[Shroud]

Configured powerstrip on my Infocus X1 using the recommended value from Technuts FAQ of 1024 x 580, which runs very well. Was wondering what other settings I should try to use. I have an ATI Radeon 9500 Pro for my video card.

Using Technuts settings, I found out that I have to change the x1 aspect ratio to 4x3 for my 16x9 screen in order to see the movies correctly. Only problem is if I watch a non-anamorphic movie, I get the "window frame" effect as the sides are being matted (along with top and bottom) in a 4x3 frame. If i decide to keep this resolution, I will need to use another resolution for my non-anamorphic movies such as Abyss, Armageddon CC, and True Lies, etc (all great movies with no anamorphic transfers).

 

[KoolKiwi]

I live in a PAL country, so have my HTPC set to 800x600x50Hz via Powerstrip.


Note that with native resolution, as I have a blank desktop, I fire up Nokia test's grid pattern and then press the "auto adjust" to get pixel perfect 1:1 mapping.


I tried non-native resolution, but believe the video image looks best when using native SVGA resolution and doing all the scaling once via the PC.


ie: Logic suggests that it is better to just scale once on the PC, rather than having the PC scale up to XGA resolutions, then have the projector scale back down to SVGA resolution.


So for NTSC you might be best to just try standard 800x600x60Hz settings.


Greg

 

[doubleJ]

I am using 1280x720. I had to set my monitor (x1) to use the sony w900 (widescreen 24" crt) driver, then install powerstrip to get it working, though. For some reason, the radeon drivers don't have 1280x720, anymore. After setting it, I can uninstall powerstrip without any issues.

If you're wanting 4:3, then I can highly recommend running native 800x600. I think it looks much better, as you're not having to deal with the 2/3 or 3/4 pixel artifacts (it's the same way with any fixed resolution output, like an lcd monitor). Native just looks cleaner.

I, on the other hand, wanted 16:9. I started using 800x453 from technut, but quickly got annoyed by programs' install/uninstall requiring 800x600+ to work. That's really the only reason why I'm using 1280x720. it looks kind of crappy in windows, but movies look fine.

JJ

 

[ChrisW6ATV]

I agree with Greg, basically. My Powerstrip settings for my X1 are "uninstall Powerstrip and use 800x600, 75 Hz".

 

[klipsch]

Has anyone tried or gotten 1080i to work on their x1 via PC?

 

[doubleJ]

klipsch...

Why would you want to? I'd much rather run 720p than 1080i (I guess if you're watching purely 1080i material than native would be better, but on the x1 it won't be native, anyway). Aside from that, 1080p is what we're really after.

Hehehe...

JJ

 

[Fancy_Lad]

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisW6ATV I agree with Greg, basically. My Powerstrip settings for my X1 are "uninstall Powerstrip and use 800x600, 75 Hz".

Same here

 

[kingnick]

I have a myhd 120 card in my htpc and always have it send 1080i to my x-1. I think it looks a lot better than 800x600 even though I don't know why. I've never tried power strip, but so far I haven't seen a reason too. One of the advantages of the x-1 is the built-in scaler is quite good.

 

[klipsch]

Well this may be a noob question for me, but what are you settings for 720p? When I input my xbox games to the x1 through the VGA port at 720p, the x1 recognizes the signal as 720p. When I put my PC to 1280x720 through the VGA, the x1 sees 1280x720 60hz. Is there a way to make the x1 see the signal as 720p and if so, how?


I just recently got powerstrip and have an AIW 9600...

 

[doubleJ]

kingnick...

Are you using the vga connector from the htpc? I don't think the x1's scaler (faroudja or whatever) is even used for that connector, or am I thinking about something else?

klipsch...

Was that for me? What's the difference between 720p and [email protected] (aside from .06hz more)?

JJ

 

[pochoboy]

with those two PS setting from technut and that 800 x 600, it seems X1 is in virtual desktop mode.

 

[doubleJ]

pochoboy...

I've seen the x1 in virtual desktop mode and it's no fun, but my 1280x720 is using every bit of the x1's centermost 800x450 pixels.

