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Custom Resolution Guide for 1080i HDTV-HTPC-POWERSTRIP-RADEON - Page 11

post #301 of 1734
3/25/03 at 8:45am
Is it possible to run DVI-D to TFT monitor and to use VGA port to drive HDTV simultaneously? Using NVidea GEFORCE4, Powerstrip, and VGA to component transcoder. In other words, can you use N-View capability of GEFORCE4 driver to run TFT (from DVI-D port) at 1280x1024 and VGA port at custom resolution?
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post #302 of 1734
3/25/03 at 8:54am
Thread Starter 
While I can't address GF questions directly as I don't use GF cards, I am doing something similar on my Radeon 9500 pro, I use the VGA output to transcoder to HDTV and the DVI to a POS PC monitor with a DVI-VGA adapter. However, I am in clone mode so both displays are running at the same custom rez.
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post #303 of 1734
3/25/03 at 9:05am
Quote:


Originally posted by nc_dave
Is it possible to run DVI-D to TFT monitor and to use VGA port to drive HDTV simultaneously? Using NVidea GEFORCE4, Powerstrip, and VGA to component transcoder. In other words, can you use N-View capability of GEFORCE4 driver to run TFT (from DVI-D port) at 1280x1024 and VGA port at custom resolution?

Like Karnis, I'm not sure about the GF4, I run an ATI9000Pro, with DVI out to a projector at 1280x720 and the VGA to a 17"crt at 1024x768...so if the outputs of the GF4 are independantly driven as there are in my ATI card you should be able to do it.
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post #304 of 1734
3/25/03 at 1:14pm
Before I get pummeled for asking in this thread, I would like to suggest that my problems may not be due to the transcoder and rather the video card or television combination but I would like other's views on this. Below, is a quote from my most recent post on the "DIY transcoder" thread:

Quote:


I have been playing around with the 640x480 resolution (800 and 525 total lines at negative pulses) trying to see what is making the TV respond. Powerstrip and my video card allow me to go to exactly 33.750kHz vertically. At that resolution and with the horizontal up well over 60Hz I do get what appears to be a rolling (up and down) image although not at all complete I can make out the Start button of XP flying around. Of course, I don't leave the TV on this setting for any amount of time, but I thought it might help to know that the TV seems to be responding to the exact 33.75kHz from powerstrip and my video card. I tried 848x480 just for kicks to see if I might be able to get a stable image that way. I cannot which I think is due to the fact that I cannot hit 33.750 exactly on the money...not sure though. This doesn't explain to me why I am getting a display, although imperfect at 640x480 at 31.478kHz with myHTPC launched in it's main menu and not so in ant other environment. I'm wondering if maybe the circuit is not at fault and that my video card needs to be able to hit the exact 31.500 or close to it for my TV to display it.

Having read that, can anyone make an any assumptions as to what may be my problem as far as viewing at 31.5? Could it possibly be that my TV (Sony 36XBR800) is so picky about it's input that the 31.478kHz that is being thrown at it is not quite good enough to sync up with? Couls it possibly be that I should get a AIW/Radeon card? Will another card hit exactly 31.500 or thereabouts in powerstrip at the standard 640x480p? It just seems odd that the TV at 31.478 and close to 60 seems to show a picture if myHTPC is launched ( screenshot ) but I get next to nothing aside from a flicker of horizaontal lines from time to time at the windows desktop and otherwise and that I get a rolling seemingly full picture when I very quickly jack that 640x480 up to exactly 33.750. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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post #305 of 1734
3/25/03 at 2:20pm
Thread Starter 
540p timings are 33.75Khz scan rate, keep the vertical line total at 563 and you'll get 59.947 refresh rate.

480p timings are 31.5Khz scan rate, keep the vertical line total at 525 and you'll get the correct refresh rate.

You REALLY need to read the guide and read it closely. Although the timing strings are Radeon specific, all the steps you need to take to get the exact scan rates you are looking for, all the steps you need to take for fine tuning and everything you need to do to keep the timings locked at all times for all resolutions are right there, spelled out in blue and yellow.

