Setting up Powerstrip to yield 1:1 Pixel Mapping on Sony A10 LCD RPTV [Text View]

Mr.Pibb

04-24-06, 08:02 PM

I recently purchased a Sony LCD RPTV (50A10) and I think I have near perfect timings set up through my 6600GT using the VGA PC input. I think these settings will work on both the 50A10 and the 42A10 with most video cards. There have been a couple people that have had problems, but I suspect that there might have been problems with Powerstrip not applying the resolution properly.

I've posted my results on the A10 thread in the RPTV section, but I've been getting lots of questions. I'd like to set up a "Tutorial" for setting up this TV (and maybe help others setting up other TV's).

This only works when using the VGA PC input on the TV. When using the HDMI input, I cannot yield satisfactory results (see below). If you are able to yield 1:1 pixel mapping with HDMI, please reply to the post with your timings and settings!

First, you'll need to have powerstrip installed. If you aren't familiar with Powerstrip check out Karnis's custom resolution guide in the HTPC section, it's stickied on top.

Now, FYI, for those who don't know what 1:1 pixel mapping means:
It really has little to do with how much of the screen the picture fills. It has everything to do with one single pixel of the computer output matching exactly with a single pixel on the display device. Even though the sony LCD's have a total 1280x720 resolution, some of the pixels are "hidden" outside the visible screen area. Because of this, a special screen resolution must be created to fit the screen with little/no overscan.

This is what the screen should look like with 1:1 pixel mapping:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/IMG_2119.jpg
Notice how the pixels in the text and the mouse match exactly the pixels on the display.

And this is what it looks like when I either don't have 1:1 pixel mapping and/or when I am using HDMI:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/IMG_2120.jpg
Notice how the pixels are blurred. What should be one pixel is blurred across a few pixels.
______
Edit:
JMV was nice enough to share a bitmap he made to verify 1:1 pixel mapping, and he's given me permission to share with everyone. You can download it here:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/720P_test.jpg
Just set it as your background image, centered not stretched.
The left section has individual alternating black/white pixels and the right region is divided with half 1 pixel wide vertical lines and the other half 1 pixel tall horizontal lines.
______

I'm going to try to go through this step by step. Please let me know if you have any corrections/additions. Please don't PM me with questions, but rather post here in this thread. It helps everyone solve their problems as well.

Well...Here we go!...

First, you'll need to have powerstrip installed. If you don't have it, you can get it here:
http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm
If you aren't familiar with Powerstrip check out Karnis's custom resolution guide (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=206854) in the HTPC section, it's stickied on top. That's a great source for info about Powerstrip.

Now, copy the ENTIRE section between the lines (__________) to the clipboard:

________________________________________

PowerStrip timing parameters:
1224x688=1224,104,128,208,688,45,5,58,79393,274

Generic timing details for 1224x688:
HFP=104 HSW=128 HBP=208 kHz=48 VFP=45 VSW=5 VBP=58 Hz=60

VESA detailed timing:
PClk=79.39 H.Active=1224 H.Blank=440 H.Offset=88 HSW=128 V.Active=688 V.Blank=108 V.Offset=45 VSW=5

Linux modeline parameters:
"1224x688" 79.393 1224 1328 1456 1664 688 733 738 796 -hsync +vsync
___________________________________________

You should be doing this:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/1Copy.jpg

Now, Open the display profiles section of Powerstrip:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/2powerstrip1.jpg

Open the "advanced timing" section:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/3powerstripadvancedtiming.jpg

Then go to "custom resolutions":

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/4PowerstripCustomResolutions.jpg

Now click the "paste timings from clipboard" button:

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/5powerstrippastetimings.jpg

Then click "add new resolution"

Depending on your video card and drivers, you may or may not have to reboot.

If you did not have to reboot, you can say "ok" to letting it switch to the resolution. If you did have to reboot, go back to the display profiles screen and select the new 1224x688 resolution. You should have 1:1 pixel mapping that just fits the screen!

TV Setup:
You may not have 1:1 pixel mapping yet depending on how the TV responded to the timing.
Make sure you are using "zoom" mode and not "full 1" or "full 2".
Select "text" mode, video mode crushes blacks and whites and turns the advanced iris on (to high, I think).
I noticed that if it looks like the pixels are close but don't match exactly you may have to adjust the "Phase" setting to line it up. My TV "auto adjusted" incorrectly the first time but hit it right when I made it readjust again.
You can make small tweaks to the horizontal adjustment on the TV settings. I used this to fix my screen being offset by a few pixels. If you need to make larger changes, use the "arrows" in the "advanced timing" of Powerstrip. DO NOT CHANGE THE SCREEN SIZE USING THESE BUTTONS!! See below for instructions if you have overscan/underscan.

Now, when watching movies, I use Theatertek and set 16:9 movies to 1280x720. This give you some overscan and allows you to scale the vertical resolution of the movie exactly by 1.5. 4:3 movies I set to 960x720.

If you are using other software, or if you don't want to customize your aspect ratios, you can also use the following timing. It give you some overscan, and you probably won't be able to see the task bar or scroll bars, but it is a "perfect" 1280x720 resolution

----------------------------------------------------------------------
PowerStrip timing parameters:
1280x720=1280,80,128,176,720,27,5,44,79392,2050

Generic timing details for 1280x720:
HFP=80 HSW=128 HBP=176 kHz=48 VFP=27 VSW=5 VBP=44 Hz=60

VESA detailed timing details:
PClk=79.39 H.Active=1280 H.Blank=384 H.Offset=64 HSW=128 V.Active=720 V.Blank=76 V.Offset=27 VSW=5

Linux modeline parameters:
"1280x720" 79.392 1280 1360 1488 1664 720 747 752 796 -hsync +vsync
---------------------------------------------------------------------

There may be other timings that yield 1:1 pixel mapping, but I like this one because I can achieve a "perfect" 59.94Hz refresh rate. This is very tough to achieve with nVidia cards because the clock that controls the timings doesn't have the "resolution" that many other cards have.

Problems?
A few people have been having problems getting these to work. I think sometimes it has been that Powerstrip just isn't communicating with the drivers properly or a previous (incorrect) timing had already been applied that is still "sticking" in Powerstrip. One way to fix this seems to be to REMOVE the custom resolution and then re-create it. Another option that seems to work is to uninstall and then reinstall your video drivers.

To remove the resolution, go back to the "custom resolutions" screen, select the "user defined" bullet, select the resolution, and click "remove resolution"

Overscan/Underscan Issues
If you still have overscan/underscan you can modify this timing and still yield the same results.
Go to the "custom resolutions" screen, paste the current timing in (if it isn't already there). Now check the "lock total geometry" box. Most of the timings should be grayed out, but the resolution on top can be modified. Increase the numbers if you have underscan, decrease them if you have overscan. I believe that the numbers must always be multiples of 8. Once you have a resolution that you think will work, click the "add new resolution" button just like before.

I hope this helps you, and I'll try to update the information as people give me feedback.

tbird2340

04-25-06, 12:01 PM

Pibb, when using your first config:

________________________________________

PowerStrip timing parameters:
1224x688=1224,104,128,208,688,45,5,58,79393,274

Generic timing details for 1224x688:
HFP=104 HSW=128 HBP=208 kHz=48 VFP=45 VSW=5 VBP=58 Hz=60

VESA detailed timing:
PClk=79.39 H.Active=1224 H.Blank=440 H.Offset=88 HSW=128 V.Active=688 V.Blank=108 V.Offset=45 VSW=5

Linux modeline parameters:
"1224x688" 79.393 1224 1328 1456 1664 688 733 738 796 -hsync +vsync
___________________________________________

I have almost 3" of black all around my desktop area..

Mr.Pibb

04-25-06, 12:39 PM

krimson

04-25-06, 12:40 PM

Tbird, are you sure you are on "zoom" mode and not "full 1" or "full 2". The A10 will default to downsizing the screen to avoid overscan.

Mr.Pibb

04-25-06, 12:41 PM

Tbird, are you sure you are on "zoom" mode and not "full 1" or "full 2". The A10 will default to downsizing the screen to avoid overscan.

yes, I didn't think about that. Make sure you are using Zoom mode if you are using the VGA input.

tbird2340

04-25-06, 12:47 PM

No, I switched over to VGA.

tbird2340

04-25-06, 12:49 PM

Tbird, are you sure you are on "zoom" mode and not "full 1" or "full 2". The A10 will default to downsizing the screen to avoid overscan.

I will check that when I get home.

Thanks!

tbird2340

04-26-06, 06:46 AM

That surely did work!! Thanks much!

thosj

04-26-06, 08:59 PM

Just a quick note to let everyone know this works beautifully with an AIW9800 on my E42A10.

It might be very very slightly overscanned, but pixel mapping is perfect and it's very readable from 10 feet even with 60 year old eyes and glasses!!

Very nice Mr.Pibb, thanks for taking the time. I did notice that these timings are slightly less than the 1232 x 696 you originally recommended (8 pixels both ways!) and that fixed me up just great.

velvet396

04-27-06, 12:22 AM

EDIT: Nevermind. Everything looks great Mr. Pibb!!!

stim

05-02-06, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the tutorial. I was doing everything correctly before, but it just wouldn't work. I updated my video drivers and now it is working! :)

It was off center at first (by several inches), but I was able to fix that by adjusting the positioning in power strip -- the auto adjustment on the TV did nothing for that.

ramsinks

05-03-06, 11:40 AM

Mr.Pibb

05-03-06, 12:39 PM

I've been pulling my hair out with HDMI and a 9600XT. (just got my TV last night.. im tired today..)

I appriciate the tut man. I'll try VGA tonight and these settings. Anything I'm "loosing" by going with an analog VGA vs HDMI? Other than the obvious not keeping everything digital.

Also, think this will fix the issue of the system going to 640x480 whenever I reboot? Everytime. (un-installing and re-installing CAT drivers didn't work.

Thanks man.

The only thing you "lose" are some of the video adjustments on the TV. Of course, all those video adjustments are just processing the incoming signal and modifying it anyway, so I guess you probably aren't missing much. To me the VGA input looks FAR better than the HDMI coming from the PC. It may fix the system reverting to a lower resolution. It's possible that it's getting confused by the HDMI handshake with the TV?

ramsinks

05-03-06, 01:13 PM

Ya maybe. Kewl man.
Too bad Sony dons't have an .INF driver file somewhere...

I have some DVD Essintials to tune her up with as well.
;)

ramsinks

05-04-06, 12:06 AM

Mr.Pibb

05-04-06, 06:43 AM

Thanks so much man! In about 5min everything works now!

So now PowerDVD5, XP and all look great. But now the TV HD channles are a bit odd. The people on the TV look "fat" or.. "short" a bit. I am using the ATI TV 9.13 HD software. (ATi HD tuner). It looked better before. Anyway of just changing the TV software to make it look better? I know ATi TV software sucks, but it seems no other TV software likes the ATi HD tuner yet.

Thanks man~
Burke~

The ATI software may not recognize the resolution as a 16:9 resolution. Maybe use my timing for 1280x720 when using the ATI software and see if it works better. You will have overscan, but it is a more "standard" resolution. You may also want to see if there is some sort of aspect ratio control in the ATI software.

ramsinks

05-04-06, 10:36 AM

Mr.Pibb

05-04-06, 10:49 AM

Ya thanks. I need to keep it simple for the wife. Easy way of clicking an icon to change back and forth rez? I might just use the TV tuner - but the goal was not to change inputs ever again. I assume you are using the TV tuner?

Thanks again.

(I notice some steam in your TSR's. You play Red Orchestra by chance?)

Nope, just HL2DM and Counterstrike Source occasionally. It's hard to find time to play with two young kids, so when I do play I usually suck horribly.

Somewhere in Powerstrip you can make a shortcut to the resolution. I don't know where exactly (not installed on this computer). You can also set up keyboard shortcuts as well or profiles that select a specific resolution based on the program that is being run.

ramsinks

05-04-06, 11:18 AM

profiles that select a specific resolution based on the program that is being run.

Yes, this is pressssiousssss.. needs pressiousss..

"Set to (that first one in the tut) always"
"Set to (that second one) for TV software"
I'll see if I can find out how.

Thanks

godisi

05-05-06, 12:49 AM

anyone tried this with the nvidia series???i have a 6800gt

thanks

Mr.Pibb

05-05-06, 06:08 AM

anyone tried this with the nvidia series???i have a 6800gt

thanks

I have a 6600GT on my HTPC! (Ignore the ATI icon in the screen shots of the tutorial, I was doing it on my regular PC.)

For the most part this seems to work on both ATI and nVidia cards.

ramsinks

05-07-06, 02:39 PM

ryansebiz

05-07-06, 04:23 PM

mr. pibb,

first off thanks for all the detail and time you put into this guide. someone at sony should be paying you for this.

i've followed your post in the official a10 thread and this guide. my problem is that when i use your custom res in powerstrip the image is compressed on screen and i cannot select zoom mode (only full 1 is an option).

this happens when i use your 1232x696 res (from the a10 thread) and this thread's 1224x688 res. either one it distorts the image into a very small space.

your custom 1280x720 res leaves a black border in full mode (as you describe in the first topic). in zoom mode it chops off the outer 20 or so pixels.

i've read through both threads several times. i've uninstalled and reinstalled powerstrip multiple times and used different approaches but nothing works. i've ran auto adjustment on the tv many times as well but it doesn't help.

how can i get this to work?

thanks again for all your help.

ryansebiz

05-07-06, 05:21 PM

i fixed it!

i think in installing your custom res from the a10 thread i must have messed something up, since it had the horizontal distortion problem with both resolutions.

so i completely uninstalled my display drivers, uninstaleld powerstrip, then reinstalled both. i then followed this guide and got PERFECT 1:1 pixel mapping without the outer pixels getting chopped off.

