Cheap video card with Video Out

[raphael2040]

Okay, so my plan is to build a StepMania Cabinet for the new arcade room that we're having done.

The plan is to build it into a small case and have the output on my very big, very cool 52" screen. [/uberbig]


And so, I need a cheap video card with at least 32mb RAM and video out. It must also support the following;

High Color (16-bit color)
OpenGL
Direct3D drivers

I'm not looking for anything fantastic. Something no more than about £40.


Would you guys help me look?

Thanks in advance. =O

[Samuknow]

For that much money you can pick up something pretty nice.

When you say video out I assume you mean S-video...

Do you already own the big screen?

If not, may I suggest a unit with VGA or DVI input.

[SteveI]

TV out is not a good option for a 52 inch screen. The picture would be horrendous. VGA or DVI is the only way to go.

[raphael2040]

Originally Posted by Samuknow

For that much money you can pick up something pretty nice.

When you say video out I assume you mean S-video...

Do you already own the big screen?

If not, may I suggest a unit with VGA or DVI input.

Yeah, I already own the screen. And I assumed it would look pretty bad =(

I have a smaller, 20 something inch, if that would make things any better.

I don't think the big screen has DVI/VGA input. But I'll have a gander in a little while.

[Samuknow]

TV out on video cards has yet to be perfected. It works fine for DVD video or the like. Not desktop stuff.

[raphael2040]

Originally Posted by Samuknow

TV out on video cards has yet to be perfected. It works fine for DVD video or the like. Not desktop stuff.

It's gonna be used to run StepMania as soon as it's turned on.

So, no desktop stuff. =O

Anyone know of any cards which will do the job?

[Samuknow]

Any of the ATI cards will do that fine. They usually have better TV out anyway. Let me see what I can point ya at...

Is this an AGP card your looking for

[Samuknow]

Maybe something like this....


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121512

[raphael2040]

Whacha think of this;

http://scan.co.uk/Products/ProductIn...oductID=443862

Looks like it'll do.

And, I'm looking for a PCI-e one. =)

Edit; No I don't, I need an AGP! =O

[Áedán]

That card will only do composite output, which will noticably degrade the output compared to SVideo. What inputs does your large display have? That will really determine what card you end up going with.

[raphael2040]

Well, it's just been confirmed.

Looks like I'm not gonna be using the 52", but the 29" instead.

The 29" only has S-Video In. No other input option, unless you wanna include SCART. =/

[Samuknow]

Make sure you use S vid in....It is cleaner than composite...

[Áedán]

VGA to SCART is actually possible, if you can program the card up to produce the correct timing (and do a little soldering/wiring).

[Samuknow]

Got a how to on that?

[Áedán]

Basically, the colour drive (RGB) is at the same level on SCART as VGA. However, the sync signal is two seperate ones on VGA, and a single composite sync on SCART. Thus, you need to convert the H and V sync lines on VGA to a composite sync signal.

See here.

One downside is that you don't get any flicker fixer, but you do get the crispness of an RGB drive.