I am working on connecting a laptop computer (Dell Inspiron 1525 running Ubuntu) to a TV (Sony Wega CRT KV32HS420) via HDMI. After much searching, reading, and experimentation it seems like I am almost there (but not quite!). What got me the closest is the instructions here.

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/X/Config/HDMI

My problem is I am not sure what modeline to use and/or how to best determine a modeline. I can not find the information about my TV to use the modeline generators I have found. I have tried about half of the "DTV-StandardModes" listed at

http://www.linuxis.us/linux/media/howto/linux-htpc/video_card_configuration.html

and so far they will work for less then a second when booting up then it will go back to a black screen.

Once I loose the signal to the TV I can not get it to display again unless I reboot. At least that is the case with the S-Video. For example, I have a working signal via s-video and issue the command

xrandr --output S-video --Off

it will no longer show on the TV (as to be expected) but afterwords running

xrandr --output S-video --Auto

does not turn the s-video signal back on. According to the

xrandr --verbose

it should be working (as it the information given is identical to when it is working) but nothing is showing on the TV. I have tested this same function with the VGA output and a monitor and it works correctly so I am thinking it is something with my TV or the interaction with the TV and the computer. But I digress... I am OK with only getting it to work by having everything plugged in a the TV on when booting, if I could only get it to work :rolleyes:


Sooooo back to my main question....

Do I just need to figure out what Modeline to use? If so, how can I accomplish this?

Or could this be some sort of a HDCP copy protection issue? (I really hope not!)

The TV says it will take a 480i, 480p, 720p, or 1080i signal via HDMI, but I am currently focusing on getting a 720p signal to work.

Any help, suggestions, or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

I don't think Sony makes anything with a working EDID, so you'll need the H & V sync ranges which, unfortunately, aren't in the manual --> http://www.fixya.com/support/p228920-sony_fd_trinitron_wega_kv_32hs420_32_tv/manual-16230/page-67

I've been looking around for them, but I haven't found anything.

P.S. 168 lbs.!!! That thing is a BEAST! :)

I don't think Sony makes anything with a working EDID, so you'll need the H & V sync ranges which, unfortunately, aren't in the manual --> http://www.fixya.com/support/p228920-sony_fd_trinitron_wega_kv_32hs420_32_tv/manual-16230/page-67

I've been looking around for them, but I haven't found anything.

P.S. 168 lbs.!!! That thing is a BEAST! :)

Thanks for the help!

Sound like I am on the correct path which makes me feel better. And yes it is quite the heavy TV!! Worse yet is that it replaced a standard def. TV about the same weight, so I had to lug the same size TV back out when I sold that! My wife thinks I am crazy sometimes! (Sometimes I think that too :eek:)

I will keep working on it

After 20 min with Sony chat support and 40 min on the phone with Sony phone support I got very little information. They did not have any spec on Horizontal Sync and said the refresh rate is 60 but should be able to go as low as 50 and as high as 75.

I was only able to get this information after working to the second level of support (more technical). I have a feeling that Sony did not publish this spec anywhere. Of course I has to be somewhere, but I have my doubts I am going to be able to find it. (Maybe find the guy in Japan who designed it? :rolleyes:)

Any recommendation on how to randomly find a modeline that would work? :confused:

Without hsync range values, you will have to resort to trial and error. (My mom actually has one of those monster TV's, but she can barely handle the cable remote, so I'm not going to push HTPC on her -- what I'm saying is that I haven't tried to hook a computer to it)

I think that it is natively 720p, but it accepts 1080i input, so a good place to start would be a standard 1080i modeline (if your video card supports interlaced modes -- your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file should tell you if it does):
Modeline "1080i STD" 74.184 1920 1960 2008 2200 1080 1084 1094 1124 +hsync -vsync interlace

I have a related question about mode lines that i'd like to throw out there.

I have an HTPC setup with a projector Sharp 12000 mkII (http://www.projectorcentral.com/SharpVision-XV-Z12000U.htm)

The machine will only show up as 4:3 on the projector, no matter what I try, if I change it to a 720p resolution it will give me a 16:9 view inside the 4:3 screen instead of filling out the entire 16:9 screen that I have. Do you guys have any ideas if this is still a modeline issue, or is something different?

I have a related question about mode lines that i'd like to throw out there.

I have an HTPC setup with a projector Sharp 12000 mkII (http://www.projectorcentral.com/SharpVision-XV-Z12000U.htm)

The machine will only show up as 4:3 on the projector, no matter what I try, if I change it to a 720p resolution it will give me a 16:9 view inside the 4:3 screen instead of filling out the entire 16:9 screen that I have. Do you guys have any ideas if this is still a modeline issue, or is something different?

Do you have your desktop resolution set to 1280x720?