No one is pummeling you, but IMHO you really need to get things working with a standard transcoder FIRST to insure your set responds correctly before you start introducing your DIY into the mix. It's just good smart common sense. If you choose not to heed my words of advice and years of experience doing this, well, good luck.
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post #306 of 1734
3/25/03 at 2:58pm
Ok I think I've finally given up the ghost on the ATI component adapter myself. I'm going to keep it around obviously but I can't handle the limitations any longer.

Does anyone know if a KVM switch will let me cycle between a Dreamcast and my HTPC? I'm assuming yes but I've never used a KVM switch in this setting before.
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post #307 of 1734
3/26/03 at 9:26pm
Will the settings in this thread work for my set up?

Currently I have an ATI AIW 9700 pro output through the s video output through the component cord to a samsung 27" HDTV using a 4:3 screen. Im using the settigs of 640X432 at 60 Hz. with the component display properties set at 480p enhanced. This provides a decent picture.... at least i think so, but what do I know, I'm just a beginner. I have read through this thread and expieremented with power strip using various settings to get control of some overscan, this worked but when I play dvds the screen shrinks abit and I get black sections showing through on the edges and the quality is reduced.

I have tried to get a 1080i setting to work ( the only other setting my tv will display besides 480i(p) but I cant get control of the screen.

Back to my question, has anybody tried any of these settings with an AIW 9700 through the component cord? If so, what works?

Im still trying to understand how to use the power strip so if anyone has suggestions please keep it simple.

Sorry for being such a noob.
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post #308 of 1734
3/27/03 at 8:38am
Dear Karnis,

let me apologize in advance if this question is beneath you...

really psyched to see the Mitsubishi HDTV you are benchmarking with is the EXACT model i've got at home. (i'm running an AMD 1600+ CPU, Windows XP Pro, ATI Radeon 9000 VCard - which i'm hoping to connect to my tv through the DVI/tv-out option). however, i'm lost with all the techno-jargon and intimidated by trying to program my computer to facilitate my HDTV as a big/fun/wild gaming monitor.

frankly i'm hoping for a bit more on the lines of casual switching from my monitor to my HDTV when the wife is out for the evening, the kids are asleep, and i've got a few quiet moments to play my favorite RTS or FPS games in the living room.

so... i guess what i'm asking is: for the marginally literate PC and AV guy who wants a SIMPLE, fast way to switch from monitor to 55" HDTV on which to play games, with very good resolution (but willing to sacrifice ultra-res for ease of use) - what is my best option?

thanks again for the expertise!
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post #309 of 1734
3/27/03 at 9:18am
Quote:


Originally posted by galileo72
so... i guess what i'm asking is: for the marginally literate PC and AV guy who wants a SIMPLE, fast way to switch from monitor to 55" HDTV on which to play games, with very good resolution (but willing to sacrifice ultra-res for ease of use) - what is my best option?

thanks again for the expertise!

What I do is set up a keyboard shortcut in the ATI control panel. All you have to do is set your computer the way you want it (i.e., for your monitor first), make sure you have the resolution set you usually use. Go to the "displays" tab or whatever it is called (I'm not at my home computer right now, it's the one where you enable different display outputs), type in a name for your setting, and choose a keyboard shortcut. (I use page down for my monitor, which happens to be downstairs, and ATI's control panel automatically makes it ctrl-alt-pgdwn). Then change your display output to display on your TV, make sure you are at the resolution AND THAT YOU HAVE YOUR POWERSTRIP TIMINGS SET. Save that setting with a keyboard shortcut (ctrl-alt-pgup for mine since my TV is upstairs!

Now just a simple keyboard shortcut will switch from one display to another. You can also just hit alt-F5 to switch from one display to another, but I don't think it will change the resolutions for you. I could be wrong about that.

Tim
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post #310 of 1734
3/27/03 at 10:43pm
Quote:


Originally posted by Karnis
"This is on the title bar called " new resolution" right? Not the "add new resolution" button? "

Correct. It is a toggle so it will prompt you to enable or disable. Tiling enabled will result in a scrambled interlaced desktop. Tiling disabled will result in a clean interlaced desktop and poor 3D performance.

