Serious Gamer & Part Time Video Editor

[Robert@MZ3.Net]

The number one thing my computer is responsible for is gaming. There's just nothing better than "virtually" shooting your friends with a shotgun. But as the father of a 1 year old I have also become a part time video editor for the grandparents.

I've been running the old matrox mystique, matrox rainbow runner, diamond voodoo 2 video-card-jumble and its been rock solid for my split needs up to now. However with the new wave of 3d games I'm starting to see real limits with my current setup.

So it's time to upgrade, but the problem is that I can't find that A+ gaming card and a decent (all-in-one or seperate) video capture card. The G400 Marvel looked promising but I hear that the G400 sometimes doesn't get along with SB Live and I notice lots of driver complaints and problems with certain games.

So what are my options? I've read about the DC30pro video capture and they make it sound like an upgrade from Marvel (but would cost about $540 after rebate). I don't have a firewire camcorder, its a newer Sony Hi8 and I'm not looking to replace it.

So my quetion(s) are...
(a) is the marvel G400 my best solution?
(b) should I ignore the G400 driver complaints on the other message board
(c) should I consider the DC30pro (is it really a noticable upgrade in quality)
(d) is the marvel G400 a better video capture device than my original rainbow runner
(e) are there other sub $700 options that I've missed.

[Elie]

Answers to question

A) depends on how much money you want to spend and for what purpose, I would say yes the Marvel in a great all in one choice.
There's also the RT2000 for a bit more

b)
The G400 drivers now are better than ever, TurboGL and all

C)
Pinnacle is known for the lack of support, you could buy the DC30 Pro and 2 months later they might stop support all together just like the DC30 and the DC20/DC10


D) the Marvel G400 is by far a better product than the original RRS.

Regards,
Elie

[This message has been edited by Elie (edited 12 October 1999).]

[Robert@MZ3.Net]

(a) RT2000? What's the street price, when will it be out, how much better for the at home video editor (using a Hi8 camera).

(b) I'm coming off a voodoo2 that never even once flickered. I read the gaming forum and really question how much trouble the G400 chip might be with new 3d games.

(c) thanks for the support warning, I'm wanting someone to talk me into a differnet card. Today it appears to be Marvel G400 vs Voodoo 3 3500.

(d) are you saying that the video capture quality of the Marvel G400 is better than the original rainbow runner (or was that just a blanket statement).

Thanks for your help

[Elie]

OK,
That was not a blanket statement because I'm beta testing one as we speak.

I've owned the RR/Mystique, the Marvel G200 and now the Marvel G400 and the difference in quality just keeps getting better and better

I'll let you know more as soon as I can (you know NDA's and stuff )

To find out more about the RT2000 I suggest you go here http://www.matrox.com/videoweb/enduser/products.htm

and here http://www.matrox.com/videoweb/enduser/rt2000.htm


The Voodoo 3500 does not have a codec chip on board so your limited by resolution and fps when capturing from TV or Cam/VCR.
The RR-G has the built in hardware Zoran MJPEG codec which allows you to capture at 704x480 30fps (you should know that right?)

Regards,
Elie

[Zwisch]

Why not simply consider the G400 MAX with a RR-G? This is what I have and I play much much more games than i do video editing (ask Elie... he knows about that personnaly, i met him a couple of time in Quake2 The RT2000 might be a bit too much for your needs

Z

[Elie]

HEY Zwisch!!!

Long time no frag buddy

Yes I will have to agree with Zwisch, he always kicks my butt in Quake 2 and now I know why

Regards,
Elie

[GinoCyber]

We all kick Elie's butt. Haven't met one videophile that can play any game properly

Ciao

[This message has been edited by GinoCyber (edited 14 October 1999).]

[Cooper]

I know this is a matrox forum and all, but have you looked into the next one from ATI? They are going to be coming out with a new card that has two of their new chips on it. The card will have 64 megs of ram (good for games!) and they will most likely release a version that has all the video editing stuff (a la all-in-wonder). This might suit your needs quit well...

here is the preview of the card: http://www3.sharkyextreme.com/hardwa...99/ati_aurora/

I only mention this, because the g400 marvel, while awseome, has only 16 megs of ram!! (which makes it difficult to comete with next-gen gaming cards...which the ati card is meant to do)

Cooper

[This message has been edited by Cooper (edited 14 October 1999).]

[ScottV]

Elie,

When does the NDA get lifted. Surely it can't still apply to the Marvel G400.

I really can't decide whether I should upgrade my Marvel G200. From what I read I understood the video capture side was identical but you seem to be implying it has been improved.

I've noticed that when I capture the image is slightly washed out and less sharp than the original (smoothing filter?). Have these problems been sorted out. I'd love to know.

[ScottV]

I'd forgotten the Marvel G400 only has 16 Megs of RAM. That really puts me off.

Why can't Matrox get it right. If they want people to use it as a gaming card as well as a video card they should give it a proper set of features. These days, 16 megs just doesn't cut it.