SELECTING A GRAPHICS CARD.

I am trying to build a PC configuration that will serve as a platform
mainly for graphics applications (e.g. photoshop 7) and video editing
(e.g Premiere 6) on a non-professional but at the same time,
proficient amateur basis.
Furthermore I am not a gamer and don't intend to become one.

My question refers to selecting an appropriate graphics card to fit
the following requirements:

1. Combines features to support both the functions of a graphics card
and those of a video editing card.

2. Is equipped with all the necessary "inputs" and "outputs" that
support both analogue and digital signals.

3. Supports all the necessary video formats for DVD and SVCD burning.

4. Connectibility to dual displays - analoge and/or digital.

5. Outputs good quality video - colour, anti-aliasing etc.

6. Doesn't drive me "bankrupt".

I shall be very grateful for a list of suitable and recommended
products with links and/or attachments for further study.

Thanks 
Mark

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Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 05 Jul 2003 09:16 PDT

What's your budget for the card? Perhaps some models of the ATI Radeon
or Nvidia Geforce FX lines would suit you.

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Clarification of Question by mark4z7-ga on 05 Jul 2003 23:26 PDT

Hello Techtor,

I finally found the prodigal "clarification button" - one has to sign
in first...

Regarding your very relevant question, I should like to stay below the
$150 level if possible.

Thanks agn
Mark

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Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 06 Jul 2003 22:43 PDT

Hello Mark,
I just have a feeling you won't be able to find a video card with full
video editing features. You'll likely need a separate card for truly
studio-level video editing (like the Pinnacle Studio for example). But
here are a lot of video cards though that support most kinds of video
editing software on them, and can have TV-in and TV-out and DVI
support. Is this all that you need? However, you might have to stretch
your budget to $200 (not over though), since most of these cards are
close to that price. The card endorsed by the good gentlemen below is
an example.

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Clarification of Question by mark4z7-ga on 08 Jul 2003 05:09 PDT

Hello Techtor, Poe and Funkywizard,

First of all, thanks for your prompt and precise replies.

Regarding your suggestion,Techtor i.e forego the "All In One" 
approach and go for a 2 board solution, what exactly do you mean?
Are you suggesting a motherboard with integrated graphics features and
an additional video card to take care of capture, interconnectivity,
editing etc, or would you rather recommend a 2 card solution, viz. a
basic graphics card and a seperate video editing card. In the latter
case to what extent would it blow over the $200 target and do you have
a specific pair of cards in mind?

In response to Poe's suggestion re the AIW Radeon 9000. I read a very
comprehensive report on the card at http://www.viperlair.com/reviews.
They are quite enthusiastic except for a reservation regarding the
quality of TV_OUT.
Would greatly appreciate your comment on that since you are actually
using the card.
Thanks
Mark

---

Request for Question Clarification by techtor-ga on 08 Jul 2003 05:54 PDT

Hello Mark,
I suggested a two-card approach since I couldn't find a video card
that can also act as a full video editing card. I wouldn't recommend
an onboard (on the motherboard) video card though, that would be very
limited. A video card on an AGP slot with another card for video
editing (likely to be PCI) was what I meant, yes, and that would be
more flexible. I will try to see what will fit under $200, or under
$150 if something can be found, though the latter is less likely. I'm
sure though we won't need to go over $300 ;). Thanks for considering
and have a good day!

Hello Mark,
I decided to push ahead with my answer since I think I found some
products, a set of which could fit under $200, maybe even $150. I
separated video editing from video capture since I’m not familiar
myself with the technology, but I think you might find what you’ll
need here. I included higher-priced video cards for comparison.


