The guys over at ActiveWin noticed that NVIDIA have released an updated beta driver for Windows Vista 32 and 64 bit flavors yesterday, now at version 175.12 these drivers no longer offer a 30% improvement like older versions, just general "improvements". One being the new Dual-Stream decode acceleration and Aero support for Blu-ray and HD DVD playback on newer GPU's mentioned in the changelog.

View changelog and download the beta driver after the jump.
Release Highlights:
  • Supports GeForce 6, 7, 8, and 9 series GPUs including these newly released GPUs:
    • GeForce 9800 GX2
    • GeForce 9800 GTX
    • GeForce 9600 GT
    • GeForce 8300
    • GeForce 8200
    • GeForce 8200/ NVIDIA nForce 730a
    • GeForce 8100/NVIDIA nForce 720a

  • Supports single GPU and NVIDIA SLI™ technology on DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL, including Quad SLI technology with GeForce 9800 GX2 and 3-way SLI technology with GeForce 9800 GTX.
  • Adds new PureVideo HD features for GeForce 9800 GX2, 9800 GTX, and 9600 GT:
    • Dynamic Contrast Enhancement
    • Dynamic Blue, Green & Skin Tone Enhancements
    • Dual-Stream Decode Acceleration*
    • Microsoft Vista Aero display mode compatibility for Blu-ray & HD DVD playback*

  • Added the following pages to the NVIDIA Control Panel:
    • Manage Custom Resolutions
    • Adjust Television Color Settings
    • Adjust Screen Size and Position
    • Move CRT Position

  • Improved performance on many DirectX 9, DirectX 10, and OpenGL applications.
  • Numerous game and application compatibility fixes. Please read the release notes for more information on product support, features, driver fixes and known compatibility issues.
  • Users without US English operating systems can select their language and download the International driver here.

Note: Users will require updated software from third-party movie players to experience the new Dual-Stream decode acceleration and Aero support for Blu-ray and HD DVD playback features.

Download: NVIDIA Geforce Release 175.12 BETA for Windows Vista 32 Bit (35.7 MB) | 64 Bit (50.3 MB)


There are 20 additional comments
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Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by +Ficman on 29 Apr 2008 - 09:43
Sweet
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by Zip on 29 Apr 2008 - 10:43
FINALLY!!
(5 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by venejo on 29 Apr 2008 - 12:26
It's been 4 months now since their last WHQL drivers. And so many versions out there, a whole mess! Newer versions with old timestamps and vice versa. What are they thinking... a quarter of a year and still betas. Hopefully these will take the WHQL mark.
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by hadisious on 29 Apr 2008 - 12:31
the most recent before these, the 174.74 drivers went WHQL friend........
Quote this comment #3.2 Posted by venejo on 29 Apr 2008 - 13:28
Yeap! I just found them on station-drivers.com.
Quote this comment #3.3 Posted by Xenomorph on 29 Apr 2008 - 21:13
(hadisious said @ #3.1)
the most recent before these, the 174.74 drivers went WHQL friend........


For most of the cards, these are the latest WHQL drivers:
169.25, Release Date: December 20, 2007
Quote this comment #3.4 Posted by toadeater on 29 Apr 2008 - 23:35
(Xenomorph said @ #3.3)
(hadisious said @ #3.1)
the most recent before these, the 174.74 drivers went WHQL friend........


For most of the cards, these are the latest WHQL drivers:
169.25, Release Date: December 20, 2007


Yeah, I wouldn't recommend these for cards older than the 8xxx series! Stick to the older drivers for now, unless you like bugs.
Quote this comment #3.5 Posted by Xenomorph on 01 May 2008 - 00:55
(toadeater said @ #3.4)
(Xenomorph said @ #3.3)
(hadisious said @ #3.1)
the most recent before these, the 174.74 drivers went WHQL friend........


For most of the cards, these are the latest WHQL drivers:
169.25, Release Date: December 20, 2007


Yeah, I wouldn't recommend these for cards older than the 8xxx series! Stick to the older drivers for now, unless you like bugs.



Well, for my 8600 GT and most other cards in the 8xxx series, 169.25 from LAST YEAR are still the newest WHQL drivers available.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by The Walker on 29 Apr 2008 - 12:56
"...now at version 175.12 these drivers no longer offer a 30% improvement like older versions"

You all did read this, yeah?
Quote this comment #4.1 Posted by sjgore on 29 Apr 2008 - 13:45
I assumed it meant that the 30% improvement was still there, but that the latest drivers were concentrating on more general improvements, rather than more optimisations.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by deep1234 on 29 Apr 2008 - 18:57
Does it mean there is nothing much for us the 8600 GTS users?
Quote this comment #5.1 Posted by Xerxes on 07 May 2008 - 01:12
Yes, us 8600GTS users are left behind Nvidia seem to be almost solely concerntrating on the 9 series now, while I understand the 8600 cards are over a year old now, I was kinda hoping they wouldn't cut driver support so short.

I also noticed you have to have a 9 series card if I want Aero during Blu-Ray/HD-DVD playback...I think I can live without that somehow

It seems these days Nvidia is more concerned about constantly releasing new cards rather then continuing support for the current ones. I do hope they do release some new official (non-beta) drivers that arn't just for the 9 series (and low end 8 series) but somehow I doubt it, I think we'll see the 10 series before that (and I suspect the 10 series could even be out this year too)...
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by solardog on 29 Apr 2008 - 20:58
Im running the XTreme-G 174.93 Vista. Crysis runs like butter with these....thats a good thing by the way.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by petrossa on 30 Apr 2008 - 09:25
just tried it, explorer jumped from 2% to 17% idle load and my dreamscene got all choppy. Quickly deinstalled. its crap
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by Screaming Slave on 30 Apr 2008 - 13:35
I'm also a fan of the Xtreme-G drivers. I think I'll wait for their release.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by Harreh on 30 Apr 2008 - 21:59
So, for my 8400M GS, do I have to wait for Dell to release their own version of this?
(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by Spark99 on 01 May 2008 - 01:07
These drivers rock !!!

For Laptop users:

Quickstart Quide :: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=9243
Drivers :: http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showforum=93
Quote this comment #10.1 Posted by Harreh on 01 May 2008 - 10:08
Awesome! I'm bookmarking that site, I really felt left in the dust with Dell not updating their drivers for ages (I'm currently using the 156.69 version.
Quote this comment #10.2 Posted by +aniv on 02 May 2008 - 04:12
(Harreh said @ #10.1)
Awesome! I'm bookmarking that site, I really felt left in the dust with Dell not updating their drivers for ages (I'm currently using the 156.69 version.


There is a good reason Dell does not update their drivers everytime Nvidia comes up with an update; unless there is significant performance or stability benifits Dell sticks to the most stable drivers known for the video chipset. The mobile video chipsets are Dell modded (OEM/ODM) so try the laptopvideo2go drivers at your own risk.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by Panarchy on 11 May 2008 - 09:47
Awesome!

Release date?
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