Question

Hi, I am looking to purchase a video card, but I don't really need it for editing or gaming... I just want a video and audio out(or s vid) that I can connect to my tv. I'm pretty stupid when it comes to this, so basically I am looking for the cheapest sort of video card package that you think I should look for (also note that I have a gateway mini tower- the kind that can either stand up or lay on its side- and I once tried to put in a graphix card, but it wouldn't fit. I don't know if that makes a difference or not, but I thought I'd let you know...)

Answer

It's likely that your computer needs an AGP video card so you would first want to be looking for a AGP card. There are two types of video cards AGP and PCI cards below are dictionary links for each of these terms. Your computer should support both PCI and AGP cards so I'm not exactly sure what type of card you put in that did not fit.

PCI and AGP dictionary definitions.
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/a/agp.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/p/pci.htm

A great site that allows you to quickly get an overview of available computer hardware to purchase by specification is newegg. I suggest you visit http://www.newegg.com and open Computer Hardare / Video Cards and in the advanced search specify that you want a video card with a TV tuner card if you're wanting to connect your computer to a cable line and watch TV on your computer.

If you need video out, which it sounds like what you want on neweggs website specify what type of video out you wish to have.