Hello everyone.  I am installing a Vizio 46" flat panel LCD behind the counter at my business to use as a menu/advertising board.  I am going to put together a flash presentation to display on it.
 
I plan on using an old AMD 2800+ dedicated to running it but need help with a video card.  I have no idea what to shop for when looking to have the best picture on this display.    
 
I do not want overkill as this will never be used to do anything but display this menu system.
 
 What features should I look for on a card? Any specific card recommendations are appreciated.  
 
 
The specs on the TV are:
 
Supported Native Resolutions
1366 x 768, 1280 x 720, 1024 x 768, 854 x 480, 800 x 600
Panel Type: 46" Diagonal*, 16:9 Wide Screen, Color TFT Active Matrix LCD
Panel Specifications: Anti-Static and hard coated surface
Pixel/Dot Pitch: 0.7455mm (H) x 0.7455mm (V)
Display Compatibility: HDTV (1080i)
Signal Compatibility: 480i (SDTV), 480P (EDTV), 720P (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV)
Response Time: 8 ms (typical)
Colors: 8 bit 16.77 Million colors
Brightness: 500 cd/m2 (typical)
Contrast Ratio: 1200:1 (Typical)
Viewable Angle: >178 degrees (horizontal and vertical)

Large display low low resolutions any video card would work it doesnt need anything special. I would reccomend however a matrox just because thier 2d praformance is the best of all card makers out there. Hell it wont even need a DVI connection with that little pixles (thats assuming hte max native resalution is the max resalution of the monitor.) If it goes up to 1920x1080 like i though the 1080i was suppose to reprasent youll most likely want a dvi connection or some sort of digital connection on the monitor.

Is it an HDCP compatible Monitor? You may find you want to buy a card that has an HDCP output.

Here is the link to the exact TV I will be using:
 
http://www.vizioce.com/products/detail.aspx?pid=9
 
http://www.vizioce.com/media/produ [...] eet(1).pdf
 
It also mentions the following:
 
Computer: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 thru VGA or 640x480 thru HDMI
 
 
Inputs
RF(F Connector for internal Tuner: 1
HDMI whith HDCP: 2
Analog Stereo Audio for HDMI Inputs: 1
Component YPbPr plus Stereo Audio: 2
Composite Video: 2
S-Video plus Stereo Audio: 2
Computer RGB plus Stereo Audio: 1
Service Port: 1 DTV, 1 Analog (RJ11)

You probably do want to buy a card with HDCP output - either over DVI or HDMI. A 7950GT is probably your best bet - although I believe the new ATi X1950 series cards have HDCP as well.
 
You'll also need a DVI-HDMI lead, they're not very expensive.

1366 X 768 is the max res. All of the HDTV formats will be scalled to fit. It doesn't even come close to 1080i. It would be better caled EDTV. Even cards several years old can handle it. I would recomend one of the pasively cooled cardes like the gigabyte 6600 with silent pipe. It can be picked up for under $100.
 
You will want to use a dvi-d to hdmi cable. Normaly you may not notice a big difference in the picture but text will be a lot clearer with a digital input. It will also get rid of other artifacts. Once you get use to digital you will see the problems in displays you always thought looked good.
 
If you aren't set on that display and you only want it as a computer monitor; you my want to try to find something that is listed as a monitor or HDTV ready. These don't include the HDTV tuner that you won't be using and save you cash.

 
Whoah!!!
 
Are you insane? The OP isn't building a gaming rig. He doesn't need that amount of GPU power. As he stated, the TV/Monitor will only be used to display menus.
 
Get an ATI Radeon X1300 like the following for $87 including shipping:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102055
 
That is an AGP card.  
 
Or get the following if you have PCI-e for only $70 including shipping:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102001

 
Whoah!!!
 
Are you insane? The OP isn't building a gaming rig. He doesn't need that amount of GPU power. As he stated, the TV/Monitor will only be used to display menus.
 
Get an ATI Radeon X1300 like the following for $87 including shipping:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102055
 
That is an AGP card.  
 
Or get the following if you have PCI-e for only $70 including shipping:
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102001
 
Ha!  I was thinking the same thing.  Would a Radeon 9550 work fine?  They have the 256mb version on at Compusa for $49.

Should be fine.  Those resolutions aren't very high and it is simply 2D display.

I think a radeon 8500 or even older would work.
 
I picked up an nvidia 4600 ti on ebay for under $30 that can handle the output. Its just a matter of how old are you willing to go, and if used equipment is okay.

For this setup I'd go with an Nvidia 7300GS. It's the lowest power consumption of any modern card and it doesn't cost too much.
 
Try the Gigabyte GV-NX73 it's passively cooled
 
Though I use ATI for my gaming rig I'd steer clear of them for this just because of their power draw.
 
 
Power Consumption Charts

I'm sticking with my matrox recommendation and for a long time now nvidia has had the worst but not bad 2d praformance.

>gaming rig
 
Actually, I was suggesting this because it will allow full resolution display of HD content, not for gaming. Besides, you can do 720p with a lot lower graphics card than that.
 
If he's *certain* he'll never use it for anything other than this menu system (never want to display HD content, never want to run Vista, never want to do anything else), then yeah, go for whatever card you can find - pretty much anything will do it!