Cheap ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XL 256 MB PCIe (Electronics) Price

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Customer Reviews of ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XL 256 MB PCIe

It Will not work on Windows Vista
I have always enjoyed ATI Graphics cards because ultimately they provide GREAT video output. But with the onset of Windows VISTA, none of the multimedia functionalities of ANY of ATI's cards will work. Basic video output including HDTV support works, but the All-in-Wonder cards have no TV capability at all, the graphics cards do not have DVD support : basically the ATI's Multimedia Center era has ended with Windows Vista. It is unfortunate that people with the All-in-Wonder cards are left to wonder about Vista support, which allows TV viewing, capture etc. If you have such a card or are even thinking of buying one MAKE SURE YOU ARE RUNNING WINDOWS XP. The card will only ouput to a monitor and nothing else. <
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>ATI is moving towards a Catalyst Media Center (CMC). But according to all the news in various posts this will come bundled with new cards - I don't know from when. Sadly, CMC is reported to be very, very buggy and completely messes up Windows Vista. I am myself still on Windows XP since the ATI's Multimedia Center (the old stuff) does a very good job with Remote Wonder to remote control my DVD playing etc. for my kids. They are ones who find it very useful. So if you think you will get more than BASIC VIDEO OUTPUT functions to your monitor, then think again. GET ATI's SIMPLE GRAPHICS CARDS, and forget about any other functionality that come with their apparently fancier ones. OR STICK WITH WINDOWS XP. While the same may be argued with other video cards, I think in WINDOWS XP ATI cards offer far more functionality than most other cards in their price range. <
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>I hope this will save a lot of headaches. Don't get me wrong - they are GREAT cards, and I fully endorse them for superior video functioning - BUT ONLY IN WINDOWS XP !!! !!! Nobody knows what's in store with ATI and Windows VISTA. <
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>[[ASIN:B000IXZ3R4 AMD ATI Radeon X1650 Pro 512MB AGP Graphics Card (100-437809) ]][[ASIN:B000J1J3LC ATI Radeon X1950 Pro HD PCI Express 256MB Video Card]][[ASIN:B0006BC57O ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XT Video Card]][[ASIN:B000CSP36Q ATI All-in-Wonder 2006 Edition PCI Express ( 100-714600 )]][[ASIN:B000E6GAHC ATI All-in-Wonder X1900 256 MB PCI Express Video Card]][[ASIN:B000AZFTHY ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XL 256 MB PCIe]]

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Software problems with XP; TV doesn't work with Vista
This PCI-Express video card is both very good for gaming and will turn your computer into the equivalent of a Windows Media Center Edition (R) computer with FM receiver and TV tuner on board. It comes with every type of video and audio connector imaginable, and supports two video screens. It also comes with a Remote Wonder Plus wireless remote control with a receiver which plugs into a USB port. I haven't played with the software much, but it includes the ability to record TV programs, and pause and play programs you are watching. <
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>C/Net's review gives it a "very good" 7.0 out of 10. C/Net notes: "The ATI All-In-Wonder X800 XL will have you gaming, watching TV, and listening to FM radio, but it doesn't stand out in any one area." This includes the software: while it comes with all the software goodies you need including TV, TV-Guide, DVD Player, media player, and FM tuner, the software isn't as slick as Media Center Edition. But, it gets the job done. <
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>The Software is Problematic <
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>Be forewarned, the TV tuner does not work properly with Windows XP using the version of the software which came with the unit I purchased. The TV will work initially, but loses the audio if the computer is on for too long before you start it. You can download updated software which works better, but it is not easy to install properly and does not fully integrate with the TV Guide program included. I do not recommend doing this if you have a dial-up connection unless you want the download to go on all night long. The new software is better, but still buggy -- at least on my computer. <
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>The software in the box includes Gemstar GuidePlus+ software, which acts as a type of TV guide. The upgraded software which you download does not appear to include Gemstar. The old version of Gemstar does not work well with the new TV drivers. The Gemstar installation has an update wizzard which allows the programs to work together more or less propertly. <
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>The TV works Well <
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>Once installed properly, the TV is good, but with the new software, the digitization leaves noticeable "box" distortion, particularly in full screen mode. However, it is watchable and is is much better than the picture on an AverTV video card I used to have. It also has modes where it will replace your desktop wallpaper with the TV video and another mode where the TV picture becomes transparent so you can see the windows below it. It's kind of cool to watch TV behind your desktop icons, but I really can't see much use for it. <
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>The software also includes a program similar to Media Center Edition. It is not as slick as Media Center and not all of the features appear to work. It includes a remote control which almost works. <
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>The card is fast <
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>The card's clock speed is 400 MHz and it has 256K of DDR memory. I have it mated to an Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13 GHz processor, and an Intel DG965wh m/b with 1G DDRII 4300 memory. At screen resolution of 1024 X 768 it got the following benchmark scores: <
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>3dMark 2001 = 21,342 <
>3dMark 2003 = 11,223 <
>3dMark 2005 = 5,098 <
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>Although I don't remember the video scores from the processor on board the Intel motherboard, this ATI card is a lot faster. You can get significantly higher video rates, but you would need a card and motherboard which combo which supports multiple video cards (SLI or Crossfire), and/or a faster computer processor. These scores show it is one of the faster solo video cards on the market. <
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>Originally, this card sold for about $400. At the present price point, it may be cheaper to buy this card than to purchase a similar card without the TV and FM tuners. Go figure. <
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>VISTA AND XP MEDIA CENTER EDITION: ATI has drivers/catalyst control center for the video, but nothing yet for the TV. The unit does not work with Microsoft's Media Center, but does work with its own softare on Media Center Edition.