Should I get an all-in-wonder card?

[blackrain]

I am debating between the 9800pro and the 9800 pro all-in-wonder. It will be used in my HTPC/gaming rig for use with our standard tv.

What's so great about these cards? I've looked at the specs at the ATI website but that doesn't really tell me much. I'de like to know what features AIW owners like and why.

I am NOT interested in it for video capture. How do the tv tuners work? Can I get cable? How is that done? I'de like to basically let my cable go through the card so that I an record programs, but still watch the program on my tv screen via s-video or composite cable. Is that easy to set up?

What other features do these cards have for someone interested in home theater?

 

[markkleb]

I have a aiw 9800 i will sell if u want.
The advantage is good graphics with out extra junk on your mobo
Excelent programs like Tvguide built in
Also good for vivo (video in video out)
All the reviews said the same "they are great"

I bought the newest one $400, so now I have an extra one

 

[JasonE4]

I wouldn't go with an AIW. I'd go with a regular video card and a dedicated PCI tv tuner like the Hauppauge PVR-150. The PVR-150 has a hardware encoder so that less strain is put on the cpu when recording. Also, the 150 is supported by a large scope of viewing/recording programs.

 

[blackrain]

thanks for the input

 

[corkyg]

OK - what would be the best solution for connecting a VCR for converting VHS tapes to DVD?

 

[blackrain]

Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - what would be the best solution for connecting a VCR for converting VHS tapes to DVD?

Not sure what you mean? Are you commenting with respect to the AIW v. just a tv tuner card?


By the way, this is slightly off topic, but based on the comparison charts at ati's website I am assuming that the 9800 pro AIW performs exactly the same as the regular 9800 pro as far as gaming goes. Most people say that BF2 can be played at lower settings on the 9800 pro and i'm assuming the same goes for the AIW.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'd pass on the ATI AIW, and get a dedicated TV tuner card. The drivers and software for the AIW are buggy and unstable as hell, and none of the ATI AIW cards are compatible with MythTV.

 

[markkleb]

I really disagree with ultimatebob. I have tried a bunch of add on cards(Avermedia, Hauppauge, and Leadtek) and none have worked as well as the aiw.
I have had the AIW 9600,9800, x8oo and no problems( unless you dont folow the instructions)
Also there are less cables and less clutter (only 1 card)
And no conflicts with compeating hardware brands.
And yes the gaming is the same as the plain 9800.

And if u can get it for $100 thats a steal for a good video card and tuner together.
The mid level Avermedia is $90 by itself.(without the video card)

 

[w00t]

having an AIW is good but why not just buy an tv tuner card for pci so you can move it with your new cards if you get this 9800pro the next upgrade or something you wont be able to use that tv tuner.

 

[markkleb]

Yes but your ORIGINAL post asked about 9800 or 9800 aiw.
If you are talking next generation stuff then its compleately different.

Also you are forgetting about the cost, and hardware compatability issues.

And for youe first post the cable plugs into the video card and the computer becomes a DVR. You can watch tv on the comp or use a svideo to your tv or vcr.

 

[Skott]

I remember when they came out with the 9700 AIW and 9800 AIW cards. The reviews at the time said they were just a tad faster than the regular cards. Plus they had all the goodies built in. I suppose if you buy a seperate tv tuner card built for specifically for the one purpose you could get a better quality/performance but if you are trying to get something all encompasing the AIW cards are a good option. Especially if you dont have the extra slots availble. Just two different options availble for the consumer is all. Its nice to have choices.

 

[blackrain]

Originally posted by: markkleb
Yes but your ORIGINAL post asked about 9800 or 9800 aiw.
If you are talking next generation stuff then its compleately different.

I think you are confusing me with w00t because we are both penguins? or maybe no

I realize that when I buy next generation stuff, Im might lose the tv tuner. But ATI has continued to release their newer stuff with AIW options. And ultimately, if i'll be able to afford next generation stuff i'll probably be able to afford a tv tuner. The prices just keep going up and up on video stuff because many young gamers keep paying for them at those high costs.