Without hsync range values, you will have to resort to trial and error. (My mom actually has one of those monster TV's, but she can barely handle the cable remote, so I'm not going to push HTPC on her -- what I'm saying is that I haven't tried to hook a computer to it)

I think that it is natively 720p, but it accepts 1080i input, so a good place to start would be a standard 1080i modeline (if your video card supports interlaced modes -- your /var/log/Xorg.0.log file should tell you if it does):
Modeline "1080i STD" 74.184 1920 1960 2008 2200 1080 1084 1094 1124 +hsync -vsync interlace

Thanks for the suggestion. I will take a look at the log file and see if I can do an interlaced mode.

Where did you get this modeline from?

I have been looking for a "standard" 720p or 1080i modeline and it seems like there is no such thing. Which doesn't really make sense to me in that up-converting DVD players, external ATSC tuners, etc which use HDMI must have some standard they conform to. All I want to do is replicate that signal which seems like it is harder than is should be! But maybe I don't understand modelines quite well enough

Do you have your desktop resolution set to 1280x720?

I am currently running the xbmc linux project, so I do not have a desktop per se. But I have set the resolution in my xbmc to be 720p and 1080i, which results in the behavior i described earlier with a 4:3 box and a 16:9 image inside.

Thanks for the suggestion. I will take a look at the log file and see if I can do an interlaced mode.

Where did you get this modeline from?

I have been looking for a "standard" 720p or 1080i modeline and it seems like there is no such thing. Which doesn't really make sense to me in that up-converting DVD players, external ATSC tuners, etc which use HDMI must have some standard they conform to. All I want to do is replicate that signal which seems like it is harder than is should be! But maybe I don't understand modelines quite well enough
I found it over here --> http://mysettopbox.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6134&highlight=1080i+modeline

There are a couple more down the page you can try, also.

I am currently running the xbmc linux project, so I do not have a desktop per se. But I have set the resolution in my xbmc to be 720p and 1080i, which results in the behavior i described earlier with a 4:3 box and a 16:9 image inside.
<ctrl><alt><f2> to switch to a console, log in, and look through your X log to see what resolution it is setting:
less /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Use <PgUp> and <PgDn> to scroll though it and <q> to quit. <ctrl><alt><f7> takes you back to xbmc.

I have a related question about mode lines that i'd like to throw out there.

I have an HTPC setup with a projector Sharp 12000 mkII (http://www.projectorcentral.com/SharpVision-XV-Z12000U.htm)

The machine will only show up as 4:3 on the projector, no matter what I try, if I change it to a 720p resolution it will give me a 16:9 view inside the 4:3 screen instead of filling out the entire 16:9 screen that I have. Do you guys have any ideas if this is still a modeline issue, or is something different?

I've seen this behaviour at work with XP and some of our projectors and TV screens. I never really figured out what was going on, but usually rebooting while starting with the desired resolution works. My guess is that it isn't a modeline issue... But that's just me guess. Maybe there is a setting on your projector?

I found it over here --> http://mysettopbox.tv/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6134&highlight=1080i+modeline

There are a couple more down the page you can try, also.


<ctrl><alt><f2> to switch to a console, log in, and look through your X log to see what resolution it is setting:
less /var/log/Xorg.0.log
Use <PgUp> and <PgDn> to scroll though it and <q> to quit. <ctrl><alt><f7> takes you back to xbmc.

Thanks! I will try this tonight and report back. I'll be so happy when this thing is working, it sooo sweet to have hd xbmc.

Ok, here is my log, appears to be the projector is not telling the driver what resolutions it supports maybe??