THANK YOU MR. PIBB!

Mr.Pibb

05-07-06, 08:26 PM

Cool, I just finally sat down in front of my computer and saw your pm's and then your post here. I'm glad it worked! It seems like things must get "stuck" in the drivers or in Powerstrip. I'm wondering which uninstall/reinstall fixed it: Powerstrip or the drivers, or maybe it took a combination of the two.

Since the 1280x720 looked right, I knew it should work fine for the other resolutions as long as the info was being sent correctly. They are really the same timings, just with modified blanking areas to decrease the visible resolution.

Mr.Pibb

05-07-06, 08:30 PM

Mr. P.

Thanks for the tut again. Everthing is kick'n.

I decided to drop the ATi HD tuner (software sucks). I now use the built in tuner - works great. I 'll just use the ATi when I want to record something..

With these settings is it normal to watch a widescreen DVD (with powerdvd or zoomplayer) and sill have those black bars on the top and bottom? When I watch My Name is Erl or The Office on the TV tuner - those widescreen shows fill up the whole TV and look great. But on the PC the widescreen DVD movies have the black bars. I did no changes to the DVD software - but maybe I need too.

Thanks again.
Burke~

First, many widescreen DVD's are at an aspect ratio greater than 16:9, so a bar on top and bottom is normal on many of them. Now, if the bars are on the side then you need to adjust the aspect ratio in your software. I know this can be done in Theatertek, but I have no idea if it can be adjusted in other DVD playing software.

ryansebiz

05-07-06, 09:02 PM

I'm wondering which uninstall/reinstall fixed it: Powerstrip or the drivers, or maybe it took a combination of the two.

it was uninstalling and reinstalling the display drivers that fixed my problem.

so if anyone out there is getting a horizontally distorted image that's what you need to do.

ramsinks

05-08-06, 11:03 AM

No, just top and bottom.
Thanks bro~

virtual.rx

05-10-06, 03:25 AM

Mr.Pibb

05-10-06, 05:50 AM

The only screen modes I have listed are 'pixel x pixel', 'full1' and 'full2'.

I have been trying to feed different resolutions but it goes 'out of range' whatever resolution I choose.

1024x768 is the only one thats working.

Could it be due to the tv being the european model A11?

Is there any fix (service menu) that could remedy this dilemma?

Hmm, it could very well have something to do with it being the A11. I know I don't have a "pixel x pixel" option in the menu anywhere on mine.
verify a few things for me:
You are using the VGA input, correct?
You've followed the procedure listed above?
You've added the timings listed above?
Have you tried uninstalling and then re-installing your video drivers?

In addition to my timings above, you may want to try some of the pre-configured Powerstrip timings. there are quite a few that are at least close on my TV. Most of them. Try timings that are around 1280x720. Some have had decent luck using 1280x768 timings to get started anyway.

rodman

05-10-06, 05:26 PM

Question from a new owner of Diamond 9250 256 video card:
I've got the card hooked up to my Samsung ED-tv via a DV-I to Component cable. All I get is garbled screen. I have Powerstrip software, but unsure how to set it up. I believe I just need proper settings to synch with tv. I previously had gotten my desktop onto the tv using the s-video output...but could never see the actual video displaying in the powerdvd player on the screen (video was playing in powerdvd on the computer monitor). Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Mr.Pibb

05-10-06, 07:38 PM

hmm, this is outside the realm of anything I've worked with before. If you have a second monitor that you can hook up you should be able to at least see Powerstrip settings. If you go to the add new resolution screen there are a bunch of pre configured timings listed. I bet there is one that will at least get you started! You may want to make a new thread with this question too because I bet there are others who have run in to this before!

ramsinks

05-10-06, 10:44 PM

One last question.
At the 1224x688 settings, this is still "up-scalling" DVD's right?
Reguardless of playback software...
(I use ZoomPlayer)

Mr.Pibb

05-11-06, 06:26 AM

One last question.
At the 1224x688 settings, this is still "up-scalling" DVD's right?
Reguardless of playback software...
(I use ZoomPlayer)

Absolutely, but I think you'll achieve better results if you set the aspect ratio settings in Zoomplayer to 1280x720. Of course, this is in theory and possibly not reality. I don't remember how Zoomplayer sets up its aspect ratios, it's been a few years since I used it and it has probably changed since then. In Theatertek I can set a resolution for a specific aspect ratio and/or a specific movie.

Scaling the video to 1280x720 gives you exactly 1.5x the vertical resolution (480*1.5) and keeps the video in a 16:9 aspect ratio. Scaling by 1.5x SHOULD yield better results than scaling by some odd number (like 1.43333). Again, the change might not be noticeable.

Another advantage of scaling the video to 1280x720 is that you won't see and "garbage" at the edge of the screen. Since they assume there is some overscan on TV's they don't really worry too much typically about how the outside edges of the screen looks. Sometimes the video fades off at the edge or just stops before the edge of the screen.

rodman

05-12-06, 12:57 AM

Mr.Pibb

05-12-06, 06:17 AM

Some success! After following instructions in this and another related thread...I opened Display Config and selected ###X720 resolution and rebooted. Whilst booting, I saw monitor go blank and windows startup on tv (off color) for a few moments! At least I know I am getting signal from computer to tv via DVI to Component cable! But then screen went blank and desktop booted up on computer monitor. I'm sure it is a simple setting. But getting there. Thanks and any further suggestions would be welcome. I would surely like to have this working by the time I get my projector. Possibly a Sanyo Z4 or similar this summer.

I just noticed that you said DVI to component, I didn't catch that the first time around. I'm assuming this is a component "dongle" made to send the signal from the PC to a TV. The fact that you're saying the colors are wrong makes me think that the PC still thinks it's outputting VGA.

There should be pre-configured timings built right in to the ATI settings for outputting standard TV resolutions. I haven't done any work with the component dongles with either my ATI or nVidia cards so I don't know specifically how it is set up, but I know there should be options in the display properties to specify a TV output. That Diamond Card is and ATI board, right? I'm pretty sure that there are options in the Catalyst Control Center that are specific for component out.

I bet, though, that you'll get better results with VGA than with component. Component is going to expect very specific timings and it will probably "process" them like it does for HDMI connections.

jmv

05-12-06, 10:49 AM

Mr.Pibb

05-12-06, 11:25 AM

Mr. Pibb...first thanks! I've been using 1280x768 to get 1:1 pixel since I bought the TV. Knew powerstrip could deal with the overscan but didn't know how to make it do it's magic with front/back porch etc.

I have two questions:

1) I have a slight underscan at the bottom and right hand side of the TV. How can I modify your parameters to extend the active area to cover this gap. I'd assume about 20 pixels horizontally and 5 vertically would fill the gaps.

2) From time to time, I gate the "Video 7 / PC" splash coming and going. As I tweak the paramters, I can make this problem worse so that it is essentially constantly flashing...do you have any insight into this problem, or how I should tweak the PStrip parameters to move away from the "Video 7/PC Flash" cliff.

3) You mention "have TheaterTek scale to 1280x720" Can you tell me what this does, and how in TheaterTek you set that parameter (I assume this will force TT to display only the "center" 1224x688 (or whatever your active desktop is) and throw away the edge pixels in all 4 directions.

thanks for your help! FYI, I am using a ATI 9800 card...

mv

JMV,

1): First, try the technique I list at the very bottom of the first post in this thread. You should be able to create a new resolution based on the original resolution I created (or modified is a better term). As far as I know the horizontal and vertical resolutions need to be multiples of 8. You may need to adjust the horizontal and/or vertical position IN POWERSTRIP using the arrows. Don't adjust the size on that screen!

2): The video7/PC splash screen seems to be primarily caused by some sort of a ground loop sensitivity. I fixed it by removing the incoming antenna input (my HD signal comes through my HD Tivo anyway). It may be fixed by grounding your PC/antenna ground, although I haven't tried that. It's interesting that changing the PC timing seems to change the TV's sensitivity to the ground loop problem. Unfortunately, at least with an nVidia card, it's real hard to get a 59.94Hz refresh rate exactly so changing the timing will probably make that number change.

3): If you go in to the aspect ratio control in Theatertek, select the format of the video you are watching (i.e. 16:9), then uncheck the "lock aspect ratio" box, you can then use the arrows to increase the horizontal size to 1280 and the vertical size to 720. Yes, it is basically centering that larger video size on the smaller screen that you can see with the outer pixels being tossed out basically.

I'm glad to hear that this has helped. Just for kicks, after selecting the resolution I created, go to the "advanced timing options" screen, highlight the horizontal scan rate, type in 47.75, then hit the"TAB" key. Does the refresh rate stay at 59.94Hz? If not, can you change it to 59.94Hz while the scan rate stays at 47.75? My nVidia card can't do it, but ATI cards have higher resolution on their clocks so I'm curious if it works on yours. If it doesn't work right, just click cancel or hit escape so Powerstrip won't save your changes.

jmv

05-12-06, 02:01 PM

Mr. Pibb...thanks, that worked.

Regarding the 47.75 / 59.94 nope...can't get both...I got 47.12 @ 59.94...which is more important to have "right"?

Also, I finalized on 1232 x 690...not exactly 16:9 and also not round multiples of 8...anything I should be concerned with PQ wise using this resolution?

Lastly TT won't let me chose 1280 x 720 (I can have 1280 x 721 or 1280 x 719...any issue choosing either of these PQ wise). 960x720 works fine.

Well, I'm a little surprised, but disconnecting the OTA antenna eliminated the Video 7/PC splash problem (a little bit of a shocker to me at least :)). Last comment...is there any documentation or explanation on how to ground the PC/Antenna. I currently get most of my HD OTA through the Antenna input on the Sony so pulling that plug doesn't look like a great final fix...

mv

Mr.Pibb

05-12-06, 03:31 PM

Re: Theatertek aspect ratios
Try fooling around with checking/unchecking the lock aspect ratio box.. try having it checked until one of the resolutions is where you want it, then uncheck it. I've had the same thing happen where one of the numbers went odd and fiddling with it finally made it come out even.

Re: grounding
I haven't tried anything yet, but this is what I did to fix a ground loop problem when I lived in an apartment that had some ground loop issues:
First, get a ground block for the RG-6(antenna) line. Something like this popped up in a google search:
http://www.showmecables.com/productDetailsPopUp.asp?idproduct=1202
Now, just run a wire between that connector and a screw on your PC case. A good heavy wire will give the best performance, but really even a fairly small wire will do something. If you really want to go all out, connect the cable, your PC, your AV receiver if you have one, satellite/cable box to a ground block and connect that to your house ground line. That may not be necessary, but it makes sure everything is using the same ground. Note: cable/sat box can be grounded by using a ground block on the incoming cable like I mentioned above. Give me a day or two and I'll try out the grounding stuff. I was waiting till our entertainment center was delivered to try to ground everything. We just got a call saying it is in so I'll start getting stuff set up.

jmv

05-13-06, 10:55 AM

:D The lock unlock / screw around trick worked and eventually it "popped" to an even number and I moved it back to the 720 target.

On the grounding thing...I ran a 12 gauge solid copper cable (ie heavy gauge) from the grounding block to a case screw on the PC...no love though Input 7 splash screen happily ignored my gnd shunt :(. I now have wired in an A/B switch with the Antenna on one side and nada on the other...when I'm using the PC input (which is 80% of viewing) I just leave the switch in the unplugged state. Let me know if you have any success on the grounding path. If I were to try again, I would ground the Cable block to the earth wall contact that the UPS is connected to and that all the associated audio/video/PC goes through. But for now I am happy to get up during football season to switch on the OTA...

thanks again for all your help. You solved my 2 big issues with the set that were causing me to be less than 100% satisfied :D

Mr.Pibb

05-13-06, 11:55 AM

Try unplugging the set for a few minutes, after it's been shut down of course. Before you plug it back in, push the power button on the front panel. That's what sony had me do, it seemed to "reset" the indicator. I thought they were nuts when they told me that would fix the problem. Of course, they also said it was an "isolated incident". haha.

I hooked a ground wire (12 gauge copper ground too ;) ) between my antenna and PC as mentioned and so far no pop up.

ramsinks

05-14-06, 02:08 PM

MR P.
Im testing it out TT and like it. It's the only program so far that will do DTS from my Turtle Beach optical.

Can you tell me what your settings are in TT for:
Brightness:
Contrast:
Hue:
Saturation:

I have use the DVD Essentials to get TV settings. But now I feel I need to mess with TT settings. :). Things seem a bit dark with no custom settings.

(I did make a custom "720" under aspect ratio)

Thanks again and again man.

Mr.Pibb

05-14-06, 04:18 PM

JMV,
Well..the video 7 label started popping up again for me even with the antenna input and the PC grounded. It may not be a ground loop problem, but maybe some sort of internal interference or software glitch. It won't hurt me since I don't need to use the antenna input, but it sounds like it is a bit of a pain for you. It might be worth a call to sony.

ramsinks,
I actually have all the settings in TT set to their zero value. I make the brightness/contrast adjustments in the TV. I am slightly oversaturated with the color, but that's the way I like it. Make sure you have selected "text" mode on the TV, otherwise it turns the dynamic iris way up. Mine doesn't seem to dark at all. I think I've got my iris set to 2, my brightness at 40, and the contrast at 75 right now on the TV. (used Avia for the brightness setting and to double check the colors). I have done the red push fix mentioed in the other forums and now Avia says the colors are dead on (but like I said, a little oversaturated).

