[starscomeout]

Hi All,

Some more newbie questions: I now have the case, a DC black desktop and I ordered the Mobo today, a Abit TH7II-RAID . I am putting together a P4 system and will probably go with a P1.7 or P1.8 cpu. I am now looking at what video and sound card to get. If this information makes a difference I will be using my system for mainly DVD watching. I will also later be capturing HDTV to the hard drive for time sifting (No games). The system will be used; temporarily on my Mits 65" TV, but later will be connected to a NEC 9pg crt projector. The sound will go through a Denon receiver. Naturally I want the best image and sound possible.

I have looked at the different sound cards on DC web site, but I thought I would check here first to be sure I was getting the right one for my system. I am leaning towards the Delta DiO for it’s optical in/out puts. What is your opinion on this card?

I have also been looking at the Radeon video cards , but I don’t know which one to go with. Is there one that is better for a htpc, then the others? What about the ATI Radeon 64MB AGP DDR RAM VIVO or the ATI All-in-Wonder card ? From reading this forum it seems that the radeon card is the card of choice, but which one? I am a little confused on what I would need. I would appreciate any help and opinions.


Don

 

[starscomeout]

bump

 

[Ross E]

I'm using an M-wave audiophile 24/96. It is being fed to a B&K ref 30 via coax digital. I have never heard much difference between a coax connection and an optical one. When I was building my Htpc, I was very concerned that the sound quality would suffer, as I was using a top of the line Sony DVD. I was very surprised to find that the sound quality is GREAT. I'm not sure of the differences between the Delta DIO and the Audiophile (which is also a Delta card), but can tell you that the 24/96 will amaze you



As for the video card....I am using a Geforce2 64mb DDR, that came with the computer I bought. Read some of the FAQ's floating around here.....but I beleive that the All in wonder is not comaptible with Dscaler...I could be wrong.... Good luck

 

[obsidience]

The Radeon AIW is not compatible with Dscaler and from my experience a cheap TV Tuner card with SVideo is twice as good as as the Radeon AIW. I know I have both.


It sounds to me like you are going high-end... I would suggest that you go with a Radeon 8500 with an Avermedia TV98 (I bought for $39 at buycomp.com) or wait for the Radeon 8500DV which should be coming out in a few months.


I would go with a Radeon over Nvidia because of the hardware video rendering of ATI cards are second to none. I know I have both.


As for the sound card question I have no experience with audiophile cards; I'm using a Philips Acoustic Edge hooked up to a Sony DD/DTS receiver in 5.1 mode. The Philips AE is a great card.


Best regards,


Obsidience

 

[starscomeout]

Thanks Guys,


Will the Radeon 64MB DDR give me any better performance (PQ, stability, etc..) then the Radeon VE?


Thanks for the help.


Don

 

[obsidience]

If you are not going to be playing any games the VE should work great.



Best regards,


Obsidience

 

[starscomeout]

Thanks Obsidience,

Your help is most appreciated.


Don

 

[Karnis]

I use the Delta Dio simply because it does not use a breakout cable. It also has optical connections as well as SP/DIF.



...Jump out.

 

[starscomeout]

Thanks Wayne,

It's a pleasure to see you back .


Best Regards,

Don

 

[obsidience]

Quote:

Originally posted by starscomeout Thanks Obsidience, Your help is most appreciated. Don

Your welcome stars!