P6000/U5400 graphics

[idata]

The documentation of graphics capabilities for Arrandale CPUs baffles me. The datasheets for all Arrandale list the same capabilities in section 1.3.5, including hardware acceleration for MPEG2, WMV9/VC1, AVC. The Core processors all show ICVT HD on ark.intel.com. The P6000 and U5400 show ICVT. ICVT HD is described at http://www.intel.com/technology/graphics/ctv.htm http://www.intel.com/technology/graphics/ctv.htm. I don't see a discussion of ICVT. All Arrandale processors show Intel HD Graphics. A page describing Intel HD Graphics (http://www.intel.com/technology/graphics/intelhd.htm) says http://www.intel.com/technology/graphics/intelhd.htm) says it is on 2010 Core processors...no mention of non-Core. However, some of the capabilities listed on that page seem to be ICVT HD, not ICVT, so it seems to be a description of Intel HD Graphics for Core only. Does anyone know whether this is the case? Is there a page somewhere that describes Intel HD Graphics for non-Core processors that don't support ICVT HD? I am interested in low-end home theater capabilities, so decoding Blu-Ray and Flash are musts, but an thinking of using a notebook or netbook rather than having a machine 100% dedicated to my TV room. I am not looking for advice on the "right" processor, just facts about the capabilities (and non-capabilities) of P6000/U5400. Thanks!

[idata]

OK, I found a PDF about ICVT: http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/clear_video/prod_brief.pdf http://www.intel.com/products/chipsets/clear_video/prod_brief.pdf. The document is for the G965 chipset. The list of capabilities is not impressive, e.g. MPEG2 is the only decoding mentioned. That worries me and makes me wonder whether the datasheet is junk, since it also lists WMV9/VC-1 and AVC. Or are P6000/U5400 crippled in some ways in relation to the Core processors, but not the whole way back to the ICVT level.

[idata]

If I read between the lines, I think my answer is at http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/quick-reference-guide-to-intel-integrated-graphics/ http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/quick-reference-guide-to-intel-integrated-graphics/. While the text and capabilities table has no mention of these processors, footnote 1 says "Feature not available on Intel® Pentium processors". Looking down the column marked "Intel® Core™ i3-500 and Intel® Core™ i3-300M", the couple of "Yes" entries that carry footnote 1 appear to be those which the P6000 and U5400 lack. If anyone knows this to be correct (or incorrect) for certain, please let me know.

[idata]

Thanks a lot for this research! Helped me a lot!