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Low Profile HTPC Card

s-p

s-p

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Joined
18 Oct 2002
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611
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On the lookout for a graphics card with certain characteristics for an up and coming HTPC...

PCI-Express
Low Profile (with low profile bracket)
Component Output via Svideo socket
Passive Cooling (or low noise fan)

Anyone know of any card which fits the bill? I'm struggling to find anything at the moment. :o :(
 
s-p said:
On the lookout for a graphics card with certain characteristics for an up and coming HTPC...

PCI-Express
Low Profile (with low profile bracket)
Component Output via Svideo socket
Passive Cooling (or low noise fan)

Anyone know of any card which fits the bill? I'm struggling to find anything at the moment. :o :(

You cannot output component via S-video. S-video uses a 4 pin mini-DIN plug, graphics cards which have component have 9 pin mini-DIN plugs and custom cables/break out boxes.

I would suggest avoiding component; when I last tried, ATI drivers don't support 576i resolution, nvidia drivers do but overscan was terrible, even after fiddling. If you have a HDTV then this is not a problem but then it is much better to use HDMI/DVI/VGA.

You can get low profile passive 7300 cards, there are low profile 7600 cards and passive 7600 cards but not certain there are both LF and passive.
 
MSI 7300GS 256MB low profile with component and HDMI (HDCP) cost around £65 here can be had for about £55 if you look around
 
jammir said:
MSI 7300GS 256MB low profile with component and HDMI (HDCP) cost around £65 here can be had for about £55 if you look around
Seconded because this is the card going in my HTPC when I have a HDTV to output on.
 
Bomag said:
You cannot output component via S-video. S-video uses a 4 pin mini-DIN plug, graphics cards which have component have 9 pin mini-DIN plugs and custom cables/break out boxes.

I would suggest avoiding component; when I last tried, ATI drivers don't support 576i resolution, nvidia drivers do but overscan was terrible, even after fiddling. If you have a HDTV then this is not a problem but then it is much better to use HDMI/DVI/VGA.

You can get low profile passive 7300 cards, there are low profile 7600 cards and passive 7600 cards but not certain there are both LF and passive.

My mistake, I would assume that the below has a 9 pin mini-DIN connection rather than that found on a svideo lead. You learn something new everyday! :D



Bomag - I only have a 28" CRT at the moment and the best connection method I have is Component (at least that's my understanding). Otherwise it's RGB Scart or SVideo, both of which won't carry a progressive signal. Whilst I can appreciate that none of the aforementioned connections are going to be particularly good, I'm looking for the best case scenario before I upgrade to the television.

I currently use my 360 as an extender via component and am perfectly happy with the results it achieves. It's just the damn thing is so noisey combined with my main desktop machine, that I feel the need for a dedicated HTPC.


jammir said:
MSI 7300GS 256MB low profile with component and HDMI (HDCP) cost around £65 here can be had for about £55 if you look around

The card looks perfect (especially given that HDMI connection for future usage). Are you sure it has component output though?
 
s-p

Before I got a HDTV I had a Panasonic progressive scan 100hz TV. I connected up over component with an ATI card which was useless as it output 480p not 576i/p. The component from nvidia was better, with the desktop being almost usable. Finally, after fiddling with the nvidia drivers about I managed to force the premaped 1280*720 50p resolution over s-video. It still output to the TV at 576i but when using media centre it was better than anything else I had tried. The best thing was when the TV was set to stretch the picture the aspect ratio was perfect.

The MSI does not look like it has comp out only DVI/HDMI
 
s-p said:
The card looks perfect (especially given that HDMI connection for future usage). Are you sure it has component output though?

yeah your right its only hdmi/dvi i had my 8800 component cable in the box lol, you can get VGA to component adaptors but they cost a fair bit around £90
 
I found a VGA (D-Sub) to SCART cable for £6 today on a well-known auction site if it helps.

Solved my problem of connecting my HTPC to my PAL TV until I get a HDTV.
 
iv seen these about

XFX GeForce 7100GS composite dvi about £25
XFX GeForce 7300LE TurboCache composite dvi about £30
 
Ulfhedjinn said:
I found a VGA (D-Sub) to SCART cable for £6 today on a well-known auction site if it helps.

Solved my problem of connecting my HTPC to my PAL TV until I get a HDTV.

i would go via that route MSi 7300GS with HDMI/DIV and get a cheap D-Sub to scart and your card will be ready for HDTV when you upgrade in the future
 
jammir said:
i would go via that route MSi 7300GS with HDMI/DIV and get a cheap D-Sub to scart and your card will be ready for HDTV when you upgrade in the future
Aye for now I am going to use the onboard S3 Chrome9 with the D-Sub/SCART to watch non-HD media on the normal telly. Then, when I get a HDTV, my plan is to get the 7300GS and go HDMI. :)
 
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