If you want to see the entire log I have it, but I figure this is the relevant portion....
-----
(**) NVIDIA(0): Depth 24, (--) framebuffer bpp 32
(==) NVIDIA(0): RGB weight 888
(==) NVIDIA(0): Default visual is TrueColor
(==) NVIDIA(0): Using gamma correction (1.0, 1.0, 1.0)
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "NoLogo"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "True"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "FlatPanelProperties" "Scaling = Native"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling RENDER acceleration
(II) NVIDIA(0): Support for GLX with the Damage and Composite X extensions is
(II) NVIDIA(0): enabled.
(II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA GPU GeForce 9300 / nForce 730i (C79) at PCI:3:0:0
(II) NVIDIA(0): (GPU-0)
(--) NVIDIA(0): Memory: 524288 kBytes
(--) NVIDIA(0): VideoBIOS: 62.79.34.00.00
(--) NVIDIA(0): Interlaced video modes are supported on this GPU
(--) NVIDIA(0): Connected display device(s) on GeForce 9300 / nForce 730i at
(--) NVIDIA(0): PCI:3:0:0:
(--) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0)
(--) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0): 165.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
(--) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0): Internal Single Link TMDS
(II) NVIDIA(0): Assigned Display Device: DFP-0
(==) NVIDIA(0):
(==) NVIDIA(0): No modes were requested; the default mode "nvidia-auto-select"
(==) NVIDIA(0): will be used as the requested mode.
(==) NVIDIA(0):
(II) NVIDIA(0): Validated modes:
(II) NVIDIA(0): "nvidia-auto-select"
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 1280 x 1024
(WW) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0)'s EDID does not contain a maximum
(WW) NVIDIA(0): image size; cannot compute DPI from @@@ SHARPXVZ12000
(WW) NVIDIA(0): (DFP-0)'s EDID.
(==) NVIDIA(0): DPI set to (75, 75); computed from built-in default
(**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling 32-bit ARGB GLX visuals.
(--) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp
(II) do I need RAC? No, I don't.
(II) resource ranges after preInit:
[0] -1 0 0xffffffff - 0xffffffff (0x1) MX[B]
[1] -1 0 0x000f0000 - 0x000fffff (0x10000) MX[B]
[2] -1 0 0x000c0000 - 0x000effff (0x30000) MX[B]
[3] -1 0 0x00000000 - 0x0009ffff (0xa0000) MX[B]
[4] -1 0 0x0000ffff - 0x0000ffff (0x1) IX[B]
[5] -1 0 0x00000000 - 0x00000000 (0x1) IX[B]
(II) NVIDIA(0): Initialized GPU GART.
(II) NVIDIA(0): Setting mode "nvidia-auto-select"
(II) Loading extension NV-GLX
(II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA 3D Acceleration Architecture Initialized
(==) NVIDIA(0): Disabling shared memory pixmaps
(II) NVIDIA(0): Using the NVIDIA 2D acceleration architecture
(==) NVIDIA(0): Backing store disabled
(==) NVIDIA(0): Silken mouse enabled
(**) Option "dpms"
(**) NVIDIA(0): DPMS enabled
-----

Any help is greatly appreciated!

And for reference my driver is nvidia 180.29, the latest one that got released the other week, but I believe this is a mod line issue perhaps? But no freaking clue how to fix it.

Thanks again for all the help.

Yep:
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 1280 x 1024
Try replacing "nvidia-auto-select" with "1280x720" in your xorg.conf:
sudo nano /etc/X11/xorg.conf
and then reboot. If X doesn't start back up, then push <esc> at the grub prompt on the next reboot, boot the recovery kernel, drop to a root shell, change it back, and we'll go from there.

Here is my xorg nothing about resolution or nvidia-auto select =(
Any other ideas? Really appreciate this help!
------
# nvidia-xconfig: X configuration file generated by nvidia-xconfig
# nvidia-xconfig: version 1.0 (buildmeister@builder63) Tue Nov 4 14:07:17 PST 2008


Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Layout0"
Screen 0 "Screen0" 0 0
InputDevice "Keyboard0" "CoreKeyboard"
InputDevice "Mouse0" "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "Module"
Load "glx"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Mouse0"
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
# VendorName "Unknown"
# ModelName "Unknown"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 15.0 - 68.0
VertRefresh 23.0 - 61.0
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "NoLogo"
Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "True"
Option "FlatPanelProperties" "Scaling = Native"
SubSection "Display"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

-----

Under "Depth 24" (in the "Display" subsection), add:
Modes "1280x720"

Ok, so basically i got a very small 16:9 image within a 4:3 box.

My xorg says the following: So I think I am missing some parameters maybe?
---------------------------
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling RENDER acceleration
(II) NVIDIA(0): Support for GLX with the Damage and Composite X extensions is
(II) NVIDIA(0): enabled.
(II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA GPU GeForce 9300 / nForce 730i (C79) at PCI:3:0:0
(II) NVIDIA(0): (GPU-0)
(--) NVIDIA(0): Memory: 524288 kBytes
(--) NVIDIA(0): VideoBIOS: 62.79.34.00.00
(--) NVIDIA(0): Interlaced video modes are supported on this GPU
(--) NVIDIA(0): Connected display device(s) on GeForce 9300 / nForce 730i at
(--) NVIDIA(0): PCI:3:0:0:
(--) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0)
(--) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0): 165.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
(--) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0): Internal Single Link TMDS
(II) NVIDIA(0): Assigned Display Device: DFP-0
(WW) NVIDIA(0): No valid modes for "1280x720"; removing.
(WW) NVIDIA(0):
(WW) NVIDIA(0): Unable to validate any modes; falling back to the default mode
(WW) NVIDIA(0): "nvidia-auto-select".
(WW) NVIDIA(0):
(II) NVIDIA(0): Validated modes:
(II) NVIDIA(0): "nvidia-auto-select"
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 1280 x 1024
(WW) NVIDIA(0): @@@ SHARPXVZ12000 (DFP-0)'s EDID does not contain a maximum
(WW) NVIDIA(0): image size; cannot compute DPI from @@@ SHARPXVZ12000
(WW) NVIDIA(0): (DFP-0)'s EDID.
(==) NVIDIA(0): DPI set to (75, 75); computed from built-in default
(**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling 32-bit ARGB GLX visuals.
(--) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp
(II) do I need RAC? No, I don't.
(II) resource ranges after preInit:
[0] -1 0 0xffffffff - 0xffffffff (0x1) MX[B]
[1] -1 0 0x000f0000 - 0x000fffff (0x10000) MX[B]
[2] -1 0 0x000c0000 - 0x000effff (0x30000) MX[B]
[3] -1 0 0x00000000 - 0x0009ffff (0xa0000) MX[B]
[4] -1 0 0x0000ffff - 0x0000ffff (0x1) IX[B]
[5] -1 0 0x00000000 - 0x00000000 (0x1) IX[B]
(II) NVIDIA(0): Initialized GPU GART.

