Video card with progressive video out?

[zagortenej]

I wish to connect my desktop to my HD-capable video projector. I am not a gamer and I would be using the setup only for watching movies, so my computer would act as a replacement for a progressive-scan DVD player. What is the good video card that will enable me to get progressive video signal through either component video or VGA out? My projector does not have DVI input so I cannot use the card with DVI out unless, I suppose, the card comes with DVI-to-component video convertor. The card doesn't need to have advanced bells and whistles, just as-good-as-one-can-get video quality with progressive scan output through either component or VGA video out.

Does the overall quality of video output also depend on the kind of software used to play video material on the computer? If so, what would be the recommended DVD-playback player for a PC? I am currently using the latest version of PowerDVD. Is this adequate, or is there something better?

If at all possible, I would like to get the video output of the quality comparable to a solid progressive-scan DVD player, so I am assuming that all the links in the chain, as it were, are important for the maximum quality results.

Any advice in the matter is highly appreciated. Thanks.

[redwudz]

I use an inexpensive ATI Radeon 9550 video card. It outputs from the DVI port through a ATI DVI to Component adapter, then to my video projector's component in jacks.

If you just want to watch DVDs, it would be a lot easier to buy a cheap DVD player with component and progressive output. I just use mine for computer video, over the air HDTV and Divx playing, not for DVDs.

I use PowerDVD, works good for DVDs. I've never seen much difference in quality between players. Some have more options, like VLC or Zoom players.

[edDV]

I have a similar ATI card with component adapter, etc.

If all you want to do is play DVD, I agree you will be much happier, save money and headaches by using a DVD player.

There are other reasons to go the computer direction.

[zagortenej]

Thanks for the replies. I use one of those on-line DVD rental sites, so to increase DVD turnaround time I tend to rip my DVD's to HD and then watch them when I have time. A lot of movies cannot be reburned to SL media, and I don't want to spent my time shrinking, reauthoring etc. in order to be able to watch them. That's why I want to set up my computer as a progressive-scan DVD player, so I can view the movies from the computer using my projector, without any extra work.

[BJ_M]

that is not legal anyway to do .... please see rules ...