[Vertigo1]

Thanks for the reply.

On the output side, I'm somewhat concerned about the quality available from the TV-out socket on standard graphics cards, as in my experience this is just awful. I've seen posts from users in the US about using external transcoders to convert the VGA output to composite but as we tend to have RGB inputs on our TVs over here, and the VGA output is fundamentally an RGB signal, is it not possible to connect the VGA output directly to an RGB SCART input, via just a cable or maybe with a minimal amount of electronics in between?

As for the XMLTV stuff you mentioned, posts I've read this evening suggest that BOTH Digiguide and Radio Times have now blocked this from working. Frankly until there is proper support for program guides built into BTV I shan't be buying it as the lack of a proper programme service for UK and European users just leaves a gaping hole in the system and renders it worthless to me.