I have the Sony driver installed for my PJ, I can run 1280x720p without a problem. I know that my PJ will also accept HDTV resolutions of 1035i and 1080i in addition to the 720p setting.

Trouble is all of the resolution listed in PowerStrip are progressive only, I tried clicking on the 'new resolution' button but didn't seem to change the tiling setting, there was still no interlaced resolutions to choose from and the interlaced check was was still grayed out.

How do get to the interlaced HDTV timings? Could this have anything to do with running dual monitors?
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post #311 of 1734
3/28/03 at 3:19am
Thread Starter 
Do you have the latest version of Powerstrip? Sounds like it may be outdated perhaps.
I have plenty of interlaced rez to choose from in the beginning of the guide.
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post #312 of 1734
3/28/03 at 9:15am
PS 3.29 build 342
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post #313 of 1734
3/28/03 at 10:56am
That is a little outdated. Here you go: powerstrip 3.30 (latest build)
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post #314 of 1734
3/28/03 at 1:46pm
Cool, thanks! But I wouldn't have thought that the difference from 3.29 to 3.30 were not that significant.

Are we sure that interlaced resolutions weren't available in 3.29? Is there something else that prevent the interlaced setting from showing up?
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post #315 of 1734
3/28/03 at 4:34pm
Thread Starter 
Al, what type of display are you using? Interlaced rez won't be available on certain digital displays.
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post #316 of 1734
3/28/03 at 7:05pm
Karnis,
I have a Geforce4 ti4600 and was wondering if by default 640x480 was a negative-synced resolution in Windows. It seems to be that way in poerstrip strictly using the slier bar and nothing custom. Thanks.
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post #317 of 1734
3/28/03 at 9:55pm
Thread Starter 
Yes. -hsync -vsync
These are the standard timings for Windows default 640x480p for my Radeon:
PowerStrip timing parameters:
640x480=640,24,96,40,480,10,2,33,25200,278

Generic timing details for 640x480:
HFP=24 HSW=96 HBP=40 kHz=32 VFP=10 VSW=2 VBP=33 Hz=60

-hsync -vsync
--------------------------------------------------------------
These timings are Radeon specific, but you get the idea and probably will work with your GF as well, or very close, enter them manually if needed...
--------------------------------------------------------------
31.5KHz scan rate
60Hz refresh rate
525 vertical lines
HSW 3.810 us
VSW .063 ms
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Now here are the 540p-based timings for 640x480p for 1080i HDTV
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PowerStrip timing parameters:
640x480=640,152,48,176,480,28,1,54,34320,1

Generic timing details for 640x480:
HFP=152 HSW=48 HBP=176 kHz=34 VFP=28 VSW=1 VBP=54 Hz=60

+hsync +vsync
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
These timings work with a direct connection with VGA breakout cable to RGBHV input on HDTV (like my Mits) and/or a transcoder to component inputs.
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post #318 of 1734
3/29/03 at 7:39am
Just wanted to verify about connecting ATI7500 to mitsWS-55511 HDTV. The TV has a VGA 640x480 input and I guess what I am still trying to figure out from the posting is what is the best way to connect the ATI7500 to the mits HDTV. I have tried to use the VGA input and configure custom resolutions with the Powerstrip 3.3 software but everything just seems to res out the HDTV and my monitor. I was also wondering if anybody has been able to get the custom settings to work with the mits ws-55511 and the ati7500 all in wonder card. The normal 640x480 works(480p) but cuts off the top and bottom of the showshifter application and is annoying. Appreciate any pointers on this. Thanks
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post #319 of 1734
3/29/03 at 10:14am
Karnis, thanks so much for this guide.

My setup is:
Mitsu55807 directly connected to:
Radeon 9000pro
Catalyst 3.2 WinXP ATi driver
Powerstrip 3.30 build 366

Im using your updated T & R strings. Games work well. Movie playback does not.

