video card tv out questions

[fdm225]

Hi all,
Being that every HTPC i have ever build has been for HDTV's i am new to the TV out world and I am about to build a HTPC for a low end TV. My questions are:

1. Can you view the desktop and such on a TV?
2. Any suggestions on a decent but cheap PCI video card with TV out?


Thanks,
Dave

[ShiningDragon]

Hi all,
Being that every HTPC i have ever build has been for HDTV's i am new to the TV out world and I am about to build a HTPC for a low end TV. My questions are:

1. Can you view the desktop and such on a TV?
2. Any suggestions on a decent but cheap PCI video card with TV out?


Thanks,
Dave

Matrox G400 Dualhead is my favourite @ PCI-Cards.

[gEd]

My questions are:

1. Can you view the desktop and such on a TV?

yes, but you wouldn't want to spend too much time using it. i.e. it definately is not a substitute for a monitor but you can do admin work on it ok.

2. Any suggestions on a decent but cheap PCI video card with TV out?

Do you mean PCI or PCI-X? If you mean PCI, the pc you are building may be too low-end.

[fdm225]

(this is going to sound strange) the pc is going to be high end, but the video card (for now) will not. The pc has a good built-in graphics card but does not have an expansion slot (a $300.00 dell from dealnews). Eventually my buddy (I already have a Plasma with direct input) is going to get a HDTV, which will have some sort of monitor in port. This is a temporary solution until he decides to pay the money for a real tv.

thanks,
Dave

[ShiningDragon]

(this is going to sound strange) the pc is going to be high end, but the video card (for now) will not. The pc has a good built-in graphics card but does not have an expansion slot (a $300.00 dell from dealnews). Eventually my buddy (I already have a Plasma with direct input) is going to get a HDTV, which will have some sort of monitor in port. This is a temporary solution until he decides to pay the money for a real tv.

thanks,
Dave

Hm, are you searching for a PCI or a PCI-E Card. If you really want a newer card, i am remembering one of the GeForce FX Cards was available for PCI.

[twiggins]

I have a 17" LCD monitor, and a Svideo tvout to a 32" analog tv. I can transfer my desktop to the tv, but like gEd said you woud not want to sit there all day, unless you have a good Eye doctor. That is one of the great features of GBPVR, it will start on the second monitor-TV. BTV4 or Sage4 do not.
Thanks Sub