Video cards with video inputs on them?

[mulder]

After contemplating the idea of hooking up my game consoles to my computer monitor, I have decided to go with a new video card that has inputs inputs on it. Besides, my current card (Viper V770 TNT2 Ultra) is getting old and will be going into my second computer pretty soon. I would like to be able to hook up game system, vcr, etc. as well as have tv input from the cable system. Are there any cards there that do this, and do it well?

My first thought is ATi and the All-In-Wonder cards. I have read good things about the AIW Radeon, which is what I am leaning towards currently. However, before I made a puirchase I wanted to see what other options are out there and if someone had a better suggestion that the Radeon.

 

[Comp10]

The Radeon would be an excellent choice, and I doubt if you will find one better. I would suggest though that you go with the 64mb DDR VIVO version instead of the AIW because if you have a VCR you don't need the tv tuner on the AIW (which is the only advantage the AIW has over the VIVO). You can just run your cable through your VCR and into the video in, which IMHO gives a better picture quality over a tuner anyway.

 

[mulder]

Thanks for the reply. I really like the idea of using the vcr as the tuner instead of buying a tuner card. However, I have heard that the Radeon card has it problems. I know that all hardware will have its problems, but I don't want to mess around with a card that has touchy driver support. I will be using this in a Win2K machine. I read that ATi's driver for Win2K are not the best in the world. After reading this would you still go with the Radeon?

Someone pointed out the Asus AGP-V7700 GeForce 2 cards to me. Two of them (Deluxe and Deluxe TV) both have "VIVO". There is also the older 6800 series as well.

I guess I'll have to do some more thinking and research before I make my decision. Thanks for the help. If anyone else can offer some suggestions I would appreciate it.

 

[Taz4158]

There is nothing at all wrong with the current WIN2K Radeon drivers, very stable and fast.

 

[mulder]

Taz4158,

Thanks for the reply. Are you using the Radeon under Win2K? If so, how has it been so far? I would gather from your post that everything is going well, which is what I like to hear. I did some more reading about the Asus V7700 and found out that it's just the GTS version of the GeForce. I wrote Asus about whether or not there will be an Ultra version, but I doubt I will get a response.

So, you would suggest I go with the Radeon then? Have you been able to play many games under the video card? What are your thoughts? Thank you.

 

[Stealth1024]

I am using the ATI Radeon 64MB DDR w/VIVO under WinME. Works great for gaming and DVD playback. I am still trying to get the video input working, however. ATI Video-In program says the drivers have not been installed correctly or another program is using the device. Darn thing...

 

[mulder]

Well, just to update you guys. I went ahead and bought the Radeon 64 VIVO last night. I paid around $227 shipped for it. I hope that wasn't too much. Anyway thanks for the help and hopefully this card won't give me too many problems. And hopefully it will be a needed upgrade from my TNT2 Ultra.

 

[ChipNOW]

Your choices are really limited to the ATi AIW Radeon, as well as a few GeForce2 powered cards, none of which spring to mind (mental blank). I'll let you know when I think of them