Advice on G200 and DVD

[AMC]

Hi

I have a G200 and I'm thinking on buying a DVD player for my computer (P2 266 64Mb)~

Any idea of how will perform ?

[Strahd]

Did you get the DVD module for the G200 or are you going to get a DVD package that gives you a decoder card and DVD ROM?

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[AMC]

I think it doesn't make sense to buy a module to an already outdated card so I would prefer to buy a separate package with everything

[Bixler]

You'll definitely need some type of hardware assist with that processor. Most folks use the hollywood+ although if you can find a Matrox DVD Module to plug in to your g200 and will put up with some tweaking to get it smooth it'll outperform anything else for your card--now or since. Any software only solution is going to be choppy with a PII233.

Anything but the Module will require a passthrough cable which degrades the signal. With the mod (and a LOT of patience) you have a single-slot single IRQ solution that works seamlessly with your card--and NO passthrough.

[Brian R.]

I second that. The DVD module is excellent for video appearance. The CL/Hollywood card is great for performance, but the necessary cable makes your display hard on the eyes (compared with the G200 DVD module).

It doesn't necessarily require any work to get working either. I never have any trouble with it.

[This message has been edited by Brian R. (edited 23 August 2000).]

[J1NG]

AMC

The G200 may be old in terms of 3D capability and all, but the G200 with the DVD module is certainly not an old card for DVD, As Bixler and Brian R. has pointed out. It's also an exceptional plus if your G200 is a Marvel G200.

Also, I'm not sure about other DVD card's but I certainly know that the G200's DVD option's are easier to - er... - be changed to more your liking than other cards. *cough*...Macrov1510n...*cough*...R3g10n chang1ng...etc

And, NO, I'm not on drugs...

[This message has been edited by J1NG (edited 23 August 2000).]

[AMC]

Thanks for the responses

Never seen that module around here in Portugal.

But perhaps in the end it would be cheaper to go for G400. I think it supports DVD by hardware and at the same time would upgrade my card .

[TnT]

I'm running the Marvel G200 on a Celeron 466. To me it looks fine although there are points you can see too much motion blur. My brother on the other hand notices that it is choppy on some DVDs. I think it's probably because I play HL at 20-25 fps, so I don't notice choppiness anymore.

[Bixler]

G400 has hardware "assist," but is still gonna be VERY CPU dependent when decoding DVD.

You'll still enjoy several advantages with the mod if you are going to stick with the CPU you listed. I'd ask around or maybe post a new topic to see if anyone with a 266 and a G400 can do DVD. In any case, if you can, don't plan on anything else going on in the background.

I got a G400 SH 32meg for $129 + shipping last week here in the US. The Mod is still available from the European Matrox Online Store if you are so inclined, I think it runs about $80 U.S.

[cods]

I still havn't found a DVD player (except high end stand-alone component out) that plays as well has the G200 DVD Module.

Simply, awesome output.

Use the Ravisent Cinemaster2000 with the G200 DVDmodule, and you'll never look back.

No other card comes close with SVid TVOUT, including G400, GF256 Delx, GF2GTS, H+, etc. on a 100hz TV. Tried em all.....PC & Settop players....

Pity, the only decent 'non CPU Dependant' DVD/TVout option, and Matrox didn't want to know about supporting it....got more support from hackers methinks.....


[This message has been edited by cods (edited 27 August 2000).]

[orangejulius]

I second the Cinemaster 2000. And contrary to the myth that you need massive CPU power to backup software-only DVD, my P2-266/G200 runs DVDs super smooth.