Rating: 
Summary: The card that never works
Review: ATI graphic cards are the best... Sure, only when they work! I encourage all future buyers to read and read reviews about ATI cards, especially in between the lines where you'll find all the details and future pain.My 8500 ATI failed already twice and my remote control just stopped working after installing the replacement card. The real problem is with software. ATI is just uncapable to write drivers correctly. Therefore each time you install the last pack, something goes wrong, either the TV stop working, or the sound disapears, etc. And you have to reinstall the entire pack every update, i.e. every 2 months you have to go through the most painfull software installation ever, which is going to take in between 2 and 3 hours and that you'll have to redo in between 1 and 2 times to get things working. You'll have to manage yourself dealing with the registry, make you one back-up, etc. By the way, on the last update - 09-2003, I was asked to pay 10 dollars to have the DVD player working! Of course each time you have to dug in your computer to remove and reinstall the card manually. Invariably, one day you go wrong and your computer does not reboot. I saved mine with an air pulser because there was dust on the board. My best experience with gaming was when my ATI card was in repair! I put the replacement one. Zanzhara does not work anymore. Try Matrix? Don't work more than 2 second before scratching. SO, waht shoud I do? Probably waiting for the next driver update, sometime in November or December. Merry Christmas.
Rating: 
Summary: Awsome card!
Review: Bottom line on this card is "Its Fantastic"! This is the first user review I've posted but I thought I should given how incredible this product is. Installation under XP Pro was a piece of cake. Everything functioned as advertised and the TV function is exceptional. The RF Remote is a dream to use as well. Well worth the money if you want a "Do Everything" card. DVD, Games, TV, Video etc...
I Overclocked this card up to 320Mhz GPU and 620MHZ DDR, great OC card!
Runs very stable at Max setting!
Rating: 
Summary: Ok, when it works ...
Review: Bought the 8500 as quite an upgrade from my old TNT2. The performance was as-expected for just over a week, when I began to experience very strange video effects in all Direct3D games. I suffered through ATI's mock-customer assistance for almost two weeks. I had done most of the leg-work before even getting in touch with them (replaced my old board, which worked fine, upgraded drivers, DirectX, uninstall-reinstall). ATI customer support was as useless as a third shoe. As of last night I hauled my board back to Circuit City and exchanged it for a GeForceTi4200 (considerably cheaper). I'm getting better frame rates from the GeForce 64MB than I did with the 128MB 8500. Overall performance was ok when it worked ... 3 stars, but ATI's horrific response to customer service requests is shameful. Buyer beware. If you have good luck, I'm sure you'll be satisfied (although there are cheaper boards with better performance out there), and if you have bad luck, good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Ok, when it works ...
Review: Bought the 8500 as quite an upgrade from my old TNT2. The performance was as-expected for just over a week, when I began to experience very strange video effects in all Direct3D games. I suffered through ATI's mock-customer assistance for almost two weeks. I had done most of the leg-work before even getting in touch with them (replaced my old board, which worked fine, upgraded drivers, DirectX, uninstall-reinstall). ATI customer support was as useless as a third shoe. As of last night I hauled my board back to Circuit City and exchanged it for a GeForceTi4200 (considerably cheaper). I'm getting better frame rates from the GeForce 64MB than I did with the 128MB 8500. Overall performance was ok when it worked ... 3 stars, but ATI's horrific response to customer service requests is shameful. Buyer beware. If you have good luck, I'm sure you'll be satisfied (although there are cheaper boards with better performance out there), and if you have bad luck, good luck!
Rating:
Summary: Big bust!!
Review: I bought this card based on other customer recommendations. I could not get this installed properly over a period of 2 weeks. While the Graphics part did install and work, the TV and Video Player was another story completely. I tried several installations, couldn't get it to work right. I went to ATI's website and downloaded a Driver Bundle, just for WinXP. This did not work either. Called their Tech Support, they checked a few things, sent some written instructions, and never did get it to work right. I work in computers, and may not be an expert, but I am no dummy either....I've installed other cards before, but this card, as far as I'm concerned is nothing but A BIG BUST!! And I can't say I was impressed with ATI's Tech Support. I will not buy ATI ever again.
Rating:
Summary: Wow... I mean Wow
Review: I bought this product and im amazed...if your into gaming and video editing this card is for you. Im 14 and i do graphics. With a 16mb video card it was so hard to do anything. Also i do a good deal of gaming,so imagine how hard it was for me.When i got this i set it up in a matter of 5 min or so. The Tv out feature works great because now i have a second moniter to do whatever i want.If your an all around gamer,praphic artist,and you just want a great card,i suggest you get this.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Card, Great Price
Review: Plain and simple. If you want a great card for a reasonable price, this card is for you. I was pleasantly suprised at the quality, even on an LCD monitor. The bundled software is great, and you will never experience better gaming! Keep in mind, that the ATI TV will only work if you have a TV Tuner. (Many other high end graphics cards have a tuner built in). In my case, I just liked the idea of finally getting a "128MB" card in my system. Certainly an upgrade from my TNT Model 64 (32 MB) Great card, excellent price!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Card, Great Price
Review: Plain and simple. If you want a great card for a reasonable price, this card is for you. I was pleasantly suprised at the quality, even on an LCD monitor. The bundled software is great, and you will never experience better gaming! Keep in mind, that the ATI TV will only work if you have a TV Tuner. (Many other high end graphics cards have a tuner built in). In my case, I just liked the idea of finally getting a "128MB" card in my system. Certainly an upgrade from my TNT Model 64 (32 MB) Great card, excellent price!
Rating:
Summary: too many installation problems
Review: questionable customer service. I have nothing negative to say about the performance and capabilities of this card, as you can find out with numerous in-depth reviews on the web. However, the ATI customer service only offers a "complimentary" 3-month service support, after that, you get to call a 900 number for tech support, or you can file an on-line inquiry, which just gets you a standard response of pointing to the FAQ on their web site. So, after 3 months, if you have anything urgent, better be ready to jack up that phone bill of yours.
Rating:
Summary: Great product but...
Review: questionable customer service. I have nothing negative to say about the performance and capabilities of this card, as you can find out with numerous in-depth reviews on the web. However, the ATI customer service only offers a "complimentary" 3-month service support, after that, you get to call a 900 number for tech support, or you can file an on-line inquiry, which just gets you a standard response of pointing to the FAQ on their web site. So, after 3 months, if you have anything urgent, better be ready to jack up that phone bill of yours.
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