Advice needed - Good TV-out and Audio out card.

[Regalk]

My friend needs a new budget video card with TVOut and if possible Audio Out as well to play movies on his big screen TV. I know a few cards with TV-out (GF2 MX400/GF4 MX440/Radeon 7500).
My ideas so far:
1. GF2 MX400 w 64mb SDRAM and hook up his sound card (Line out) to his VCR -->TV
2. ATI TV Wonder PCI/GF2 MX400 combo
3. Radeon 7500 AIW
4. Any more??

 

[DaLeroy]

I'm chasing the same sort of card. I need something that I can use to play my mp3's thru my stereo (and use the TV to choose the songs). Thinking of a 7500 LE as I can get one fairly cheap. Or blow the budget and get an AIW 7500.... (but I get optical out and a remote)

 

[UncleWai]

Here's how I built my system.
First, if you want good tv-out quality, get either a matrox or ati card.
I was fed up with the gf3 ti200's tvout, so I went and got a R8500.
If you want a budget one, do go with a Radeon 7500LE because it has hydravision.
for sound, if you have a 5.1 system, go with an audigy or santa cruz.
If you have optical in, get a fortissimo II (4 channel only).
For remote, find this at user: sun818
I got a remote from him for 10, but i think he is selling 10+ shipping right now.
anyway, all i really used was the reciever portion of the package.
I use a program called Girder, and i am able to use any remote to send the signal and program all the buttons.

 

[Regalk]

So does the 7500LE come with S-Video out or similar? And why should I get the AIW version when TV in is not a major consideration?
I also have the Matrox G450 lying around - it has a connector to enable either Svideo or RCA video from the dual monitor setup - Should I use this instead?

 

[UncleWai]

if you are not into gaming, then just use the g450.
I never used a matrox, but i heard it has the best tv-out among the three brands.
The reason i get the r8500 is so i can play pc games on my tv.
Don't get AIW, it is just a waste of money.

 

[Regalk]

I just tried out the Matrox G450 and it is a bit stuttery - so it looks like I am going to get the Radeon 7500 TVO version since I do plan to do some games with it. I remember from my Xpert@play days that the ATI's TVOut was pretty good for showing games/movies/presentations and stuff on the TV.
The Matrox requires enabling the TV as primary monitor since extending the desktop to the TV does not really cut it.

 

[Peter]

PowerColor has two 7500LE cards, one, the RV2L, is full height and has S-Video out, while the low-profile RV2LE has a simple AV out.

regards, Peter

 

[Regalk]

Will take a look at the Powercolour cards. Haven't used anything from them before.