OK, since the mode isn't validated, you're EDID might be broken, too, and you may need a modeline. Fortunately, H & V sync ranges are documented, so I've calculated a 720p modeline for you over here --> http://xtiming.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xtiming.pl

In the "Monitor" section: first, change the HorizSync and VertRefresh values to the proper specs:
HorizSync 15.0 - 81.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 100.0
This may actually solve the problem (actually, I'd try it first before adding the modeline). Then, to try the modeline, add it just beneath VertRefresh:
Modeline "1280x720@60" 73.78 1280 1312 1592 1624 720 735 742 757
and, change the "Modes" value in the "Display" subsection from "1280x720" to "1280x720@60".

Same results =(, I tried both things, and got basically the same thing =(. A 16:9 image in a 4:3 box.

I do also notice when the box boots the splash screen is also shown in a 4:3 box, but I dont think thats related because on my lcd tv is does the same thing and when xbmc finally boots, its full 16:9 glory.

Any other thoughts, I'll post my xorg as well and log just to make sure I didnt do something wrong, This is the log from my reciever I tried to also feed it through my reciever to see if that would help =(.

log
---
root@skyfire:/var/log# vi Xorg.0.log
(**) NVIDIA(0): Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
(**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling RENDER acceleration
(II) NVIDIA(0): Support for GLX with the Damage and Composite X extensions is
(II) NVIDIA(0): enabled.
(II) NVIDIA(0): NVIDIA GPU GeForce 9300 / nForce 730i (C79) at PCI:3:0:0
(II) NVIDIA(0): (GPU-0)
(--) NVIDIA(0): Memory: 524288 kBytes
(--) NVIDIA(0): VideoBIOS: 62.79.34.00.00
(--) NVIDIA(0): Interlaced video modes are supported on this GPU
(--) NVIDIA(0): Connected display device(s) on GeForce 9300 / nForce 730i at
(--) NVIDIA(0): PCI:3:0:0:
(--) NVIDIA(0): SONY AVAMP (DFP-0)
(--) NVIDIA(0): SONY AVAMP (DFP-0): 165.0 MHz maximum pixel clock
(--) NVIDIA(0): SONY AVAMP (DFP-0): Internal Single Link TMDS
(II) NVIDIA(0): Assigned Display Device: DFP-0
(II) NVIDIA(0): Validated modes:
(II) NVIDIA(0): "1280x720@60"
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 1280 x 720
(WW) NVIDIA(0): SONY AVAMP (DFP-0)'s EDID does not contain a maximum image
(WW) NVIDIA(0): size; cannot compute DPI from SONY AVAMP (DFP-0)'s EDID.
(==) NVIDIA(0): DPI set to (75, 75); computed from built-in default
(**) NVIDIA(0): Enabling 32-bit ARGB GLX visuals.
(--) Depth 24 pixmap format is 32 bpp

---

Xorg.conf file
----

root@skyfire:/etc/X11# vi xorg.conf
Driver "mouse"
Option "Protocol" "auto"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Emulate3Buttons" "no"
Option "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"

# generated from default
Identifier "Keyboard0"
Driver "kbd"
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Monitor0"
# VendorName "Unknown"
# ModelName "Unknown"
Option "DPMS"
HorizSync 15.0 - 81.0
VertRefresh 43.0 - 100.0
Modeline "1280x720@60" 73.78 1280 1312 1592 1624 720 735 742 757
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Device0"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "NVIDIA Corporation"
EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Screen0"
Device "Device0"
Monitor "Monitor0"
DefaultDepth 24
Option "NoLogo"
Option "DynamicTwinView" "false"
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "True"
Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "True"
Option "FlatPanelProperties" "Scaling = Native"
SubSection "Display"
Modes "1280x720@60"
Depth 24
EndSubSection
EndSection

----

I wonder if this may be a problem?
(WW) NVIDIA(0): image size; cannot compute DPI from

Really appreciate all the help, so aggraviting to be so close, yet so far!

This is correct:

(II) NVIDIA(0): Validated modes:
(II) NVIDIA(0): "1280x720@60"
(II) NVIDIA(0): Virtual screen size determined to be 1280 x 720

DPI doesn't matter for resolution, plus you can override it in xorg.conf. If XBMC is running at 1280x720 also, then there must be a setting in your projector that you're overlooking. Might have to call India. :D

Hmms, everything else shows up as 16:9 fine on the project, cable box, 360 etc, damnit, I was hoping it was something stupid.

