OK, I've wanted to put this together for awhile since seeing Frizzo's old AVS Forum post and zillions of subsequent ones here and PowerStrip forums. Also, if you are a Sony VPL PJ owner here is a specific site you should know about: http://www.stevenhightower.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl
So, you've bought a Sony VPL and the native resolution shows 1368x768 but you can only get 1024x768 or 1280x720. How frustrating, you can't get a full image. You've hooked up your HTPC to the PJ correctly (DVI) but can't figure out how to get this to work. Well it is not your fault, the issue is Sony did not correctly load the EDID in the PJ to show the 1368x768 support. Additionally, in order for the VPLHSxx to support 1368x768 a critical timing parameter (56Hz) must be used. So, just selecting 1368x768 mode in Windows won't cut it. Well below is the simple guide for Newbies. There are two avenues.
1) You can go try/buy Powerstrip (http://entechtaiwan.net) and use this software to create a custom driver/timing. I highly recommend this software if you are psuedo technical inclined because it offers alot of other features you'll take advantage of in your HTPC that ATI and NVidia overlook. Anyway, I won't detail here the steps of PS because their support Forum, FAQs, etc. are excellent.....some key links below. Suffice to say, you'll be creating a PS driver that will place the specific 1368x768 resolution and needed timing parameters into your Windows/Gfx driver table. Once you select this custom rez/driver in Windows, PS will enforce this on HTPC bootup.
Custom Rez Primer
http://entechtaiwan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24
HDTV Timing Database
http://entechtaiwan.net/forums/viewf...4603e670657343
VPLHS20 Timings
http://entechtaiwan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1401
If you end up using PowerStrip there are many places in this AVS and PS Forums to get the VPLHSxx timings but here is a known good one for manual entry:
RAMDAC
Pixel clock = 80.224 MHz
Horizontal geometry
Scan rate = 44.969 kHz
Active = 1368 pixels
Front porch = 56 pixels
Sync width = 144 pixels
Back porch = 216 pixels
Total = 1784 pixels
Vertical geometry
Refresh rate = 56.001 Hz
Active = 768 lines
Front porch = 1 lines
Sync width = 11 lines
Back porch = 23 lines
Total = 803 lines
2) If you don't want to know or can't deal with Powerstrip below is a straight forward way.
{Note, I used PS to create this Monitor Driver INF}
Anyay, first it is important to understand the relationship of things in the PC and Display. The GFx card driver (and/or Windows) is the central point of the PC. It controls the display thru it's own display/software/gfx driver. However, the Gfx card/driver first uses the EDID information contained in the display to figure out what resolutions, etc. to show the user they can select in Windows. If the EDID is not there then it uses the Monitor Driver (INF file) that Windows loaded or you loaded from a install disk of a display manufacturer. This "Monitor Driver" is not the same as the Gfx driver....it is a monitor driver...basically just information about the monitors capability that the Gfx Driver (and/or Windows) uses. So, in the above scenario, if the EDID is there in Device Manager under Monitor tab Windows will report it is using "P&P Standard". Again, this is simply saying the GFx Display Driver (and/or Windows) is using the EDID, not a seperate Monitor INF file. For the VPLHSxx we do have an EDID but it is incomplete (does not contain the 1368x768 resolution)....so hence the issue. However, the fix is fairly easy.....all you have to do is replace the "P&P Standard" (which again means the Gfx Driver/Windows is using the EDID) with a new a INF that supports our 1368x768 mode. Here are the steps.
1. At the bottom of this post under the "****" line copy-n-paste the lines to a text file (use Windows Notepad) and save as VPL.inf {Note, is doesn't matter where you save this file to but I'd put somewhere that won't get deleted or lost}...........OR you can use the zipped attachment which has the my INF.
2. Go to Windows Display properties > Settings
3. If you have more than one display connected, select the VPLHS20
4. Click the "Advanced" button
5. Go to the "Monitor" page/tab
6. Click the "Properties" button in the "Monitor type" group
7. Go to the "Driver" page/tab
8. Click the "Update driver" button
9. Check "Install from a list or specific location" and click "Next"
10. Check "Don't search. I will choose..." and click "Next"
11. UNcheck "Show compatible hardware" and click "Have disk"
12. Click "Browse" and select the folder you save your "VPL.inf" to
13. Your "Model" should appear - highlight it and click "Next"
14. Now just follow Windows instructions and let it finish up.
That's it ! Now Windows will use this INF file and the corresponding 1368x768 with 56Hz refresh resolution/timing for your VPLHSxx
************Copy-N-Paste Below This Line To A Text File With INF Extension *********
; Custom monitor information file - generated by PowerStrip 3.0, 5/28/2003
; Copyright (c) 1995-2002, EnTech Taiwan.
; Web: http://www.entechtaiwan.com
[Version]
signature="$CHICAGO$"
Class=Monitor
ClassGUID={4d36e96e-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Provider=%MFG%
[Manufacturer]
%MFG%=MonMfg
[MonMfg]
%MODEL%=Mon.Install
[Mon.Install]
DelReg=DEL_CURRENT_REG
AddReg=Mon.AddReg,RES,DPMS
[Mon.AddReg]
HKR,%MODE%,Mode1,,%RANGE%
[DEL_CURRENT_REG]
HKR,MODES
HKR,,MaxResolution
HKR,,DPMS
[RES]
HKR,,MaxResolution,,%MAXRES%
[DPMS]
HKR,,DPMS,,1
[Strings]
MFG="Sony"
MODEL="VPL-HSxx"
MAXRES="1368,768"
MODE="MODES\\1368,768"
RANGE="30.0-60.0,56.0,+,+"
So, you've bought a Sony VPL and the native resolution shows 1368x768 but you can only get 1024x768 or 1280x720. How frustrating, you can't get a full image. You've hooked up your HTPC to the PJ correctly (DVI) but can't figure out how to get this to work. Well it is not your fault, the issue is Sony did not correctly load the EDID in the PJ to show the 1368x768 support. Additionally, in order for the VPLHSxx to support 1368x768 a critical timing parameter (56Hz) must be used. So, just selecting 1368x768 mode in Windows won't cut it. Well below is the simple guide for Newbies. There are two avenues.
