No Blue color on HDTV from ATI card

AndrewAVA · 04-26-08, 06:58 AM

I previously posted an issue but am re-posting it as there has been an update and clarification of the problem. I am hoping someone can shed some light on this.

I recently got a new Dell PC (XPS 420 w/Vista Home Premium) that has an ATI HD2600XT video card. The card works perfectly with my LCD monitor. The problem has been hooking it up to my somewhat older Panasonic HDTV (component video input only—no DVI or HDMI input). I am able to view a very sharp, crisp, picture using ATI’s Catalyst software (most recent version and driver installed). The issue is that there is no blue color in the picture—red and green are clearly seen with no blue.
The video card is hooked up to a high quality component video cable (YPbPr) by way of a short cable purchased from, and specifically recommended by ATI (the video card from Dell did not come with a component video adapter). The adapter plugs into the “S-Video” type port on the video card. The male cable and female video port connect via a 7-pin connection. ATI has told me that this port on the card puts out “enhanced S-video” that is used with component video to produce a high quality picture beyond that of S-video. This, according to ATI, is the way this card (and apparently others) connects to HDTV’s with component video. Again, a digital connection to my TV is not possible.
Other than the complete lack of blue color on the HDTV (which otherwise looks perfect when watching cable TV or DVD), the video card seems to work fine. ATI felt the video card was defective—it was replaced by Dell with an identical card—still no blue color. My next call is to ATI to try another adaptor cable to connect the video card to the component cable. The component cable hooked up to the HDTV has previously worked well with no color problems when hooked up to a previous Dell PC.
I read with interest another user (http://www.driverheaven.net/ati-grap...etected-2.html) who had a similar issue with a Dell PC and an ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro card. Amazingly—he also had no blue color. His ultimate solution was to by a retail version of the ATI card (which did come packaged with a component video adapter cable) which magically fixed the problem.
Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on? I will happily replace the card if it will allow me to see my photos on my HDTV in Red, Green, and yes, Blue.
Thanks in advance.

CT_Wiebe · 04-26-08, 04:15 PM

It sure sounds like Dell is getting their ATI cards with defects - no Blue connection to the "enhanced" output connector. If Dell will not fix the problem, then buy a new card (make sure you can return it for a full refund, if it doesn't work).

As I said in my reply to your other thread, this is a subject for the HTPC thread (where the PC experts are), not here! You have a PC problem and not a calibration problem.

04-26-08, 06:58 AM	#1 \| Link	<a href='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adclick.php?n=a4ac4393' target='_blank'><img src='http://rev.avsforum.com/phpAdsNew/adview.php?what=zone:30&n=a4ac4393' border='0' alt=''></a>
AndrewAVA New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 5	No Blue color on HDTV from ATI card I previously posted an issue but am re-posting it as there has been an update and clarification of the problem. I am hoping someone can shed some light on this. I recently got a new Dell PC (XPS 420 w/Vista Home Premium) that has an ATI HD2600XT video card. The card works perfectly with my LCD monitor. The problem has been hooking it up to my somewhat older Panasonic HDTV (component video input only—no DVI or HDMI input). I am able to view a very sharp, crisp, picture using ATI’s Catalyst software (most recent version and driver installed). The issue is that there is no blue color in the picture—red and green are clearly seen with no blue. The video card is hooked up to a high quality component video cable (YPbPr) by way of a short cable purchased from, and specifically recommended by ATI (the video card from Dell did not come with a component video adapter). The adapter plugs into the “S-Video” type port on the video card. The male cable and female video port connect via a 7-pin connection. ATI has told me that this port on the card puts out “enhanced S-video” that is used with component video to produce a high quality picture beyond that of S-video. This, according to ATI, is the way this card (and apparently others) connects to HDTV’s with component video. Again, a digital connection to my TV is not possible. Other than the complete lack of blue color on the HDTV (which otherwise looks perfect when watching cable TV or DVD), the video card seems to work fine. ATI felt the video card was defective—it was replaced by Dell with an identical card—still no blue color. My next call is to ATI to try another adaptor cable to connect the video card to the component cable. The component cable hooked up to the HDTV has previously worked well with no color problems when hooked up to a previous Dell PC. I read with interest another user (http://www.driverheaven.net/ati-grap...etected-2.html) who had a similar issue with a Dell PC and an ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro card. Amazingly—he also had no blue color. His ultimate solution was to by a retail version of the ATI card (which did come packaged with a component video adapter cable) which magically fixed the problem. Does anyone have any thoughts on what might be going on? I will happily replace the card if it will allow me to see my photos on my HDTV in Red, Green, and yes, Blue. Thanks in advance.

04-26-08, 04:15 PM	#2 \| Link
CT_Wiebe AVS Special Member AVS CLUB MEMBER Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 5,528	It sure sounds like Dell is getting their ATI cards with defects - no Blue connection to the "enhanced" output connector. If Dell will not fix the problem, then buy a new card (make sure you can return it for a full refund, if it doesn't work). As I said in my reply to your other thread, this is a subject for the HTPC thread (where the PC experts are), not here! You have a PC problem and not a calibration problem. __________________ - Claus {non-Santa model}