Hooking up a computer to a CRT TV...

[TurboJugend]

So I got a computer for free that I plan on putting in a MAME cabinet.  I also already have a CRT TV that I would like to use.  The computer has an Nvidia Quadro FX 580 graphics card with DVI and DP outputs.  I want to hook up to the S-video input on the TV.  Am I better off getting an old video card w/ TV outputs to replace the Nvidia, or is there a converter out there that can be used?

Not sure if it makes a difference, but I'll be running Hyperspin as my front end.

Thanks!

[matsadona]

The best option is to have an old ATI Radeon card an use the CRT emu drivers. However that assumes that your TV has RGB input...

http://mame.3feetunder.com/windows-ati-crt-emudriver/

Another option is the downscalers, however I have yet not found any with a descent video quality. Other might have opposite experience.

[big10p]

I agree. CRT emudriver + GroovyMAME would be the best way to go. The latest version of CRT emudriver supports newer cards, but if you just want it for MAME, you can pick up a 4350 (what I use) very cheaply.

[TurboJugend]

The best option is to have an old ATI Radeon card an use the CRT emu drivers. However that assumes that your TV has RGB input...

The TV has composite, component and S-video inputs.  Component input is the best of those 3, right?  Is that RGB?  Sorry if a dumb question.

[TurboJugend]

I agree. CRT emudriver + GroovyMAME would be the best way to go. The latest version of CRT emudriver supports newer cards, but if you just want it for MAME, you can pick up a 4350 (what I use) very cheaply.

I've tried reading up on GroovyMAME and I'll be honest...  I'm not sure if I understand what it does.   Is it just to get the video looking as close to the original arcade monitor as possible? 

[big10p]

I agree. CRT emudriver + GroovyMAME would be the best way to go. The latest version of CRT emudriver supports newer cards, but if you just want it for MAME, you can pick up a 4350 (what I use) very cheaply.

I've tried reading up on GroovyMAME and I'll be honest...  I'm not sure if I understand what it does.   Is it just to get the video looking as close to the original arcade monitor as possible?

Yeah, that's pretty much what groovyMAME does in a nutshell (although there are other benefits to using it). It attempts to run each game in it's original resolution and refresh frequency, or as close to it as possible, given the limitations of the monitor/TV you're using.