ATI cards “struggling” with HD channels in Windows 7

ATI graphics cards are reportedly failing to show HD television channels in Windows 7’s Media Center.

The issue has been the subject of numerous complaints on AMD forums. However, even with the full release of Windows 7 last week, it appears the issue still remains unresolved.

The flaw is preventing people from watching or recording channels such as BBC HD, which is broadcast on the Freesat platform, through Media Center. It’s especially frustrating for users who use their PC as a PVR on their main television set.

“After many many years of being happy with my ATI cards I have just had to order an Nvidia 9500GT due to pressures from the wife wanting BBC HD and not being able to tell her when she’ll be able to watch ‘Strictly’ again in HD!” complains one forum member.

After many many years of being happy with my ATI cards I have just had to order an Nvidia 9500GT due to pressures from the wife wanting BBC HD

“I’m in a real mess because my Media computer is in a Silverstone case which cannot take the Nvidia 9500GT I’ve had to buy to get round this,” complains another user. “I’m having to swap my office machine with my media centre machine which is a real pain, on top of the expense of having to buy a new card.”

Despite the numerous complaints, AMD says it’s not certain that ATI cards are to blame. “A forum poster on a British enthusiast site has drawn our attention to a possible issue with ATI Radeon graphics cards and HD content broadcast by BBC when used with Windows Media Center (in Windows 7),” the company says in a statement sent to PC Pro.

“We are looking into the matter and first need to determine if the issue mentioned on the forum is in fact related to our hardware, and if so, is it repeatable and persistent, or an isolated case with other hardware or software contributing to the problem. Once we have done so, we will determine next steps.”