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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > Consumer Hardware & Components > 2nd videocard / tv tuner - what's the best option?

2nd videocard / tv tuner - what's the best option?
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Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Mar 22, 2001, 02:22 AM
 
My main requirement is a second monitor and video card. but i would also like to have a tv tuner. i couldn't find any ati all-in-wonder products that work for the mac. any suggestions?
     
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Chicago, IL
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Mar 22, 2001, 11:31 PM
 
I recently asked that same question of ATI, their response was that I should buy BOTH their Radeon graphics card and their USB TV Tuner, which all together would cost about $350 (I think). But the video capture is limited to 320x240 and they don't specify a framerate (probably less than 30 fps). Plus I'm assuming this would be more processor intensive since data would need to be transfered from the USB to PCI bus and possibly some decoding involved. Much less efficient than having it right on the video card (anyone care to comment on this?)

When I pointed out that this was actually a step backwards in capability and that these days 640x480 is the minimum standard for video capture, I got a very condescending reponse lecturing me on how the Windows All-in-Wonder and the Mac VR were two TOTALLY different cards, yadda, yadda...

I used to be a supporter of ATI until their negligent mishandling of the delays and quality of the Rage 128 and now severely cutting back their Mac product line. Too bad because from what I understand, the Radeon is a very good product. You should send them an e-mail (the address is on their web site). Maybe if enough people ask when they are going to make a Radeon VR they'll change their mind...unlikely.

But to answer your question, I don't think there is a consumer-level video/capture/tuner card available for the Mac. Unless you can find a Rage 128 VR someplace (and they all but disappeared from retailers in the last month or so) I think you are out of luck. You could always try an online auction site if you are brave!

BTW, there are several USB and Firewire capture and/or tuner options available, but as I mentioned above, I don't know the implications to system performance when using these products. The same question applies to Formac's ProTV Stereo PCI tuner card (ie, the data still needs to be transfered to a graphics card for display). And you are still stuck shelling out more money for a new graphics card.

[This message has been edited by TrReLo (edited 03-23-2001).]
     
   
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