Video Card?

[folkboat]

OK, here goes is anyone using the ATI7000 32MB video card? In particular the ASUS version.
If so what settings are you using in GBPVR.

Now for why I ask the question:
- GBPVR stutters slightly
- TV output SDTV via composite is OK, but not great (no S-Video on card - $24.00 card)

- would a newer, upgraded video card improve on the two mentioned issues?

My configuration is:
- AMD ATHLON 2000XP
- 512KB
- PVR 150
- (2) Disk drives GBPVR on one, recorded files on the other (7200RPM)
- MVP hard wired

Been on this board for weeks/month/years..............heard a new power supply might help, heard a video card would help, more memory, diff decoders, cables etc, etc.............

Should I just have another glass of wine get blurry eyed, and not worry about it??

Any suggestions??

Thanks

[folkboat]

Other than gaming/HDTV/specialty graphics work, does a video card upgrade have any impact on GBPVR??
Currently running an ASUS 7000X 32MB AGP - composite to SDTV - image is a bit blurry.

Any thoughts??

Thanks

[gEd]

composite is totally rubbish - you need an s-video output.

fyi: i initially installed an ati 9200 but the image quality was pants so I installed a 9600pro instead which was much better. (I may try out an old 9800pro at some point to see if that improves things even further).

[edit]: so yes, the quality of the graphics card can have a big impact on picture quality but you don;t need to go for an uber card unless you plan to play games as well.

I would recommend getting a second hand 9600/9700 or 9800 card. Fans of Nvidia cards may beg to differ but I have not been in a position to do a like for like comparison.

try setting the playback mode to overlay in the config (if you not already done so)

[capone]

A decent card (not gaming...just modern) w/ some memory is a helpif you user VM9. Just makes getting OSDs on screen faster and looking better. One that offers various hardware accelerations would be best/enough.

You can do quite well <$100

[Torque]

S-video will help the clarity but a faster card will definately help with the stuttering. If you like the nVidia cards, I've heard a 6200 or faster will be what you need. I was sick of trying different cards, so I went with the 6600 w/256MB RAM and am extremely satisfied with the video quality and playback smoothness.

[folkboat]

Thank you all for your responses!

I have been looking at the MX series cards, however they recommend a 250 watt power supply. My Compaq Presario has a 200 watt power supply.

Not sure if a higher wattage power supply is neccessary.

[ddrawley]

I am not convinced at this point that a 6200 or 6200TC would not be sufficient.

******
QUOTE (Lothar @ Dec 13 2005, 04:54 PM)
Mentioned in the "Mainstream Video Quality Shootout: ATI vs NVIDIA & XGI"

QUOTE
Importantly, PureVideo works with high-definition video on the GeForce 7 series and on the GeForce 6600GT and up (not the 6600), something that no other GPU can boast at this point.


Is this one of the features that is also implemented in the 6150/430 chipset? I'm guessing not...

The language is confusing and also inaccurate, the entire 6600 series can do spatial-temporal deinterlacing on 1080i content. NVIDIA's website has an error where the 6600GT has a check box but the 6600 doesn't, I had this confirmed by NVIDIA.

The 6150 appears to have the PureVideo unit from the 6600 grafted on to the 3D pipeline of a cut down 6200TC.

http://htpcnews.com/forums/index.php?sho...ntry122401

**********

G(N)force 6150/6100 details revealed Sep 21, 2005
According to an Nvidia document seen by the INQ, the faster Geforce 6150 "chipset" will support HD video, TV encoder and Dual head/TMDS outs ... The Geforce 6100 chipset will just have a 6200TC based core clocked at a slower speed than 6150 but won't support any advanced features such as support for HD video, TV encoder and dual head/TMDS outs. (Inquirer)

[capone]

To anyone using this to consider a new vid card: If you're going to get a newer card, a < 300W power supply will not cut it (or if it does, you likely have nothign to spare).

I had an nVidia 5500 (not that new) w/ a 200W PSU, and I got lines and waves when watching TV. It could do video/DVD/recordings (done while not watching) fine. The combo of vid card and pvr-150 was too much.

Most cards will have a PSU minimum. Newer ones actually have their own power plug.

[daphatty]

I feel the need to chime in here. I am using a GeForce 6200 as my video out source (DVI->DVI) in a Compaq SFF case. I'm pretty sure that the PSU in my system is < 300w and I can say that my output is crystal clear (assuming the source is good quality). I am using a WinTV PVR USB2 and a PCI DViCO Fusion 5 lite HDTV tuner. I've had no problems recording from both sources simultaneously or recording from one source while viewing multiple recordings (via DVI and MVP) simultaneously.

Also, I used to use an ATI 7000 card. It was Utter Crap. Tearing and poor image quality were apparent from the get-go. It only took me a few months to replace it.

[capone]

I feel the need to chime in here. I am using a GeForce 6200 as my video out source (DVI->DVI) in a Compaq SFF case. I'm pretty sure that the PSU in my system is < 300w and I can say that my output is crystal clear (assuming the source is good quality). I am using a WinTV PVR USB2 and a PCI DViCO Fusion 5 lite HDTV tuner. I've had no problems recording from both sources simultaneously or recording from one source while viewing multiple recordings (via DVI and MVP) simultaneously.

If you can confirm it works, then I would say people should take your recommendation and save some money.

It may have just been my experience, or just one w/ that particular card. I went up to a 400 (forget what brand, but good name brand and not generic) and have seen an improvement in quality/function on the whole. There may be something unique in my setup that more power lends itself to.

Since you're obviously doing a lot on less, I'll defer to your experience/advice to folks.