All:
I think that the resolution I supplied above isn't EXACTLY 1:1 pixel mapping. I noticed last night on my TV that as I moved from left to right across the screen, there were vertical bands where the pixels seemed to lose alignment. I played with it a while and I think I found a timing that doesn't do this, but I want to use it for a little while before I update my main post to make sure that it didn't throw anything else off.

jmv

05-14-06, 07:59 PM

Mr. Pibb,

Thanks for the feedback on the Video 7 issue...guess I'll drop the grounding path. So far it isn't irritating enough to take to Sony since I've got the AB wired in. Also, I can easily make a BMP (Just set the file as your windows background) for you to test the 1:1 mapping if you tell me the active desktop dimmensions you want to test. I've made one with a series of 1x1 black and white squares on the left half and then solid horizontal and vertical lines taking up the remaing 3/4 and 4/4 respectively. I validated using a 1232x690 sized test image that my desktop is 1:1 (this is the final size I tweaked your version to to get a little overscan. PM me if interested.

jmv

Mr.Pibb

05-15-06, 10:18 AM

All:

JMV was nice enough to share a bitmap he made to verify 1:1 pixel mapping, and he's given me permission to share with everyone. You can download it here:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/720P_test.jpg
Just set it as your background image, centered not stretched.
The left section has individual alternating black/white pixels and the right region is divided with half 1 pixel wide vertical lines and the other half 1 pixel tall horizontal lines.

Mr.Pibb

05-15-06, 04:29 PM

OK, the original timing appears to be working just fine today. Who knows what was going on, I didn't change anything with my original timing... :rolleyes:

Maybe the moon was in the wrong phase or something! :D

FYI, this resolution also gives me 1:1 mapping. It has a slightly different sync width and was the only thing working Saturday night for some reason...

PowerStrip timing parameters:
1224x690=1224,104,136,200,690,21,3,32,74418,2050

Generic timing details for 1224x690:
HFP=104 HSW=136 HBP=200 kHz=45 VFP=21 VSW=3 VBP=32 Hz=60

VESA detailed timing:
PClk=74.42 H.Active=1224 H.Blank=440 H.Offset=88 HSW=136 V.Active=690 V.Blank=56 V.Offset=21 VSW=3

Linux modeline parameters:
"1224x690" 74.418 1224 1328 1464 1664 690 711 714 746 -hsync +vsync

Pedro83

05-28-06, 10:25 AM

Has somebody found a way to get a good pixel mapping using the hdmi port?

Mr.Pibb

05-28-06, 03:13 PM

Has somebody found a way to get a good pixel mapping using the hdmi port?

Not that I'm aware of. I'm pretty sure the TV insists on processing any incoming image on the HDMI port. It would be nice to hear otherwise, but I've tried all kinds of timings on the HDMI port with no success.

Pedro83

05-30-06, 02:19 AM

So....considering that I have the European version of this rptv (the vga port doesn't go higher than 1024x768) the best thing I can do, to achieve the best image quality, is buy an Oppo?

Mr.Pibb

05-30-06, 06:09 AM

So....considering that I have the European version of this rptv (the vga port doesn't go higher than 1024x768) the best thing I can do, to achieve the best image quality, is buy an Oppo?

Wow, I'd be ticked if that were the case for me. I suppose if you can't use a PC, then something like an Oppo sounds like the best option.

Have you tried any of the 50Hz timings that are pre-configured in Powerstrip? Maybe it just doesn't want a 60 Hz timing to get a full screen?

stim

06-02-06, 12:51 PM

This only works when using the VGA PC input on the TV. When using the HDMI input, I cannot yield satisfactory results (see below). If you are able to yield 1:1 pixel mapping with HDMI, please reply to the post with your timings and settings!

I might be getting a new video card, but not if it's going to mess up the settings that I have! Some of the video cards don't have a VGA output. Do you think it would work if I used a DVI to VGA adapter?

Mr.Pibb

06-02-06, 01:22 PM

I might be getting a new video card, but not if it's going to mess up the settings that I have! Some of the video cards don't have a VGA output. Do you think it would work if I used a DVI to VGA adapter?

that's exactly how mine is hooked up. The DVI->VGA adapter came with the card.

abward

06-02-06, 04:40 PM

Has anyone tried these settings with a motherboard with integrated VIA UniChrome adapter?

I am stuck with this, unless I go out and buy a cheap nVidia 6200 card.

kurtlingle

06-03-06, 01:31 PM

Mr.Pibb

06-03-06, 05:19 PM

Hi Mr. Pibb.

Thanks for this great tuturial.

I installed Powerstrip. The Customize resolutions button is disabled. I am not sure why. Any ideas?

The graphics card is an Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME Grapics card.

I noticed there is software running (its an IBM thinkpad) called Intel Xtreme Graphics. Could that be messing it up?

Do I need to post on the HTPC thread for this one?

Any help will be apprciated!

Sincerely.

That's happened to me before, and then it seemed to just start working. I think some others have said the same thing happened and they had to uninstall and reinstall their drivers and powerstrip. You also may want to check the forum at http://forums.entechtaiwan.net/ to see if there are any answers there, or post a new thread in the HTPC forum if reinstalling doesn't work.

stim

06-04-06, 03:41 AM

I could be wrong, but I don't think that the Intel graphics card will support custom resolutions.

godisi

06-05-06, 03:44 AM

Hey got the tv, defintely is 1:1 mapped, thanks alot mate:), umm....with text mode everything looks washed out......how can i remedy this?i use theatertek and vmr9....and cant get proper 16-235 video levels by adjusting brightness/contrast on the a10(in text/video mode).

Would it be best to let the software do it in this case, and leave both brightness/contrast at 50/50 then?

I really miss not being able to use advanced iris and black corrector(advances controls)what settings are you using for movies mate?

thanks

Mr.Pibb

06-05-06, 06:24 AM

I've found that it's best to let the TV adjust brightness/contrast. Having the PC do it can sometimes introduce banding. Make sure ALL video settings are "centered" on the PC (i.e. no contrast/color adjustments). Going from memory, this is how my TV is set up:

Iris 0 (lowest setting)
contrast 75-80
brightness around 40 (I used Avia to adjust)

With all the settings on the PC at their "normal" level, the test patterns show that the color is slightly saturated overall (which is how I like it anyway) and the hue is near perfect. I did do the red push fix listed in the tweaks thread, before that red was a little oversaturated.

I do wish I could get the overall black level a little darker. At some point I may dive in to the service menu to see if I can adjust the iris down a little more (I saw a setting for that in there when just going through the available settings). I can't stand the movie mode because it seems to set the advanced iris on high. I agree, it would have been nice to have the advanced controls so we could choose at least a "low" level for the advanced iris.

godisi

06-06-06, 01:30 AM

thnaks for the advice, ill try those settings tonight......umm what player do you use?and are you viewing with overlay or vmr9???......advanced iris is nice, but i can tell its doing a little too much than it should:(......is silk screen effect the sparkly little splotches you can see on bright scenes?

Mr.Pibb

06-06-06, 06:41 AM

I use Theatertek with VMR9. It uses the nVidia decoders, and it has a great interface for HTPC use.

Yes, the "sparkles" on the screen are silk screen effect, probably the thing I like about this TV the least. I notice it less now, but I still see it. I actually found something where I work that both fixes the SSE but also widens the viewing angle and removes nearly all reflections, but for some reason no one here is interested in making this stuff large enough to put it on the screen. I think there's some money to be made by selling this stuff, but no one seems to be interested. Here are some interesting pics if you're interested. Don't bother asking, I can't eveng get a large sheet of this stuff for myself!

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/th_IMG_1930Large.jpg (http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/IMG_1930Large.jpg)
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/th_IMG_1943Large.jpg (http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/IMG_1943Large.jpg)
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/th_IMG_1938Large.jpg (http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/IMG_1938Large.jpg)
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/th_IMG_1933Large.jpg (http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/Screen/IMG_1933Large.jpg)

thosj

06-06-06, 03:14 PM

So.........what IS that "stuff"?

I'm sure you've researched it, but perhaps someone else knows something. Would be interesting just to know what it is and what it's "intended" purpose is!

Mr.Pibb

06-06-06, 08:44 PM

It looks like these guys make something similar to what it is my company has produced. (they came up in a google search)

http://display-optics.com/products_microstructured.htm

Normally I'd be worried about intellectual property issues, but since we've managed to let some related patents expire I guess no one else is worried about it...

edit: hmmm, I found this mentioned on my company's web page:
http://nationalsecurity.battelle.org/capabilities/inno_elec.aspx?id=56

virtual.rx

06-10-06, 05:03 PM

Some people are running hdmi at 1232x692.

I haven't tried.

Is the picture as good as vga when using the tv as a monitor? I read theres some sharpening effect or something?

flykid83

06-13-06, 10:07 AM

I was just sent over from another thread to this one.

I have a two questions not sure if anyone can help me. I am out of town now and I haven’t tried doing the power strip on page one but I just want to confirm if this should be done the right way.

I have the Sony 50 TV and I am trying to get my video files on my computer to work onto the TV (every time I few video files it doesn’t work). I am now using xp 3.2mhz 400Gb 7800gtx card and all the works. I have two dvi outputs one going into my 24 inch dell and the other going into the TV so DVI to HDMI and they both work.

First problem I have is I can’t get the right resolution to work with the TV(this was doing it with out power strip but when I get home I will try the first post); it seems as if the TV is too big for the screen, I tried playing around with the resolutions but nothing helps.

Secondly, I can’t view my video files and that is using win amp / power DVD / windows media player/windows media player classic. The whole works nothing happens, do I need to download a driver into the TV or something? I went to mlb.com and the video from the highlights work on the TV through the computer but no videos from the computer.

And third how do I get sound from the computer to the tv? I have a creative lab sound blaster audigy 2 z gamer.

Also I saw mentioned that people are using VGA does it matter then I am using DVI to HDMI (to TV)

So if any you ran into this I would be glad to hear your input.

djmalloc

06-13-06, 01:46 PM

stim

06-16-06, 02:33 PM

I was looking at getting a new video card... Has anyone been able to get this working with a nvidia 7600GT? Just wondering, because the OP says that some nvidia cards won't work.

Mr.Pibb

06-18-06, 04:33 PM

Mr.Pibb

06-18-06, 04:36 PM

First off, thanks for the very informative and useful post Mr. Pibb!
Has anyone got good custom timings for 1280x768? By locking geometry as you suggested I was able to scale up my 1024x720 tp 1280x768 but I have black bars around the tops and bottoms in Full2 mode. If I go to a wide mode of Zoom I cannot see the entire screen.

If anyone has been able to get the Sony to display a good 1280x768 resolution I would appreciate the help.

Thanks!

You are going to have to play with some things if you want to fit all of 1280x768 on the screen. It won't be 1:1 pixel mapped if you do it, but it probably is possible. Try starting with the powerstrip settings I listed above. Then lock the geometry and scale it to 1280x768. It will be larger than the screen. If you try to use powerstrip's resize buttons (I suggest locking the scan frequencies on that page) you may be able to pull it in. Your TV may need to re-sync to the signal, and you may lose sync all together.

Mr.Pibb

06-18-06, 04:38 PM

Some people are running hdmi at 1232x692.

I haven't tried.

Is the picture as good as vga when using the tv as a monitor? I read theres some sharpening effect or something?
From everything I've seen the TV insists on processing any signal coming in through HDMI. I've yet to see better results through HDMI than with VGA, actually I've yet to see it even come close. I'd be happy if someone found something that proved me otherwise, though!

rashly

06-19-06, 07:05 PM

Mr.Pibb

06-19-06, 07:33 PM

Hi,

I am using the settings in the original post on a E42A10 with a 6200 video card in Windows XP (VGA out to VGA in on the TV). The pixel mapping seems to be perfect, but I am getting annoying slow scan lines running from the bottom of my tv to the top. This happens when windows is booting up also (the linex are much faster when windows is booting up).

Any idea what it could be?

It might be a ground loop. Are the TV and the computer plugged in to the same outlet? If not, try to plug them in to the same outlet. Also, try disconnecting all inputs except for the VGA on the TV and see if the line goes away. If that fixes it then you'll have to find a way to ground everything together.

perttijeesus

06-19-06, 11:58 PM

Hi,

I am using the settings in the original post on a E42A10 with a 6200 video card in Windows XP (VGA out to VGA in on the TV). The pixel mapping seems to be perfect, but I am getting annoying slow scan lines running from the bottom of my tv to the top. This happens when windows is booting up also (the linex are much faster when windows is booting up).

Any idea what it could be?

Im using dvi-hdmi because I have the european set, but had the same problem. It was fixed by setting the refresh rate from 60hz to 59.940hz.

nahos81

06-20-06, 07:47 PM

flykid83

06-24-06, 07:48 PM

What kind of set up or wireing do I need to get sound from the creative lab sound blaster audigy 2 z gamer to the tv.

Mr.Pibb

06-26-06, 06:00 AM

What kind of set up or wireing do I need to get sound from the creative lab sound blaster audigy 2 z gamer to the tv.

I don't use it, but I believe there is an audio intput right beside the VGA input. It is in the form of a mini stereo plug instead of the usual RCA input. Just get a cable with the standard mini stereo headphone plug on each end and plug it in to the TV and your sound card.

Mr.Pibb

06-26-06, 06:11 AM

Wow. That was very simple to setup. 1:1 pixel mapping is SO much sharper, at least when reading text. I haven't yet noticed any difference in video. Does having 1:1 pixel mapping matter with video, which itself is scaled before sending it to the TV? Is 1:1 mapping important if you don't use the 42A10 to read text?

Mr.Pibb, so what happens when you set TT to output 1280x720. Are you still getting 1:1 pixel mapping with the video?

I've just realized that while text is more readable, so far I prefer video over component (by video, I mean HD). It seems sharper than over VGA. Maybe the TV's built-in scaler sharpens component and not VGA, but still, it's already in HD resolution so I wouldn't think that there'd be such a drastic sharpening affect. I actually just did a comparison by capturing print screens using both settings, and for whatever reason, the video card is outputting richer blacks via component. Maybe this is responsible for the softness over VGA.