I want to be able to watch DIVX and DVDs but It chops the output. Does anyone have any ideas.

Jim
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post #320 of 1734
3/29/03 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
If you are trying to view video on the HW overlay using interlaced resolutions, it doesn't work....only if you use an ATi adapter.
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post #321 of 1734
3/31/03 at 8:52am
Quote:


Originally posted by Karnis
Al, what type of display are you using? Interlaced rez won't be available on certain digital displays.

Karnis, I have an ATI Radeaon 9000Pro connected by way of a DVI cable to a Cinema12SF/Infocus LS110.

According to the PJ manual it can accept the following HDTV formats: 1920x1080i, XXXXx1035i and 1280x720p. I have the progressive resolution up and running, looks great, I would have liked to try the interlaced one to see how the image quality changed.

I have noticed that on the HTPC, no interlaced seetings are available, but on my laptop at work that I installed PS to learn more about it, under 'custom resolutions' there are all sorts of interlaced choices!?

I thought that the Sony driver supported interlaced resolutions?
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post #322 of 1734
3/31/03 at 10:05am
Al - It is a DVI-D, not a Sony issue. When you are using the Radeon digital interface, there are no interlace options in PowerStrip. The same thing is true of NVidia controllers.
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post #323 of 1734
3/31/03 at 10:23am
Quote:


Originally posted by Ashley Saldanha
Al - It is a DVI-D, not a Sony issue. When you are using the Radeon digital interface, there are no interlace options in PowerStrip. The same thing is true of NVidia controllers.

Thanks Ashley, I kinda figured it would be something like that.

The whole reason I built the HTPC that was to experience a picture from DVD to projector in the digital domain.

That leaves me to believe that if I connected the projector to the HTPC using the component connection I could try interlaced signals? The only reason I was going to try this was to bring the Faroudja DCDi circuits back into play...as they are bypassed with a progressive signal.
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post #324 of 1734
3/31/03 at 11:29am
Al - Yes, exactly. I had a Radeon 8500 connected up to a RPTV w. the DVI/HDCP connector, and played around with DVI-D, an external transcoder and the ATI HDTV adapter. The external transcoder was the most flexible, but also the most work, and the ATI dongle was the least flexible but easy to use. In the end, I went back to the DVI-D connection, but it was worth experimenting with the other possibilities.
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post #325 of 1734
3/31/03 at 1:01pm
So how do you use the below? I have an ATI 9500pro Radeon with Win2K and I'm trying to get my Toshiba 57HDX82 to work with the card using a DVI cable - it works while Windows loads then goes blank.
Thanks,

Quote:


Originally posted by Nagorak
I haven't read this whole thread, but here are some resolutions I've come up with that might be useful to someone.

All of these are for Radeon cards (Radeon 9500 specifically, but I don't think it should matter what exact model you have). I got all these running with a DVI connection to my Hitachi SWX 57 inch TV. The overscan adjusted resolutions are the least amount of overscan I could get on the SWX, while still having no underscan whatsoever.

480p, 4:3 mode

standard
640x480=640,40,96,24,480,8,2,35,25250,3094

overscan adjusted (Hitachi SWX 57)
600x450=600,48,96,24,450,23,2,50,24196,3094

480p, widescreen mode

standard
853x480=853,21,85,106,480,1,3,13,31758,7

overscan adjusted
784x444=784,80,80,104,444,0,3,51,32994,3094

540p, widescreen mode

standard
960x540=960,20,40,92,540,7,1,15,37250,3088

overscan adjusted
880x496=880,112,40,96,496,25,1,41,37823,3088

720p, widescreen mode

standard
1280x720=1280,56,136,192,720,1,3,22,74481,1

overscan adjusted
1200x676=1200,192,136,184,676,24,3,43,76719,3088

1920*540
1920x540=1920,232,40,264,540,2,5,15,82890,3088
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post #326 of 1734
3/31/03 at 4:02pm
Quote:


Originally posted by fretzy999
So how do you use the below? I have an ATI 9500pro Radeon with Win2K and I'm trying to get my Toshiba 57HDX82 to work with the card using a DVI cable - it works while Windows loads then goes blank.
Thanks,

Many have tried to get an **HDX82 to work through DVI with no success. It turns out Toshiba didn't implement some standard protocol correctly so it won't work with a computer. Your best bet is a VGA -> transcoder -> component.

