PVR350 vs. PVR250 + TV Out

[Brian]

I'm planning to build a HTPC around a 50" TV and am wondering which is the better option; a PVR350 or a PVR250 plus a video card with TV (SVideo) Out.

I have a PVR250 that I use with my den PC and love it, but I've heard some hints of instability with the PVR350.

Any advice? Can anyone recommend a reasonably priced video card strong enough to feed my 50" TV? Or, will the PVR350 suffice?

Thanks in advance...

Brian

[Lucas]

If the 50" TV has DVI input or Component Input then you would get better quality by using those inputs rather than an Svideo input.

If you stick to Svideo then a 350 tv-out would give better quality than most tv-outs of video cards.

For DVI or Component you need at least an ATI9800 or an nvidia5900 depending on the resolution you set. eg for 720x480 lesser cards could be OK but going up to 720p and 1080i a 9600 would probably struggle.

This is from what I have read in various posts.
I myself use an ATI9600XT svideo out to a 32" SDTV.
I feel that I have overspent with the 9600XT for svideo out.
I am now thinking for a large screen TV with DVI inputs so that I move from Svideo to a DVI or component connection......

[mayamaniac]

I'm using the 350 TV-out. Its not perfect, but I learned what not to do with it to avoid problems. Its quality is much better than my nvidia card S-video out.

[Brian]

Can you give me an example of what you should not do with the 350?

[kny3twalker]

A big problem is letting a file playback until the end
do not have one
but read it enough to know

[krutaw]

Originally Posted by kny3twalker

A big problem is letting a file playback until the end
do not have one
but read it enough to know

I don't have that problem on my PVR-350. What I do have a problem with though is heat. You absolutely *HAVE* to properly cool the card, or you will see all kinds of wierdness.