PCI video card to connect to my pc using S-Video....for cheap...any good links?

Question

All i'm going to use it for is watching TV shows I got from iTunes and stuff....so it doesnt have to be fancy..

**** I meant it connects to my computer PCI, but to the TV S-Video....that kinda made me feel like an idiot :-P.

and the reason i want to use PCI is because its the cheapest option....i do NOT want to replace my current AGP video card, all i need this card is viewing tv shows on my TV.

and, finally, I dont want a Tuner, but i may add it later. Like i said, i just wat a cheap pci video card to connect to the tv to watch some shows. And, is there some cable, like DVI to S-Video, to connect to my Tv when im not using my monitor, and is there a splitter cable so i dont have to switch the wires?

Answer 1

OK......Lets see now, the first item I must explain that video cards do not connect via S-Video hookup. They go into one of three different spots inside a computer. I will list them by how old the hardware type is: PCI, AGP, PCI 16.

The first video add-in cards, above what was onboard a motherboard, was the PCI version. The same type of slot today you plug in Firewire cards, Ethernet cards, etc. Then came along the AGP cards, which were the newest and greatest thing for video since PCI came out. While some computers still use this format, all new systems shipping today do so with PCI 16, which is far faster and more powerful than AGP.

I seriously doubt you would be able to find a PCI graphics card in todays market. At least not in any electronics store. It is possible you could locate one at a used computer store, or by finding a much older computer and reuse the PCI graphics card it has installed. Recycling is a great way to get good stuff.

Now, I do agree to just watch TV shows downloaded from the Internet you only need an inexpensive card. Do you want to hook a TV up to it? It is not difficult to do, for a regular TV all you need is an S-Video slot on the video card. You could then use it to view both your cable, or other type of regular TV shows, the downloaded shows, plus use the regular TV as your monitor. For this, however, you would need a slightly more powerfull card, but it still wouldn't cost too teriably much.

You first need to find out what type of video connection you have, the "bus" type. Whether it is AGP or PCI 16. One will not fit into the other. Often, the box the video card comes in has photos of the type of bus it uses, to help less knowledgeble users figure this out. However, you can also go to a video card website and view the different bus types. As I said previously, computers shipping the past year or so use PCI 16, and AGP is still sold because many people still have AGB buses and like to upgrade their cards every six months or so.

Once you find out which bus type you have, you can then go down to your local big box electronics store and locate a relitively inexpensive card. Just make sure it comes with the connectors, and has the driver CD.

You can try to find an inexpensive card Online, like at the New Egg store, http://www.newegg.com

However, please keep in mind that nearly every Online store charges up to fifteen percent of the items cost in restocking fee if you return it, even if it is unopened. I much prefer buying computer parts from local electronic stores where I can easily make exchanges if needed without a long wait or getting charged that "restocking fee". That restocking fee is a load of cr*p.

I was wondering if what you are actually looking for is a TV Tuner card, one which will allow you to hook up a TV and watch/ record shows from both Online and from your television. Anyway, there is a difference between a video card and a TV Tuner card. Just having a video card will not allow you to watch or record shows from your TV, you must also have the TV Tuner installed.

I hope this information helps out somehow. It is fun watching shows from the Internet. However, you also should be aware that an inexpensive card will not give you the video quality a good video card would. When it comes to quality across the Internet, you really do get what you pay for. If you really want to see the shows clearly, save up for a more powerful card. Anyway, that is my advice.

Good luck and have a nice day.

Answer 2

i attempted all that befor on my Compaq, NO way, NO HOW is it going to take place. merely get your self a astonishing AGP Video Card. as a strategies through fact the GeForce MX 4 hundred, throw that sucker away, that's what my laptop got here with.(previous 7110US,igot it for loose, and have upgraded substantially)

Answer 3

if your looking for a cheap way to connect it. check out radioshack.com. They have video cards for fairly cheap.