Any video card suggestions for this setup

[mmattai]

1) X-Dreamer Black 350W ATX Case Window/Front USB 2.0
2) Asus A7V8X Socket A KT400 AGP 8X ATX MB LAN, USB2
3) AMD AthlonXP 2600+ 2.083GHz 333 FSB Retail Box CPU
4) Kingston 512MB DDR 400 PC3200 CL=2.5 DIMM Memory
5) Maxtor 200GB DiamondMax Plus 9 ATA133 8MB Bare HDD
6) Teac 1.4MB 3.5" Black Floppy Drive
7) Toshiba Bare 16X/48X/2X DVD-Rom w/Black HDC Bezel
<b>8) ATI AIW 9700 PRO 128MB DDR 8x AGP Video Card</b>
9) Creative Labs Audigy 2 Platinum Sound Card
9.5) Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2 Black Bezel
10) Logitech Cordless Black Keyboard & Optical Mouse
11) Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition CD Version OEM

*) May switch the A7V8X for a A7N8X, any comments?
*) May add an ATI TV Wonder so I can get picture-in-picture.

I don't need a monitor because I already have one, but I also plan to pass a video signal to a projector (Epson PowerLite S1) that I will use as my home theatre system, will I get a 1080i signal from my DVD-ROM and Xbox through the video card (I've heard of limits on 720p and 1080i on it)?

Any suggestions for a different video card set-up?

 

[cleeve]

Not sure what you're asking. What do you mean, "suggestions for a different video card set up"?

Are you asking if your video card is good enough?

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[mmattai]

Yeah, that's what I'm asking. Sorry. I'm not a hardcore PC gamer, so I mostly want a video card for HDTV DVD movie watching, Xboxing and TV. More like a home entertainment hub that I can also do programming on. I imagine I'll do some PC gaming, but it's not priority.

 

[cleeve]

Well, if you have the card already, you're fine.

If you're not a hardcore PC gamer, you probably could have gotten away with an All-In-Wonder Radeon 9500 or 9000, but I'm sure you'll be alright with your current setup.

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[mmattai]

I don't have the card yet. In fact, I don't have any of the components yet. I'm looking to get current prices over the weekend at local PC shops and placing an order. I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I really want HDTV capabilities for DVD and my Xbox, and from what I understand, the 9700 is the minimum that can do this. nVidia doesn't even allow component video signals in!

 

[cleeve]

If all you want is HDTV output, you don't need an All-In-Wonder.

You can get an HDTV output from any Radeon 8500, 9500, 9600, 9700, or 9800 by buying a dongle (about $50)
This is alot cheaper than buying an All-In-Wonder.

I recommend the Radeon 9700 non-pro or 9500/9600 PRO if you have cash to burn and want great 3d performance, if you really don't plan to play many games then go for a Radeon 8500 or 9500 non-pro (Which are still pretty darn good 3d cards).

I wouldn't run your Xbox through the all-in-wonder because the All-in-wonder doesn't have an HDTV input... only an output, and that's with the HDTV adapter that you have to buy separately.

I'd attach the X-box directly to your TV's auxilliary inputs, otherwise you'll experience a quality loss. (I think the X-box has HDTV component outputs, no?)

Don't bother with the All-In-wonder unless you want to capture and edit video on your PC, or if you want to use the All-in-wonders built in TV tuner.

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[cleeve]

Here's more info on the HDTV adapter. It's $29 US, and supports 1080i:

http://www.atitech.ca/products/pc/hdtvadapter/

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[mmattai]

First of all, thanks for all the advice so far I am pretty sure that the 9700AIW allows component (HDTV) in using a different dongle. I do want to do a little capturing and editing of video. The projector (Epson S1) I want to output a HD signal to allows component input through a monitor plug, or via it's own monitor-to-component dongle. So, more than likely, I'll be connecting to it with my vid card's monitor plug and maybe installing my old vid card to go to my monitor when I want to use both. I'm also considering a TV Wonder to get picture-in-picture (that's what it says you need on the website) but that's not an immediate purchase. Designing a PC to do EXACTLY what I want is such a headache Don't even get me started on how many motherboards I've considered, and I'm still not 100%

 

[cleeve]

Sorry dude, the HDTV YPrPb adapter is for output only.

Input is limited to regular component RCA type jacks or S-video cables.

Attaching the X-box directly to the TV isn't a problem though. What advantage would hooking it up through the AIW afford you?

------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439

 

[mmattai]

Thanks for the heads up. I double checked and you're right. I wanted to capture Xbox video. The only other advatage would be convenience. The projector only allows one component-in (and it's a monitor (VGA) plug), so now I'll be manually plugging in and out cables. Unless I buy a switch I guess. My head's starting to hurt. One other question, when connecting to the projector, is it better to just use the VGA-to-VGA plugs like a monitor or use the component-out from the vid card to connect to the VGA-to-component dongle of the projector (see link below). I'm guessing the straight VGA-to-VGA. Sorry for being such a newb =)

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=33279420

 

[cleeve]

Ahhh. Gotcha.

VGA-to-VGA would be better.



------------------
Radeon 9500 w/256 bit memory bus @ 367/310
AMD AthlonXP 2000+
3dMark03: 3439