Hmmms, somehow I dont think India is gonna support this one... I'll start re-reading the manual. Thanks for all help, let me know if you think of anything else...

Sure -- maybe someone else here will spot something I'm missing. Might want to try the nvnews forums, also. Sorry I couldn't get you any further.

Dood, you were fantastic! I trully appreciate all the help you have given me. Please don't consider my last any reflection at all on you, more my frustration with myself. I'll try the nvnews forums as well to see if they have something. I am also going to try to hook up a windows box and see how that behaves *gulp*.

Thanks again you rock!

What happens when you give your monitor 1920x1080i (set your desktop resolution to 1080i)? Looks like it supports that as input - I'm just curious. I know you would rather give it it's native resolution. Is this connected via HDMI?

I'll give it a shot right now, currently I am running hdmi -> dvi adapter because the projector only has dvi in. I'll report back shortly

Ok, that basically had the same effect, but I do have something interesting to report. I have a button on the projector that will tell me the signal info, and regardless of what selection I choose in xbmc it says:
Resolution: 1280x1024
Hor Freq: 63.9
Vert Freq: 60hz

Does that help at all?

I'll give it a shot right now, currently I am running hdmi -> dvi adapter because the projector only has dvi in. I'll report back shortly

Any chance you could just use a DVI-D cable and take the adapter out of the equation?

I'm running an old MythTV setup here with an older NVIDIA driver so perhaps this won't work for you, but maybe worth a try. Here is my Device section:


Section "Device"
Identifier "Card0"
Option "NvAGP" "3"
Option "MetaModes" "1920x1080"
Option "RenderAccel" "1"
Option "UseEDID" "0"
Option "UseEvents" "True"
Driver "nvidia"
VendorName "All"
BoardName "All"
EndSection


I have an old RP TV that only has component in. The "MetaModes" option made it so I didn't have to supply a modeline. Perhaps you could try:

Option "MetaModes" "1280x720"

...(cue my monthly anti-Sony displays rant)

The moral of this thread- AVOID Sony displays- projectors, panels, RPTV's, etc. They nearly ALWAYS have issues connecting with PC's, regardless of OS.

I just delivered an X2 5000BE/Nvidia 7050/Kworld 115 Ubuntu 8.04.2/Mythbuntu media PC to a coworker, and it came up at 1360x768 automagically on first bootup on his 2008 vintage 50" LG 1360x768 plasma, even though I had set the desktop to 1280x720 at my house before taking it over. And this was over VGA! No muss, no fuss, no modelines, no nuthin', and perfect picture.

If you're planning to buy a display and plan to connect a media PC- DON'T BUY a SONY. If you have a Sony display now and plan to build a media PC- SELL THE SONY and get almost anything else- Olevia, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Samsung, LG, etc.

This concludes this month's public service announcement :D

Umm, it's a sharp not a sony or is sharp owned by sony now??? And my Sharp LCD worked like a charm =). I gotta try to find a dvi cable today and take that adapter out of the equation.

Umm, it's a sharp not a sony or is sharp owned by sony now??? And my Sharp LCD worked like a charm =). I gotta try to find a dvi cable today and take that adapter out of the equation.

Sorry- was referring to the OP-

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15834749&postcount=1

No worries, hoping to get that dvi cable today to try that.

Found this little gem as well, going to try this tonight with disabling edi#...

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1003099&page=2

...(cue my monthly anti-Sony displays rant)

The moral of this thread- AVOID Sony displays- projectors, panels, RPTV's, etc. They nearly ALWAYS have issues connecting with PC's, regardless of OS.

I just delivered an X2 5000BE/Nvidia 7050/Kworld 115 Ubuntu 8.04.2/Mythbuntu media PC to a coworker, and it came up at 1360x768 automagically on first bootup on his 2008 vintage 50" LG 1360x768 plasma, even though I had set the desktop to 1280x720 at my house before taking it over. And this was over VGA! No muss, no fuss, no modelines, no nuthin', and perfect picture.

If you're planning to buy a display and plan to connect a media PC- DON'T BUY a SONY. If you have a Sony display now and plan to build a media PC- SELL THE SONY and get almost anything else- Olevia, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Samsung, LG, etc.

This concludes this month's public service announcement :D

I now realize this! Lesson learned for next time! but I am still going to try a bit more to get it to work before I give up:)

Following a suggestion here (http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-use-linux-ddcprobe-command/). I have the sync frequencyes from my TV. Not sure if they are as wrong as the EDID data but they are:

HorizSync 15 - 46
VertRefresh 59 - 61

Plugged these into a modeline calculator here

http://xtiming.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xtiming.pl

and at first it gave me an error that it was over the HorizSync. I then changed the refresh to 60 (it defaulted to 61) and then received this modeline

"1280x720@60" 73.78 1280 1312 1592 1624 720 735 742 757

which... didn't work.

