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**Kruzin** · 27 September 1999, 19:00

Well, first off, the card was just announced last week. It's not available yet for anyone but Ant and a few reviewers to have any real opinions.

It should have no problem with a Dell.

It will use only 1 IRQ (just like the G200 Marvel does).

Even with just the software decoder, G400 does very well with DVDs. There's really no reason for a separate decoder, unless you want it for better Dolby sound support than you can get from whatever soundcard you will be using.

**Haig** · 27 September 1999, 19:24

Hi Adam,

1 - We don't have any Dell PIII's in house but I have been using it on a Dell XPS 400 for a while and had no problems yet.

2) If you are worried about choppy playback with the softDVD player, your PIII is more than enough for smooth playback of DVD movies.

3) 1.

Haig

**Adam@AIS** · 27 September 1999, 19:43

When do we expect the card to be ready-to-ship?

Thanks for the comments..

I'll be getting a 8X DVD player, so I guess I'll see how the software works first.

**AlgoRhythm** · 27 September 1999, 21:04

A kind-of related question:

Does the Matrox DVD add-on work with the G400 Marvel?

On one of the reviews I've seen, they said the BOB still has the SPDIF output....

I know it's got "DVD acceleration", but, I still wouldn't mind having it all done in hardware.

Or, Can I use the SPDIF for AC-3 with the software DVD decoder that comes with it?

**Adam@AIS** · 27 September 1999, 22:16

Hey,

I did a bit of searching on Matrox's site and found a few interesting things.

First off I confirmed that the G400-TV will support a DVD Hardware Decoder.
http://www.matrox.com/mga/g400/technical/faq/dvdfaq.htm

Also I emailed them about the Matrox DVD Add-In-card, as this seems like it may be the best bet. From what I understand it plugs directly into the video card and doesn't take up an extra PCI slot?

Will let you guys know if and when they respond.

------------------
Adam
A.I.S. Web Development & Internet Solutions
http://aisinternet.hypermart.net
adam@aisinternet.hypermart.net
1-877-250-2984

**Kruzin** · 27 September 1999, 22:25

That link says nothing about a hardware decoder.

"Yes the Matrox G400 supports software DVD decoders."

The hardware DVD decoder that worked on G200 will not work on G400, and there are no current plans to do a hardware add-on for G400.

As mentioned here, and in many other threads throughout the months, G400 does fine on it's own, with no extra hardware decoders...

[This message has been edited by Kruzin (edited 09-28-1999).]

**Android** · 27 September 1999, 23:00

Hi,

I just wanted to add that there is NO reason to have a Hardware DVD decoder with G400.

I have a G400 16mb, and a K6-2 400... and I can run, excel; word; corel 7.0 and Matrox DVD in a window without a single frame skip. It is absolutly perfect. Nothing makes boring projects and homework go faster then a DVD playing in a window

Andrew
P.S. Consider a G400 + RR-G, better Video Editing software, avaible NOW, uses 1 AGP and 1 PCI, and ONLY 1 IRQ.

**Kruzin** · 27 September 1999, 23:08

A G400+RR-G would be something to concider, but I don't think RR-G will do any better editing than G400Marvel will. In fact, because of the Bob, Marvel is better for editing in many ways...

**Meek** · 28 September 1999, 00:26

Android, have you done any tricks to get smooth DVD with a K6-2? I never managed to do that without going to "basic quality" in Cinemaster registry settings. Could you tell about your configuration? (mothernoard, amount of memory, AGP 2x or not...).

M.

**Ant** · 28 September 1999, 00:44

The Marvel G400 wil not support a hardware DVD add-on. So long as you have a reasonably fast PII or better DVD will be fine, software playback on mine is better than a G200 with hardware DVD.

**Adam@AIS** · 28 September 1999, 12:34

Good morning..

Went back and read that URL this morning, doesn't say anything about hardware. Not sure what I was thinking - as I was pretty much sleep typing.

I'm confused about the G400-TV, is it out or not? Seems some of you have it and others say it's not out yet??

------------------
Adam
A.I.S. Web Development & Internet Solutions
http://aisinternet.hypermart.net
adam@aisinternet.hypermart.net
1-877-250-2984

**DaddyBay** · 28 September 1999, 12:35

Adam,

The reason the G400+RR-G may be a better choice is that the MediaStudio Pro VE video editing software is much much better than Avid Cinema. Whether this makes a difference to you depends on whether you want to do more than just very basic video editing.

Another advantage is that you can then get a 32 MB G400, or a G400 MAX if you want to.

Also, you get full DualHead functionality with the G400+RR. The Marvel version just couldn't fit the connector necessary for a second RGB monitor, though you can still output to TV or flatpanel.

**Adam@AIS** · 28 September 1999, 12:43

The G400+RR-G sounds interesting..

I'm not planing on doing major amounts of video editing. Maybe a few VHS to RealVideo, but nothing huge.

I actually own a copy of Adobe Premiere, so I'm not sure if a better video editing software would help much.

My main concern is picture quality, price, and how many IRQ's and PCI slots I take up.

Quality is not a major issue, as most any video card can give me a good picture in my office applications.

------------------
Adam
A.I.S. Web Development & Internet Solutions
http://aisinternet.hypermart.net
adam@aisinternet.hypermart.net
1-877-250-2984

**DaddyBay** · 28 September 1999, 12:49

According to the press release, http://www.matrox.com/mga/press_room...rvelg400tv.htm

"Availability and pricing
Priced at US$299 ESP***, the Marvel G400-TV will be available to end-users in Q4 ’99 at which time it will also be sold at Matrox’s online store, located at <A HREF="http://shop.matrox.com"" TARGET=_blank>http://shop.matrox.com"</A>

According to Ant's news, http://www.murc.ws/news.html
"The Marvel G400 should be available at the start of October from the Matrox Online Store."

In any case, it should be out before Christmas

Announcement

Matrox Marvel G400-TV Question..

Matrox Marvel G400-TV Question..

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