S-Video Question

[Megadeth]

My friend wanted to hook his TV up to his computer the other day... So I went over to his place and looked at what could be done. He has an S-Video Out on his FX 5200 card which is a good thing because he only has S-Video inputs as far as hooking up to a computer is concerned on his TV.

The TV is a widescreen 52" DLP TV. I got everything working but I notcied the quality of the picture wasnt that great. I know S-Video isnt the best solution but it is what he is limited to.
I think that when I hooked my computer to my big screen (also a widescreen tv) through S-Video a while back that it looked far better... I am using an ATI 9600 card in my computer.

My question:
Would getting a different Video card give my friend better results or are all cards with S-Video pretty much the same quality when being displayed on a TV?

 

[CalvinHobbes]

Have you tried running the video at the TV's native resolution. It should be 1280x720. Does the TV have a VGA input? Does the video card have a DVI output?

 

[fixxxer0]

Nope, mine looked like crap too....

The longer the S-video cable gets the worse it looks too

 

[CrispyFried]

Ive heard that ATI has better s-video than nvidia. I have an ATI 9600 connected to a 52" hdtv, looks good. Never tried nvidia so I cant compare though.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes
Have you tried running the video at the TV's native resolution. It should be 1280x720. Does the TV have a VGA input? Does the video card have a DVI output?

The TV's 'native resolution' is 640x480, unless it's an HDTV, which I wouldn't assume, since he didn't say so and the bulk of TV's out there are still plain onld CRT's from the 90's.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

The TV's 'native resolution' is 640x480, unless it's an HDTV, which I wouldn't assume, since he didn't say so and the bulk of TV's out there are still plain onld CRT's from the 90's.

The TV is a widescreen 52" DLP TV.

I personally don't know of any DLP TVs that aren't HD.

 

[So]

Originally posted by: CalvinHobbes

The TV's 'native resolution' is 640x480, unless it's an HDTV, which I wouldn't assume, since he didn't say so and the bulk of TV's out there are still plain onld CRT's from the 90's.

The TV is a widescreen 52" DLP TV.

I personally don't know of any DLP TVs that aren't HD.

My apologies...I missed that.

I guess I need to work on my reading skills

 

[Megadeth]

My friend is looking to get a new Video Card anyways... .Was thinking maybe one with Component video out....Any suggestions on that?

 

[SonicIce]

does his TV have DVI or anything

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Megadeth
My friend is looking to get a new Video Card anyways... .Was thinking maybe one with Component video out....Any suggestions on that?

The component output on my 6600gt is working very well to my projector.

Component adapter on a 9800pro also worked well.

 

[Megadeth]

He was looking at the ATI AIW 9800 for that but I hadnt really seen any reviews or tried the card myself to know if the component video worked on it okay or not.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Megadeth
He was looking at the ATI AIW 9800 for that but I hadnt really seen any reviews or tried the card myself to know if the component video worked on it okay or not.

I was talking about a regular 9800pro + this, so I'm not sure on the AIW card. I'd imagine it works just as well though.

Makes more sense to get a 6600gt thought I think as the adapter adds $30 to the price of the 9800pro solution.

Does he want AIW capability?

 

[Auric]

ATI prolly is superior to NVIDIA. A good Mogami cable or such may help a bit. But S-Video is limited to 480i output. So really, component or DVI should be used. Component dongles are available for previous generation ATI cards (or can be soldered directly -see avsforum) while the X series generally just uses an included cable.