With the video at 1280x720, it will only be 1:1 pixel mapping if the source is 1280x720. It will, however, be scaled by 1.5 for the vertical resolution on DVD's and for 1080i material the vertical resolution is scaled by 2/3. These "even" scaling numbers should be better, at least in theory anyway. Video through VGA SHOULD be sharper because the TV isn't processing the signal, but if you have the sharpness turned up at all on the TV when using the component input then it is probably adding artificial sharpening to the picture. That may not be a bad thing, but that might be the reason for the difference.

It's possible that your video card changes the video settings based on the output method. That's the only explanation I can think of if the screen captures look different. Well, maybe if the resolutions are different the scaling is making a difference.

bidger

07-02-06, 06:49 PM

Thank you Mr. Pibb. I've been trying to sort this out for a couple of months now since I got a Gateway MCE PC in mid-April. I tried doing it with the integrated video, but realized that wasn't going to cut it. I pulled out an Nvidia MX-4000 PCI card that I'd used in another machine to ouput an S-Video signal to a 4:3 TV.

I stumbled getting the card set in the BIOS of the Gateway because I installed it prior to changing the video output, found out you couldn't do that so I reset, changed the video setting in BIOS, then installed the card. That's when the real fun started.

I could get to the Windows startup screen with the indicator, then it would freeze and show a BSoD, but it wouldn't allow me to Pause Screen so I could read it. I found that I could boot into Safe Mode, so I checked the Event Viewer for System Events. There were plenty of errors, but none that pertained to video.

I went into System>Hardware>Device Manager from the CP and found the Nvidia card listed so I figured I'd try updating the driver from the Installation CD. I figured trying that was better than living with a BSoD reboot loop. To my surprise, relief, and delight, it worked! I was able to reinstall PowerStrip, copy and paste then apply the parameters from the initial post of the thread.

Glad I could clear a Sunday afternoon to work this through and I believe it was worth the challenge. Again, thanks for leading the way Mr. Pibb.

FirebirdTN

07-09-06, 05:11 PM

-EDIT-

Got it; Had to reinstall my video drivers after I installed PowerStrip for whatever reason for PowerStrip to create the custom resolution. All is well.

Thanks!

-Alan

Dougdoug99

07-11-06, 04:49 AM

Mr.Pibb

07-11-06, 05:50 AM

Hi everyone,

I love the 1x1 pixel mapping set up and I'm using the original settings posted by Mr. Pibb. However, as soon as I try to play a game (Age of empires 3/ Oblvion), I run into problems. The games recognize the resolution and will run at the custom set resolution - but then things go wacky. There are just tons of video glitches and everything (if anyone has any games, please try it to see what I mean).

I can fix the problem by minimizing and coming back but it's pretty annoying. I was hoping someone might have an idea how to fix the problem?

Thanks!

I haven't run in to this. It almost sounds like driver issues. I don't game much, but I have played Half Life 2, Counterstrike Source, and one of the Need for Speed games (not sure which one now) using the custom resolution with no problems.

gbeattie

07-14-06, 07:27 AM

This only works when using the VGA PC input on the TV. When using the HDMI input, I cannot yield satisfactory results (see below). If you are able to yield 1:1 pixel mapping with HDMI, please reply to the post with your timings and settings!

I *had* some near perfect timings that gave me a 1:1 pixel mapping using the HDMI input, but I've just upgraded my video card from a GeForce 3 to a 6600GT (I need the H.264 acceleration!), and now I can't get any useful timings that give me the magic 1:1 without overscan on the DVI output.

I'd really like to use the HDMI input because the A10 doesn't offer nearly as many picture settings on the VGA input as it does on all of the others.

the original settings with the GF3 were achieved with the NVidia drivers which had a tool to tweak the resolution using arrows in each corner of the screen, but I can't seem to find this option in the latest NVidia drivers :( I remember the resolution was 1228x696, but no amount of fiddling with PowerStrip or the custom NVidia resolutions give me a 1:1 pixel mapping on the HDMI input. very frustrating :(

has anyone managed to get anywhere with this?

weidner6

07-16-06, 05:03 AM

bidger

07-16-06, 11:45 AM

You're not alone. I do notice that now that I'm using the PC input on a daily basis that the display pop up doesn't occur as often. It could be that when you first change your settings with Powerstrip that the monitor wigs out and just flashes the input display because it's not fully adjusted to the changes.

einmitt

07-17-06, 08:39 AM

Hi everyone,

I love the 1x1 pixel mapping set up and I'm using the original settings posted by Mr. Pibb. However, as soon as I try to play a game (Age of empires 3/ Oblvion), I run into problems. The games recognize the resolution and will run at the custom set resolution - but then things go wacky. There are just tons of video glitches and everything (if anyone has any games, please try it to see what I mean).

I can fix the problem by minimizing and coming back but it's pretty annoying. I was hoping someone might have an idea how to fix the problem?

Thanks!

FWIW -- I can't speak for AOE3, but I also experienced some weird behavior with Oblivion when using the custom resolution with Powerstrip. However, I was able to 'fix' it by switching to one of the default resolutions in the game's video settings panel.

Mr.Pibb

07-17-06, 10:30 AM

Great thread, Works great with my 42A10. I am having one issue though that I need help with. The VIDEO 7/ PC box comes up in the upper left and stays up there sometimes. Other times it goes on and off at random times (does this most of the time). It doesn't do this with either of my component input labels or channels. They just come up when I switch to them for a couple seconds and go away like they are suppose to.

Many others have seen the same thing happen, including myself. If you were to disconnect your antenna input it should stop happening. Based on this, I originally thought it was a ground loop problem, but adding grounding wires didn't change it at all. I bet that there is some glitch in their software that causes the pop up when it's getting a signal on the antenna line.

I wonder if this only happens when the TV was tuned to a digital station prior to switching inputs? I haven't tried it since I no longer have an antenna attached to the TV.

Can someone who has this problem and has an antenna hooked up try this? Tune the TV to a digital station and then switch to the PC input and see if the box pops up, then tune to an analog station then switch to the pc input and see if it still pops up.

ryansebiz

08-19-06, 02:20 AM

Mr. Pibb,

I’m back. I just finished putting together a new HTPC and am having problems with your custom power strip res.

It uses an MSI K8NGM2-FID micro-ATX mobo with integrated GeForce 6150 video. I was under the impression that this can do the job for a HTPC without the need for a video card.

I’ve been going through this for three hours now with no success.

I uninstall the video drivers and power strip. I install the latest video drivers from nvidia.com, reboot and then install the latest version of power strip (3.6) from their web site.

After rebooting the screen is 1024x768 according to my Sony 42A10. I start power strip. It says “New Hardware Found – Nvidia GeForce 6150.” I hit OK and then copy and paste your custom res. Then I get this message:

“Caution – The parameters you have specified may be beyond the capabilities of your monitor or graphics card. Please recheck the resolution, horizontal and vertical refresh rates, and the pixel clock to ensure they are within spec.

“Press OK to continue or Cancel to adjust the values.”

I hit OK and switch to the new res and hit yes to keep the settings.

Here’s the weird part – the image is tall enough but not wide enough. It is flush right with about 100 or so pixels wide of unused screen on the left. No part of the image is cropped; it's just not wide enough.

I use the Sony remote to adjust the Horizontal Center to -50 (all the way left) yet it’s still off to the right. The TV now says the screen res is 1280x768/60Hz (where it had said earlier 1024x768). Auto adjustment doesn’t help.

I also tried uninstalling the video drivers and power strip followed by installing power strip then the video drivers, but I encountered the same problem. I also tried installing the video card driver from the mobo CD, but that also doesn’t work.

What’s going on? How can I get this to work with my GeForce 6150?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Here's what it looks like:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5255/htpczoomvj7.jpg

Mr.Pibb

08-19-06, 09:07 PM

Odd.

Does it look like it is 1:1 pixel mapping? I think the TV should be reporting 1280x768/60Hz, so that sounds OK. Try using the arrows in powerstrip to move the location of the screen. Don't use them to resize the screen just yet, just to center it. Also, if you can, take a screen shot of the Powerstrip screen with the arrows on it for adjusting position/size. I'm curious if those numbers are right.

Tim

Mr. Pibb,

I’m back. I just finished putting together a new HTPC and am having problems with your custom power strip res.

It uses an MSI K8NGM2-FID micro-ATX mobo with integrated GeForce 6150 video. I was under the impression that this can do the job for a HTPC without the need for a video card.

I’ve been going through this for three hours now with no success.

I uninstall the video drivers and power strip. I install the latest video drivers from nvidia.com, reboot and then install the latest version of power strip (3.6) from their web site.

After rebooting the screen is 1024x768 according to my Sony 42A10. I start power strip. It says “New Hardware Found – Nvidia GeForce 6150.” I hit OK and then copy and paste your custom res. Then I get this message:

“Caution – The parameters you have specified may be beyond the capabilities of your monitor or graphics card. Please recheck the resolution, horizontal and vertical refresh rates, and the pixel clock to ensure they are within spec.

“Press OK to continue or Cancel to adjust the values.”

I hit OK and switch to the new res and hit yes to keep the settings.

Here’s the weird part – the image is tall enough but not wide enough. It is flush right with about 100 or so pixels wide of unused screen on the left. No part of the image is cropped; it's just not wide enough.

I use the Sony remote to adjust the Horizontal Center to -50 (all the way left) yet it’s still off to the right. The TV now says the screen res is 1280x768/60Hz (where it had said earlier 1024x768). Auto adjustment doesn’t help.

I also tried uninstalling the video drivers and power strip followed by installing power strip then the video drivers, but I encountered the same problem. I also tried installing the video card driver from the mobo CD, but that also doesn’t work.

What’s going on? How can I get this to work with my GeForce 6150?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Here's what it looks like:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5255/htpczoomvj7.jpg

ryansebiz

08-19-06, 10:28 PM

Tim,

Thanks for your fast reply.

Odd.

Does it look like it is 1:1 pixel mapping?
It looks smooshed horizontally - but close to 1:1.

Try using the arrows in powerstrip to move the location of the screen. Don't use them to resize the screen just yet, just to center it.
Here it is, using the arrows to center:

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/218/htpccenteredgt8.jpg

Also, if you can, take a screen shot of the Powerstrip screen with the arrows on it for adjusting position/size. I'm curious if those numbers are right.
Sorry it's kind of blurry. Let me know if you need me to write these down:

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9417/htpcnumberseg9.jpg

bad_pool

08-20-06, 11:07 AM

stim

08-20-06, 01:35 PM

Thank you Mr. Pibb, your custom settings have helped me a great deal.

One small thing, though. After applying the settings, the geometry of the screen is no longer perfect. I'm getting what seems to be a slight trapezoidal effect. That is, the left and right sides bend slightly towards the center as you approach the top of the screen.

Since I did not get this issue by default, I was wondering if you knew which PowerStrip setting(s) I should mess with first in order to correct the issue?

Thanks again.

Edit: I'm using a Radeon 9500 Pro and 42A10, if that makes a difference.

My TV does the same thing -- the picture gets wider as you get to the bottom of the screen. I asked before and was told that this was normal and it was due to the way the picture is projected on the screen. I think that it probably did it all along, but you just didn't notice because the picture didn't fill the whole screen.

stim

08-20-06, 01:41 PM

Here it is, using the arrows to center:

Thought that I would try to help out. :)

I noticed that the numbers from that screen on my computer are different then what you have. Here is a screenshot from my computer:

http://i8.tinypic.com/255nkle.jpg

I'm not sure if that is the only problem, but it's worth a shot!

bad_pool

08-21-06, 09:26 AM

My TV does the same thing -- the picture gets wider as you get to the bottom of the screen. I asked before and was told that this was normal and it was due to the way the picture is projected on the screen. I think that it probably did it all along, but you just didn't notice because the picture didn't fill the whole screen.

When I set the resolution to 1280x768 and wide mode to Full1 or Full2, there doesn't seem to be any geometry issues.

Oh well, I'm not complaining. My screen looks much better now :).

ryansebiz

08-25-06, 12:46 PM

Thought that I would try to help out. :)

I noticed that the numbers from that screen on my computer are different then what you have. Here is a screenshot from my computer:

I'm not sure if that is the only problem, but it's worth a shot!

Thank you stim! I changed my settings to match yours (at least, as closely as it would let me) and it works!

Thank you!

stim

08-25-06, 12:48 PM

Thank you stim! I changed my settings to match yours (at least, as closely as it would let me) and it works!

Thank you!

I'm glad that you got it working! :)

thinksnow

09-23-06, 09:57 PM

Mr.Pibb, you are my hero.

Ever since my 5200 died and I had to slap in a quick replacement, I've been looking for an excuse to rip my 9600XT out (I hate ATI) and had just picked up a 6200.

After going through your tutorial, everything was still all jacked up, so I swapped cards, scrubbed all the ATI-ware from my system & registry, installed some good-ol' Forceware, and...well, it's perfect. Just perfect.

My 50A10 and I thank you for this.

velvet396

09-26-06, 02:30 AM

Mr.Pibb

09-26-06, 06:18 AM

Mr. Pibb/Tim,

After several months of being happy with the perfect 1:1 your tutorial helped me setup, my dumbass decided to upgrade from a geforce 5200fx to a geforce 6200. It was only $25 so where could I go wrong?...

Well now I can't get the tv to accept the previous powerstrip settings, after trying both the most current and some older forceware for the 6200. Any suggestions? I've tried starting over from scratch with both the drivers and powerstrip's settings, to no avail.

Thanks in advance...

