sagetv dvi to HDMI (TH-42PX60U) w/6200

[sabre]

Hi,

Just got a panny TH-42PX60U. I have a Geforce 6200 video card. I am using a DVi-HMDI cable to go from the PC to the TV. But i have no luck in getting any picture on the tv. I have forced the geforce to detect the tv connection, but only gives option for auto-select, component and s-video. Anyone have a simlar set up that could help me out.

Thanks

maybe i should add this is a 42" plasma, 720p/1080i, and i can connect to the s-video on the TV fine.

[malore]

What do you mean by you forced the geforce to detect the tv connection?

Do you have the s-video/breaker bar connected along with the monitor and DVI-HDMI? If so, I'd try having just having the monitor and TV connected. If not, I'd try to boot the computer with just the TV connected. 'ALT-F4' and then 'U' should shut the computer down if you still don't get a picture (try shutting down this way before disconnecting the monitor).

[sabre]

Thanks Malore.

In the control panel under tools, there is an option to force TV detection.

There is no monitor on this HTPC, and i have tried just booting w/ only the DVI - HDMI connection. Still no luck.

Under select video output format, the only options it gives are s-video and composite--why is there no option to choose DVI? There is auto-select also, but that does not find it.

Thanks for any input. I assume that DVI-HDMI would give me the best picture, as opposed to s-video, which does come in ok, but do not want to settle.

[Scriber]

FWIW, I believe after poking around on the AVS forums and elsewhere that some HDTVs have issues with HDMI connected to a PC. This may be the issue here if all else fails.

As an example, I have a 37" Vizio LCD and if I use a HDMI-DVI cable the computer won't boot at all (NV 6600). If I unplug the cable and plug in after booting its fine; also works fine with the VGA connector that I use too.

My prior Philisp 32" HDTV had no issues with the HDMI-DVI. I just hooked up the cable to the same PC and it worked fine - as a digital connection should.

Ironically, I am looking at this exact TV or the TH-42PX600U (mainly for the added VGA connector to ensure PC compatibility) so I'd appreciate it you would keep this thread updated on how you like this HDTV and if it plays nice with Sage; especially if you find a workaround.

[Rogue9]

Which version of the Nvidia drivers are you using? What OS?

My 6600 is connected to my HDTV via DVI-HDMI with no problems. I just hooked it up, and it detected it as a digital TV. I don't remember what version of the drivers I'm using, but they are at least a year old. I can check the exact version when I get home, but I would assume the latest drivers work the same way, unless its a "bug" they introduced recently.

[Crashless]

If you're switching from an old SDTV via s-video to a dvi connection, you might have to change the nforce drivers to monitor instead of TV. Remember, the drivers think the TV is actually a monitor.

I remember having to change it when I got mine, but can't remember the exact terms to tell you where to look. I'll post again tonight if no one else has answered.

Check the tray icon...I remember there was something there. Something like TV+LCD or the like.

[sabre]

Rogue9, I just updated my drivers to the latest, 93.xx. The one i had earlier today i think was 82.xx or so.

Scriber, i really like this tv when going direct through the tuner or cable box (still trying to figure how to get the right aspect ratio via the cable box - direct coax to tv and internal tuner works great). super HD picture, but i was impressed with the SD picture as well, as some plasmas seem to have very poor quality w/ SD. Great deal at best buy right now. check out fatwallet or sites like that for the details. I should also mention that was i also impressed w/ SageTV via the s-video without doing any adjustments yet. But as mentioned, i sure would like to get the HDMI input going.

Crashless, that would be great if you can remember. Is there somewhere i have to tell it to use DVI out. I do not see that option anywhere.

[Jesse]

Hi,

Are you doing HD with sage? If so, I don't think a 6200 will cut it. You will need a 6600 at the very least.

That said, try switching to the nvidia "classic" control panel. I could not get the drivers to successfully force detect my SDTV with the "new" control panel. Long shot I know, but it worked for me. I use component from a 7600GT to our Panny plasma (same model as yours IIRC) and it worked great out of the box, so you may consider giving component a try.

HTH

Jesse

[sabre]

Thanks Jesse,

I have not tried HD yet on the 6200, but plan to. I do realize it may not be enough. I have been using the classic view. No matter what I do, it never gives me the option to select DVI. I have no component dongle for this, and not sure if that would even work. I am wondering if there is a problem with this card. I do not want to spend the cash, but may need to go for a 7600GT.

[GbrNole]

silly question but are you sure you have the tv set to the correct video input?

i still think that vga works better for plasma simply because you can get to the native res of the tv. hdmi is a touch sharper on my vizio 50" but i get a ton more options to control the color palatte if i use vga.

[malore]

I've setup two different HDTVs using DVI-HDMI cables and both times I had a computer monitor attached and added the TV as a second monitor and then changed the resolution and overscan settings for the TV. I was then able to disconnect the monitor and have it boot and use the TV as the primary screen without any problems.

This thread has some useful info on Nvidia cards, in it I posted the success that I've had in getting my 6200 to play 1080i content with a little overclocking. Now if you can just get the display working.

[Crashless]

Ok. I just took a look and I have something for you to try.

Go to display properties, then to the nvidia tab in the advanced options.

Select the nView Display Settings item. Set your Display Mode to Single Display, and then select your Monitor as the Current Display.

If you don't see the monitor there, you might be having some handshaking issues. I've read a lot recently about Panasonics having issues with various devices over HDMI. If you still don't have luck there, check the AVS Forums - I'm sure someone over there will be able to help you.

[sabre]

thanks for the help all. i was screwing the dvi cable in really hard to make sure it was tight, and by mistake the computer rebooted. when it came up, where crashless mentioned it gave the choice of choosing HDTV or the panasonic. chose the pana tv, and went to a display of 1280x720.

But a problem. The desktop and the text/sagetv menus look beautiful, just great. but when i play the video it is just horrible, much worse than the s-video. this is just playing SD content. So, sorry to bother all again, but any ideas here. Will continue playing, but happy to at least get this far.

[GTwannabe]

Originally Posted by sabre

But a problem. The desktop and the text/sagetv menus look beautiful, just great. but when i play the video it is just horrible, much worse than the s-video. this is just playing SD content. So, sorry to bother all again, but any ideas here. Will continue playing, but happy to at least get this far.

Which MPEG2 decoder are you using?

[sabre]

I am using nvidia decoders, and they has usually worked fine.

[malore]

The last post in the thread about nvidia cards contains screen shots showing the poor image quality I get using the nvidia decoders on SDTV recordings. The nvidia decoders work great for me on DVDs and HDTV, but the picture is jagged and speckeled on SDTV. I much prefer the Intervideo decoders for SDTV. Might be a problem with 6200s because nobody else replied to my post about it.