ATI 9700 AIW Vs. 8500 AIW for video editing

[PhoenixOfWater]

I'm make a system for somebody that want to do some lite video editing(home movies, DVD ripping, encodeing of DVDs, etc)
would the video card really make a diff?
they would like to save some moneyy if they can but if the ATI 9700 AIW would really help out then they would put more money in to the system
are they any other good video card for doing this?

Thank you

 

[GnomeCop]

the AIW8500DV should be fine, unless you are planning to play a lot of games too

 

[LED]

Have em both and no real difference with the engine...just some added hoopla...go with the 8500

 

[mchammer187]

dont the 9xxx series have a difference between the 8xxx series for smoother playback and a clearer picture or something i cant remember what it is called

like speedstream or something i forget

that is the only difference for you use but IMO it is still not worth getting the 9700 AIW unless you do some serious gaming

IMO they should make a 9000 AIW

 

[PhoenixOfWater]

Thanks for the info
is there a 128MB ver of the 8500 AIW? and where a good place to get one?

 

[rbV5]

IMO they should make a 9000 AIW

They do 🙂 Linked.

Have em both and no real difference with the engine...just some added hoopla...go with the 8500

I have to disagree, the AIW 9700 is the biggest hardware change ever for the AIW. Theater 200 adds 12 bit ADC (vs 9 bit on the Rage Theater), and native component output. The VPU itself is a big improvement in its own right. Video Soap is a real feature that can help plenty capturing poor analog video which is likely what you'd deal with capturing home movies for instance. The video shaders are helpful adding transitions and effects as well, although its an emerging technology, it will only get better with more support. The Pinnacle software is MUCH better than the UUlead software. Also, the r300 boards support Divx fullstream player which can reduce the CPU load by 50%, and I found it works very well. Not insignificant, perhaps not cost effective on a budget either.

is there a 128MB ver of the 8500 AIW? and where a good place to get one?

Yes, the 128MB model is a regular AIW, no firewire port like the 8500dv and uses the analog tuner like all the other AIW cards, rather than the silicon tuner of the 8500dv. Newegg is always a good bet for AIW cards, but avoid the refurbs unless you don't need the accessories(you do )

It all comes down to budget and needed functionality....Lower budget, light gaming, no component output needed, the AIW 7500 has 90% of the functionality of the AIW 9700 pro, and 100% of the functionality of the AIW 8500. The 8500dv is slower than the AIW 8500, but includes firewire. The AIW 9000 has but 64MB and is right at $200, so I think I'd grab a AIW 8500 128 instead of that one. The 9700 AIW is awesome...but expensive, the AIW 9800 launches at the same price that the AIW 9700 launched at last year $449.