Not sure where to go from here. If I get a chance I will test the HDMI with another monitor and see how well that works. But I have tried most every other "Standard" modeline and the best I can get is on for a brief instant and then blank screen.

Any ideas??

Following a suggestion here (http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-use-linux-ddcprobe-command/). I have the sync frequencyes from my TV. Not sure if they are as wrong as the EDID data but they are:

HorizSync 15 - 46
VertRefresh 59 - 61

Plugged these into a modeline calculator here

http://xtiming.sourceforge.net/cgi-bin/xtiming.pl

and at first it gave me an error that it was over the HorizSync. I then changed the refresh to 60 (it defaulted to 61) and then received this modeline

"1280x720@60" 73.78 1280 1312 1592 1624 720 735 742 757

which... didn't work.

Not sure where to go from here. If I get a chance I will test the HDMI with another monitor and see how well that works. But I have tried most every other "Standard" modeline and the best I can get is on for a brief instant and then blank screen.

Any ideas??

That's a good find. I wasn't aware of that utility. Can you attach the full output from it (ddcprobe)?

If you're planning to buy a display and plan to connect a media PC- DON'T BUY a SONY. If you have a Sony display now and plan to build a media PC- SELL THE SONY and get almost anything else- Olevia, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Samsung, LG, etc.

I hate to disagree with rgb, but my experience has been quite different.

I have never had any problems connecting my Sony KDL40V-3000 to an NVidia 6600 adapter using either an HDMI-DVI adapter or VGA. The nVidia Settings applet correctly diagnoses the TV's EDID and sets the resolution accordingly. I have had the tiny font problem with initial Ubuntu Intrepid installs on this setup, but after adding
Option "DVI" "100x100"
to the Screen section in xorg.conf all works as advertised. (I don't think this is Sony's problem, though; it seems rather common when HDTVs are used as the display device.)

Of course, YMMV.

That's a good find. I wasn't aware of that utility. Can you attach the full output from it (ddcprobe)?

I will post the full output tonight.

Here are the results of

sudo ddcprobe | less



vbe: VESA 3.0 detected.
oem: Intel(r)GM965/PM965/GL960 Graphics Chip Accelerated VGA BIOS
vendor: Intel Corporation
product: Intel(r)GM965/PM965/GL960 Graphics Controller Hardware Version 0.0
memory: 7616kb
mode: 1280x1024x256
mode: 1280x1024x64k
mode: 1280x1024x16m
mode: 1024x768x256
mode: 1024x768x64k
mode: 1024x768x16m
mode: 640x480x16m
mode: 800x600x64k
mode: 800x600x16m
mode: 640x480x256
mode: 800x600x256
mode: 640x480x64k
edid:
edid: 1 3
id: 01f8
eisa: SNY01f8
serial: 01010101
manufacture: 0 2004
input: analog signal.
screensize: 0 0
gamma: 2.200000
dpms: RGB, no active off, no suspend, no standby
timing: 640x480@75 Hz (VESA)
dtiming: 1920x540@67
dtiming: 720x480@59
monitorname: SONY TV
monitorrange: 15-46, 59-61
~
~
~
~