EDIT: I would delete all that, but just in case anyone else runs into what I did I'll leave it up. I had hooked both my monitor and the tv into the 6200, the monitor into the vga and the tv into the vga adapter plugged into the dvi (the card came with one). The tv was working at the 1280x720 resolution before the switch, but not the 1224x688 that gives me 1:1. After switching everything works as it should. That's an hour of sleep I wish I could get back...

So switching from the dvi/vga connection to the VGA only connection worked for you? That's a good thing for folks to know.

Sorry all for being absent for a while. It's been a busy summer! (It's still busy, but at least I can pop in here and respond!).

I haven't had to change/tweak anything for a long time so this subject isn't something I've had to worry about for a while. Been focusing on kids, house projects, work, new hobbies (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6960416489227086412&hl=en) :D Never enough time for everything... :rolleyes:

Dougdoug99

10-04-06, 09:32 PM

Mr.Pibb

10-05-06, 05:43 AM

When I try to use this powerstrip timing on my Dell XPS M1710 (GeForce Go 7900GTX) it does not work. I get a regular looking screen, but when I move my cursor to the right or bottom edge, it scrolls and repeats. It looks very strange and I don't understand why moving my cursor all the way to the right scrolls over and I see the start button/left edge of the screen

I've not heard of that one yet. Are you using the latest drivers? If so, see if you can get a copy of 84.56. Those have been the most reliable and have yielded the best picture for me. You can get them at guru3d.com, but their site seems to be down for maintenance for a couple days. The 9X.X series gives me "stair stepping" in DVD videos instead of blending lines when it is deinterlacing.
Your problem sounds like it COULD be a driver problem. It also could just be that Powerstrip isn't properly applying the timing.

bob511

10-12-06, 09:55 PM

Is there any reason the Linux modeline from an apparently-working timing setup in Powerstrip under Windows would yield different results from Xorg?

Dealing with a Geforce 6200 out to a 42A10 over VGA....

gozunz

10-14-06, 11:07 PM

Hey,
the modline works perfect for me in xorg.
driver "ati". with 9200se, on my 42A10 :)

Awesome stuff :)

MrDoug1

10-25-06, 10:52 AM

I have the new Sony 50e2000, which DOES NOT have a VGA port! Doh! So I am forced to use HDMI. My Bravia has VGA, but I replaced it with this TV.

I have the resolution set to 1280x768 and the settings to desktop area: -2 and Full2

It fits the screen perfect and with a screenshot zoomed on paint it seems to be 1:1 pixel mapping (ie the text and numbers are accurate to how a pixel number or letter should be)...

I am not complaining, but am wondering if there are possible better settings out there...

With 1280x720 the picture is bigger than the screen (the start menu is half cut off), how are you guys getting that to work?

****!

I just realized when I tested out again the 1280x720 resolution that it looked noticably blurry but then in MSPaint the screenshot showed it perfect resolution. I then realized that its a computer image of what its outputting, not what you are seeing. I figured you guys had used a screenshot to put up the 1:1 pixel mapping jpegs. I now noticed that Im not getting 1:1 because when I move my mouse in certain spots it takes up more than one pixel.

Any advice is greatly appreciated. What options do I have with Powerstrip and my 50e2000 (very very similar in looks and settings to your a10) to get 1:1 pixel mapping?

Thanks in advance..

PFC Witt
US Army Tanker

Mr.Pibb

10-25-06, 11:06 AM

MrDoug1

10-26-06, 06:42 PM

I applied your custom settings to powerstrip, and am still getting blurry text...

WHY?!?!?!

Is there ANY way to get 1:1 pixel mapping via HDMI?!?!

HELP!!!

Mr.Pibb

10-26-06, 06:48 PM

If there's a way to do it, you may have to be the one to figure it out! I can pretty much guarantee that you can't with the HDMI port on my TV. I was hoping to hear that you could on the new ones.

i5hawn

10-27-06, 10:05 AM

1280x720 fills the screen but i do have a black border around the resolution. is using the zoom the only way to resolve this? that cuts off a lot granted media center is still very useful but still.

propman07

10-27-06, 10:17 AM

Hello-

I've got a Sony KDF-60XS955 TV, and I was thinking about building a HTPC for it. I'm glad that I found this thread. The TV has 2 HDMI inputs on the back, but no VGA input. The videocard on the HTPC will (I assume) have a VGA and (possibly) a DVI connector on it. I have a cable that has what looks like a DVI connector on one end, and the HDMI connector on the other.

If I want to connect the HTPC to the TV, is this the way to go? (DVI - HDMI cable)

Thanks, and sorry if this is a really basic question.

MrDoug1

10-30-06, 02:57 AM

Question:

Do they make a VGA to component adapter, and if they do, do you think I could get it to work for 1:1 pixel mapping? I am doubting it because the TV will scale it to its native resolution, right? But what if I output it to the TV's native resoultion?

Then again. I still don't understand why it isn't 1:1 when I output via HDMI to the TV's native resolution....

crash1977

11-10-06, 08:42 PM

I recently got a HTPC and have been able to compare DVI->HDMI vs. VGA. The video card I am using is a Geforce 7300.

Using the powestrip timings posted, I get 1:1 pixel mapping and everything looks great. When I connect via HDMI, the Nvidia drivers detect the resolution and I also get 1:1 pixel mapping but I notice that the text isn't as sharp and there is a slight blurring/ghosting... any one else experience this?

halokilla77

11-28-06, 10:24 AM

Got a quick question. I just got my firs HD set (Samsung HL-S4266W) and I got my pc hookup to it via VGA and I can display it up to 1280 x 720. I do want the 1:1 Pixel Mapping, but my concern is if I install the Powerstip paste over the timmings settings and it doesn't work would I just have to uninstall the Powerstrip and I'm back to my original resolution settings etc...?

Btw my video card is a Radeon X300. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

aa1979

12-05-06, 05:37 AM

The Linux modelines worked perfectly the first time on my MythTV system. Couldn't look better! Thank you so much!!

thinksnow

12-14-06, 07:43 PM

I know this is a powerstrip thread, but is it possible to do this with any of the nVidia tools?

(nevermind: even though I own a ton of nVidia hardware, and Purevideo, and this sort of functionality should be supported by them, I spent the money for Powerstrip, too)

jawbrkr

12-20-06, 11:51 AM

Thank you Mr. Pibb, your custom settings have helped me a great deal.

One small thing, though. After applying the settings, the geometry of the screen is no longer perfect. I'm getting what seems to be a slight trapezoidal effect. That is, the left and right sides bend slightly towards the center as you approach the top of the screen.

Since I did not get this issue by default, I was wondering if you knew which PowerStrip setting(s) I should mess with first in order to correct the issue?

Thanks again.

Edit: I'm using a Radeon 9500 Pro and 42A10, if that makes a difference.

Just wanted to say thanks Mr. Pibb for taking the time to write this up, I had no idea that my tv can look this good. However I am getting the same geometry issues. Any resolution to this? It's on a geforce 6800gtx fyi.

stim

12-25-06, 02:44 AM

Just wanted to say thanks Mr. Pibb for taking the time to write this up, I had no idea that my tv can look this good. However I am getting the same geometry issues. Any resolution to this? It's on a geforce 6800gtx fyi.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8247378&&#post8247378

stim

01-28-07, 03:04 AM

Hey does anyone have any experience with setting up 1:1 pixel mapping on a Mac?

I assume that you would need to use a program like SwitchResX. I've entered the same settings that are in Powerstrip, but the screen scrambles.

Here is a screen shot of the settings that can be changed in SwitchResX:

http://www.madrau.com/pic/SRX/SRCustomRez.png
This is NOT a screen shot of my settings, but a screen shot of the settings that can be changed.

And here is a link to the SwitchResX homepage: http://www.madrau.com/html/SRX/whysr.html

Any help would be appreciated! :)

lsarver

01-30-07, 12:12 AM

Hey does anyone have any experience with setting up 1:1 pixel mapping on a Mac?

I assume that you would need to use a program like SwitchResX. I've entered the same settings that are in Powerstrip, but the screen scrambles.

. . .

Any help would be appreciated! :)
There is a SwitchResX tutorial here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=751713&highlight=switchresx) on the HTPC - Mac Chat subforum. It's also discussed in several other threads there.

luptonma

02-01-07, 07:54 PM

Can someone who has this problem and has an antenna hooked up try this? Tune the TV to a digital station and then switch to the PC input and see if the box pops up, then tune to an analog station then switch to the pc input and see if it still pops up.

I have tried this and it seems to be a viable work around.

When I first got the set, almost a year ago, I didn't notice the popup box that often but it was there occasionally. Recently it's gotten much worse (every 30 seconds or so). My wife claims it's always been this bad. Anyway after trying a couple of grounding schemes I finally ran across the above suggestion and viola it works great. No popups if you switch inputs while tuned to an analog channel. This may be why it seemed better before because I hadn't taken the analog stations off the scanned channels list so you still tuned them in using the up and down channel buttons.

I suppose I shouldn't hold my breath waiting for a software fix from Sony. Maybe someone will hack the Linux OS that I've heard the TV uses and figure out how to enable more direct access to the inputs and force the tuner to an analog channel before enabling the Video 7 input.

In any event everything works fine now provided I use the work around.

Max L.

Lucem

02-01-07, 09:13 PM

I'm affraid HDMI won't allow you to the same stuff than DVI.
HDMI Sucks. !

bidger

02-04-07, 01:25 PM

I've found the best way to address the "Video 7" display pop up is to go around the horn as far as the Video inputs (Tuner, Video 1,...), but pause at whatever one has video displaying. IOW, you don't have cable or antenna hooked up to the internal tuner, then stop for a second @ Video 1 where you have your satellite or cable box connected. Just so long as I let the A10 see video being displayed on another input, I've found it quiets the pop up on Video 7(PC).

jmv

03-08-07, 09:15 AM

I had this working on a 9800 board...but ever since I switched PC's and now use a fancy Core2Duo with 7600GT/7900GT vid cards...I can't get anything but the standard 1280x768 to display. Any suggestions on how to trouble shoot. I've tried both boards, I've tried a version with DVI to VGA and a version with VGA. I've tried 3 different versions of Nvidia drivers. I'm about to stick in a 6600GT and see if that works (although I'll loose some of the purevideo support so I'm not anxious to do that)...anyone have any ideas? Can anyone tell me what version of Nvidia driver you use to get 1:1 goodness?

thanks,

mv

krimson

03-11-07, 01:29 PM

I just upgraded to an 8800 gts and it looks like the 8800 series is NOT support by PowerStrip!!! The "Advanced Timings" button is greyed out and according to support there will not be an update to solve this.

So I guess this is a warning to those looking to upgrade that this solution will not work on the 8800.

However. Nvidia detected my TV properly over VGA and set the resolution to 1280x768@59hz and it's displaying at 1:1, there is just a considerable amount of overscan on the desktop.

If anybody has a solution/hack to underscan the desktop over VGA please let me know!!!

krimson

03-11-07, 11:47 PM

Okay after much research it looks like this 1:1 overscan free fix does not require PowerStrip at all. The same custom timings can be done right in the Nvidia control panel!

In the new version of the control panel just go:

Display -> Manage Custom Timings -> Create

Then click the Advanced Button and put your timing standard to "Manual" to open all the advanced fields. All the field names match up to the names used in PowerStrip so just follow the settings from the OP. You'll just need to enter everything manually now rather then the simple cut-n-paste but the end result is the same.

jmv

03-21-07, 09:56 PM

Krimson,

Can you post a screen capture of your specific settings, I am having no luck using either PStrip or the NVidea settings to get stable 1:1 mapping with no overscan.

thanks,

mv

Dougdoug99

03-23-07, 12:07 PM

Krimson,

Can you post a screen capture of your specific settings, I am having no luck using either PStrip or the NVidea settings to get stable 1:1 mapping with no overscan.

thanks,

mv

I just got it working 1:1 on my 8800 using NV control panel.

Go to custom timings (first must enable advanced features in the tools menu or whatever it is

Then go to create... Advanced... Manual

Leave refresh rate but adjust the Horz/Vert. front porch, sync width, active pixels, and Total. The total can be seen on the first page in a screenshot of the Powerstrip settings. I'm a bit busy now but I'll try to take a SS later to show you

Dynfanatic

03-23-07, 06:45 PM

I just got it working 1:1 on my 8800 using NV control panel.

Go to custom timings (first must enable advanced features in the tools menu or whatever it is

Then go to create... Advanced... Manual

Leave refresh rate but adjust the Horz/Vert. front porch, sync width, active pixels, and Total. The total can be seen on the first page in a screenshot of the Powerstrip settings. I'm a bit busy now but I'll try to take a SS later to show you
Yea.. please post a screen shot of your Nvidia's control panel setting for a custom timing setup.
I've tried to get it work but I couldn't. :confused:

velvet396

04-06-07, 11:50 AM

Any success with this over DVI from nvidia (or other) card to the HDMI on the a10?

SonyJunkie

04-07-07, 06:44 AM

Hi,

I own the Sony 42” A10 Tv (the Canadian - Australian Version) and I got a core duo Nb with a 7600gs card that supports Vga and Svid out.

I have only tried connecting it up via Vga and it displays nice at 1280x768 or 1024x768 but if I try setting it to 1280x720 in display properly, it works but displays a message saying the resolution is not supported by the Tv.

I contacted sony and they say it doesn’t support that resolution via the pc input, only 1280x768
.
When I play my favorite ea games (e.g., Fifa 07) and set it to 720p in the game. it works but displays the above message, so i'm forced to use 1024x768.

I have tried going into adv video settings but it doesn’t change from the 1280x768 setting.

Is it possible to fix this by using the powerstrip or its setting in the adv setting?
(a little worried about blowing my tv)

Or am I better off getting a Vga to Component / Hdmi converter?

I have a desktop pc with a 7800gs but haven’t tried using the Dvi or Vga ports as I use it as my main pc.