In reply to my earlier post, of course the x1's vga has a scaler. How else would I be doing 1280x720 on an 800x600 pj? I'm dumb, sometimes.

Hehehe...

JJ

 

[edwardr132]

Quote:

Originally posted by ChrisW6ATV I agree with Greg, basically. My Powerstrip settings for my X1 are "uninstall Powerstrip and use 800x600, 75 Hz".

Actually you might want to consider using 60hz when not using Powerstrip instead of 75hz. The Infocus Tech guy "Bob Williams" mentioned that the color wheel actually slows down when running a faster refresh rate than 62hz.

 

[KoolKiwi]

Quote:

Originally posted by edwardr132 Actually you might want to consider using 60hz when not using Powerstrip instead of 75hz. The Infocus Tech guy "Bob Williams" mentioned that the color wheel actually slows down when running a faster refresh rate than 62hz.

Yes, as per my original post above, if playing PAL source, you want 800x600x50Hz (via powerstrip).


However if you are viewing NTSC source, you will want the standard 800x600x60Hz PC setup.


Running at 75Hz will result in dropped frames, as the X1 uses frame rate locked color wheel speed between 48Hz and 62Hz. Above 62Hz the X1 drops frames.


I originally asked this question over 12 months ago, and had the above confirmed by Bob Williams, as I had originally hoped that running 75Hz for PAL would effectively give me 3x color wheel (but no such luck).


However on the plus side, 48Hz support is useful, and a "frame rate locked wheel" is quite an advanced feature for such a low priced projector, even if it only extends to 62Hz.


Greg

 

[jay_madrid]

I suspect that I will surprise a few people by stating that I run 800x450. I have PowerStrip setup so that I use the bottom 450 pixels rather than the middle- and at 50hz. I've copied the timings below in case anyone else in interested. If you want to get 800x450 with 60hz or with the screen centered, I suggest that you first get this resolution running and then edit the parameters to get the desired result.


PowerStrip timing parameters:

800x450=800,32,128,80,450,0,4,174,32625,272


Generic timing details for 800x450:

HFP=32 HSW=128 HBP=80 kHz=31 VFP=0 VSW=4 VBP=174 Hz=50


Linux modeline parameters:

"800x450" 32.625 800 832 960 1040 450 450 454 628 +hsync +vsync


Jay in Madrid

 

[klipsch]

Well I am only assuming that there is a difference in the signal as the x1 recognizes two separate things.


xbox Soul Calibur 2 at 720p: x1 displays "720p"


PC at 1280s770: x1 displays "1280x720 at 60 Hz"



So am i not to a$$/u/me or is there a difference with vertical hz, refresh rate, etc.?

 

[doubleJ]

klipsch...

Hmmm...

That's interesting. 720p is normally legitimized by [email protected] I personally don't think it matters, but others may. Maybe the x1 is recognizing yours has some variant of HD whereas mine as just a resolution. I know that when my windows loading screen (little moving bar at the bottom) is on the x1 says "480p".

JJ

 

[klipsch]

Yes I've noticed that too when the Windows XP loading flash screen pops up. However, when I put the resolution to 720x480 it is seen as 720x480 which is what led me to believe there is a difference, but I have yet to be able to prove it one way or the other.


On an aside, "my advanced timing options" button in powerstrip is very fickle. Most of the time it is greyed out. Is there something I'm missing on that too?

 

[MC-Fish]

could someone please provide me with a X1 powerstrip setting for 800x600 50 hz ? i have tried, but i get pixeltearing.


Thx

 

[klipsch]

ok well I have answered my own question about the 720p.


I needed to apply the resolution using powerstrip and not the windows properties settings tab. Using the windows settings tab the x1 sees 1280x720 where as using powerstrip it says 720p.


The x1 is not set up on this computer but the settings I have are:


Active pixels

1280 720


Horizontal Vertical

45 Refresh Rate 60

72 Front porch 5

40 Sync width 5

256 Back porch 20



If anyone has any other recommendations, please let us know. If I come up with anything else I will be sure to post.


And weirdly enough when I set the display to 640x480 using powerstrip the x1 saw it as 1080i, go figure.