8. Low-Definition LCD
The DEC works particularly well with an LCD TV, and for a good reason: It eliminates a major fault of LCD TVs - poor scaling performance - because the DEC handles the scaling. So in choosing a TV, you can forget that issue and focus on the video qualities, especially the absence of video noise and black depth.
For TV, the quality was quite acceptable, even from the composite output of an external source like a decoder. It wasn't Nirvana, but it was quite watchable.
For DVD video, the scaling performance was good, if not exceptional. An NVIDIA 6600 card (available on the z555 and z557 models in the US as noted above) will clearly do a better job. We checked this using the same screen with another PC fitted with a 6600 and the latest NVIDIA drivers. Whatever the configuration, quality was acceptable, but not extraordinary. If you're a DVD purist, clearly you should prefer a traditional home theater installation with progressive scan.
The DEC really began to show its stuff with DivX and WMV sources. The quality was quite good, even if it was still below what a modified Xbox with YUV output can do.
HD LCD
The DEC really comes into its own with HD content, either WMV or DivX. I hear you saying, "But there's no HD content available in my area." That's often true, but even if you start with low-definition content and transcode it into HD, you'll still see a significant improvement on the screen. Upscaling using the codec works better than scaling the final image.
On the other hand, photos are already in HD, since you take them yourself. And the results are fabulous. For the first time, a slide show in 1280x720 on a wide-screen LCD or HD plasma TV will transfix your audience - the quality is that exceptional, with no flickering whatsoever. It's enough to justify buying a DEC.