asked on

PCI 2.1 Graphics Card with TV out

I need, preferrably, a good video card that has TV out or a converter. We need a system for displaying Powerpoint Presentations on a TV screen at our church.

I have bought a XTASY GeForce4 MX 420 but haven't opened it because it says I need a 266 MHz or higher CPU (AMD K6-2 or Pentium II or higher) and PCI 2.1 compliant socket.

I want to make sure I can use it before I open it.

I have two systems...
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First - Toshiba 7201 Pentium II 200 MHz MMX, Win 95, with 48 Meg.

System Devices displays the following:

PCI
Use IRQ Steering
Get IRQ Table from PCIBIOS 2.1 Call

System diplays - IRQ Steering Disabled.
IRQ Table not found.

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Second - IBM PC Compatable i430TX mainboard
Windows 98 Second Edition, Cyrix 6x86 MX(tm) 200MHz CPU with 64 Meg.

System Devices displays the following:

(checked) Use IRQ Steering.
(checked) Get IRQ Table from APCI BIOS.
(checked) Get IRQ Table from MS Specification Table.
(unchecked) Get IRQ Table from PCIBIOS Protected Mode PCIBIOS 2.1 Call.
(checked) Get IRQ Table from PCIBIOS Real Mode PCIBIOS 2.1 Call.

IRQ Steering enabled.
IRQ Table read from PCI BIOS using real-mode interface.
Mini port data processed sucessfully.
Mini port loaded sucessfully.
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Is it possible to use one of the systems above without it costing much. I had hoped to use the XTASY card I bought with the Toshiba system. Is this possible?

Thanks in advance.

sorgie

niether computer meets the min standard for the card! Why chance using it especially for a PP presentation.

If you are going to chance it at all use the PII system BUT don't expect great results.

assistant

ASKER

Thanks for the reply sorgie. What tells you the PII system won't work if I upgraded the ram? I have found a card that only requires 32 MB ram, but still has the 2.1 requirement.

sorgie

The only thing is the processor min is 66mhz high then your processor. As far as the PCI 2.1 your OK

BigFitz

Since neither system meets the CPU speed requirements of the card, I personally wouldn't open the box. Your best bet would be to try to find a TV-out capable video card which will run with a 200MHz or slower CPU, but even then, neither of your systems has enough RAM to run Powerpoint video presentations without choking on them. The Toshiba doesn't even have enough to realistically run Win 98 for that matter. If I have time I'll see if I can do some research on a card that should work, and post my findings back here--you'll have to actually locate one, though. You might want to start looking for some additional memory for the i430TX based system--I agree that would probably be the better choice between the two to accomplish what you need to.---Fitz

SysExpert

I would return the card and find something older and perhaps less expensive.

Worst case, do a search on mysimon.com or similar for an older card with TV out.

You can also check CompUSA, Staples Etc if you are in the USA, they have sales on older cards that would meet your needs.

I hope this helps !

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Kyle Schroeder

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Kyle Schroeder

Also, Visiontek, the manufacturer of the XTASY products is going out of business more than likely, so you probably wouldn't be able to get much tech support if you did have problems or needed a replacement (other than what Best Buy or CompUSA, etc would do for you if you get their "extended warranty").

-dog*

assistant

ASKER

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I do appreciate them.

Dogztar I am awarding you the points because you hit the nail on the head! I purchased a converter from Buy.Com and it works great.

Instead of limiting me to one computer to run the church program (old equipment), I can use any computer by switching it in just a few seconds.

By-the-way, the converter in Antec TVator Remote II. It cost me approx $150 and well worth it.

Thanks again experts, keep up the good work.

assistant

ASKER

I appreciate you digging to find out that my system is 2.1 compliant, even Toshiba's technical assistant reps couldn't tell me.

Kyle Schroeder

In my experience, "technical support" == "monkeys reading a flowchart out of a book"....in the future, try asking to speak to "2nd Level Support", if they have such a distinction. Or better yet, just come back to EE :)

Glad you have a working solution!

-dog*