Tim
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post #327 of 1734
4/4/03 at 6:54am
Quote:


Originally posted by Mr.Pibb
Many have tried to get an **HDX82 to work through DVI with no success. It turns out Toshiba didn't implement some standard protocol correctly so it won't work with a computer. Your best bet is a VGA -> transcoder -> component.

Tim

Tim,
I have an 42HDX82 with DVI/HDCP and have been researching thisPC to HDTV issue for months while preparing to purchase new hardware for this purpose. I am sad to hear this, because I already have my component input taken up by other equipment and was hoping to use the DVI for the PC. Also, I gather that DVI is preferred when there is a choice, for it's uncompressed transmission of data and rersults in quality images.

I have not read one post on any forum that has stated really good results with outputting PC to the Toshiba's with DVI. (very few with the transcoder as well)

Of course, since Toshiba clearly states in the user manual that use with a PC is not recommended, so I cannot make them fix this problem.
However, do you (or anyone else reading this) know of another DVI device that also relies on this protocol to operate correctly that I could complain about this particular problem in reference to?

Which protocol are you speaking of?
The DDC issue? or something else?

Thanks
Dee
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post #328 of 1734
4/4/03 at 7:30am
Hi, does anyone know the native resolution for Sony Kp57wv500. I am trying to set up Power strip for custom resolutiom for this monitor. I cannot find this information ib the manual or Sony web site. Moreover has any one tried connecting a DVI outut from ATI Radeon 8500DV into the DVI-HDCP connection on this TV. The sony manual specifically states it is not for computers, will it damage my TV if I try it?
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post #329 of 1734
4/4/03 at 9:08am
Rather then start a new thread I thought that I would post my question here as it relates to the original topic quite nicely.

System in use: HTPC with ATI9000Pro, attached to LS110/Cinema12SF via a DVI cable, currently set for the HDTV Standard resolution of 1280x720.

Question: given that the projectors firmware has been designed to accept the above timing as a HD signal and rescale it to the native panel resolution of the projector which parts of the timing can I change to shrink the image so that all of the desktop is viewable? Currently there is an amount of the picture missing that is about equivalent to the width of the task bar on all four sides of the image.

Is this where I would change the number of pixels in the front and back porch?, being careful to keep the total number of pixels the same? If so do I increase the number to reduce the 'over-scan' or decrease the number?
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post #330 of 1734
4/4/03 at 9:38am
There were other posts that I can't seem to find right now, but here is one that I started a while back...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=214522

It does sound like it doesn't give the video card the right DDC info. Maybe if you knew how to override the video card's auto detection and knew the exact settings, but no one ever figured that out.

Note: I AM having good results with a transcoder, but don't bother with the 720p timings, they look ugly since it converts it to 540p.

Also, do you only have one component input? I have 2 on my 34hdx82 and I thought all the HDX82's had the same set of inputs.

Good luck!
Tim

Quote:


Originally posted by dlj189
Tim,
I have an 42HDX82 with DVI/HDCP and have been researching thisPC to HDTV issue for months while preparing to purchase new hardware for this purpose. I am sad to hear this, because I already have my component input taken up by other equipment and was hoping to use the DVI for the PC. Also, I gather that DVI is preferred when there is a choice, for it's uncompressed transmission of data and rersults in quality images.

I have not read one post on any forum that has stated really good results with outputting PC to the Toshiba's with DVI. (very few with the transcoder as well)

Of course, since Toshiba clearly states in the user manual that use with a PC is not recommended, so I cannot make them fix this problem.
However, do you (or anyone else reading this) know of another DVI device that also relies on this protocol to operate correctly that I could complain about this particular problem in reference to?

Which protocol are you speaking of?
The DDC issue? or something else?

Thanks
Dee
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