AGP Video Card with HiDef (Component) Out

Juice Box

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2003
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I am in the market for an AGP (Yeah...old mobo, dont want to upgrade to PCI-E yet) video card that will support hidef output via component cables.

I am going to use it on a media center PC that is getting hooked up to my receiver which directs everything into my Optoma DV10 projector.

As it stands, I have a BFG6800GT and have it hooked up to the projector via VGA cable. When i set the resolution to 1280x720 there is a bit of overscan, and the screen goes green. In a perfect world...I'd like to be able to run windows and all my games at at least 720p.

Any ideas what I should look into or try?
 

InFeXiOn

Senior member
Sep 29, 2006
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Originally posted by: Tmar28
No idea.

Great post, you moron.

As for your question, my 7600 GS came has an HD output that converts from S-Video to component with the included cables. Haven't tested it out so I can't vouch for it, but it sounds like a 7600GS would be adequate for outputting your games and movies in 720p resolution.
 

Matthias99

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2003
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Almost every ATI card from the RADEON 9500 and up supports HD component output (you just need to buy the adapter from ATI if it doesn't come with your card.)

NVIDIA's a little more hit-or-miss, but I'm pretty sure that almost all GF7 and GF8 cards support component output. If you search on Newegg you should be able to find cards that support it.
 

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
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Get a Radeon 9500 and above (9600, 9700, 9800) and slap on an ATI DVI-component adaptor.
Used a 9600 Pro with that adaptor for 480p output. Worked like a charm.
Shameless plug : Have a 9700 128MB w/adaptor that I'm looking to let go of ;)
 

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
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I used an R8500 with a component cable hooked up to a 22" CRT @ 2048x1536...it looked great.
 

Auric

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Wouldn't it be best to output the projectors native resolution (480p)? I suggest seeking user feedback about that projector's inputs and how it works with various cards 'cause VGA ought be more flexible. It's queer that your current card is not capable of component output 'cause that generation does sport an integrated encoder. So, if you do look for a replacement make sure it includes the mini-DIN to component cable or jack box so there is no question. A 7300GS or such would would be good with video acceleration while remaining low cost and optionally LP and/or passively cooled. If wanting to upgrade a bit 3D performance-wise then you could opt for a 7600GT or 1650XT or of course the ultimate 1950Pro. But then yer really into overkill territory at 480.
 

kylebisme

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: Juice Box
When i set the resolution to 1280x720 there is a bit of overscan, and the screen goes green.
You'll likely get underscaning over comonent, and if you haven't tried another VGA cable that could be worth a shot as a bad one could be causing the green issue.

Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
As for your question, my 7600 GS came has an HD output that converts from S-Video to component with the included cables.
That isn't converting from S-Video, its just same style jack but with more pins to carry the component signal.

Originally posted by: Auric
Wouldn't it be best to output the projectors native resolution (480p)?
Not for games as rendering at a higher resolution and downsampling generally improves image quality, and desktop space at 480p sucks as well. Running native can be better in some cases, but I rarely use it on my 480p display.
 

Juice Box

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: InFeXiOn
Originally posted by: Tmar28
No idea.

Great post, you moron.

As for your question, my 7600 GS came has an HD output that converts from S-Video to component with the included cables. Haven't tested it out so I can't vouch for it, but it sounds like a 7600GS would be adequate for outputting your games and movies in 720p resolution.

I am looking into these cards a bit more now. A lot of the ones on newegg are only ~$100, which is an excellent price for what I need. A few look like they come with the component breakaway box which is exactly what I am looking for. Any particular maker that is known to have a better version of the 7600GS than the rest? I am mostly going to be using this to play FEAR/HL2: Portal on the projector....pref. at 720p or 1920x1080 (if possible).


