Buying a graphics card simply for TV-out....

[dimtim]

I really want to output MPEG4 video onto the big screen. What do I need to have in my new graphics card to make sure it can do that? I'll spend up to about 200 dollars if I have to, but all I want this card to do is work as a graphics card and be able to output MPEG4. Also, do you guys have any reccomendations on what card to get?

Thanks a lot
Tim

[snafu099]

Compusa has a current sale on graphic card pci or agp 128mb with tv out for $29 after rebate. week of 2-21-05

[edDV]

I really want to output MPEG4 video onto the big screen. What do I need to have in my new graphics card to make sure it can do that? I'll spend up to about 200 dollars if I have to, but all I want this card to do is work as a graphics card and be able to output MPEG4. Also, do you guys have any reccomendations on what card to get?

Thanks a lot
Tim

You didn't ID your country or TV, but if in USA, and you don't mind NTSC out, any "dual monitor" card that supports S-Video as a second monitor will output any desktop MPeg4 player (full screen mode) to the S-video output. This will be NTSC low res and won't look very good on a large screen.

Dual monitor ATI cards that support component analog 720p or 1080i (with adapter) will do the same thing using the HDTV output (HDTV required).

These cards -> http://www.ati.com/products/hdtvadapter/specs.html *

Other cards can do this as well with appropriate transcoders, custom scan rates and know how.

* you need a separate computer monitor connected to program the HDTV out. A dual monitor configuration is required.

[dimtim]

Ok I was a little lost during that explanation, but let me see if I got it. If I buy a component adapter along with one of the supported video cards I can watch MPEG4 on the tv and do stuff on my computer at the same time. Is that correct? What i want to be able to do is browse the web or whatever and watch mpeg4 in with the component connection at the same time. Do I need a graphics card that supports two monitors or just one that supports tv-out?

Thanks

[edDV]

Correct if you set the card up in dual monitor mode.

Monitor 1 is your computer monitor

Monitor 2 is either the S-Video or component analog output to the the TV.

Even a cheap card like a MX440 NVidea with an S-Video output will work at a minimum.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=14-139-146&DEPA=1

A more deluxe HDTV setup would require 2x VGA or DVI-I connectors on the card or two display cards.

[lacywest]

ATI 9200 has TV out

about 94 bucks at Walmart