21. Benchmarks - CPU Workload During Capture

When recording videos (capture), Asus' proprietary format incurs the least CPU workload. MPEG 2 saves the most space, but places the heaviest demands on the system processor. 3dfx' algorithm pushes a Celeron 333 to the brink even though it only uses half TV resolution, so it's not surprising that 3dfx doesn't offer full TV resolution.

Matrox makes a positive impression. The Zoran capture chip on the Marvel G400TV reduces the CPU workload in an effective way as it compresses MJPEG in hardware. Doubling the resolution therefore doesn't affect the board much. All the other products for compression use a software codec. The Asus algorithm, which is so effective at half TV resolution, is really pushed at full resolution. The same applies to the ATI board with its MPEG 2 algorithm. However, this format saves a lot of space. At full resolution, 3dfx is simply left behind.