SFF capture and tv-out

[kenb88]

Probably could have added to previous thread, but thought there were enough new questions here.

I'd also like to ask:

1) For people using the PVR-250/150 for input and XCard for tv-out. Are you using any kind of SFF package? I've just been looking through the Asus, Shuttle, etc boxes and they all have 1 PCI and 1 AGP slot. The Xcard is PCI, so I can't use both.

2) What are people using for SFF in general? This thing has to sit next to my TV and be quiet. I'd also like direct access to the system from my TV so I can play divx, avi etc (hopfully by "just" minimizing gbpvr and keeping it recording).

3) Assuming I can't put the xcard in a shuttle box, what is an AGP card with good tv-out. This will be a stand alone gbpvr.

4) What is the advantage of using the XCard/250 combo vs. the 350. It looks like the Xcard plays divx (hardware decode?). Can the windows desktop be displayed through the Xcard? If not, not sure I see the benefit.

5) How about the built-in tv out on the Shuttle XPCs? I'm looking at the SK83G. Anyone use this or similar with gb-pvr?

thanks,

[sub]

The xcard doesnt take the place of a regular video card. It doesnt allow you to see the desktop. The only thing you'll see on the tv out of the xcard, is GB-PVR and video you watch.

It does have the advantage of supporting hardware decoding of DIvX.

[mikerm19]

3) My old GeForce4 SVIDEO out works perfectly, so any card really. Unless you use your PVR to play Doom 3 or something.

[kayleigh]

I've only found one SFF box made by Jetway that had a  2xPCI MB instead of 1xPCI/1xAGP, but it's been discontinued. Bummer.

I'm running an older Shuttle SS51G with a 350 (P4/200, 512 MB memory, 1x30GB HD, 1x160GB HD, Win2k SP4). I was just planning on using that since I want the MPEG decoding capability. My boyfriend did just replace an old ATI Radeon 9000-series AGP card with TV-out, so I was thinking about testing that config, too.

The noise factor is negligable except when you reboot or put the CPU under heavy load. The fan is variable-speed, so it isn't very loud during normal running conditions.

My experience with the Shuttle boxes is that they aren't dual-head video, so they just duplicate the display on a TV (i.e. no dual-screen configuration), which isn't a huge deal for a dedicated system like you want, but I don't think they're the greatest quality, especially the UniChrome chipsets like on the SK83G.

The new P-series might be worth a look (like the SB81P). Their slick-looking enclosure and extra internal 3.5" port is nice if you want to really deck out your PVR with tons of HD space.

[simon]

The Asus Pundit-R has twin PCI slots and classes as SFF.

However, there is no AGP slot, so you are stuck with onboard Radeon 9100 graphics.

I'll let you know how mine goes when I get it later this week.

Simon