mrshade@I_wont_see_it.net wrote:
> On Sun, 19 Feb 2006 13:42:44 -0500, "J. Clarke"
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>MrShadeDONT@SEND_I_WONT_SEE_IT wrote:
>>
>>> Have 2 beautiful Samsung 21" monitors on 9600 XT AIW. It only has ONE
>>> VGA port with the dongle gizmo for 2 monitor set-up.
>>>
>>> Does ATI or ? have an AIW type card with 2 DVI ports and the TV out
>>> feature?
>>>
>>> Or is my only option to purchase vid card with a DVI and a VGA port,
>>> then get an add-in card for TV-PVR???
>>
>>There are no AIWs with dual DVI. Using a separate board is a better
>>option
>>anyway unless you are just plain out of slots. ATI's Rage Theater 200
>>chip is old and poorly supported, a third party tuner board if you select
>>carefully will have a newer generation of chip and good third-party
>>support.
>
>
> Thanks for info.
>
> Which of the other varieities would you suggest?
>
> Considering quality of picture, ease of set-up and stability.......
>
> I always liked ATI before. I have had about 10-12 of their cards with
> 3 AIW's in that number.Still have an AIW PCI rattling around here
> someplace (ancient though).
>
> Used 5-6 nVIDIAS in various flavors usually 1 step under the top card
> getting as much bang as possible for my buck. PNY mostly and had fans
> fail repeatedly. Replaced them myself after crummy support options on
> the phone with constant going in circles............
>
> Anyway, it boils down to my 2nd sentence. What would you
> knowledgeable folks do (purchase)?
>
> I do have it up & running with both monitors and the TV operating.
> Analog only though, and one monitor reports because of the TV
> operating on one, the refresh is at a much lower rate although I
> cannot discern it readily.
With two monitors and TV going at the same time, one is going to be
mirroring the TV--that's just the way it is--if you need all three
independent you need either a second video board or a triple-head board
such as a Matrox Parhelia.
If you want dual-DVI and high video performance right now you're looking at
a few ATI x1800 or nvidia 7800 boards, all PCI Express. For a tuner board
it depends on your needs--for analog one of the Hauppauge PVR series would
be a good bet, for HD the Dvicos are good and are developing some
third-party support. If you're outside the US or are planning on running
Media Center Edition there might be other considerations.
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)