vga -> component transcoder, or ATI card?

[ZippyDan]

it seems to me the smarter idea is to buy the separate transcoder, as it will work with ANY video card and will remain useful through all upgrades, whereas getting an ATI card that supports component output means shelling out a lot of money EVERY time you want to upgrade in order to keep getting a card that supports component out. is there some advantage to getting an ATI component output card over getting a transcoder that i am not aware of?

~Zippy!

 

[DieHardware]

There are plenty of cards offering S-video out. If you need more resolution use a video display with a VGA or DVI input.

 

[ZippyDan]

wow thanks for not answering the question

if u dont know the difference between component and s-video, then you can be forgiven for your suggestion

if you do, think about what uses component cables, and then ask yourself whether the average person can afford to buy another one just so it supports VGA or DVI

~Zippy!

 

[ZippyDan]

 

[DieHardware]

Originally posted by: ZippyDan
wow thanks for not answering the question

if u dont know the difference between component and s-video, then you can be forgiven for your suggestion

if you do, think about what uses component cables, and then ask yourself whether the average person can afford to buy another one just so it supports VGA or DVI

~Zippy!

There isn't that much of a difference in picture quality from a DVD player displaying an NTSC signal, but its your money. You didn't mention anything about HiDef.

Oh and no need to be crusty because you were too brainless to think of getting a display with a standard computer interface.

 

[ZippyDan]

i want to output a hidef signal to my hidef TV. however, that piece of information was irrelevant to answering my question

a top of the line progressive scan dvd player is BARELY what i would consider hidef, but even at that LOW hidef, if u think ther is no difference between svideo and component on a big screen hidef tv, u need an eye exam

vga/dvi inputs were not available on reasonably priced tvs, or at all as far as i know, when i purchased my tv. again, irrelevant.

i just want someone to answer my question, even if im outputting it to a 3 inch black and white tv that happens to support component cables, that is irrelevant to my question

~Zippy!

 

[cmdrdredd]

there are some good transcoders out there, but they cost upwards of $130+shipping

DO a google search for them.

If you want a new vid card you can go with an ATI card and their relatively inexpensive Component adapter.

The ATi solution will output native resolutions for your TV where the transcoder will just convert the VGA to a readable signal. You'll then have to match the resolution to your TV's capabilities. At least this is how I understand it when I looked into it. Ultimately I felt it was useless to me and dropped it.

 

[Slammy1]

Well the component cards I've seen run >= $350, and the 9700Pro AIW costs $350... I know my choice.

Really, you should build a cheapo system for running a high def with an HTPC. If you build it around your main gaming computer, you risk an incompatability preventing you from watching TV. Me, I'm looking to get an LCD HDTV over a Plasma, but that's a little ways off (ca 4-6 months). I'm planning on not taking that advice and running my best first player shooters on a 30" Sharp Aquos, once it reaches my price range.

Have you checked out www.avsforum.com ?

 

[ZippyDan]

yes i read avsforum, i just thought id try here first

the transcoder i want to get is $170, but it will work with all video cards forever until component and vga are obsolete. a component vid card will cost me at least that, but i will have to spend the same amount again every time i want to upgrade. yes i realize you have to match your refresh rate etc to match HD standards, seems like a pretty straightforward tweak with powerstrip or something.

and what do u mean about using a cheapo comp for HTPC or you risk incomapitbility preventing u from watching tv? huh?

~Zippy!

 

[Slammy1]

Check out the HTPC section of avsforum, It's not a question of cheapness, it's more about stability. It means avoiding overclocking and not buying the latest/greatest hardware. I'm just getting into it myself; I was going to go the single tubed route but then I saw the plasma picture. Bottom line, I'm not an expert by any stretch and you should check out what they say over there. They don't seem as well educated on hardware in general (they have more stability issues than I have with PCs), but they are more schooled in the economics and connectivity issues.

 

[Boogak]

I was using the ATI component adapter w/ my 8500LE for a couple of weeks before I sold it and bought a Audio Authority VGA to Component transcoder for $109 instead. The picture quality on the ATI adapter was a tad better (slightly brighter colors and sharper image) but the limitations of it really annoyed me to heck. While I was able to fix overscan w/ Powerstrip, I couldn't get rid of the scrolling desktop effect on some of my custom resolutions so I finally gave up. It really does look remarkably better than s-video though, and it turned out for the better since I ended up sticking the 8500LE in my workstation for dual LCD goodness and using the integrated nForce1 video for my HTPC.