And here is the results of xrandr --verbose


Screen 0: minimum 320 x 200, current 1280 x 800, maximum 1280 x 1280
VGA disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
Identifier: 0x4b
Timestamp: 25815
Subpixel: unknown
Clones:
CRTCs: 0 1
LVDS connected 1280x800+0+0 (0x4f) normal (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 331mm x 207mm
Identifier: 0x4c
Timestamp: 25815
Subpixel: horizontal rgb
Clones:
CRTC: 1
CRTCs: 1
EDID_DATA:
00ffffffffffff004ca3583300000000
00110103802115780a87f594574f8c27
27505400000001010101010101010101
010101010101d61b0090502022301030
13004bcf100000190000000f00000000
00000000002387026400000000fe0058
553130350431353458330a20000000fe
00263640476a8fc6ff01010a20200084
BACKLIGHT_CONTROL: kernel
supported: native legacy combination kernel
BACKLIGHT: 7 (0x00000007) range: (0,7)
1280x800 (0x4f) 71.3MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 1280 start 1296 end 1344 total 1424 skew 0 clock 50.0KHz
v: height 800 start 801 end 804 total 834 clock 60.0Hz
1280x800 (0x50) 83.5MHz
h: width 1280 start 1344 end 1480 total 1680 skew 0 clock 49.7KHz
v: height 800 start 801 end 804 total 828 clock 60.0Hz
1280x768 (0x51) 80.1MHz
h: width 1280 start 1344 end 1480 total 1680 skew 0 clock 47.7KHz
v: height 768 start 769 end 772 total 795 clock 60.0Hz
1024x768 (0x52) 65.0MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 1024 start 1048 end 1184 total 1344 skew 0 clock 48.4KHz
v: height 768 start 771 end 777 total 806 clock 60.0Hz
800x600 (0x53) 40.0MHz +HSync +VSync
h: width 800 start 840 end 968 total 1056 skew 0 clock 37.9KHz
v: height 600 start 601 end 605 total 628 clock 60.3Hz
640x480 (0x54) 25.2MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 640 start 656 end 752 total 800 skew 0 clock 31.5KHz
v: height 480 start 490 end 492 total 525 clock 59.9Hz
TMDS-1 connected 1280x720+0+0 (0x55) normal (normal left inverted right x axis y axis) 16mm x 9mm
Identifier: 0x4d
Timestamp: 25815
Subpixel: horizontal rgb
Clones:
CRTC: 0
CRTCs: 0 1
EDID_DATA:
00ffffffffffff004dd9f80101010101
000e0103800000780a0dc9a057479827
12484c20000001010101010101010101
010101010101011d8018711c1620582c
250010090000009e8c0ad08a20e02d10
103e9600040300000018000000fc0053
4f4e592054560a2020202020000000fd
003b3d0f2e08000a20202020202001df
ATSC-720-59.94p (0x55) 74.2MHz
h: width 1280 start 1320 end 1376 total 1650 skew 0 clock 45.0KHz
v: height 720 start 722 end 728 total 750 clock 59.9Hz
720x480 (0x56) 27.0MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 720 start 736 end 798 total 858 skew 0 clock 31.5KHz
v: height 480 start 489 end 495 total 525 clock 59.9Hz
640x480 (0x57) 25.2MHz -HSync -VSync
h: width 640 start 656 end 752 total 800 skew 0 clock 31.5KHz
v: height 480 start 490 end 492 total 525 clock 60.0Hz
TV disconnected (normal left inverted right x axis y axis)
Identifier: 0x4e
Timestamp: 25815
Subpixel: unknown
Clones:
CRTCs: 0 1
BOTTOM: 37 (0x00000025) range: (0,100)
RIGHT: 46 (0x0000002e) range: (0,100)
TOP: 36 (0x00000024) range: (0,100)
LEFT: 54 (0x00000036) range: (0,100)
TV_FORMAT: NTSC-M
supported: NTSC-M NTSC-443 NTSC-J PAL-M
PAL-N PAL

And here is my xorg.conf it is a bit of a mess as I have been trying a bunch of different things. :o

# xorg.conf (X.Org X Window System server configuration file)
#
# This file was generated by dexconf, the Debian X Configuration tool, using
# values from the debconf database.
#
# Edit this file with caution, and see the xorg.conf manual page.
# (Type "man xorg.conf" at the shell prompt.)
#
# This file is automatically updated on xserver-xorg package upgrades *only*
# if it has not been modified since the last upgrade of the xserver-xorg
# package.
#
# If you have edited this file but would like it to be automatically updated
# again, run the following command:
# sudo dpkg-reconfigure -phigh xserver-xorg

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Generic Keyboard"
Driver "kbd"
Option "XkbRules" "xorg"
Option "XkbModel" "pc105"
Option "XkbLayout" "us"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Configured Mouse"
Driver "mouse"
Option "CorePointer"
EndSection

Section "InputDevice"
Identifier "Synaptics Touchpad"
Driver "synaptics"
Option "SendCoreEvents" "true"
Option "Device" "/dev/psaux"
Option "Protocol" "auto-dev"
Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "0"
EndSection

Section "Device"
Identifier "Configured Video Device"

#added line below to try to get HDMI to work
Option "monitor-TMDS-1" "HDMI"

EndSection

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "Configured Monitor"
EndSection

#added next section (to the nexe EndSection) to try and get HDMI to work

Section "Monitor"
Identifier "HDMI"

Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "TRUE"
Option "IgnoreEDID" "true"
Option "UseEDID" "FALSE"
Option "UseEdidFreqs" "false"


HorizSync 15 - 46
VertRefresh 59 - 61

##AM## -- kicked the TV into anamporphic mode
##AM-OUT## -- kicked the TV into anamporphic mode and then kicked back out
##XX## -- TV didn't seem to respond at all

#DTV-StandardModes

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-59.94i" 11.958 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525 Interlace

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-60i" 11.97 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525 Interlace

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-59.94p" 23.916 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-60p" 23.94 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480a-59.94i" 11.958 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525 Interlace

#ModeLine "ATSC-480a-60i" 11.97 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525 Interlace

#ModeLine "ATSC-480a-59.94p" 23.916 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480a-60p" 23.94 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

ModeLine "ATSC-720-59.94p" 74.176 1280 1320 1376 1650 720 722 728 750

##AM##ModeLine "ATSC-720-60p" 74.25 1280 1320 1376 1650 720 722 728 750

##ModeLine "ATSC-1080-59.94i" 74.176 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 Interlace

##ModeLine "ATSC-1080-60i" 74.25 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 Interlace





