Recommend a BUDGET video card to use with SageTV

[kelemvor]

I turned an extra P4 computer into my Sage computer but it doesn't have a video out card so I'm limited to watching the shows on my computer. I want a BUDGET (cheap) video card that will let me do this. It doesn't have to be anything fancy at all as this is the only thing that is on this computer.

If it has video and audio out together, that'd be fine. If I have to go out from the sound card and combine them up through a modulator (which I'll probably use anyway), that'd be fine too.

Just don't want anything current generation since I want to spend as little money as possible. Will an old All-In-Wonder type card work? Are there others that work just as well?

Any info would be great so I can start shopping eBay.

Thanks.

[mattdcknsn]

If you are outputing to a SD television the ATIs work fine, I tried a ATI 9250 but had horrible problems with it. I personally like Nvidia, again if its standard definition output then any card with S-video out would work fine. If you are going for HD output then thats a different story. I use an FX5500 (I think it was around $90) for HD output.

[kelemvor]

Definitely NOT looking for HD output. Will probably be hooking the Sage box up to a cable modulator which normally have RCA and/or S-Video inputs in them. Can go either route.

[RedCoat999]

See my specs for what I have. Works perfectly fine and was cheap, but is very old by todays standards.

[Kanati]

yeah, an MX4000 or so would be just fine for SDTV... I personally recommend an ATI Radeon 9550 though. You'll be set for that day when you do get an HD unit. The MX4000 is about 35 dollars on pricewatch... and the 9550 is only 15 dollars more with double the memory and much faster.

[evilpenguin]

You might also want to consider going fanless as those older GPUs produce significantly less heat than newer ones. So if you find a GPU model you want, see if you can find a fanless version of it. It will cost a little more, but it will be well worth it.

[kelemvor]

Originally Posted by evilpenguin

You might also want to consider going fanless as those older GPUs produce significantly less heat than newer ones. So if you find a GPU model you want, see if you can find a fanless version of it. It will cost a little more, but it will be well worth it.

My Sage box is in the basement so there's no need for me to go fanless but thanks for the idea. Assuming the reason is because it's quieter....

Thanks for the input on cards so far. Going to check out eBay and such and see what I can find.

[dagar]

FWIW no fan is one less component to fail (which fans on GPUs are prone to do).

[nielm]

I am happy (with Overlay renderer and SDTV S-video out) using an Nvidia FX5200 (which are of such low power they are fanless) I think they are so cheap that you get them free with cornflakes...

[Kanati]

Yeah???? Well I got my 9550 in a box of cracker jacks... A really BIG box of cracker jacks...

[kelemvor]

Looks like the cards mentioned here run anywhere form $15 to $60 on ebay. Guess I'll just have to find one and go for it.

Thanks for the suggestions.