As for those who say its the VGA cable being the cause of the green issue...the only reason i doubt that is because all other resolutions work just fine on it, color-wise. It is only when i switch to 1280x720 it starts to freak out. I just think havng a card that supports outputting true 720p or 1080i through component will be better for the projector to understand the signal. It can understand up to a 1080i signal via component from my xbox just fine, and it scales it beautifully. That being said, I think a card that has 720p as a default res. might be my best choice!
 

Canterwood

Golden Member
May 25, 2003
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Originally posted by: Juice Box
I am mostly going to be using this to play FEAR/HL2: Portal on the projector....pref. at 720p or 1920x1080 (if possible).
I don't think a 7600GS is a good choice for playing those games tbh.

7600GT would be more acceptable.

 

Juice Box

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: Canterwood
Originally posted by: Juice Box
I am mostly going to be using this to play FEAR/HL2: Portal on the projector....pref. at 720p or 1920x1080 (if possible).
I don't think a 7600GS is a good choice for playing those games tbh.

7600GT would be more acceptable.

Well, as my current budget stands, I'm not sure I could justify spending $200 on a video card. But I suppose now that I think about it, Ill be able to sell that BFG one....hmmmm
 

Juice Box

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2003
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Well, i've been convinced....went with the Leadtek WinFast A7600GT AGP 8x Card. Got GREAT reviews....even beat the GeForce 7800GS on every test. Now I will be able to bask in my 720p/1080i glory :cool:
 

Canterwood

Golden Member
May 25, 2003
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Originally posted by: Juice Box
Well, i've been convinced....went with the Leadtek WinFast A7600GT AGP 8x Card. Got GREAT reviews....even beat the GeForce 7800GS on every test. Now I will be able to bask in my 720p/1080i glory :cool:

:thumbsup: Enjoy.
 

kylebisme

Diamond Member
Mar 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: Juice Box
As for those who say its the VGA cable being the cause of the green issue...the only reason i doubt that is because all other resolutions work just fine on it, color-wise. It is only when i switch to 1280x720 it starts to freak out.
Does that go for resolutions higher than 720p too, or just lower? Because if all resolutions 720p and higher have problems, it is most likely a bad cable. It could be a bad card as well though, and I do recommend trying a VGA with your new cards as well as VGA transmits full chroma resolution were as component compresses the color components to half the horizontal resolution and hence won't look nearly as good as a properly functioning VGA connection.
 

Juice Box

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Nov 7, 2003
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Originally posted by: TheSnowman
Originally posted by: Juice Box
As for those who say its the VGA cable being the cause of the green issue...the only reason i doubt that is because all other resolutions work just fine on it, color-wise. It is only when i switch to 1280x720 it starts to freak out.
Does that go for resolutions higher than 720p too, or just lower? Because if all resolutions 720p and higher have problems, it is most likely a bad cable. It could be a bad card as well though, and I do recommend trying a VGA with your new cards as well as VGA transmits full chroma resolution were as component compresses the color components to half the horizontal resolution and hence won't look nearly as good as a properly functioning VGA connection.

Well, when i set it to higher resolutions...the projector just doesn't display anything (like 1080i). I mainly wanted a card that outputted via component just under the principle as it is one less cable to run to the projector. My receiver has another component input...which outputs via component cable to the projector. It is just MUCH easier setup-wise for me to just get a video card that outputs via component cables in hidef resolusions.
 

Auric

Diamond Member
Oct 11, 1999
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Ah, so you have other sources into the receiver and using it for switching?

I have an A7600GT myownself and surely you'll be happy with it but I just hope you did not spend $205 at that monger. They were selling for $175 when introduced five months ago and one would expect them to be cheaper now, especiallly with the 1650XT as competition which can be had for less than that now. Indeed, $205 is too close to the price of a 1950P.

Anyhoo, it's a great card: compact, low power consumption, low-noise, fast, o'erclockable, excellent DxVA HD and the 1080i component output works for me so I hope it does ze trick for ya.
 

secretanchitman

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2001
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my leadtek 6600GT AGP has vivo (component included). so im sure even the higher models will have vivo. check newegg and make sure it says hdtv out.