#DTV-PCTweakedModes

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-59.94p" 23.916 640 664 736 760 480 482 488 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-60p" 23.94 640 664 736 760 480 482 488 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-71.93p" 28.699 640 664 736 760 480 482 488 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-72p" 28.728 640 664 736 760 480 482 488 525

##ModeLine "ATSC-720-59.94p" 74.086 1280 1320 1376 1648 720 722 728 750

##ModeLine "ATSC-720-60p" 74.16 1280 1320 1376 1648 720 722 728 750

#ModeLine "ATSC-720-71.93p" 88.903 1280 1320 1376 1648 720 722 728 750

#ModeLine "ATSC-720-72p" 88.992 1280 1320 1376 1648 720 722 728 750

##AM-OUT## ModeLine "ATSC-1080-59.94i" 74.176 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 Interlace

#ModeLine "ATSC-1080-60i" 74.25 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 Interlace



#RANDOM MODLINEs

##AM## ModeLine "ATSC-720-59.94p" 74.086 1280 1320 1376 1648 720 722 728 750

##Modeline "1080i STD" 74.184 1920 1960 2008 2200 1080 1084 1094 1124 +hsync -vsync interlace

##ModeLine "1080i STD" 74.250 1920 2008 2048 2200 1080 1084 1094 1125 Interlace

#ModeLine "720p" 74.176 1280 1320 1376 1650 720 722 728 750 Interlace

#ModeLine "1280x720" 74.25 1280 1390 1430 1648 720 725 732 752 +hsync +vsync

#ModeLine "648x441" 27.000 648 704 768 856 441 466 472 525 -hsync -vsync
##ModeLine "Northbear" 72.4 1920 2008 2052 2200 1080 1084 1094 1124 +hsync +vsync Interlace
##ModeLine "ATSC-1080i" 74.176 1920 2008 2052 2200 1080 1085 1095 1125 +hsync +vsync Interlace
##AM## ModeLine "ATSC-720p" 74.176 1280 1390 1430 1650 720 725 730 750 +hsync +vsync

##XX##Modeline "1280x720@60" 73.78 1280 1312 1592 1624 720 735 742 757
##XX##Modeline "1280x720@59" 73.69 1280 1312 1592 1624 720 735 742 757
##AM-OUT## Modeline "1280x720@60" 63.20 1280 1312 1352 1384 720 735 742 757




#DTV-MovieModes

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-71.93p" 28.699 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-72p" 28.728 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-119.88p" 47.832 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-480-120p" 47.88 640 664 736 760 480 484 492 525

#ModeLine "ATSC-720-71.93p" 89.011 1280 1296 1360 1650 720 722 728 750

#ModeLine "ATSC-720-72p" 89.1 1280 1296 1360 1650 720 722 728 750

#ModeLine "ATSC-720-119.88p" 148.351 1280 1296 1360 1650 720 722 728 750

#ModeLine "ATSC-720-120p" 148.5 1280 1296 1360 1650 720 722 728 750

#ModeLine "ATSC-1080-71.93i" 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 Interlace

#ModeLine "ATSC-1080-72i" 1920 1960 2016 2200 1080 1082 1088 1125 Interlace


Option "PreferredMode" "ATSC-720-59.94p"

EndSection

Section "Screen"
Identifier "Default Screen"
Monitor "Configured Monitor"
Device "Configured Video Device"
EndSection

Section "ServerLayout"
Identifier "Default Layout"
Screen "Default Screen"
InputDevice "Synaptics Touchpad"
EndSection

The result at this point is the same as I allways get. When Ubuntu starts up I see the mouse for an instant on the TV then blank screen. The screen on the laptop (Dell 1525) works just fine.

Any thoughts?

Well, I have to admit that you're getting over my head at this point, and since that's an Intel card, I really don't know who to point you to for more help.

I'll have another look at it tomorrow and see if anything comes to mind.

Maybe some other folks here will be able to help, also.

Well, I have to admit that you're getting over my head at this point, and since that's an Intel card, I really don't know who to point you to for more help.

I'll have another look at it tomorrow and see if anything comes to mind.

Maybe some other folks here will be able to help, also.

Thats alright... I think I was over my head a while ago :D

Using S-video works. So far I am only using it to watch the random TV show I missed (SNL) and the quality is better then my alternative (Taping with the VCR)

If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. Otherwise I think I am going to give it a rest for a while.

Well, just wanted to write back here guys and thank you all again for your help. It is apparently a projector limitation and the projector only supports a 4:3 image from any pc =(.

If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. Otherwise I think I am going to give it a rest for a while.

Well with Ubuntu 9.04 out now I downloaded the live CD to try it out. I booted it up with the HDMI plugged in AND IT WORKED!!!!! :D:D:D I may need to configure resolutions etc, but I actually got a picture on the screen which looked great! Next step is to upgrade the laptop to 9.04 and go from there!

Thought I would give an update!