What do you recommend?

Also when playing back Hdtv content from the Nb is it better to use 720p or 768?

Thanks for taking the time to read my post :)

Mr.Pibb

04-07-07, 07:34 AM

It won't/can't hurt your TV. The TV just won't display it if it doesn't like what you are giving it. Follow the instructions in the first post, you'll be happy! ;)

thosj

04-07-07, 08:03 AM

Has anyone tried Powerstrip with Windows Vista?

I am in the process of getting a computer setup with Vista Home Premium with an Nvidia 6800 GT and Hauppauge HVR-1600 and am anxious to see how Vista treats this VGA out to the E42A10. Old setup had an ATI AIW 9800 and I had that setup per this thread and working fine!! Never leave well enough alone!!

SonyJunkie

04-07-07, 12:41 PM

kool, thanks for the quick reply

I’ll mess with it tomorrow. Hope it works :)

I'd love to see some of these pc games in HD, without having to spend more money.

Mr.Pibb

04-07-07, 11:36 PM

kool, thanks for the quick reply

I’ll mess with it tomorrow. Hope it works :)

I'd love to see some of these pc games in HD, without having to spend more money.

SonyJunkie,

I got your PM.
I'm on a business trip/vacation combo from now till the end of the week.
I won't have any time for a full answer till I get back. You may want to ask the questions you asked me in this thread. Others can probably help too.

SonyJunkie

04-08-07, 10:44 AM

thosj

04-14-07, 09:06 AM

Back to report Vista Home Premium, Powerstrip, an Nvidia 6800GT with latest Vista WHQL driver (100.65), and an E42A10 get along happily! I had to run Powerstrip as administrator ONCE to get it to save the custom resolution to the card, but since then it works without administrator privelages just fine.

SonyJunkie

04-15-07, 08:08 AM

The redish tint seems to be normal, It doesn't really affect the pic quality so i'm happy.

Very good info on this thread.

Thanks Mr.Pibb

Mr.Pibb

04-15-07, 10:36 AM

This is an edited extract of a pm I sent to Mr.Pibb.

It would be great if any of you people could help me with these problems.

1. Is that reddish horizontal tint right at the bottom of the screen normal? (a little worried about this one)

Did you also get that when testing the first resolution settings? Maybe this is because of the stretch setting + the slight overscan?

Seems to happen less with our Digital SD pay-tv provider but it still is a little noticeable now that I know where it is. (Can really only see it with light color, especially white)

2. Is that fuzziness normal with the background picture set to center (TV set to stretch) with the first res settings?

(Like a lot of the lines on the left of the background where going fuzzy)

3. And if I do the auto res scan will it make the picture bigger or smaller so it fits on the screen?
Or does it just align the picture?

Here is a couple of pics of the redish thing

Thanks in advance
SonyJunkie,

Just got back and still trying to get situated, but here are some thoughts:

1) Although I've seen regions with a slight red tint, they tend to be in a corner and they tend to be very subtle. I doubt I could ever get a picture of anything like that. In your picture it almost looks like something internal is affecting the optics at the edge. Maybe one of the polarizers is bent at the edge. If it isn't as obvious during general viewing as it is in the pictures you posted, then you are probably OK. If it is, I would call Sony for service.

2) NOTHING should be fuzzy on the screen. Unless the computer is stretching the background and distorting it, you should be able to see every individual pixel, and you mentioned you had it set to center. Try this pattern, open it and scale it to actual size. http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g93/Mr_Pibb/720P_test.jpg If the timing is right, and if things are OK with the TV, you should see a checkerboard pattern on the left (pixel by pixel) and line patterns on the right.

3) The auto scan shouldn't make much of any change once you do it one time. It will "realign" the pixels and it may try to center the screen. It MAY help with the blurring problem if it didn't work right the first time.

Smidget

04-18-07, 11:01 AM

I just started reading this thread a bit too late and have a 7600GT coming to me in my build of an HTPC. So it still is only through VGA and not HDMI 1:1 pixel mapping is possible on the 42/50A10?

If so, does this only effect text and not x264/xvid/any other MPC viewing?

jmv

04-18-07, 02:31 PM

Mr.Pibb

04-18-07, 05:04 PM

Smidget,

It affects everything. You really want to use VGA input and 1:1 settings optimally with minimal overscan. If you are successful please let me know how you accomplished it since I am still having issues with my 7900 GT, 7600 GT and 6600 GT...going to try a new driver and see if that works...

mv
I've stayed with 84.56. http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1385
The video quality for video based content has suffered on any of the newer drivers I've tried. Diagonal lines wind up looking stair-stepped. I'm not sure if this driver will work with the 7900GT, but it works with both my 6600GT and my 7600GT. Try uninstalling powerstrip and your drivers and re-installing. Sometimes that works when things just aren't "taking".

Smidget

04-21-07, 06:11 AM

I've stayed with 84.56. http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1385
The video quality for video based content has suffered on any of the newer drivers I've tried. Diagonal lines wind up looking stair-stepped. I'm not sure if this driver will work with the 7900GT, but it works with both my 6600GT and my 7600GT. Try uninstalling powerstrip and your drivers and re-installing. Sometimes that works when things just aren't "taking".

Thanks! Got it all hooked up and after using those drivers and your Powerstrip settings, looks great! :)

jmv

04-21-07, 08:58 AM

Mr.Pibb

04-21-07, 09:00 AM

Well, it looks like my main problem was using an old Powerstrip (that worked originally but hasn't worked since). I was using 3.3 now using 3.7 and I can man handle the resolutions as required. I am still having an issue that the res doesn't stick. Once the PC reboots, it seems to remember the resolution but forget the timing (seems to be something with the driver using some default)...but after PStrip comes on it snaps to the right timing and the TV is happy.

Any ideas on this?

That's typical. For some reason Windows has short term memory loss and can't remember that you are using the new timings. I leave Powerstrip running and have it start with Windows.

TurboTropic

04-30-07, 10:29 AM

Are we going to have difficulties watching HD-DVD or Blu-Ray movies over VGA if we buy an internal drive for our HTPCs?

krimson

05-02-07, 06:35 PM

Well, it looks like my main problem was using an old Powerstrip (that worked originally but hasn't worked since). I was using 3.3 now using 3.7 and I can man handle the resolutions as required. I am still having an issue that the res doesn't stick. Once the PC reboots, it seems to remember the resolution but forget the timing (seems to be something with the driver using some default)...but after PStrip comes on it snaps to the right timing and the TV is happy.

Any ideas on this?
That's normal. I gave some instructions on entering the timings directly into the Nvidia control panel above instead of using powerstrip. My computer boots directly into my custom timing (including the welcome screen and everything) and also offers the custom timing in pc games.

velvet396

05-06-07, 09:12 PM

having some major issues. this setup used to work perfectly, and I know it's not my tv.

I can't get the vertical refresh rate correct. I keep getting vertically scanning lines in the background, slowly crawling upward (if it's under 60hz, or downward if it's over 60hz).

Sent my card (7600gs) back to XFX thinking it was a problem with the card. They indeed sent me a replacement as the other was found to have artifacts in their tests.

The fully-tested card I got in return has the same problems. Now I can't even get the nvidia or powerstrip settings to accept a 1224x688 resolution, the tv just says unsupported signal and shows nothing.

I've tried uninstalling, cleaning, and reinstalling the drivers, and same problem still.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is particularly frustrating as this used to work just fine, and one day, with no changes, it no longer works. Maddening.

Going to try the Nvidia 93.71 drivers, and the dhzeropoint 84.56 after that, currently/was using 84.66 dhzeropoint...

velvet396

05-06-07, 10:04 PM

I've managed to get the 93.71 drivers to accept a 1224x688 resolution, however the vertical scan lines/flicker is still present, although calmer, it is still very noticeable.

Any vertical refresh rate suggestions? I've tried many in the 59.94 etc range.

EDIT: The 1224x688 setting is very touchy to get it to accept and apply properly using the zoom feature with the 93.71 drivers. Going to try power strip with these drivers, and then lastly the 84.56 drivers.

EDIT UPDATE:
Finally accepted with the 84.56 drivers. Had to go into the nvidia settings and it accepted 1224.688 at a refresh rate of 72Hz (!) although it was weird, I could then go and apply the powerstrip settings for 1224.688 (60hz) and the tv would accept.

It's not perfect, I still notice flicker in the background. I am very pleased that the vertically scanning lines are virtually gone, but would appreciate any tips in helping to reduce or eliminate the small amount of flicker/lines that remains. The refresh rate is currently set at 60.020Hz. Going to either 60.060 or 59.97 makes the problem reappear more.

TurboTropic

05-08-07, 08:34 AM

Thanks Mr. Pibb for your hard work in getting this working with 1:1 pixel mapping.

Could you post your optimal TV calibration settings for watching movies on your 50A10 over VGA please?

velvet396

05-10-07, 02:15 PM

Update on my situation:
Everything was being very picky again and I couldn't get the powerstrip timing to stick like I did before by forcing that weird 72 or 75 hz refresh with the nvidia control panel.

I did finally manage to get it to take about about 20 minutes.

I still have the problem with the slowly scanning line/flicker in the background.

Tonight I'm going to try using the 1280x720 timing and see if the issue is still present. If it fixes it, I'm going to then try shaving 8 pixels off the size at a time until I get the resolution I'm looking for (method mentioned in OP).

If that doesn't fix the issue, I may well go insane. Can't afford a new graphics card. Might order a DVI-HDMI cord and try that. Perhaps I'm having problems with going DVI-VGA? Never had a problem before.

Mr.Pibb

05-11-07, 06:57 AM

TurboTropic,

I'll try to get those settings for you and post them.

Velvet396,

Something doesn't sound right at all with the problems you are describing. If you are getting ANY moving scan lines, then I suspect that you could have a ground loop problem. Try grounding your PC case to your TV ground. A quick way to try this would be to attach a wire to a screw on your computer case, and temporarily attach the other end to the outside of one of the antenna inputs on your TV. A slightly better way would be to get one of these (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2150597&cp=&sr=1&origkw=antenna+ground&kw=antenna+ground&parentPage=search) and attach it to your antenna input line with the ground wire going from there to your PC case.

Something else that doesn't make sense to me: how are you getting to 72 or 75 Hz from my original timing? You can't just change the refresh rate and get it to work, you would have to know all the numbers involved to be able to get the right timings. I've NEVER been able to enter settings in the nVidia control panel and get them to work. The only way I was ever able to get things to work was to paste the string I list in the first post into the "add resolution" screen in Powerstrip. Entering the settings into Powerstrip manually never worked for me either. Try deleting the custom resolutions you added in Powerstrip, uninstall Powerstrip and make sure the Powerstrip folder is empty so there aren't any leftover settings, restart the computer, then try following the instructions in the first post exactly and report back what happens.

Remember, if you want to increase or decrease the size of the picture you have to add a new resolution, you can't just use the arrows or the timing will deviate from the original.

TurboTropic

05-13-07, 07:59 PM

Thanks Mr. Pibb. My HTPC should be built later this week but no doubt it's going to be a while before it's running well.

Mr.Pibb

05-13-07, 08:49 PM

My settings:

Not many settings available on the VGA input. I watch movies in the dark, so it's set up for that...

Display mode: Text
Iris: Min
Picture: 90
Brightness: 38
Color Temp: Warm 1

Wide Mode: Zoom
(following settings probably set up automatically)
Phase 9
Pitch: 0
Horizontal Center: -6
Vertical Center: 0

I also had performed the "red push" registry fix here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=567709&page=1
I've gone back and forth between using 003b and 0005 for CHAXIS 1. I haven't done any of the other fixes mentioned later in that thread.

velvet396

05-14-07, 12:38 PM

I'll give your suggestions a try. Maybe I didn't verify well enough that it wasn't a ground-loop problem in the first place.

And I got to the other refresh rates, as I remember in the nvidia control panel, by just selecting them without changing other things. The TV hated it and it didn't display properly, but it was more than the blank screen and "unsupported signal" I was getting beforehand.

I'll mess with it a bit tonight.

Just connecting some speaker wire from the case to the antenna input would be sufficient for grounding? I'd hate to short something. And by hate I mean I'd DIE. :cool:

Mr.Pibb

05-14-07, 01:47 PM

Just connecting some speaker wire from the case to the antenna input would be sufficient for grounding? I'd hate to short something. And by hate I mean I'd DIE. :cool:
:D Unless you have a "dead" short to your computer case from inside your computer, you won't have a problem going from your PC case to the ouside of the antenna input. Just make sure you don't connect it to the inside wire. Even though it won't hurt you, it could hurt the TV! A speaker wire should be sufficient for a test. Thicker wire (14 gauge?) works better for ground loop problems, but if you're using at least 20 gauge wire it should be enough to at least see a major improvement. I had a problem when I lived in an apartment for a while. It turned out that the cable company's line had some 60Hz noise coupled in to the ground. I would get slow moving lines on my old tv that would change their speed based on the specific refresh rate. Grounding things together fixed the problem!

velvet396

05-14-07, 11:54 PM

:D Unless you have a "dead" short to your computer case from inside your computer, you won't have a problem going from your PC case to the ouside of the antenna input. Just make sure you don't connect it to the inside wire. Even though it won't hurt you, it could hurt the TV! A speaker wire should be sufficient for a test. Thicker wire (14 gauge?) works better for ground loop problems, but if you're using at least 20 gauge wire it should be enough to at least see a major improvement. I had a problem when I lived in an apartment for a while. It turned out that the cable company's line had some 60Hz noise coupled in to the ground. I would get slow moving lines on my old tv that would change their speed based on the specific refresh rate. Grounding things together fixed the problem!