1) You can go try/buy Powerstrip (http://entechtaiwan.net) and use this software to create a custom driver/timing. I highly recommend this software if you are psuedo technical inclined because it offers alot of other features you'll take advantage of in your HTPC that ATI and NVidia overlook. Anyway, I won't detail here the steps of PS because their support Forum, FAQs, etc. are excellent.....some key links below. Suffice to say, you'll be creating a PS driver that will place the specific 1368x768 resolution and needed timing parameters into your Windows/Gfx driver table. Once you select this custom rez/driver in Windows, PS will enforce this on HTPC bootup.
Custom Rez Primer
http://entechtaiwan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=24
HDTV Timing Database
http://entechtaiwan.net/forums/viewf...4603e670657343
VPLHS20 Timings
http://entechtaiwan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1401
If you end up using PowerStrip there are many places in this AVS and PS Forums to get the VPLHSxx timings but here is a known good one for manual entry:
RAMDAC
Pixel clock = 80.224 MHz
Horizontal geometry
Scan rate = 44.969 kHz
Active = 1368 pixels
Front porch = 56 pixels
Sync width = 144 pixels
Back porch = 216 pixels
Total = 1784 pixels
Vertical geometry
Refresh rate = 56.001 Hz
Active = 768 lines
Front porch = 1 lines
Sync width = 11 lines
Back porch = 23 lines
Total = 803 lines
2) If you don't want to know or can't deal with Powerstrip below is a straight forward way.
{Note, I used PS to create this Monitor Driver INF}
Anyay, first it is important to understand the relationship of things in the PC and Display. The GFx card driver (and/or Windows) is the central point of the PC. It controls the display thru it's own display/software/gfx driver. However, the Gfx card/driver first uses the EDID information contained in the display to figure out what resolutions, etc. to show the user they can select in Windows. If the EDID is not there then it uses the Monitor Driver (INF file) that Windows loaded or you loaded from a install disk of a display manufacturer. This "Monitor Driver" is not the same as the Gfx driver....it is a monitor driver...basically just information about the monitors capability that the Gfx Driver (and/or Windows) uses. So, in the above scenario, if the EDID is there in Device Manager under Monitor tab Windows will report it is using "P&P Standard". Again, this is simply saying the GFx Display Driver (and/or Windows) is using the EDID, not a seperate Monitor INF file. For the VPLHSxx we do have an EDID but it is incomplete (does not contain the 1368x768 resolution)....so hence the issue. However, the fix is fairly easy.....all you have to do is replace the "P&P Standard" (which again means the Gfx Driver/Windows is using the EDID) with a new a INF that supports our 1368x768 mode. Here are the steps.
1. At the bottom of this post under the "****" line copy-n-paste the lines to a text file (use Windows Notepad) and save as VPL.inf {Note, is doesn't matter where you save this file to but I'd put somewhere that won't get deleted or lost}...........OR you can use the zipped attachment which has the my INF.
2. Go to Windows Display properties > Settings
3. If you have more than one display connected, select the VPLHS20
4. Click the "Advanced" button
5. Go to the "Monitor" page/tab
6. Click the "Properties" button in the "Monitor type" group
7. Go to the "Driver" page/tab
8. Click the "Update driver" button
9. Check "Install from a list or specific location" and click "Next"
10. Check "Don't search. I will choose..." and click "Next"
11. UNcheck "Show compatible hardware" and click "Have disk"
12. Click "Browse" and select the folder you save your "VPL.inf" to
13. Your "Model" should appear - highlight it and click "Next"
14. Now just follow Windows instructions and let it finish up.
That's it ! Now Windows will use this INF file and the corresponding 1368x768 with 56Hz refresh resolution/timing for your VPLHSxx
************Copy-N-Paste Below This Line To A Text File With INF Extension *********
; Custom monitor information file - generated by PowerStrip 3.0, 5/28/2003
; Copyright (c) 1995-2002, EnTech Taiwan.
; Web: http://www.entechtaiwan.com
[Version]
signature="$CHICAGO$"
Class=Monitor
ClassGUID={4d36e96e-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}
Provider=%MFG%
[Manufacturer]
%MFG%=MonMfg
[MonMfg]
%MODEL%=Mon.Install
[Mon.Install]
DelReg=DEL_CURRENT_REG
AddReg=Mon.AddReg,RES,DPMS
[Mon.AddReg]
HKR,%MODE%,Mode1,,%RANGE%
[DEL_CURRENT_REG]
HKR,MODES
HKR,,MaxResolution
HKR,,DPMS
[RES]
HKR,,MaxResolution,,%MAXRES%
[DPMS]
HKR,,DPMS,,1
[Strings]
MFG="Sony"
MODEL="VPL-HSxx"
MAXRES="1368,768"
MODE="MODES\\1368,768"
RANGE="30.0-60.0,56.0,+,+"
VPL1368x768.zip 0.55859375k . file
Yes he is very kind.
