Component Scan Converter to TV...Will it work?

[Nuttman]

Okay, so I'm looking to build my own cabinet and have been trying to make some decisions.  I'm going to use a TV for the display.  It seems like using Component is the way to go, but I'm looking for a "simple" solution to give good results.  Seems like there is a lot of work and tweaks to get Componet working with TV-out video cards (overscanning issues, etc.)

I happened across this 'scan converter' product and am looking for feedback to see if it's a viable solution

http://www.smarthome.com/7743C.html

It seems like it would allow me to use an existing video card I have (rather than buying a TV-out card which I don't have), and since I have to buy a TV anyway I would just buy one that has Component in and use the Component out of the converter.

I'm very new to this and, as stated before, am looking for the best but easiest solution.   I've read the S-video vs. Component thread and was overwhelmed with the information provided.  I read about using ATI cards with a dongle and using Powerstrip software, etc.  Personally it seems like a lot of work and tweaking, but I could be wrong because my knowledge of this is beginner level.

What are thoughts or suggestions on this product?  Would it be as simple as hooking my video card to this and then outputting this to my TV using Component?  Do you think the display would be superior to S-Video from a video card to the TV?  What about resolution and refresh rates?  See any issues there?  Overscanning?  It just seems the price is right for sticking into a cab.

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

[Harry Potter]

No point in getting these things unless you REALLY have to. There's tons of cards out there with s-video output. Also from what I've heard, most cards with DV-I output (cream coloured connector with heaps of pins) can directly output component with the use of a dongle. Not just the card mentioned in the long Component vs Svideo thread.

And yes, you'll probably get better quality going straight from the card into the telly using composite/S-video. This is probably the easiest method.

Then again, nothing beats ArcadeVGA.

Good luck.

[Nuttman]

Ok, another question...

I plan on using Windows 98 and boot straight into DOS.  This is an old machine that will only play classic games, and I will be using a DOS version of MAME, probably in the v0.36 family.

Will S-Video work in a setup like this?  What kind of driver issues will I face trying to drive S-Video from the card from a DOS environment?

This was another reason for looking at the scan converter.

[android]

There's tons of cards out there with s-video output.

The point is to use component output, not s-video. Component beats the hell out of s-video quality-wise.

Also from what I've heard, most cards with DV-I output (cream coloured connector with heaps of pins) can directly output component with the use of a dongle. Not just the card mentioned in the long Component vs Svideo thread.

Do you have any brands/models you can share? All I've read about is the Radeon ones.

-- Android

[Harry Potter]

There's tons of cards out there with s-video output.

The point is to use component output, not s-video. Component beats the hell out of s-video quality-wise.

Also from what I've heard, most cards with DV-I output (cream coloured connector with heaps of pins) can directly output component with the use of a dongle. Not just the card mentioned in the long Component vs Svideo thread.

Do you have any brands/models you can share? All I've read about is the Radeon ones.

-- Android

3Dlabs, Radeon , Matrox and Nvidia, although 3Dlabs is $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. No models specifically. Matrox would definitely have support and Nvidia should also. Couldn't find reliable specs.

3Dlab$, doubt it. But for $900US per card, it better have it.

Component is only slightly better than s-video. Try playing something on your DVD player in both component and s-video AND composite and tell me you can tell the difference. I tried this test on a Trinitron and saw little improvement.

Please feel free to correct me about the cards.  

Happy gaming