), and I really want 2 native HDMI ports. One of the TVs is barely over 25' away, and I'm trying hard to minimize signal drops. A single cable connection for both would be best.


edit for completed thoughts, but uncompleted statements

 

[dorsetknob]

Some one (some smart Alec) gonna jump in with get a 2080ti

in reality you need to specify some sort of budget

 

[Deleted member 67555]

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16814125914?ignorebbr=true

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16814125914/specs?ignorebbr=true

 

[27MaD]

Budget ?

 

[Ahhzz]

Some one (some smart Alec) gonna jump in with get a 2080ti

in reality you need to specify some sort of budget

Bah!! I brought up the screen, typed a quick message, had to get on an hour and a half phone call, killed the screen, brought it back up and said "Yeah, that'll do..."
I'd prefer in the $200 range, but I'm really just having problems finding someone doing what I'll be doing, and so can't even get a ballpark

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16814125914?ignorebbr=true

https://m.newegg.com/products/N82E16814125914/specs?ignorebbr=true

That looks solid, and in the range I'm after. They're not looking to game RoTR in 4K, just videos, and mainly cam-type videos, not even BluRay stuff. But the laptop in place right now just can't drive both TVs. Anyone have any input on the 1050 ti w/4Gb?

 

[SoNic67]

You not gonna find a card with two HDMI ports, but one DP can be easily converted to HDMI with an adapter or even cable.
I would actually recommend a low profile Quadro P400 (with two mini DP - HDMI cable-adapters) for like $125 + 2x$9:
https://www.amazon.com/PNY-NVIDIA-Quadro-Professional-Graphics/dp/B06X9PW5DZ

It has low power (less than 30W), low profile, takes only one slot, 10 bit HDR video with H.264 & H.265/hevc encode and decode video engines... fits in a multimedia small case PC.

 

[Ahhzz]

You not gonna find a card with two HDMI ports, but one DP can be easily converted to HDMI with an adapter or even cable.
I would actually recommend a low profile Quadro P400 (with two mini DP - HDMI cable-adapters) for like $125 + 2x$9:
https://www.amazon.com/PNY-NVIDIA-Quadro-Professional-Graphics/dp/B06X9PW5DZ

It has low power (less than 30W), low profile, takes only one slot, 10 bit HDR video with H.264 & H.265/hevc encode and decode video engines... fits in a multimedia small case PC.

Actually, the one JMC listed has three HDMI I'm on my vendor to check the size of the box we're looking to test to make sure it uses standard p/s size and connectors

 

[bug]

I'd be really surprised if even Intel's IGPs can't handle two 4k streams simultaneously.
Unfortunately, nobody does video engine reviews anymore, so it's impossible to say who outputs the best image quality wise these days.

 

[Durvelle27]

I'd be really surprised if even Intel's IGPs can't handle two 4k streams simultaneously.
Unfortunately, nobody does video engine reviews anymore, so it's impossible to say who outputs the best image quality wise these days.

Most motherboards only have one or two video outputs which are usually HDMI & DVI and DVI can’t do 4K

 

[bug]

Most motherboards only have one or two video outputs which are usually HDMI & DVI and DVI can’t do 4K

That's true, thanks for ponting it out.
My point was, even the cheapest video card can do what the OP needs. If it doesn't have two HDMI connections, he can use a (mini)DP to HDMI cable.

 

[Ahhzz]

That's true, thanks for ponting it out.
My point was, even the cheapest video card can do what the OP needs. If it doesn't have two HDMI connections, he can use a (mini)DP to HDMI cable.

Unfortunately, I'm trying really hard to minimize connections , which will degrade signal, since my second device is so far from the source. I'm tempted to cut a new drywall hole, just to see if I can grab an extra 3-6".... Hopefully, my vendor gets back about the power supply, and I can get it all laid out for quoting this morn. Thanks for the input, all.

 

[SoNic67]

I stand corrected, I didn't see that link with 3 HDMI
.
However, the Quadro from above would fit in the smallest boxes and take the least power to operate (does not require a dedicated power connector).
There is no need for a 1050Ti with 768 "CUDA cores" if that box is used just a media center, they just make heat in the room for nothing. A GT 1030 or a P400 have the same video decoder/encoder, with Quadro being capable of 10 bit HDR.

A passive cooled GT1030, with HDMI & DP, for under $100:
https://www.amazon.com/MSI-GT-1030-2GH-LP/dp/B072BL9CRM/

 

[bug]

Unfortunately, I'm trying really hard to minimize connections , which will degrade signal, since my second device is so far from the source. I'm tempted to cut a new drywall hole, just to see if I can grab an extra 3-6".... Hopefully, my vendor gets back about the power supply, and I can get it all laid out for quoting this morn. Thanks for the input, all.

DP to HDMI is digital-to-digital, you wouldn't be losing anything there.

