Screen resolution question

[Axeman]

I have a 16x9 HDTV. The Sage computer connected to it is a dedicated to Sage so the TV is the only display connected to the computer. Since my TV uses some type of content protection I cannot use the DVI input on the TV. I have an Nvidia 6600GT video card and I use the component out from that card to run the TV.

I initially set my windows desktop to 1920x1080 thinking this was the proper resolution for my TV. Then using the Nvidia control panel set the TV output on the 6600gt to 1080i. The result was a windows desktop that was much larger than my TV screen. So I went in and played with the underscan settings till the desktop fit the screen. This gave me a screen resolution of 1712x992.

Is this correct? I feel like something has gone wrong. Why doesn't the 1920x1080 desktop fit on the screen? Perhaps my TV isn't really 1080i capable?

Thanks,
Axeman

[MeInMaui]

Originally Posted by Axeman

I have a 16x9 HDTV. The Sage computer connected to it is a dedicated to Sage so the TV is the only display connected to the computer. Since my TV uses some type of content protection I cannot use the DVI input on the TV. I have an Nvidia 6600GT video card and I use the component out from that card to run the TV.

I initially set my windows desktop to 1920x1080 thinking this was the proper resolution for my TV. Then using the Nvidia control panel set the TV output on the 6600gt to 1080i. The result was a windows desktop that was much larger than my TV screen. So I went in and played with the underscan settings till the desktop fit the screen. This gave me a screen resolution of 1712x992.

Is this correct? I feel like something has gone wrong. Why doesn't the 1920x1080 desktop fit on the screen? Perhaps my TV isn't really 1080i capable?

Thanks,
Axeman

Please give us the brand and model of the TV. I don't see any reason why the DVI connection shouldn't work. We'll be able to help more with more info.

I would recommend against using interlaced output to the TV. We need to find the native resolution and set your video output to that, preferably via DVI.

Aloha,
Mike

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Axeman

Is this correct? I feel like something has gone wrong. Why doesn't the 1920x1080 desktop fit on the screen? Perhaps my TV isn't really 1080i capable?

That's about right, do a search for overscan.

[Axeman]

The TV is a Toshiba 42H83. According to the manual the DVI input on the TV is a "DVI/HDCP input which accepts input in digital form from EIA/CEA-861 compliant consumer electronic devices". They warn not to connect it to a PC but I tried it once anyway. I got no picture on the screen.

I'm gonna search overscan now and see what I find.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by Axeman

The TV is a Toshiba 42H83. According to the manual the DVI input on the TV is a "DVI/HDCP input which accepts input in digital form from EIA/CEA-861 compliant consumer electronic devices". They warn not to connect it to a PC but I tried it once anyway. I got no picture on the screen.

I'm gonna search overscan now and see what I find.

Note I have a Toshiba 30HF84 and use the HDMI input and it is listed as HDCP compliant also so you should be able to use it I think. I have a nVidia 6600 (non-GT) connected up to it at 1712 by 992. 1920 by 1080 had way too much overscan. Screen refresh rate in nVidia app is 60hz.

Hope this info will help you.

BobP.

[Axeman]

Interesting BobPhoenix, I tried it once but it didn't work. That was a while back and I have a better understanding of thinks now so I'll try it tomorrow and see if I can get it to work now.

Stanger89, I did a search on overscan and came up with a bunch of stuff. One thread that came up was your Aspect Ratio 101 post. This is actually the thread that caused me to start this posting. I wanted to get my AR stuff working correctly and I was afraid that having my desktop at 1712x992 would cause Sage to mis-read my display size and mess up the AR stuff.

[stanger89]

Basically what you're seeing is right, CE displays are designed with, usually about 5% overscan, that means 5% of the picture is convered up by the frame. That's not an issue with CE devices because they're designed accounting for overscan, so nothing important is displayed in the assumed overscan area.

PCs are designed for monitors with no overscan, so they make full use of the active display area. On a CE device, that means things like the Taskbar are covered up. Modern drivers allow you to reduce the active display area to get the Windows desktop completely within the "safe" area. You're really still sending the TV 1080i, but now Windows is only using part of it.

The only way you'll screw up Sage is if your desktop aspect ratio is not equal to your TV, but 1712/992 is ~ 16:9 so you're fine. If you're using Sage 6, you can override the detected Display AR and there is no issue, regardless of resolution.

[Axeman]

Woot! My DVI does work. Thanks for your post BobPhoenix, I tried it again this morning and at first just a blank screen like the last time I tried. I fiddled with a few settings and was about to give up when I noticed the driver was only sending a signal to the TV output. I set it up for 2 monitors (one on the DVI one on the TV) and bingo it worked. I can't believe I missed it last time. I could have saved $20 on that component cable I bought.

Stanger89 - That makes sense, thanks for your explination. I've been able to sort out my AR issues with your other post as well.

I'm now using the DVI at 1712x992 and feeling good.