Monthly Archives: June 2008

New Hardware Bought

1) Pinnacle 10 Moviebox(PCI) – $165

2) 256MB Quadro NVS 440 Graphic Card (2x double DVI output) – $909

Finalising Hardware Costs

For testing, I think the only option is to order from the U.S, it is more expensive. But if we order more than 10 (which we will when we get the other 30 screens), it will be cheaper.

Cost for ordering 2 screens (including shipping): SGD$482 (approx)

Standalone computer: SGD$600 minimum

Video Capture Card +GFX Card: $1400

Camera: $200

Motherboard

For using Quad graphics cards, we would need a special motherboard so that each motherboard can support 2 graphics cards each.

That would mean. 2 computers, 4 graphics cards (each with 4 outputs). A total of 16 outputs, multiply it by 2 using splitters.

This is probably the best in terms of quality and value for money

Asus P5Q

Stuff from Sim Lim

Went around Sim Lim and got some good quotations as well as a feel of what exactly is available.

Graphics Card (Quad output)

ATI HD3870×2 – S$559

Leadtek Quadro NVS440 – S$899

Matrox QID LP - S$1699

PNY NVS440 – S$899

(The most expensive)

Leadtek Quadro FX3450 – S$2399

I also found some VGA to RCA converters (about $70 each but there should be a cheaper one), VGA Splitters – 1 split to 4 ($90). There are RCA splitters as well.

Detailed information on analog cameras.

A high resolution Sony CCD Camera (Dome shaped) has 2 models, one for $149 and one for $199. The most expensive one is for $500, but that is probably too high end.

We have to bear in mind that with a quad graphics card, there might be potential issues of heat buildup in the computer as well.

analog video capture cards

a list of video capture cards for pc, reasonable prices between S$150 and S$300
main brands are pinnacle, viewcast, and canopus. some basic information about video capture cards available here

Pinnacle Studio AV/DV Deluxe
Pinnacle Studio MovieBoard PCI Video Capture
Viewcast Osprey-100 rca input
Viewcast Osprey-230 only BNC and s-video input
Canopus ADVC-55, or bigger.

a list of more capture cards, brands, etc. with pricing and rating.
video capture card list