VIDEO CARDS

Gainward Nvidia GeForce FX5200 128MB 8X AGP TV/DVI 128-Bit - $83
http://store.yahoo.com/livewarehouse/vgga25550.html

CHAINTECH G446-128 nVidia GeFORCE4 MX440SE 4X 128MB DDR VIDEO CARD
(RETAIL BOX) - $69
http://store.yahoo.com/cubest/chg4nvgemx4x.html

EASTLUNA.COM – XFX GeForce FX 5200 128MB (128-bit) DDR DVI & TV Out -
$95
http://www.eastluna.com/hardware/details.php?ProductID=0000464

Arsenal PC | Graphic Adapter (AGP) | ATI-RN9000 Pro - $72
http://www.arsenalpc.com/ars/items/videoagp/i03603.html

eVGA GeForce4 MX440 SE(128MB DDR/ TV Out) AGP Video Card-Out of Stock
- $79.95
http://www.softwareandstuff.com/crd_GF4MX440SE.html

Free S/H Asus GeForce FX5200 V9520Magic 128MB DDR TVOUT – Retail - $81
http://store.yahoo.com/ajumpinc/frshasgefxv91.html

CHAINTECH GX20-128 nVidia GeFORCE4 TI4200 8X 128MB DDR with DVI
(Retail) GX20-128 - $124
http://www.gogocity.com/product_details.asp?dept_id=331&pf_id=CO02VDO0233

Chaintech GX20-128 GeForce4 TI4200 8X 128MB DDR DVI TVout (R) - $137
http://store.yahoo.com/tonyh/chgxgeti8x12.html

Falstaff Enterprises ATI Radeon 9500 Video Card, 64MB, 8X AGP, OEM -
$140.99
http://www.falstaffenterprises.com/product_info.php?products_id=42

ASUS V9280-TD GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB DDR AGP 8X Video Card - Retail w/
TV-Out, DVI - $144
http://store.yahoo.com/shentech/asv9gefti412.html

Sell.com classifieds : MSI Geforce 4 Ti4800 TD 8X (128 MB) for sale
(2J532) - $135
http://www.sell.com/2J532

NeutronExpress.com: BFG GeForce4 TI4200 128-SE Asylum ASLM4200SE Video
Card - AGP -- $142.36
http://www.neutronexpress.com/prod.cfm/221954/BFG/ASLM4200SE/GEFORCE4_TI4200_128

MSI GEFORCE 4 TI4800SE 8900-100 128 DDR DVI/VIVO TV-out $158
http://store.yahoo.com/hoct12/asv8gf4ti441.html

Evga E-GEFORCE4 MX 440 8X 64MB DDR TV(S-VIDEO) DVI W / DRIVER CD
MANUAL NVDVD from ComputerHQ.com - $140
http://www.computerhq.com/hardware/partinfo-id-28068.html


VIDEO CAPTURE PRODUCTS

Dazzle DVC 80 USB Video Capture/Edit - $69.98
http://www.officemax.com/max/solutions/product/prodBlock.jsp?prodBlockOID=536979918&BV_SessionID=@@@@1590955094.1057750419@@@@&BV_EngineID=cceiadcikgejddecfngcfkmdffjdfgg.0

DM20000 Dazzle Fusion USB All-In-One Video Capture at TigerDirect.com
- $99.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=415409&Sku=D450-1076&SRCCODE=GOOPROD

InterShopZone.com Marketplace - TV WONDER VE - TV TUNER VIDEO CAPTURE
(Item Number : 810333) - $46.95
http://www.intershopzone.com/auction/APViewItem.asp?id=810333

Pinnacle Systems PINNACLE LINX USB VIDEO CAPTURE W / SOFTWARE STUDIO
7SE : ComputerHQ.com - $63
http://www.computerhq.com/hardware/partinfo-id-31448.html

Sceptre USB TV Tuner & Video Capture - $66.95
http://store.yahoo.com/partshelf/scepusbtvtum.html

Pyro Basic DV Video Capture/Edit Card - $39.95
http://accessories.gateway.com/AccessoryStore/Hardware_316441/Monitors+_A1_+Video_316684/Graphics+Cards_316685/Video+Capture+_PL1_+Editors_316691/1824788_ProdDetail?cm_ven=Google&cm_cat=Consumer&cm_pla=Froogle&cm_ite=PYRO%20BASIC%20DV%20VIDEO%20CAPTURE/ED

