S3 Graphics $80 card 'ideal' for Vista and HD home cinema

[Bob Crabtree]

S3 Graphics has available on its US web store an $80 DX9-compatible, low-profile addition to its Chrome S27 PCI Express graphics card range said to fully support 'the graphics demands of Windows Vista'

The card handles DVI and VGA and is said to have 'Macrovision-certified TV-out', 'native' 1080p HDTV support and WMV-HD capability.

More in this HEXUS.lifestyle.headline.

[directhex]

they tout the HDness, but don't have an HDMI connector?

[wazi]

is this actualy any good ? and how would u use the hdmi (that it hasnt got?)

[YorkieBen]

it doesnt mention hdcp over dvi either

[zag2me]

Hmm I wish a company would just bring out a passive card that does mpeg and wmvhd acceleration.

I hate having to buy 6600gt cards that are like volcano's just for HD playback on my htpc.

[madmobile]

This is only for Watch HD movies, but dpes it come with a dvi to hdmi convertor? If it does, it's a good buy.

[colincliff]

I have a low profile media case - i'm looking for a cheap vista compatable low profile card which will output to my basic tv and also work with HD video when i upgrade to a LCD tv.

Is this my best bet? are there other sub £60 cards which would do all this?

I want them to be as future proof as possible - i.e. hd, vista compatible, s-video and component out. The card will only be needed for a media centre - not games.

[Bob Crabtree]

Colin,

We've not had hands-on, yet, so I'd be reluctant to recommend the product simply based on what the maker says - and, as you can see from other comments, there are some outstanding queries about what it does and doesn't have/do.

Also, although I've tried to check, I'm still not sure of UK availability.

[colincliff]

thanks bob, look forward to reading a review if you get a card.

[Funkstar]

Hmm I wish a company would just bring out a passive card that does mpeg and wmvhd acceleration.

I hate having to buy 6600gt cards that are like volcano's just for HD playback on my htpc.

How about this one then?
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=518626

[colincliff]

How about this one then?
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=518626

oooh, does that also have s-video like the non passive version? could be a winner........

[Funkstar]

Doesn't have s-video, but there are other 7300 cards that do. I don't know which has s-video *and* mpeg/wmvhd acceleration (perhaps they all do, i'm not exactly a font of knowlege on these things).

have a traul on Scan, see what you can find
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...Thumbnails=yes