Hi all,

I've got a Leadtek videocard that uses the NV17 for TV-Out. I find that this tv-out is seemingly better then some of my previous video cards and their tv-outs. Nvidia supplies a great suite of feature for controlling TV-out (44.03). However, I've come to realised that watching movies (SVCD) via the TV-out does not rival a standalone DVD player. Despite my attempts at playing with the settings (contrast, brightness, gamma, etc) and different software players (WinDVD, powerDVD, etc) the picture can never rival the output by the standalone player in terms of brightness, crispness, clarity, etc.

So I was just wondering if there is any way for me to get the standalone player output through either software or hardware (i think i will eventually get a DVD Writer but am waiting until it has settle a bit). I've also recently purchased the Canopus ADVC50 but later heard that the ADVC100 has a tv-output. Does anyone with a ADVC100 comment on its tv-out capabilities?

I've also heard of the RealMagic XCard and Hollywood Plus cards. I know that these will play its specified formats (mpeg1/2, divx, etc) but can they be used solely as tv-out? Furthermore, could anyone with either the XCard or Hollywood Plus card, please comment on the TV-out capability. I'm hoping that they both rival the standalone DVD player. I'm particularly interested in the Hollywood Plus card because it is half the price of the XCARD.

Cheers,

feeras