Thanks for the solution tips. I looked at everything and figured it out in about ten seconds of getting behind the tv - it was the cable (coax) as in from cable company. I used to run it through my surge protector, but then discovered that was messing up my digital channels, so I just ran the line straight into the tv. When I unplugged that cable while using the PC, the problem was immediately fixed. This had been driving me nuts for months now, and even caused me to send in my graphics card for warranty service! When they found "artifacts" and replaced the card it was easy to think it was the card or a setting once again when I hooked up the replacement.

Many, many thanks. Now on to find a cheap quality Microsoft 360 VGA cable and a decent VGA switcher.

TurboTropic

05-17-07, 11:22 AM

Thanks Mr.Pibb. I'll give them a go once I get my multitude of issues sorted out on my HTPC. :rolleyes:

Dedalus007

05-31-07, 06:22 PM

Am I out of luck in regard to setting custom resolutions running Vista with an 8500GT?

Powerstrip doesn't support the card, so the custom timings button is unavailable, and there is no Manage Custom Timings available in the advanced view of the Nvidia Control Panel.

Would an older Nvidia driver help me out? or is there a hack to enable the custom timings?

Vista recognizes the TV as a Generic PnP.

TurboTropic

06-02-07, 02:37 PM

Looks great to me over HDMI with the very slightest of overscan (<1% but only at the bottom sides where the convergence is off a little). I couldn't get VGA anywhere close to this.

- x1250 onboard graphics, therefore not able to use Powerstrip

- Sony KFE-42A10

- ATI Catalyst Control Centre: Custom resolution tweaked from 720p (1280x720) resolution option for digital displays to 1232x688 @60Hz. No other tweaking options like porch or timing available.

- TV at Normal (not -1 or -2) in settings

It looks fantastic!

Not a great photo but this is all I have for now:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1211/526555002_448d667f4b_o.jpg

RHui_BC

08-20-07, 11:59 AM

hi, I have a, 50A10 using VGA input.

I'm trying to get your timings working with an integrated nvidia 6150LE, but I don't seem to have luck.

When I input your timings, the screen goes funky, and gets stuck in FULL 1. I can't switch to ZOOM.

Sometimes, if I auto detect enough times, I can get it to display a semi ok image, but it is completely to the right and still cropped.

I'll try playing with power strip again tonite from scratch.

BTW, does your tv always scream "RESOLUTION NOT SUPPORTED" at all these resolutions?

Mr.Pibb

08-20-07, 12:58 PM

What drivers are you using? Some times Powerstrip custom resolutions don't "take" for some reason. Uninstalling powerstrip and/or your video card drivers and re-installing sometimes fixes this. the "Resolution not supported" error only comes up for me when the proper timing isn't being used, like before Powerstrip starts up during the boot up.

RHui_BC

08-20-07, 06:47 PM

I just downloaded the nvidia 162.18.
But before that I had 96.xx.

Maybe I'll try a complete uninstall/reinstall.

Do you think moving to a 7600gt would be easier?

tberman333

09-04-07, 01:01 PM

Hello. I have a Sony Vaio laptop with a Mobile Intel 915GM/GMS, 910 GML Express video card. At first I could not get the settings in Powerstrip to take at all, but after uninstalling and reinstalling both the video drivers and the Powerstrip application, I was able to get the settings to take.

After that though, when I choose the 1232x688 settings, I get an "Unsupported Display Settings" message on the TV. After that I had to uninstall and reinstall the video drivers again to get any display on my TV at all.

Does anyone know the cause of this? I read somewhere that there may be issues with the Intel Video Card. Does anyone know if it is possible to set this up with that card?

Thanks for the help!

Todd

Smidget

11-10-07, 08:52 PM

For some reason I might have changed a setting and now I have all this kind of banding and vertical scan line signals.... should I just try to revert back to a working day or is there a problem I created somehow?

Thanks!

borgdaddy

12-12-07, 05:02 PM

Anybody

Will be building an HTPC shortly and want to connect to my 50A10 via HDMI. What graphics card should I use so that I can get custom resolution settings for 1 to 1 pixel mapping? Looking at either nVidia 8600 or ATI 2600.

Smidget

12-19-07, 11:24 AM

borgdaddy

12-19-07, 12:20 PM

If you read the thread, you'll notice only VGA can give you 1:1 pixel mapping.

Well that doesn't appear true if you check out turbotropics's post above.

Rico66

12-19-07, 02:03 PM

I've been using the hdmi input for quite a long time now, since it's much easier to configure on Vista with Nvidia drivers than vga (I used vga on the old XP/MCE).
You can use the resize features that the Nvidia or Ati drivers offer to size the desktop to 1224x688, and that leaves you with minimal overscan.

borgdaddy

12-19-07, 03:28 PM

gbeattie

02-02-08, 06:18 AM

hey all,

I had a NVidia 6600GT using DVI->HDMI to my Sony KFE42A10 with perfect 1:1 pixel mapping and no overscan. late last year, I upgraded my video card to an ATI X1600 and TV to the Bravia KF55E200, which is basically the same as the A10 range but bigger (menus, inputs, everything is identical). however, between the old and new TV I had to go back to using an old CRT temporarily which is where I lost my perfect pixel mapping, and now I can't get it back!

I have uninstalled PowerStrip and reinstalled the latest version, plugged in the custom timings from the first post in this thread, and still no perfect pixel mapping :( the best I can get is 1280x720 with overscan.

I have yet to uninstall and reinstall my video card drivers, which I will be doing tomorrow in the hope that the custom timings decide to start working again...

has anyone got PowerStrip custom timings for an ATI card using DVI on the A10/E200 to yield 1:1 with no overscan?

grant.

Mr.Pibb

02-02-08, 10:41 AM

You may want to check information at the Powerstrip home page to see if your video card is compatible. I think I heard that some newer video cards aren't compatible with Powerstrip any more. It also could just be a weird powerstrip problem. You may want to uninstall powerstrip and delete the folder it used to be installed in to remove any settings, then reinstall powerstrip. I haven't made any changes to that computer in a couple years so I haven't run in to this problem!

I've also heard of some people getting things to work withing the ATI driver settings I think without Powerstrip. The timings themselves shouldn't change regardless of the video card.

ramsinks

02-02-08, 03:46 PM

Ahh, found this thread again.
Had a 9600XT VGA to the Sony RP LCD. Thanks to Mr P I had a good 1:1.

Now I just built a new HTPC (YAA!) and I have an 8500GT . Things have changed over time and I havn't kept up. I have the choice to use VGA, DVI or HDMI if needed. What is currently the best way for the Nvidia guy and this TV? Or can I just copy and paste into powerstrip like I did before on the ATI?

I guess it still looks like VGA for this TV just reading this thread eh?

Thanks~
Burke~

ramsinks

02-02-08, 04:53 PM

Hm, for the life of me I cannot get the Advanced timing to be un-grayed out..
Uninstall, install, remove vid drivers, add vid drivers.. bah...
:(

gbeattie

02-03-08, 12:27 AM

ramsinks

02-03-08, 02:08 PM

Well, It looks like we with the Nvidia 8* series are hosed man...
forums link (http://forums.entechtaiwan.net/viewtopic.php?t=6046&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=&sid=5b8822853ba5582337efdb30b6ade5de)

:/

languagegame

02-03-08, 07:14 PM

Wow. This thread is great. I finally have full-screen from my PC.

I had to create my own PowerStrip profile as for some reason the settings in the prior messages did not work for me. I could switch to the resolution, but the TV would not let me zoom. I'm running the KDF-E50A10 and an on-board Nvidia 6150SE video card on an nForce 430.

To get the proper settings, I started with 1280 x 720 and verified that zoom was working. I then created other resolutions (starting with 1224x688 in the original thread), moving 8 pixels at a time. Then I tested them until I found one that worked with zoom. I ended up with 1224x692.

Here are my instructions:
1) Upgrade drivers for video card to the latest version
2) Change the resolution to 1280 x 720 pixels
3) Install PowerStrip 3
4) Reboot the computer
5) Start, Programs, PowerStrip, Right-Click "PowerStrip", Click "Run As Administrator"
6) Right click PowerStrip in the toolbar
7) Select Display Profiles, then click Configure...
8) Click Advanced timing options
9) Click Custom resolutions
10) Check Lock total geometry
11) Set New resolution to 1224x692 (or whatever you want to test with)
12) Click Add new resolution
13) Restart the computer
14) Start, Programs, PowerStrip, PowerStrip
15) Right click PowerStrip in the toolbar
16) Select Display Profiles, then click Configure...
17) Change the resolution to 1224 x 692 pixels, and click Apply
19) Reboot again (this was critical)
20) Start, Programs, PowerStrip, and click PowerStrip
21) On the TV remote, click Wide until the screen is in Zoom mode

Good luck.

ramsinks

02-04-08, 10:47 AM

I just want to be sure that this ATi card will work with custom rez in powerstrip.

ati card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127298)

I assume it will.. just being sure.

Anybody want to buy a near new Nvidia 8500GT 512MB Fatal1ty? (fanless) :rolleyes:

ramsinks

02-07-08, 01:08 PM

So here is the issue with this TV as far as I can see. If you want HDCP over a HTPC.. you cannot do this with 1:1 and use up the whole screen. Because you can only get 1:1 over analog VGA. Right?
As a side note, if I do go with a new ATi card that only has two DVI ports - can I get the 1:1 working over a DVI/VGA converter?

Thanks~

Mr Pibb.
We have more in common then Steam.
AllThingsThatFly.com

Jamie~
;)

Mr.Pibb

02-07-08, 03:35 PM

I don't run in to HDCP problems...but then again I'm not watching HD-DVD or Blu-Ray movies on my computer right now either. If you rip the movies can you get past the HDCP issue?

My current video card uses a DVI/VGA converter with no problems.

Hey! Wait a minute, which forum is this? :confused: :)

I had to do some sleuthing...I get the plane reference! It looks like you are GFBurke on rcgroups, right? lol, I guess so since I see you're selling your video card over there. :D

Geeks have similar interests I suppose. :D

OK, I don't think I get the Steam reference (other than I have Steam installed and OCCASIONALLY play Half Life...)

It's a good time of year to be working on a computer verses flying RC planes!
So here is the issue with this TV as far as I can see. If you want HDCP over a HTPC.. you cannot do this with 1:1 and use up the whole screen. Because you can only get 1:1 over analog VGA. Right?
As a side note, if I do go with a new ATi card that only has two DVI ports - can I get the 1:1 working over a DVI/VGA converter?

Thanks~

Mr Pibb.
We have more in common then Steam.
AllThingsThatFly.com

Jamie~
;)

ramsinks

02-07-08, 03:42 PM

haha. Who are you over on RCG?
I posted in this thread a couple years ago (first page) and we talked about HL2... Yea, it's been a while.

I can "get around" the HDCP issue, but If I just rented or something and had people coming over last minute.. I assume ripping a "10GB" movie to the HDD would take some time.. idk..

Yeah, buy my card. It's awesome! ;)

Mr.Pibb

02-07-08, 03:59 PM

<------ lets just say my screen name is very similar to the one I have here. :D

I hang out mostly in the FPV section.

Ahhh! now I get it. I'm lucky to remember who I talked to yesterday, not to mention a couple years ago!

haha. Who are you over on RCG?
I posted in this thread a couple years ago (first page) and we talked about HL2... Yea, it's been a while.

I can "get around" the HDCP issue, but If I just rented or something and had people coming over last minute.. I assume ripping a "10GB" movie to the HDD would take some time.. idk..

Yeah, buy my card. It's awesome! ;)

ramsinks

02-07-08, 04:31 PM

O, very cool man. Did you listen to ATTF # 31? You might like that show. We did some AP interviewing etc.
I've done the Aiptek A-HD on my slowstick. hehe.

Boscorooty

02-09-08, 04:12 PM

I just want to be sure that this ATi card will work with custom rez in powerstrip.

ati card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127298)

I assume it will.. just being sure.

I would love to hear this as well..... Can anyone out there verify?

languagegame

02-11-08, 01:00 PM

I purchased the new Sapphire ATI HD 3450 card, and I can confirmed that the original solution for the A10 Sony TV works great, just as described.

The video card is the:
SAPPHIRE 100233L Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

It's a nice low-profile card for HTPC users that includes hardware acceleration for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray codecs. (If you need low-profile, you'll also need to purchase the bracket spearately at NewEgg. It's the XFX Low Profile Bracket Kit Model MA-BK01-LP1K).

ramsinks

02-11-08, 10:25 PM

Yeah, that's good. It's good to know the latest ATi cards are still a go. Although that one won't handle GuitarHero III or RealFlight G3.5 ;)

I'm still trying to sell my GT, once I do then I'll grab that Ati I mentioned.

Boscorooty

02-16-08, 10:19 PM

Ramslinks, I just ordered the components for my HTPC, including that ATI card. I'll post some thoughts next week when everything arrives and gets set up.

R

ramsinks

02-19-08, 09:56 PM

Right on man.
Ya, I just "zoomed" my 8500GT for now. It's ok.. I don't really do anything on it except music and video. But ya, let us know

ryansebiz

04-05-08, 02:11 PM

seems I didn't have to reinstall anything. I just fired up the ATI Catalyst control centre, chose 1280x720 and then adjusted the resolution from there to fit the panel size.

perfect 1:1 pixel mapping using HDMI, with about 5 pixels overscan top and bottom (the best I could manage without losing the picture completely), and I didn't need to mess about with PowerStrip.

for any ATI card owners, I highly recommend getting the latest drivers from ATI/AMD's web site and give it a go!

grant.

I'm currently running an msi k8ngm2-fid motherboard to my sony 42a10 (using this excellent guide for perfect 1:1 via VGA).

I'm looking to upgrade to a gigabyte ga-ma78gm-s2h amd 780g (with onboard ATI Radeon HD3200).

So, according to gbeattie, would I be able to drop powerstrip in favor of Catalyst for 1:1 via HDMI?

