Best Card for TV Out?

[jettman]

What is the best card for TV out? Anybody have any comment or experiences?

[Opus4]

I like my xcard -- full hardware decoding, including DVDs, with an excellent picture, but unfortunately it doesn't have the UI displayed through it onto the TV.

- Andy

[jettman]

Originally posted by Opus4
I like my xcard -- full hardware decoding, including DVDs, with an excellent picture, but unfortunately it doesn't have the UI displayed through it onto the TV.

- Andy

Does it do hardware decoding for Divx and Xvid?

[Opus4]

Originally posted by jettman
Does it do hardware decoding for Divx and Xvid?

Check Sigma's Xcard page -- it supports DivX, though I don't believe I've used it, and I don't know what Xvid is.

Again, before even considering it, be aware that the UI is not displayed through it, so I use the monitor next to my TV to view the SageTV menus.

What kind of connection do you have on your TV? That might help other suggest a good 'normal' video card.

- Andy

[jettman]

Originally posted by Opus4
Check Sigma's Xcard page -- it supports DivX, though I don't believe I've used it, and I don't know what Xvid is.

Again, before even considering it, be aware that the UI is not displayed through it, so I use the monitor next to my TV to view the SageTV menus.

What kind of connection do you have on your TV? That might help other suggest a good 'normal' video card.

- Andy

I have a P4 2.4, 640MB of Ram, Hauppauge 350, ATI AIW 8500DV and I also have a GeForce 2 MX 440 just laying around. I have to use composit since my TV doesn't have S-Video.

[SHS]

Dose that GeForce 2 MX 440 have 26 pin VIP header then you can use Xcard to do Full Hardware and possable get even get UI to display over TV as well

[Myth2Sage]

I just want to make sure I understand.

Was the original question referring to a decoder/tuner card?

Or simply a Video Card with quality TV-Out?

I ask because that is my quandry right now. I am adding a SAGE Client to my HTPC system. It will be added to the TV in the bedrom. But I am not sure if I need a fast computer (1.4-2.0ghz), lotsa RAM (1 gig) with a High End TV OUT Video Card. Or if a so-so machine (700-800mhz), med RAM (512M) with a high end TV-OUT Video card or what exactly.

I have seen the minimum requirements screen for sage.

Is there info whereas you have a listing of hardware that meets min. requirements, hardware that will give you an "average" Sage and hardware that will be top o' the line for Sage??


M2S

[jettman]

I was mainly meaning for good quality TV out via a grafix card.

[Myth2Sage]

Originally posted by jettman
I was mainly meaning for good quality TV out via a grafix card.

That's what I thought. It's hard to keep them straight sometimes as the terminology is similiar with regards to both. Decoder, etc etc.


M2S

[kny3twalker]

I would look at a high end mainstream card if you want good video playback
9800 Pro is coming down saw them for 180 last week at Freys
other choose would be something around a 5900 SE, 5700, 5700 Ultra, 5900, 5900 Ultra( the last one is excessive but comparble to the 9800 PRO in benchmarks)
my 9600 XT is pretty good
but I think nvidia does a better job with the whole setup and quality of hardware when using a TV out
I would definitely go a directx 9 card though for VMR9 playback reasons

[ToxMox]

Originally posted by SHS
Dose that GeForce 2 MX 440 have 26 pin VIP header then you can use Xcard to do Full Hardware and possable get even get UI to display over TV as well

I wasn't aware it was possible to get the Sage UI through the Xcard. Has anybody tried this?

[Opus4]

Originally posted by ToxMox
I wasn't aware it was possible to get the Sage UI through the Xcard. Has anybody tried this?

SHS gave info on this a while back, though I've never been bold enough to try it. See the info he posted in another thread, starting at this post.

Edit: I also remember wondering what happened to the picture quality as it went through the video card out to the TV. I guess I'll have to go re-read that info too.

- Andy

[kny3twalker]

it sounded awesome but I heard those video cards are overpriced now

[SHS]

Crowdx42 sent me a link on a REFURBISHED Leadtek Winfast Geforce 2 Pro 32MB and one other REFURBISHED Leadtek Winfast Geforce 2 GTS 64MB which look like it may very well work on what doctor order I don't know if Crowdx42 even got around to doing this.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...2-114R&depa=99

[kny3twalker]

and that can do on the monitor decoding as well as the OSD on the TV correct?

[SHS]

Yes Monitor for surething but being my PNY GF2 400MX nor any of older ATI I had a TV output so I tell you for sure but I'm 99% sure it be YES but rigth now I'm to broke to get one thoses card being my pickup cost me arm & leg to get fix so I'm in the hole for a while.

I did forget add be sure it 4x AGP card that you used it in newer motherboard or end need PCI Video card I Perf nVidia card over ATI card.

[jettman]

I think I need to rephrase my question. I want to be able to get the best possible picture from the card, meaning I want the UI to show on the TV and it be very good resolution and be able to do 3D acceleration and VMR9. I have to be able to display all formats whether it be a DVD or mpeg or Divx or Xvid. What would be the best card for this?

[rotaryracer]

I'm running a Powercolor 9200SE 128MB via DVI-out to my 34" Sony XBR. It does a nice job, but I think there's probably room for improvement - won't do VMR9, screenshots compared against 9600 and up are 'blocky', etc.

I spec'd a HTPC for my brother to build and recommended a Sapphire 9600 non-Pro 128MB. He's using it for S-Video, but may go DVI in the future. At least it's a DX9 compatible card and will handle VMR9 compared to my poor 9200SE!

I will probably do a 9600 non-Pro to replace my 9200SE when I upgrade to 2.0....although I'm also considering putting a Zalman heatpipe on my 9800 Pro in my gaming box and tossing that in the HTPC - good reason to get a 9800XT or X800 for my gaming box!

Jason

[kny3twalker]

seen 9800 Pro for under 170 now