Archive:Broadcom Crystal HD

Devices

Broadcom Crystal HD

Starting in Kodi v14, support for the BCHD is being dropped from the software. Apple TV 1 users can use these modified/unofficial versions: OSMC - here

Broadcom Crystal HD refers to PCI Express mini cards that do high definition hardware decoding for many video codecs. The cards allow many low-powered systems to handle full bluray quality video, and more. There are two versions, the BCM970012- a full height mini PCIe card, and the BCM970015- a half height card (can be adapted to full height) mini PCIe card. XBMC supports hardware video decoding on both cards on all desktop OS versions including: Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows.

It is highly recommended to go with the BCM970015 over the BCM970012.

BCM970012	BCM970015
Full height mini PCIe card Bluray playback with a supported player sometimes stutters in XBMC when seeking for a few seconds	Half height mini PCIe card Bluray playback with a supported player no stuttering in XBMC uses less power than BCM970012 Flash video support in Windows and Linux GET THIS ONE
Codecs: H.264/AVC HP at L 4.1 1080p/1080i, 40 Mbps SMPTE VC-1 AP at L 3 1080p/1080i, 40 Mbps WMV9 (VC-1 SP and MP) MPEG-2 MP @ ML and HL, 80 Mbps	Codecs: H.264/AVC HP at L 5.1 1080p/1080i, 40 Mbps SMPTE VC-1 AP at L 3 1080p/1080i, 40 Mbps WMV9 (VC-1 SP and MP) MPEG-2 MP @ ML and HL, 80 Mbps DivX 3.11, 4.1, 5.X, 6.X, XviD

Further reading

• XBMC.org- Broadcom Crystal HD, It's Magic
• Anandtech.com- XBMC & Broadcom Bring 1080p Decode Upgrade to ill-equipped netbooks, nettops, Apple TVs
• Broadcom.com- Crystal HD Solution
• LogicSupply.com- BCM970015 Product page
• How to install the Broadcom Crystal HD card on an Apple TV 1 (silver)
• MythTV Wiki's Broadcom Crystal HD page
• Broadcom.com- BCM70012
• Broadcom.com- BCM70015