video card help!

[endeavor]

I am curious as two what sort of card i should get for my computer to enable playback to a monitor. one thing that i think would be beneficial to us if if we can get some sort of box, rather than a card, that we could hook our laptops up to as well, so we can get playback from that to a monitor, just so my G5 isn't the only computer with the card. im not sure if there is anything that would be a worthy/smart investment to meet those needs. Just thought i'd ask if you had any thoughts or direction.
Thanks a million!

 

[jcskeeter]

I think the best idea (that i know) would probably be some type of fire wire output. Canopus makes a couple products that takes your firewire signal and converts to an analog signal. Depending on what kinda quality you want they are models that range from $250 and up. As you get higher in price the more features you get, obviously.
I don't think there would be a card that could be swapped from tower to laptop very easily.

Another option, although I haven't ever tried it, would be to take the dvi signal (assuming you have a dvi out on your laptop) and go to a hd monitor or hdtv and then just put the canvas in FCP on the monitor. It would be like having dual monitors except the one is for your video out. If that makes sense.

Here's a link to a couple of Canopus products:
ADVC 110 http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC110/index.php
ADVC 300 http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC300/index.php
ADVC 500 http://www.canopus.com/products/ADVC500/index.php

That should give you an idea. The 110 is actually firewire bus powered, so there is no need for external power if that is necessary.
There are probably other brands out there as well.