Help with ATI output settings

[gellfex]

I've got my system working perfectly now but for 2 things.

This is one, and the ATI support for my 7500 AIW is basically nonexistent after 30 days. They don't even read the email before they autorespond some canned crap you already saw on their lame website.

I can't change the monitor screen resolution. When I try to change it to higher it simply bleeds off the screen. The right number of pixels, they're just the wrong size.

I'm running both the monitor & the tv as primaries @1024x768. I'd like to try the method of setting the tv as primary so the workstation can be used as tv is watched, but I'd like to work this out first.

[Mr.X]

It's not really the video card's fault.
When you change your screen resolution, you often need to make adjustments on your monitor to resize and reposition it. If you bought your monitor in the past few years, it should have "digital" controls and remember the settings for each resolution. There should be a "menu" button or something on your monitor which allows you to set the size and positioning. Check the manual for your monitor or go to the monitor's web site to download it if you don't have it anymore.

[gellfex]

Thanks Mr X, but I don't think you've got it. It's not little adjustments, its that the pixel size doesn't change at all! The text font is exactly the same size.

When I adjust in monitor front panel settings, the parts that are off screen remain offscreen with a black frame surounding, no matter how much I compress the image.

[Mr.X]

Wow - that's weird.

Have you tried it with another monitor? I would want to rule out a problem with that first.

I would guess that you have a defective monitor or video card. If it's a "built-by-ATI" card, then they should carry a 5-year warranty.

[gellfex]

Since my kds19 blew it's flyback, the only other monitor I've got a is a POS gateway 14. I'll try it.

Getting ATI's attention on this may be problematic. They only give 30 days of phone support, even if thats all wasted getting a replacement card, as was my case.

When I couldn't get MMC to export a .vcr to mpeg2 they basically told me to f**K off. The error message said I needed more disk space to export a 4g on a disk with 80g free, and they said I needed to free more space! I believe they don't actually read their emails, just autorespond to keywords so they can say they've responded.

Jon

[Mr.X]

Yeah - ATI has long been notorious for bad drivers, software and service, but some pretty good products at good prices. Their video cards are still widely used by HDTV enthusiasts, but MMC is the worst piece of crap software going. I tried installing it again the other day since there was a new version, and my system slowed down to 1/2, I was getting lockups and BSOD's - I got rid of it right away. From the first time I tried it many years ago, I was only ever able to get it working properly once. And even when it's working it's a pile of s**t. Appallingly bad software.

Their install/uninstall problems are world-famous. They actually had to recently bring out a separate software program that searches your system for files to uninstall when you're upgrading because they couldn't get their standard installer to do a proper uninstall. Amazing.

Wow - what a rant! Don't get me started about ATI - the company I love to hate!!

check out Rage 3D if you haven't already.

[gellfex]

Well, I for one wouldn't consider buying another ATI product. The only reason I got this one was ignorance of how inferior an AIW was to a pvr250 and any tv out card. However I did have MMC running pretty good for several months, with the advantage over BTV of recording in VCD at 600mb/hr. I thought it was a just fine res for timeshifting shows & archiving stuff for the kids to watch.

I don't game at all (gasps), but do 3d cad. I haven't a clue at this point in the evolution of this crap what would be the "best" vid card for me. The whole market is so tilted towards gaming I think the cad people have started writing their code to take advantage of the hardware.

I'll be upgrading my whole system to 4x current speed before even thinking about a new video card.

Jon

PS if I gamed I'd probably be divorced! I manage to waste enough time in front of this screen as it is!

[Eric3a]

Mr X.

I have to get you started on ATI

Yeah - ATI has long been notorious for bad drivers, software and service, but some pretty good products at good prices.

Actually since ATI beat the crap out og nVidia in the latest run of video cards when they introduced the 9700, almost every reviewer out and especially in gaming magazines has raved about the new drivers.

As and avid gamer, I was a nVidia fan until the 9700 came out. Drivers for the 9700 and 9800 are very good and very stable.

I am yet to have a driver crash in a game. Or any crash in a game, despite running at full res/highest options for everything.

The bad driver reputation comes from the drivers they had 2 years ago, an eternity in computer terms. They have very much improved, and I have read (though not tried) some horrendous reviews of the early nVidia attempst to catch up on ATI's lead.

I have to agree that MMC is pretty basic, but realistically if you want a PVR software you're going to have to pay for it. MMC is a good digital VCR, but not much more.

Tastes vary as to which card you prefer, and I can understand that ATI's lack of customer service is annoying. I am lucky that I have had no need for it, and absolutely love my card, a very good platform for playing games at crazy resolutions, yet get good strong results with BTV AND comes with a very good RF remote.

I understand ATI's shady history, but at the moment they have a good product line up (9600 and higher), served by good drivers.

All they need is to strike a deal with BTV to replace their MMC soft with a lite BTV and a coupon...?
Eric

[eggman51]

I concur regarding ATI.

About the time the 9700 was a kick ass card .. I waited on Nvidia to come out with the higher end 5xxx series cards. They came and .. um ... well they were horrible.

I bit the bullet and bought a 9700. I hated ATI due to past experiences, but I must say I am very happy with the 9700 in my gaming rig and the 9600 in my HTPC.

The MMC is .. well .. that's like using the software that came with a digital camera. Most of it's junk, as is MMC imo.

I may try an NVidia product at a later date, but I am "turned around" on my opinoion on ATI. I think they are doing a great job at this stage.

[Mr.X]

Actually since ATI beat the crap out og nVidia in the latest run of video cards when they introduced the 9700, almost every reviewer out and especially in gaming magazines has raved about the new drivers

Ok, now how long ago was that? A year? less?
I've been using ATI products since the early 90's, and believe me, they only got their sh*t together because of the enormity of the complaints and YEARS of problems, knowing that they couldn't keep getting away with it forever, or nVidia or someone else would bury them for it.
They may very well have things together now, but I've been through too many years of bad drivers to forgive them so easily. Especially when they've been on top for so long, they should have cleaned up their act long ago.

But I'm not bitter. No, not me.

And I'm not coming down on you or anyone else here - my frustration is directed towards ATI.

But I digress... Let's get back on topic...

[gellfex]

Yeah, back on topic! (fun as an old fashioned hardware debate is)

So do any of you ATI fans have a clue as what I'm doing wrong, if anything?

[Mr.X]

the only other monitor I've got a is a POS gateway 14. I'll try it.

How did that work?