Right now I am budget conscious and just want to make sure that the AIW has value other than the fact that it has a tv tuner. I'm trying to get feedback from people who own the AIW as to why they like it? Is it an easy to use PVR? Easy setup? stuff like that...information that you can't get just from reading the specs on ATI's website.

By the way does anyone know if you can use all of the features of Windows Media Center Edition with this card. There's like a hardware decoder or encoder requirement to use some of the features on MCE right?

 

[corkyg]

OK - Blackrain, I shall explain further. I have lots of really good commercial VHS tapes. In order to convert them to DVD archives, they must be decrypted. I have been advised to get a AIW card to replace my 9700 Pro, becuase then a VCR can be directly connected to it in order to get the VHS tape onto my HDD. I can then process them for burning to DVD. Make sense?

 

[ultimatebob]

Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - Blackrain, I shall explain further. I have lots of really good commercial VHS tapes. In order to convert them to DVD archives, they must be decrypted. I have been advised to get a AIW card to replace my 9700 Pro, becuase then a VCR can be directly connected to it in order to get the VHS tape onto my HDD. I can then process them for burning to DVD. Make sense?

I'm curious.... How did that turn out? My grandfather tried copying VHS movies into digital format with his AIW 9700 Pro, and ended up with dropped frames and the audio being out of sync with the video. I do not have that problem AIW 9800 when I'm recording live TV, though, so I'm curious if it was a hardware or a software issue.

 

[tiap]

Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - Blackrain, I shall explain further. I have lots of really good commercial VHS tapes. In order to convert them to DVD archives, they must be decrypted. I have been advised to get a AIW card to replace my 9700 Pro, becuase then a VCR can be directly connected to it in order to get the VHS tape onto my HDD. I can then process them for burning to DVD. Make sense?

You can also connect your vhs player to the analog in of a minidv camcorder and it will hardware decode and you can transfer that to your pc in avi format (which is normal minidv) via firewire.

I have used AIW cards for at least the last 6 years and still have an original RadeonAIW with 32mb that will do anything you want.

There are better solutions, but when you get into hardware decoding, decent cards are over 5 grand to start. Some people really don't understand the marketing hype. Just because they read hardware somewhere doesn't mean it's better. If you make 1 little change in a video you will have to re encode it anyway. There is not much cpu required to capture anyway. My old system that still works is a P3 1ghz w/1gig ram. Makes perfect dvd's. The newer Aiw do incorporate hware acceleration.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you are reproducing quality vhs and no matter what you do it will not look as good as poor dvd quality, so a top flight card is not necessary.

Great price, grab it.

 

[0roo0roo]

depends on how much of a gamer u are. a good tv card lasts through several upgrades. or did. buying all in one sorta screws your upgrade path. then again we are transitioning to pci e..but i'm sure they'll keep atleast 1 pci slot around for some time to come no?

as for vhs, i don't think its worth the trouble to convert. its garbage quality. even dvd is on the verge of obselesence. just rent a dvd if u must see something. easiest way to convert vhs to dvd is to buy a 99 dollar dvd recorder not sure if they have copy protection/macrovision..orif ur tapes have it.

 

[CalvinHobbs]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob

Originally posted by: corkyg
OK - Blackrain, I shall explain further. I have lots of really good commercial VHS tapes. In order to convert them to DVD archives, they must be decrypted. I have been advised to get a AIW card to replace my 9700 Pro, becuase then a VCR can be directly connected to it in order to get the VHS tape onto my HDD. I can then process them for burning to DVD. Make sense?

I'm curious.... How did that turn out? My grandfather tried copying VHS movies into digital format with his AIW 9700 Pro, and ended up with dropped frames and the audio being out of sync with the video. I do not have that problem AIW 9800 when I'm recording live TV, though, so I'm curious if it was a hardware or a software issue.

most likely a software issue, used windvr, win dvd creator and lately ulead for converting vhs to vcd,dvd and never had this sound delay prob

 

[blackrain]

This just seems to have gone off topic. People seem to be going back and forth over whether it would be better to have a separate tv tuner. I'm not concerned about that aspect. I just want to know what people like about this card.