64 MB DDR ATI ALL-IN-WONDER 9000 - Worth Buying?

[applesseed]

 

[foofoo]

for what price and what application?

 

[applesseed]

Windows XP Media Center Edition from Dell... It's actually the only given choice for the Media Center but I want to ask if it's good or bad...

I've had the 64MB 7500... gonna give it back to my bro.

Basic things that I used to do...

- record live TVs
- play/record from camcorder
- gamings (counter strikes)

 

[Corporate Thug]

no its not because it is not a good card for gaming and if you just want a tv tuner, you can spend less money and get a leadtek tv tuner

 

[NokiaDude]

Get the ATI 9800 AIW for only $299.

 

[applesseed]

"$299 are you outta ur mind?" - Hehe. Just kidding. Hmmm. I guess I can start finding work and get me an ALL-In-Wonder itself. I checked pricewatch's website... the lowest is $295 - dunno if the company is good or bad. Retail price for the ATI AIW 9800 is $399. :brokenheart:

 

[foofoo]

Originally posted by: shady06
no its not because it is not a good card for gaming and if you just want a tv tuner, you can spend less money and get a leadtek tv tuner

if he's been gaming on a 7500 and is happy, a 9000 is just going to make him happier.
what price are you looking at for this? it's showing ou for $149 at newegg. for this price, i'd probably go for the $35 tuner and a better video card, maybe a 9600pro or such for the price.
i would not get the 9600 aiw card from ati. it doesnt support dvi.

 

[n7]

The 9600 AIW Pro is dvi, did you mean the non-pro version?

 

[applesseed]

I'm talking about the Pro version.

I did a comparison between the ATI AIW 9800 Pro and 9700 Pro - I think basically they give almost the same function. Is there a difference of what the 9800 can do that 9700 cannot do? I checked the AIW 9000 Pro - I always thought the higher the model is, the better it is.

What's the next lowest brand below ATI? I've seen some other TV tuners that comes with Remote Control, record live TVs, and also serves as an FM tuner. Now I kinda like that FM tuner... and ATI doesn't have that function. I'd like to have Video Capture ability as well.

I've searched NVidia's web site... is their product any good?

[*]AverMedia
[*]Hauppauge
[*]AirLink+
[*]LifeView, Inc.

 

[imported_Phil]

Hauppauge cards are good, however, in your situation I'd take the 9000 AIW.
Simply put, it'll do everything you're asking of it, and despite what some people say about gaming, it's fine for Counter-Strike. I used to run CS on a 9000 @ 1024x768 and the frame rate was in the 90's.

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: n7
The 9600 AIW Pro is dvi, did you mean the non-pro version?

None of the AIW 9600 cards support DVI, all are dual VGA only cards.

If you're set on the Media Center PC, there are a couple of things to consider.

*The AIW card is the only single card/software encoder solution for Media Center, all other Media Center PC's include 2 cards to accomplish the same task. 1 graphic card (can be about anything) + 1 PCI TV tuner with a hardware encoder.

What that means to you is. Generally the AIW solution is cheaper, so the initial cost is cheaper. It also means that your upgrade path is a bit more narrow. With the AIW solution, you would need to upgrade with another AIW card in order to keep the Media Center functionality. With the 2 card solution, you can change the graphics card and keep the hardware encoder and maintain Media Center Functionality.

*The AIW card is a software encoder. It uses as special driver in order to work with MCE's proprietary format, drivers are obtained through the OEM rather than ATI so you'll have to rely on the OEM to keep you up to date much like the notebook Manufacturers....but, on the other hand, installing regular ATI drivers would allow it to functionas a normal AIW card and work with ATI software. Perhaps more flexable.

*The AIW card will likely require more CPU cycles to perform the PVR functions.

Now I kinda like that FM tuner... and ATI doesn't have that function.

AIW 9600 cards all have a FM tuner.

 

[applesseed]

Does anybody know what is the Power Requirement for the AIW 9600 Pro?

A Dell 8300 has 250w.

As for the AIW 9700 Pro and 9800 Pro needs 300w.

 

[Bluefront]

Within the last week or so....AIW 9000 at CompUSA for $99. AIW 9200 at walmart for $150.

 

[Neyd3400]

As I have both. I really like the picture on the leadtek it is slightly better than the AIW, but only buy a small margin. If you don't plan on alot of gaming I would definately recommend a all in worder. The AIW is incredibly verstatile with so many options.

The integrated gemstar tv guide is fantastic, find your show, click on it, and record.
See thru desktop is real handy. I can type word and still watch tv.
TV can be integrated into IE so you can surf and watch TV. (MY FAVORITE FEATURE)
RF, not IR, remote casing and buttons are a cheap build quality, but the unit works great after a year and has real nice range.

I myself wish they made dual AGP MBs.

I came across this article while surfing and Via will introduce a chipset later this year capable of a AGP and PCI express, which means that I should be able to run dual cards. Probably have to boot into bios to change, but that would be cool.

Via , AGP and PCI Express on 2004 Roadmap

 

[rbV5]

I myself wish they made dual AGP MBs.

Radeon 9100IGP allows you to add an AGP card + use the onboard video.

 

[Neyd3400]

I really like my AIW, but it doesn't cut it now that HL2 and UT2k4 is coming out. So I plan on upgrading this summer.

 

[applesseed]

Originally posted by: applesseed
Does anybody know what is the Power Requirement for the AIW 9600 Pro?

A Dell 8300 has 250w.

errr... anybody? I emailed Dell... haven't responded for 2 days.