best cheap video out card

[3dmacman]

Wanting to buy a tv for my mame cab and was wondering what would be the best choice for video out card, ie quality through s-video or composite on some of the cheaper cards like hercules or s3 savage. PCI or AGP4x slots are available on my board as well.

[MonitorGuru]

Here's a great site that gives the high level comparison of features on 3d video cards.  Has every card made for the last 10 years up through this month.

http://www.neeyik.info/3dspecs/

While it won't help you make a decision based on cost or exact performance, it can help point out where you can get something better than another. (i.e. a GeForce2 GTS card has better specs than many newer GeForce 3 and some GeForce4 cards.  e.g. stay away from "neutered" MX cards)

[3dmacman]

What is the best all around chipset when it comes to mame, such as clarity and crisp text. I am not looking for arcade accuracy just something that will hook up to a tv and will work with mame. Also so I can hookup my playstation and nintendos to switch and have all that mess in one location of the house. Grant it this card doesn't have to be the biggest horse on the block but if I want to run a newer 3d game like virtua cop I probable go to at least 32megs?

[Lilwolf]

I would look at old ATI card.  The have great tv out chips..  (not powered by... built by only!)

I haven't tried savage myself

[talem]

www.pricewatch.com  you will be amazed at what you can find there

[Lilwolf]

dont' forget ebay... great place for old videocards.

[Tahnok]

While everyone is on the subject, how does composite video out compare to S-Video? I am looking to buy an ATI Rage Mobility 8MB PCI video card. How would this card look on a 24" screen?

[AmericanDemon]

Composite out looks horrible compared to S-Video.  Now the picture will not look as crisp on the TV than it would on a monitor.

If you have to use a TV use COMPONENT if available.  It gives the best picture this side of a true arcade monitor.  If not able to use Component, then use S-Video.  Use composite as a last resort.