Level of video card required for HDMI output to LCD TV?

I know this question has been asked in various forms but I need to pose it more specifically for my use. I already output to my LCD TV with no problem. I'm putting together a HTPC. As far as video I want the best chance of watching online TV such as HULU in flawless fullscreen (as Possible) and other HD streaming video from say Quicktime. I know 3d specs are not important but what is? GPU? Memory? What specs are most important for what I want to do with the card. I would spend $200.00 if it improves quality but it seems you're spending more money for 3D performance not 2D i.E. online video. Am I correct in saying most current HD cards are about the same for my uses?



Thanks,

Mike|||You are right. For your specific application, you just need a video card with excellent HD decode capability and with built-in HDMI port. Cheap graphics cards like these w/ HDMI port would do the job:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as…

Even the new integrated graphics have decent HD/ Blu Ray playback capability:

http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/156…



This article may be of help:

http://arstechnica.com/hardware/guides/2…

Nvidia chipset/integrated graphics is more favored in the article.|||yes you are correct, unless you actually watch some HD movies from your comp, anything you stream from online is usually max 720p only while you will only notice the difference with 1080p movies because thats the point of hdmi for 1080p movies.



otherwise a 50 dollar card that supports hdmi will play your streaming videos exactly the same as a 200 dollar one