All-In-wonder video cards

[davidlee1987]

Are All-In-wonder video cards better than regular ones when u look at ATI RADEON video cards??? What is the difference between the two???



thanks david

[Inka]

The All In Wonder cards are the ones with all the extra gubbins on them (TV decoder etc). The basic cards are, respectivly, virtually the same as far as I know.

I use the AIW ones & think they are good for whatever thats worth. But then again I probably watch too much TV! :p

[saphalline]

All AIW's before the Radeon 8500 were slower versions of the regular vid cards. 8500 and up are just as fast as the regular versions. The AIW's are obviously more expensive but they have TV tuners and more importantly use all the VPU's features.

Yes, certain features built into the video core are only used with ATI's specific software that is, coincidentally, only usable by the AIW's. It's usually esoteric video functions like enhanced DT3C hardware motion compensation and the like, but still. :p

[Whyzman]

I use my AIW for watching TV while on-line or just an additional TV in a house where the other TVs are always monopolized. And my wife can watch 3-4 shows at a time which gives me a headache! :confused:

You can record to your harddrive very much like a TIVO setup. Really nice feature if you see something you want to grab really quick...

I also have used my computer DVD player to work through the AIW's TV OUT function to watch DVDs on the large screen TV. I can then easily utilize the 5.1 sound system already in existence on the computer...tis a LIVE DRIVE with a remote...

Oops, perhaps a concern is whether or not you've considered a dual monitor setup...the Radeons I believe usually have dual monitor capability...in which case you could look for a PCI TV Tuner card...