Theater 650 Pro Discussion

[hrlslcbr]

Originally Posted by Seraphic-

Talked to both Sapphire abd PowerColor just an hour ago. They are saying late August or early September.

Sapphire said PCI, maybe NOT PCI-E
PowerColor said PCI-E, maybe not PCI

I wish it wasn't taking so long, but it's worth the wait I guess...

So we get both options (from different manufacturers, but it doesn't matter, does it?). I wish they could make ONE card with both connections, but...

By the way Octavean, nice processor!!!

[fanbanlo]

Originally Posted by Multimedia Mike

Hi,
Just some quick responses:
fanbanlo, you're getting too excited, please calm down. Most of your questions are too specific and I'm afraid I either don't have the answer or can't say. Your best bet is to just sit back and see what happens with CMC in the future.
Seraphic-, you should relax a bit too. You'll be able to buy a Theater 650 Pro product before you know it. Stay tuned!

HAHAHA... okay, now you see how desperate we are~

[Seraphic-]

Originally Posted by Multimedia Mike

Hi guys,
Just a few comments about this latest discussion:
As written on the Theater 650 Pro website, the chip does support both PCI and PCIE. So you should be able to find Theater 650 Pro based products for both interfaces. In terms of performance, there should be no difference between the two. So the choice is only about personal preference and convenience.

Are you sure about this? The ATI page lists "720x480 capture resolution | CBR and VBR from 1 to 15 Mbps"

Can PCI handle an uncompressed 720x480 capture at 15 Mbps CBR? Or would it be better to get a PCI-E version?

Originally Posted by Multimedia Mike

Hi,
Just some quick responses:
fanbanlo, you're getting too excited, please calm down. Most of your questions are too specific and I'm afraid I either don't have the answer or can't say. Your best bet is to just sit back and see what happens with CMC in the future.
Seraphic-, you should relax a bit too. You'll be able to buy a Theater 650 Pro product before you know it. Stay tuned!

It's hard to relax when a big part of your website is videos. Haven't made any for awhile now as i'm waiting for these cards. =D

[spacded]

The 650 Pro has been released in the UK!! by ASUS and Sapphire
price £79.99















Not Really but it was good for a while ?

[dabl]

Originally Posted by Multimedia Mike

...Seraphic-, you should relax a bit too. You'll be able to buy a Theater 650 Pro product before you know it. Stay tuned!

Seraphic, thank you for posting the information you're getting. Without it, we'd have nothing but hype.

Multimedia Mike, I think you're the one who needs to chill. We've been tuned dude!

You're not giving people the information they want, so they will go elsewhere for it.

--Don

[hrlslcbr]

Originally Posted by Seraphic-

Can PCI handle an uncompressed 720x480 capture at 15 Mbps CBR? Or would it be better to get a PCI-E version?

I can capture uncompressed video and audio (much more than 15Mbps) with my 550 pro, so I doubt you'd have problems with a PCI 650 pro.
If you have unused PCIe slots on your motherboard, buy the PCIe version. If you don't, then don't worry.

[Seraphic-]

Originally Posted by dabl

Seraphic, thank you for posting the information you're getting. Without it, we'd have nothing but hype.

Multimedia Mike, I think you're the one who needs to chill. We've been tuned dude!

You're not giving people the information they want, so they will go elsewhere for it.

--Don

No problem

Originally Posted by hrlslcbr

I can capture uncompressed video and audio (much more than 15Mbps) with my 550 pro, so I doubt you'd have problems with a PCI 650 pro.
If you have unused PCIe slots on your motherboard, buy the PCIe version. If you don't, then don't worry.

Wait, so the 550 Pro can capture more then 15 Mbps? The ATI website says the 650 Pro has a max of 15 Mbps, why would they lower it?

[hrlslcbr]

15Mbps for MPEG-2 video. Uncompressed video has a much higher bitrate.

[Seraphic-]

Ah, I see.

Anyway, is this the card we've been waiting for?
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.as...loc=101&estk=1

[jake123]

No, this is not the card we have been waiting for. This is the card that we have gotten so far, "The Invisible Card". The "Invisible Card" seems to only come in PCI, not PCI-E. Me think the "I" in PCI is for invisible. Probably need an invisible PC to install it in. And as you can see, we are all too late, as it has been sold out. Amazing rabbit trick.

[DizConnected]

Wanted to let everyone know there is a new review of the Theater 650 Pro over at hothardware.com hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Nice info on the new Catalyst Media Center.

[Seraphic-]

http://hothardware.com/viewarticle.a...leid=851&cid=2

Thanks for posting that! Some great info and: "Word is retail product could be out on the shelves in the next week or so, at an MSRP in the $129 price range."

Having two of these cards won't offer better image quality will it? He talks about that near the end, but I think he just means you would be able to watch a different channel at the same time you record.

Speaking of that, when using one card are you able to view the video at the same time you're capturing it?

Last, so are the "TV WONDER 650 PCI" cards that have been showing up on websites the past few weeks retail version of "Theater 650 Pro"?

[SHSPVR]

Did any one noticed that they pulled Windows 2000 support from technical specifications well now ATI get thumb down.

[hrlslcbr]

Originally Posted by SHSPVR

Did any one noticed that they pulled Windows 2000 support from technical specifications well now ATI get thumb down.

I hope they did it so they can add Linux support later (yes I like to dream... ).

[archcommus]

I'm very excited for the CMC but honestly I've been fairly disappointed with my Theater 550 PRO so far. It freezes all the time when encoding video (in other words all the time when using a timeshifting PVR app) almost definitely due to the fact that the chip gets scorching hot. Of course I'm sure ATI support would probably not admit to this possibility. I guess I'll have to void the warranty, spend the money, and install my own heatsink on it.

Also, any clues on what changes the latest driver release (6.14.10.186) includes? I see no release notes anywhere. I also installed the Visual C++ patch and the Control Panel but do not physically SEE a control panel anywhere!

[bubbaganoush]

The control panel is in Control Panel.