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View Full Version : Need advice about video setup

ahood
January 5th, 2008, 09:12 AM
I need advice on what is the best way forward with Mythbuntu. My mythtv system has an Happauge PVR-350 and I have been the TV-out on this card for directing video out to my analog TV. This analog TV has the following video inputs: 1-composite, 1-component and 1-s-video. This worked well only because Knoppmyth automatically configured TV-out for this TV-tuner card.

However, I want to switch to Mythbuntu. I want to direct video out to my analog TV via the video card. The videocard I have been using is an ATI 9500 and I have been unsuccessful in getting s-video out to work with this videocard.

The reason for using the videocard for video out is because (1) Mythbuntu does not support TV-out automatically (yes, I know there are instructions available) on the PVR-350 and (2) prepare now for the eventual day that I purchase a digital TV.

What is the easiest and best way forward?

Purchase an Nvidia card with DVI and direct video out via a DVI-component cable?

Purchase an Nvidia card with s-video and direct video out via s-video?

If the DVI route is the way to go, do I need to be concerned with the resolution? In other words, will I potentially damage by analog TV by using a too high of a resolution and directing video via a DVI-component connection?

Because I have multiple devices that use component, for example a DVD player, I was considering of purchasing an AV receiver. Is there any issue I should be concerned about when using an AV receiver with Mythbuntu?

Any advice will regarding how to connect video directly from a videocard to an analog TV will be greatly appreciated.

Al
volkswagner
January 5th, 2008, 09:52 AM
Did you try your setup with Mythbuntu live cd? You never know until you try if your hardware combination will work.

I would opt for an inexpensive Nvidia with svid out. Like the 6200, mine works great. This should work well with the TV directly or an A/V distribution system.

My onboard ATI 1250 with Svid out worked during install. I had to change drivers to get all aspects of Myth to work. Nvidia had better support.
ahood
January 5th, 2008, 10:07 AM
Did you try your setup with Mythbuntu live cd? You never know until you try if your hardware combination will work.

I would opt for an inexpensive Nvidia with svid out. Like the 6200, mine works great. This should work well with the TV directly or an A/V distribution system.

My onboard ATI 1250 with Svid out worked during install. I had to change drivers to get all aspects of Myth to work. Nvidia had better support.

Thank you for the quick reply!

FYI - Of the nvidia cards, I am thinking of going with the PNY VCG62256APB GeForce 6200 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133151).

This card comes with an s-video cable and a htdv adapter (component I think) that plugs into the same s-video out port on the back of the card. Am I correct in thinking that I could connect the s-video out on the card to the TV via s-video or component?

Thanks again for all the help....

Al