Currently, I'm using the tv-out on an old Voodoo3 card to play divx on TV. I'm looking to upgrade this little bitch to something more feature-filled per se, preferably with video in for PVR/DVR. I'm looking at the AIW 8500 and 9700 series and the Nvidia Personal Cinema. Performance won't really be an issue since it won't be used for graphic intense programs, gaming, etc. I'm looking for video in/out quality. I've tried my GeForce4 card, but it seems to have fading/discoloration problems on tv-out, even after fiddling with the drivers. The Voodoo3 has some convergence issues, but color is very vivid. Haven't had first hand experience with ATI cards though, any thoughts or recommendations?
Video Cards
- Thread starter zack
- Start date
Hey Zack,
I am running an ATI Radeon 7000 series here, and I use it to watch movies/tv all the time, quality is pretty impressive, and I only paid like 30 bucks for this card.
The newer Radeons are supposedly even better, some of them having component out jacks so you can hook it up directly to your HDTV. The high end Geforce4 cards are usually pretty good too, but I am very happy with my cheap card (I am getting rid of my time warner dvr now, and replacing it permanently with my home built dvr), so I would probably recommend the 9700 series.
I am running an ATI Radeon 7000 series here, and I use it to watch movies/tv all the time, quality is pretty impressive, and I only paid like 30 bucks for this card.
The newer Radeons are supposedly even better, some of them having component out jacks so you can hook it up directly to your HDTV. The high end Geforce4 cards are usually pretty good too, but I am very happy with my cheap card (I am getting rid of my time warner dvr now, and replacing it permanently with my home built dvr), so I would probably recommend the 9700 series.
justonemore
Active Member
I am currently using ATI's el-cheapo card as well, the all-in-wonder. It serves it's purpose quite well for my video streaming needs.
Tell us a little about your home-brew pvr.....
Tell us a little about your home-brew pvr.....
It's quite simple actually... utilizing a barebones mini-ITX (probably one of those cubes). Fit it with a cpu capable of real-time divx encoding, a P4-2.4 should do it. Upgrade sound with an Audigy/TB card. Just ordered a Radeon 9000 AIW from the New Years sale at newegg.
Software wise, if I can get my hands on MCE2004, that'd be nice, but I think ATI's Multimedia Center software does the job. I still need to confirm if ATI's PVR function uses their proprietary video format or if you can choose the encoder.
I think I might need an RF wireless keyboard, preferably one with on-board touchpad or mouse. One of those presentation style remote controls is sufficient too. Haven't found one of those yet.
Software wise, if I can get my hands on MCE2004, that'd be nice, but I think ATI's Multimedia Center software does the job. I still need to confirm if ATI's PVR function uses their proprietary video format or if you can choose the encoder.
I think I might need an RF wireless keyboard, preferably one with on-board touchpad or mouse. One of those presentation style remote controls is sufficient too. Haven't found one of those yet.
MCE2004 is hard to get unless you have an MSDN subscription (universal). If you are planning on watching TV etc, better off getting a Hauppauge PVR-250/350 series card, since they do mpeg2 encoding on board (so your CPU won't be pegged continiously. MCE2004 does put a wrapper around the mpeg2 file, so it's uesless on other machines. I don't think there is a HDTV connector for the 9000 series, just the 9800 and higher (might be wrong tho), but check it out, I believe the connector is a seperate product.
Also check out these products:
http://www.gyrationdirect.com/product.asp?sku=2439706
http://www.gyrationdirect.com/product.asp?sku=2439705
http://www.gyration.com/gyromouse.htm
Also check out these products:
http://www.gyrationdirect.com/product.asp?sku=2439706
http://www.gyrationdirect.com/product.asp?sku=2439705
http://www.gyration.com/gyromouse.htm
I think I found my keyboard/mouse:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...5&sku=I106-1010
Know anywhere else I can get it? Tigerdirect does not get business from me.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...5&sku=I106-1010
Know anywhere else I can get it? Tigerdirect does not get business from me.
jwilson56
Senior Member
I have a wireless RF keyboard with a built in mouse pointer but recently switched over to a Ultra GT Cordless Optical Mouse. It works great!! My server is down stairs below my entertainment center and the RF works quite well through the floor. The unit is easy to hold and use. I didn't find myself using the keyboard much and this is way better than the pointer device built into the keyboard as well as small. Check it out
http://www.gyration.com/ultragt.htm
John
http://www.gyration.com/ultragt.htm
John
AutomatedOutlet
Senior Member
What does everyone thing about the GrandTec video cards?
I never heard of them before, but I just found this really cool piece of hardware, very useful with htpc's, relatively cheap too:
http://www.grandtec.com/ultimateEZ.htm
and I definitely like this card:
http://www.grandtec.com/eguard.htm
I think it's time for this site to start evaluating cool products
http://www.grandtec.com/ultimateEZ.htm
and I definitely like this card:
http://www.grandtec.com/eguard.htm
I think it's time for this site to start evaluating cool products
AutomatedOutlet
Senior Member
Yea, I have both of those in stock. I sell a lot of those video cards. It's nice that they come in 4, 9, & 16 port models.
