low cost video solution for Intel Macs

[hitp]

Hello, can anyone recommend a low cost video card or external box for the new Mac Pros. We are thinking of upgrading our aging G5 and will need something for spotting music and sfx to low res video. No need for anything fancy or high resolution. I read that the Mojo is currently incompatible with the Intel Machines. What is the latest on that.

Thank you and any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Eric L]

Yes.

Use the second DVI output of the graphics card that comes with your MacPro.

It's cheap (free), looks great, and is very resolution and codec flexible.

[mondoJML]

I can totally second Eric L's recommendation. We are running a DVI to HDMI cable off of the second monitor output into a 72" 1080p TV with absolutely no problems. Looks fantastic, even after a cable run of 50 feet. I found a place online that sells excellent HDMI/DVI cables that I would recommend called onlybestrated.com. BTW, that is the standard video card on the Mac Pro, not the souped up version.

[dr sound]

To add:
For cables try this place:
http://www.hdtvsupply.com/

[whitecat]

Something I've done in a pinch is to use a cheap MiniDV camcorder that has firewire in and an analogue output - run the output to a monitor, and run a firewire cable to the camcorder. Works a treat.

[pat yacono]

Also, the ADS pyrolink AV is a cheap firewire box.

[AVGuru1]

I've been toying with getting 2 video cards for an Intel mac, 1 card to dual monitors, the 2nd card having the DVI converted to HDMI to an LCD monitor, and perhaps splitting that to go to an ADR booth Monitor (since you cannot do 2 monitors mirrored and the other 2 as extended under Mac OS display settings)

Otherwise, the Digi recommended Canopus box is great. It's DV codec is so much better than other D-A, A-D converters I've tried. Aside from the frame offset (22 quarter frames or so, YMMV) it's great.

Perhaps a used Mojo 1 (non SDI Mojo) will be a good low cost solution once 7.4 (?) supports Mojo.

Good Luck!

[Halstein]

Yep. The Canopus ADVC-110 is a beautiful box - with a right pricetag. It just eat DV-codec files though... but convert them in QuickTime Pro from whatever format.