Pinnacle LINX USB VIDEO CAPTURE WITH SOFTWARE STUDIO 7SE -
Microstorm.com - $57
http://www.microstorm.com/hardware/partinfo-id-425626.html

PCTV Capture cards - Cheapest for $79
http://www.atomicpark.com/productList.aspx?familyId=6081&RefID=55


VIDEO EDITING PRODUCTS

Walmart.com - ATI DV Wonder Video Editing Card - $46.52
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=1951571&sourceid=0100000030660804302498

210100187 Pinnacle Studio AV Version 8 at TigerDirect.com - $114.99
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=406101&Sku=P121-4005&SRCCODE=GOOPROD

Pinnacle Studio DV V8 Video Editing For Digital Camcorders - Retail -
210100185 w/ $30 Mail-in - $109
http://store.yahoo.com/shentech/pinstuddvv8v.html

Harmony Computers : Studio 8 AV (for analog camcorders) - $84
http://www.shopharmony.com/product.asp?file=BizRate&i=PINSTUD8AV

Chumbo.com - Hawking Digital Video Editing Kit 3-Port PCI Firewire
Card - $25.99
http://www.chumbo.com/info.asp?s=603992502332&ptr=fg

Adaptec 1890600 FireConnect 4300 Firewire Adapter Digital Video
Editing Kit - $44.95
http://store.yahoo.com/quantumshoppes/ad18fi43divi.html

CatalogCity.com - Kworld V-Gear DV/AV Video Capture MPEG Record Card -
$99.99
http://amos.catalogcity.com/cc.class/cc?pcd=5813091&ccsyn=1

bhphotovideo.com Adaptec DVpics Digital Video Editing Kit 1982200 B&H
Photo Video Pro Audio - $74.95
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=getItemDetail&Q=&sku=230336&is=REG&BI=106&index=Y

Pinnacle 210100187 - Studio Av V8 Video Editing For Analog Camcorders
Card - $98.95
http://store.yahoo.com/nationalcomputer/210100187.html

FREE SHIPPING - Dazzle Firewire Digital Video Capture & Editing-
Internal PCI (DM6000) - $77.50
http://store.yahoo.com/brandsplace/dm6000.html

DFB-A5 D-Link USB 2.0 & Firewire Combo PCI Adapter - $ 62
http://store.yahoo.com/elementsources/bdfba5foncol.html

USB TO Video Adapter - Custom Sensors, Inc. - $79.95
http://www.usb-port.com/uvd200.html


SEARCH STRATEGY
Froogle.google.com search terms:
geforce video capture
radeon video capture

Also went to:
Computers -> Computer Components -> Video cards, then used search
terms “128” (for 128 MB Video cards, they might work for you)
Computers -> Computer components, then put in search terms “video
editing” and “video capture”

I hope this has been a most helpful answer. If you have any problem
with it, do please post a Request for Clarification and I shall
respond. Thank you.

There is no doubt that "techtor" invested considerable time an effort
to provide me with such a great variety of possible solutions to my
problem.
What remains to be done of course, is to sort them out and find the
optimal solution, a task that can obviously be undertaken only by me.
If I happen to come across another difficulty in this (or any
other)matter, "Techtor" will be the one I shall ask for assistance.

I use an ATI Radeon All-in-Wonder 9000 Pro which satisfies all of your
criteria. It's excellent for all everyday use, I have it connected to
a VCR for capture from VHS and it even works admirably at high
resolution within system-draining games.

Poe

i would tend to agree with poe, it sounds like the kind of card you
need, and its not as expensive as the higher end gaming versions of
the same card

Thank you very much for the 5-star rating and the tip! I am glad to
have done you good service. But don't just think of me... we have
other very capable researchers here, like Feilong, Pinkfreud,
Easterangel, Clouseau, Seizer and many others, even the two who
commented below. Thank you again! :)