Edit:

In case someone else read this post here's the rest of my story.

So I just installed the gigabyte ga-ma78gm-s2h, which is a great HTPC motherboard.

I tried HDMI but, as in Mr. Pibb's first post, it came out fuzzy. I switched to VGA with PowerStrip and the Sony set to Zoom mode and all is well again.

I don't think the a10 can do 1:1 via HDMI.

Nety

05-14-08, 03:12 AM

Well I have setup the nVidia custom resolution using the suggested settings and I am getting 1:1 pixel mapping:)

However it is not centred on the screen. It basicaly is sitting too high and to the left... any ideas on how to move it? I could move it before I set it to custom but now that I have used a custom setting that option is gone:(

I am sooo close...

Mr.Pibb

05-14-08, 06:52 AM

It's been a while since there has been activity in this thread!

Buried in the first post:
You can make small tweaks to the horizontal adjustment on the TV settings. I used this to fix my screen being offset by a few pixels. If you need to make larger changes, use the "arrows" in the "advanced timing" of Powerstrip. DO NOT CHANGE THE SCREEN SIZE USING THESE BUTTONS!!

Just make the position adjustments in Powerstrip!

Nety

05-14-08, 02:07 PM

I would love too.. problem is I am not using powerstrip and from earlier posts it looks like a can't (GF 8500GT)

The nVidia control panel removes that option once you setup a custom resolution.

The TV menu for screen movement is also greyed out. I am guessing they figure you will not need to move the screen as it is digital :-(

Is there any way that you can change the screen using any of the setting that you are putting in to the custom resolution? I am sorry but even after looking up some of the meanings they all just go over my head.

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7668/nvidiacustomresolutionng5.jpg

This is not with the correct settings just taken of my main PC.

Mr.Pibb

05-14-08, 02:52 PM

Try going in to the manual settings and changing the front porch settings. It's the "dead" area outside the active picture. Increasing that number makes the blank area larger for each axis. Make sure the other numbers stay the same.

Nety

05-15-08, 02:40 AM

Bum.. this seems to make no difference what so ever. Any rules that you need to follow? and how much am i likely to need to change them?

nik6060

07-04-08, 10:28 AM

I hope this is a straightforward question (or at least that there's a straighforward answer!).

I have the KFE50A10 (Australian), hooked up via VGA to a Radeon 3650 card. The Powerstrip settings in the first post work great for me; my question is whether or not something similar can be done, but using a 50Hz refresh setting (rather than 60Hz).

Main reason being, PAL runs on 50Hz - it'd be nice to maintain that same rate end-to-end.

Thanks!

Nik

tbird2340

12-06-08, 09:36 PM

Ok.. Well I'm completely confused.. I just upgraded my HTPC (new motherboard, CPU, and ram).. Fresh install of XP, installed powerstrip and put in the settings I used in the OP with my last HTPC..

When I click apply my TV says "Unsupported Signal". WTH? The same EXACT settings I used on my old HTPC worked and now it's telling me this?

Any ideas???

Thanks!

Mr.Pibb

12-06-08, 10:20 PM

New video card? I thnk some of the new cards aren't supported by Powerstrip.

tbird2340

12-07-08, 08:06 AM

Yes, on board video.. It wasn't a powerstrip error though it was my TV saying that..

Mr.Pibb

12-07-08, 08:35 AM

Sony TV? Mine says that if I'm not sending it the right timing.

The Powerstrip settings may not be working. It could be because you video card isn't compatible, or it could be that the settings didn't "take". You may want to check the Powerstrip forums at entechtaiwan to see if there is any info about your particular video chipset.

tbird2340

12-07-08, 01:19 PM

Yes, Sony TV.. KDF-E42A10..

Man, this sucks.. I'll take a look over at Powerstrip's site..

My motherboard is a Gigabyte ga-73pvm-s2h. I thought I read someone here using it with no issues so I think it should be fine..

Mr.Pibb

12-07-08, 07:05 PM

Try uninstalling and re-installing powerstrip and/or your video drivers. Sometime it just needs a reinstall to get things working right.

tbird2340

12-07-08, 07:47 PM

Yup, I did that earlier and that did fix it.

Thanks

shoulderlean

01-06-09, 12:36 AM

Mr.Pibb

01-06-09, 06:37 AM

Im trying these settings with the onboard vga on my asus 3N78-vm with no success.
Any ideas on what i can/should do? The board uses Nvidia geforce 8200 chipset.
Ive uninstalled/reinstalled my drivers but still no luck. Everytime i apply the settings in powerstrip it says its was accepted, but when i press OK, the display changes to another res and i lose the option to change from full1. (full2 and zoom, arent there... wide button does nothing.)
any ideas?

Some/many integrated chipsets don't work well with Powerstrip. I just did a search ant the entechtaiwan forum and did find that someone wasn't able to get everything working on another version of the 3N78 motherboard.

Before you go the route of buying a new video card (recommended), you may want to try to uninstall Powerstrip AND make sure that all the files were deleted (specifically pstrip.ini)

Note that they now include "my" timings in the Powerstrip install. Scroll down through all the listed custom timings and you'll find one that says "Sony A10" or something like that beside it and you'll get the same timings I list in the first post. :)

You also may want to post this question on the entechtaiwan forums.

shoulderlean

01-06-09, 03:54 PM

Thanks MrPibb for all the info you have supplied.

Im really disappointed in this. I bought the 3N78 because of the onboard Geforce 8200 chipset which alot of people have recommended.

I guess i should have done more research regarding the tv display, but it is what it is.

Can you suggest a good video card? I need a low-profile card for my HTPC case

Mr.Pibb

01-06-09, 04:18 PM

I wouldn't totally give up on the built in card. Make sure you try the full uninstall and deleting all the pstrip related files first and then re-install. If you can't get it to work...

I just built a new HTPC and put in this card and it seems to be working great.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121281

shoulderlean

01-07-09, 12:16 PM

Such a tease..... I uninstalled powerstrip and drivers and upon reinstall of powerstrip i got it to work... The unfortunate part is, the display just will not stay. It will auto adjust to a different resolution a few minutes later and just will not keep the 1:1 ratio...
This realllly sucks.:confused:

Mr.Pibb

01-07-09, 12:32 PM

Now THAT'S strange. I haven't seen that before. It reverts back usually after a few seconds if you don't click OK that the resolution works. There must be something in the drivers that's forcing their own timing. I suggest posting something about this in the entechtawian forum.

shoulderlean

01-07-09, 01:06 PM

Thanks Mr.Pibb for your continued support... after two years, still going strong! I will keep you updated. I really hope i can get this working.
Quick question tho.... Do you think this is a problem with the tv syncing to my IGP? Would another tv suffer the same problems? I know its a SONY a10 thread, but im just throwing this out there.

Mr.Pibb

01-07-09, 02:28 PM

If it syncs up at all then it should be OK. Something else is going on. Either the drivers are taking over or something else is overriding the Powerstrip timings. It still may be something that requires you to buy an add-on video card. Remember, your performance should be better with a stand alone card as well.

That card I linked to above has been working well for me for a few weeks now. It's quiet, and it has a bracket included for low-profile setups.

shoulderlean

01-07-09, 02:38 PM

Will that card support blu ray playback? i dont have a BR player now, but do intend to buy one in the near future.

shoulderlean

01-08-09, 12:15 AM

Thought i narrowed the problem down to media portal, but its not just media portal. Sometimes if i change a screen, start a program, or open a window the res goes back to a small display... but all it takes is to go to display profiles --> configure, and once the dialogue window pops up... the resolution goes back to 1224x688

So weird....and frustrating

RassilonZero

02-20-09, 09:12 PM

Hey all,

I had my a10 and powerstrip working perfectly with my old setup (geforce 6600gt) until yesterday...
I just upgraded to a geforce gtx260, and now its no-go. I can select the resolution, and the sony A10 settings, and it will change the res, but i cant go to "zoom" mode, so all i get is a small squished screen.

I have the latest drivers and powerstrip version, and i tried the uninstall/reinstall game..

Any suggestions?
If it turns out that powerstrip just plain wont support my video card, are there any other options?

Thanks!

RassilonZero

02-22-09, 04:24 PM

As an additional question:
Does anyone have a10 + powerstrip working with an ATI radeon HD 4870?
I JUST bought the GTX260, so i can still exchange it if the ATI card will work...

Cheers!

smokarz

02-24-09, 05:57 PM

hi all,

i've been using the hdmi/dvi cable to connect my htpc to the kdfe42a10, however the hmi on the tv is recently damaged and i am forced to use the vga connection.

before i install powerstrip, can anyone tell me if it would work with my nvidia 9800gt on vista home premium? and also, do i really need powerstrip?

i was able to get full screen with the previous hdmi/dvi connection, though a bit overscan, but i was able to live with it. thanks

RassilonZero

02-24-09, 09:33 PM

I cant say for sure for your card, but it seems that the custom timing options may not work on any nvidia card 8xxx series or newer, as they are "not fully supported" by powerstrip. it doesnt work on my gtx260.

entech said that they are releasing and update in the next week or so, and it might fix things on newer nvidia cards...

anyone have powestrip working with the a10 settings and an ATI 4850 or 4870?
I prefer nvidia, but if its not going to work i may have to switch cards...

I dont know if there are other options (other than just live with overscan or a slightly smaller image with black borders and not 1-to-1 pixel mapping).

smokarz

02-25-09, 10:19 AM

so powerstrip would not work for the nvidia 9800 card?

does the nvidia driver has the capability to do something similar to what powerstrip does?

RassilonZero

02-25-09, 01:25 PM

as i said, im not certain for your card, but based on my experience with my gtx260, no...

It'll "work" insofar as you can change resolutions, but the timing settings that are needed to get full screen 1-to-1 pixel mapping on the A10 with no overscan dont work.

According to entech, powerstrip doesnt (and probably wont ever) fully support ANY current/future video cards.

the nvidia driver has some fairly advanced custom resolution and timing settings, but i havent been able to get it to work with the A10 so far (not quite as full featured as powerstrip).
If someone else has gotten it to work with the nvidia drivers, i'd love to hear it.

you'll be able to get full screen with some overscan with or without powerstrip.
Or you can have it scaled down to a bit of underscan.

smokarz

02-25-09, 02:52 PM

yes, i a able to get full screen using the 1280x768 resolution with the zoom function on the tv. however, there's significant overscan. i lost the entire start menu.

back when i was using hdmi/dvi, i did get overscan but only 1/3 of the start menu was gone. with the vga, the entire menu dissappear.

ryansebiz

03-03-09, 12:14 AM

with the vga, the entire menu dissappear.

Not if you use powerstrip and the first page's custom resolutions.

smokarz

03-03-09, 09:59 AM

Not if you use powerstrip and the first page's custom resolutions.

i would, if powerstrip supported my vid card (nvidia 9800)

Mr.Pibb

03-07-09, 08:20 AM

For newer video cards I've had to go with an ATI to get 1:1 pixel mapping. With VGA you need to "resize" the 1280x768 to the smaller resolution while keeping the timings the same. That only works if Powerstrip can take over the timings.

Mr.Pibb

03-07-09, 08:23 AM

Will that card support blu ray playback? i dont have a BR player now, but do intend to buy one in the near future.

I never answered this...

YES, I play ripped blu-rays (I own the originals!) all the time. Absolutely beautiful and smooth video.

SonyJunkie

05-25-09, 09:06 AM

Hi Mr.Pibb + all,

New Year, New Hardware, Replaced Tv,

You may remember i had that red tint issue ages ago, i sent it into sony and after some arguing they agreed to replace some optic thing, that costs like $2000 after that i didn't really play with the tv much and just left the digital cable box for the family and used the pc as a desktop since i was really busy anyway.

Now i'm trying to config a new pc, with powerstip everything is working as before with no red tint, so just to clarify there powerstrip setting could in no way kill the tv right?

i mean its the same as just having overscan with normal resolutions?

i'm just a little scared doing it again and finding out it killed the tv

Mr.Pibb

05-25-09, 02:09 PM

Yep, it won't hurt your TV at all. :D

SonyJunkie

05-26-09, 02:21 AM

Cool thanks Mr.Pibbs,

is there anyway of not creating the slight underscan at the taskbar with your settings?

and do you use the same custom settings in media center?

I would just really like it if media center at least had no over/underscan so there no chop when watching videos

Did you also come across that 720p res in vista media center, what do you think of it?

Just to report my latest findings for anyone out there that might be intrested : can't remember will edit this when i try it out soon, but with hdmi + nvidia drivers the res 1176x xxx (or something) gives me a picture where there is underscan at the top. this resolution is a standard resolution under 1280 with the nvidia drivers (olderst to newest drivers).

thing thats a little weird, with hdmi + nvidia drivers in media center there is a special resolution called 720p when selecting that, media center auto configures the screen and its just prefect, no under/overscan, but in windows 7 i can't get it to do the same thing. I also have to test this res for 1:1 but its really great that its gets a perfect size pic.

I'm using a new pc core2 whatever with a highly overclocked 7800 gs agp (in the top 5 of the worlds best overclocks, brag heh). thing is with this card drivers are a nightmare, i have to use really old drivers in vista for no corruption (this is not due to the oc just about everyone with this card is getting the same drivers probs) so i don't get the resize option and in win7 the latest drivers work but there is corruption on the start up screen and when uac dimms but everything else is perfect (so i just disable uac + autologin and it works great) but also with these new drivers the resize option doesn't work. there are a lot of other threads are reporting the same thing with drivers 185.85. Anyway hope this info proves useful to someone.

I'm still trying to find some drivers where the resize option works with no corruption for my card, i know pretty much hopeless in vista, but for some reason drivers work better in windows 7 but media center works worse, heh its a funny old nvidia world.