 

[SoNic67]

DP to HDMI is digital-to-digital

That's correct. Some are passive wire-to-wire adapters and, for longer cables, they make active adapters:
https://www.amazon.com/gofanco-DisplayPort-Converter-Compatible-DPHDMIA-4K-FBA1/dp/B01MZ6UT21

 

[Ahhzz]

DP to HDMI is digital-to-digital, you wouldn't be losing anything there.

I guess I'm just overly concerned about the signal power loss experienced with any coupler/connector. Right now, I've tried to feed it with a USB3 to HDMI, and it just won't hold connection consistently.

I'm also trying really hard to purchase one card, one setup, and have it work. I don't want to have to go back several times and have to keep bumping up the requirements, while also not having to spend $2k on a setup, because the client won't do it heheh. I'll look at that GT 1030 today with the adapter and see if it might do. Thanks for the input

 

[Vya Domus]

A GT 1030 or a P400 have the same video decoder/encoder, with Quadro being capable of 10 bit HDR.

All 10-series support HDR. Though I wouldn't try to run 10 bit HDR content on any GPU with 2 GB , be it a 1030 or 1050.

 

[SoNic67]

Video HDR doesn't have anything to do with the GPU memory. This thread is not about gaming.

Also I want to retract what I said about GT1030 video encoding, looks like it's crippled by design, the NVENC ASIC core is missing:
https://developer.nvidia.com/video-encode-decode-gpu-support-matrix

For video decoding capabilities of various cards, scroll down on the linked page to "NVDEC Support Matrix".
Note that, for GTX 1050 / 1050 Ti, we have two different sets of capabilities, depending if they are based on the newer GP107 or older GP106.

 

[Vya Domus]

Video HDR doesn't have anything to do with the GPU memory.

Even though it would seem like that, it does. Many 1030/1050 users have reported poor performance playing back HDR content and it seems to be due to lack of VRAM and I can confirm this as well, playing back 4K HDR of YouTube see my video memory hit 3 GB or more of usage. Nvidia specifies this as well, that's why they claim you need 1050 and up with 3 GB of VRAM.

 

[SoNic67]

Nvidia specifies this as well

Where?

I don't see it here: https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-video-codec-sdk

 

[Vya Domus]

Where?

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4583/~/4k-uhd-netflix-content-on-nvidia-gpus

 

[bug]

I guess I'm just overly concerned about the signal power loss experienced with any coupler/connector. Right now, I've tried to feed it with a USB3 to HDMI, and it just won't hold connection consistently.

I'm also trying really hard to purchase one card, one setup, and have it work. I don't want to have to go back several times and have to keep bumping up the requirements, while also not having to spend $2k on a setup, because the client won't do it heheh. I'll look at that GT 1030 today with the adapter and see if it might do. Thanks for the input

Fair enough. I wasn't trying to say you must use an IGP. But if you can't find one that cuts it for you, you don't need to pay for an expensive video card. Just go for the cheapest that has the outputs you need.

 

[SoNic67]

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4583/~/4k-uhd-netflix-content-on-nvidia-gpus

I think that's specific for Netflix and their DRM scheme in combination with HDCP 2.2, since that reference is clear to a specific driver (or newer) and Pascal-only GPUs (note that 1030 are missing even if they theoretically have the video decoding hardware). Hence the need for buffering in the video memory.
Anyway, thanks!

 

[Vya Domus]

I think that's specific for Netflix and their DRM scheme in combination with HDCP 2.2, since that reference is clear to a specific driver (or newer) and Pascal-only GPUs (note that 1030 are missing even if they theoretically have the video decoding hardware). Hence the need for buffering in the video memory.
Anyway, thanks!

Could be, but as I noted I saw huge memory usage playing back 4K HDR. Nvidia got to have a reason for it.

 

[Ahhzz]

Thanks for all the feedback guys, appreciate it!! Will order one of the mentioned tomorrow, and stick in a box, see what it does for him

 

[Ahhzz]

A follow-up update, I loaded the 1030 in a SFF i5 with 4Gb this morning, and popped over to the client. Things went well thru the checkup: Powerpoint went without a hitch, of course, and their video from a recent event looked SO sharp at 4k. Thanks so much everyone who gave input!

There were just two little hiccups. First, the end of video has a plain white background for their sponsor notifications, and in the back, at about a 5% (watermark-type), you see the video of people at the event. On one screen. The other screen only has a white background, no walking people.... The double annoying thing is that's the side with the DP to HDMI adapter which shows the people walking, not the straight HDMI....

I think he'll be ok with that, but when we were getting ready to leave, he asked about a third monitor to drive a small 15-17" monitor to manage the whole setup..... Looks like I'll need to roll the price of a second card into the whole bundle, and get another one


edit: a quick note on that 1030, it's a low-profile, but comes built normal, so you have to swap the riser. Unfortunately, the riser is attached with one screw buried under the heatsink, which has 4 tension screws, 1 of which has a tamper sticker. I took a razor blade to mine, in case I had to return the card, but it's something to note for anyone interested