This is getting a little frustrating. I've spent a lot of time trying to get Xubuntu to run properly on my ps3 but when I finally got it working I ran into an issue that I can't seem to find a solution for.

I have the a XBR1 32 inch 720p LCD. For some reason, no matter what I do to change to fix the resolution, I either get a lot of overscan or borders around the desktop. This is not acceptable since I'm looking to use the OS as a media center as opposed to using apps that transcodes.

Has anyone been able to successfully get their installation to display correctly?

You only get to turn the borders on or off. No other adjustments are possible at the moment.

What do you mean to turn on or off? The only options seem to be either black borders around the screen or overscan by using full mode

It defaults to borders on the screen. If you force it to full mode the borders are removed. There are no other tuning options available.

As for overscan, I don't get any in full mode because my monitor has the complete 1080p image visible. You're getting overscan because your monitor isn't showing the full image on the screen.

You could always get some app that shrunk it's own window down. You can see this behaviour in PS3 games like Calling All Cars.

I just don't get the problem though since both the 360 and the ps3 xmb display properly. If there was a overscan issue on my tv, I would have noticed it by now. I assume it would be a problem with everything I use the TV for but it hasn't been an issue till now

What kind of app are you referring to?

The answer was fully explained to you over at the PS Ubuntu forums.

Such functions are typical in HTPC apps.

I just don't get the problem though since both the 360 and the ps3 xmb display properly. If there was a overscan issue on my tv, I would have noticed it by now. I assume it would be a problem with everything I use the TV for but it hasn't been an issue till now


The thing to remember is that the 360 and PS3 standard user interfaces and games play are designed with overscan in mind, as they realise that a very large proportion of consumer displays (even modern flat panel HD displays) have overscan, cropping the edges of the incoming video signal (top, bottom, left and right) Overscan is present in most displays (though some have a 1:1 pixel matching mode that defeats overscanning) - as it stops the viewing audience noticing the limitations of TV production technology - some of which are still present in production at HD levels. (Timing / blanking errors on cameras, single lines of video from backgrounds leaking through at the top or bottom of frame when digital effects are switched in and out etc.)

Windows (apart from Media Center) and Linux are not designed for use with overscanned displays, as PC monitors don't have overscan (they display the full width and full height of the input signal) and thus these operating systems don't, as a matter of course, accommodate overscanned displays. When you connect a Linux or Windows PC to an overscanned display you get a cropped image - missing the extreme left/right/top and bottom of the desktop etc.

In other words - you see the effects when running regular Linux and Windows on an overscanned display - but you don't when connected to a 360 or PS3 and using their regular user interfaces.

Some PC and Linux video card drivers DO have an option for overscan, and it is possible to create custom video modes on some systems, where a slightly lower resolution mode is created, putting black in the areas that an overscanning display will crop.

The reason you see it on Linux but not on a 360 or PS3 is because the 360 and PS3 are designed for it and Linux isn't...

The thing to remember is that the 360 and PS3 standard user interfaces and games play are designed with overscan in mind, as they realise that a very large proportion of consumer displays (even modern flat panel HD displays) have overscan, cropping the edges of the incoming video signal (top, bottom, left and right) Overscan is present in most displays (though some have a 1:1 pixel matching mode that defeats overscanning) - as it stops the viewing audience noticing the limitations of TV production technology - some of which are still present in production at HD levels. (Timing / blanking errors on cameras, single lines of video from backgrounds leaking through at the top or bottom of frame when digital effects are switched in and out etc.)

Windows (apart from Media Center) and Linux are not designed for use with overscanned displays, as PC monitors don't have overscan (they display the full width and full height of the input signal) and thus these operating systems don't, as a matter of course, accommodate overscanned displays. When you connect a Linux or Windows PC to an overscanned display you get a cropped image - missing the extreme left/right/top and bottom of the desktop etc.

In other words - you see the effects when running regular Linux and Windows on an overscanned display - but you don't when connected to a 360 or PS3 and using their regular user interfaces.

Some PC and Linux video card drivers DO have an option for overscan, and it is possible to create custom video modes on some systems, where a slightly lower resolution mode is created, putting black in the areas that an overscanning display will crop.

The reason you see it on Linux but not on a 360 or PS3 is because the 360 and PS3 are designed for it and Linux isn't...

Ok cool. Thanks for the info. That helped clarify it a bit. Downloading a Freevo LiveCD to see what kind of options I have within that. Hoping to see some sort of adjustment for overscan like there is with XBMC.

Wish I would have known more about the issue before spending a couple of days getting the system to work properly. Lot of wasted time but oh well.

Thanks again guys

The answer was fully explained to you over at the PS Ubuntu forums.

Such functions are typical in HTPC apps.

Yep, that was me. Just making sure I cover all my bases.

Is there a PS3 LiveCD for Freevo or are you working on a PC too?

Sorry, I should have been clearer. Was going to check it out on my PC through a Virtual Machine. Going to try to mess with it within that to see what options will be available to me

Though, a LiveCD for the PS3 would be awesome. It's the only reason I'm trying to get Linux working properly on my system.

There are several LiveCDs for the PS3 but they don't have any HTPC stuff on them.

For the PS3, MythTV seems like the player to beat at the moment. There are specific patches for it that accelerate the video output enough to allow 720p and 1080i mpeg2 playback, perhaps even 1080p.

Really? The only prob I had with MythTV is the look of it. Coming from XBMC, the themes looked pretty childish. Recommend a theme? And links to the patches you're referring to?

All I'm looking to do is play back xvid.

This is getting a little frustrating. I've spent a lot of time trying to get Xubuntu to run properly on my ps3 but when I finally got it working I ran into an issue that I can't seem to find a solution for.

I have the a XBR1 32 inch 720p LCD. For some reason, no matter what I do to change to fix the resolution, I either get a lot of overscan or borders around the desktop. This is not acceptable since I'm looking to use the OS as a media center as opposed to using apps that transcodes.

Has anyone been able to successfully get their installation to display correctly?

Doesn't Ubuntu offer a screen adjust option? I ran it on my PC for awhile and it always shifted left until I found this option.

If it did, then I would think this would be a non issue. Linux/Ubuntu is new to me so I have no idea if it does