Scan-Converter vs. TV-Out ???

[slike]

Hi,

im new in technics and a little bit confused ...

i think i could use a graphics-adapter (like Matrox G400) with a S-Video-Out to connect to my Panasonic AVE5 instead of a Scan-Converter ???

The Scan-Converter converts the digital signal from a PC in an analog signal for TV/Video-Out, is that right ?

If i get a graphics-adapter with S-Video out or with an external box for Video-Out (Matrox Marvel G400-TV) is it the same that a scan converter does?

thx for reply
Flo

[NickT]

Scan convertors take the RGB monitor output and convert it to 'conventional' video.
The plus points for a zooming scan convertor is that it enables you to run the output from your application in a smaller window, which you can then zoom in on. This means that if you've got a slightly old laptop like me the program doesn't have to run full-screen and will run smoother. Also you can still see/access all of the software controls on the laptop screen. The downside is it's one more box to plug-in/lose the cables for.
Correct me if I'm wrong but with a TV-out what you see on the laptop is what you'll get through the output - there's no option to zoom in on part of the screen.

[LEVLHED]

If you use a graphics card w/ TV out (like a matrox), you won't need a scanny.

[eXhale]

Originally posted by NickT
Correct me if I'm wrong but with a TV-out what you see on the laptop is what you'll get through the output - there's no option to zoom in on part of the screen.
The best TV-out cards have a zoom function. The Matrox ones and, from what I heard, the latest nVidia and ATI ones (although it's less frequent on laptops). The zoom is usually better than the one of a scan convertor since you can select precisely the part of the screen to output. I think SoftScan will do this too.

[dronkie]

Well, I think a good scan converter also deserves its place. Point is that it allows you to convert ANY vga-source into video. So, what i do is use several small and old pc's to make flashy stuff and visuals. And NO WAY that i'm going to put expensive videocards in them ... Anyway, since I don't like pc's a lot (and they don't like me either) i preferr a scanconverter to a video output. It's just that i've had so much trouble with outputcards, and the scanny just transforms whatever i do on my screen to video... No more harassing with outputs that are either composite or vga. You can have both... And that's particularily usefull if you're using small 5.5" to 10" controll monitors, like me ...
I do know that there are good videocards, that function well, but I preferr a scanconverter...
Although my favorite scanconverter is WAY to expensive for me ... namely the DSC-1024 from Sony... converts anything to anything ... (vga to video, video to vga .... yum !)

greetz...

Dronkie

[Gabriel]

The best TV-out cards have a zoom function. The Matrox ones and, from what I heard, the latest nVidia and ATI ones (although it's less frequent on laptops). The zoom is usually better than the one of a scan convertor since you can select precisely the part of the screen to output. I think SoftScan will do this too.
I was decided to buy a scan converter because I thought that hardware would be the best choice for my future setup (two computers with UTV2000 and a MX1) but ,as you're sayng that good TV-out cards have better zoom function and prices seems to be the same, do you think it's better to spend those U$200 in a card like Matrox G450?

Thanks!

[LEVLHED]

If you expect to work mainly w/ desktops, then I would advise a good tv card;
if you plan to work mainly (eventually) w/ laptops, then I would recommend a good scanny.

[MoRpH]

Yeah... What LEV said :D SIMPLE

[slike]

much thx to all !

the reason for my question is that i had got really much trouble with my TRUST Televiewer because of overheating ... and here in germany its hard to find another good Scan-Converter (like the UTV2000).

thx
Florian