HTPC

I'm exploring turning my pc into an htpc and have been experimenting with it's present configuration. I am connecting it to a 51" Sony HDTV. The AGP ATI Radeon VE graphics card presently in the pc only has a TV component out. I also have a PCI WinTV installed I'll be using as a PVR.

First question... the ATI cards streaming video looks good, but the desktop looks really bad! I have tried all kinds of resolutions and settings to no success. What do I need to change to have a decent looking and readable desktop image? Change the card out for something with a better interface or does MCE make a difference. I'm presently running XP SP2.

Thanx, Kelly

It's actually a composite connection instead of the component I meantioned in the first post. The card is an ATI Radeon VE 7000 APG card, fairly old. Some other advise I have been given at another forum suggests upgrading the card to a HDTV/S-video output. The composite connection is only 480i. Do you have a card recommendation?

It depends on a few things: your budget, your current options for connecting to the TV, your current PSU. As always, there is a lot of talk about the new video standard, DX10, and cards that will be compatible with it. Are you willing to wait? Do you want to get something to just "get by?" Are you going to upgrade your MB sometime in the future?