ATI Video and Component Connection to Standard TV

[nanook105]

I have always used nvidia video cards, and my son has an ATI 9600. We have been trying to connect it via component (using the dvi to component adapter) to his standard flat screen TV (not HD, but it has component inputs), but with every setting that we have tried, only about 25% of the screen shows up on the TV (with every resolution that we tried).

Is there a way to manually adjust the total screen size ?
The TV properties identify it as an HDTV. Could that be causing the problem and if so how can we change it ?

[merrypig]

DVI usually uses a DDC / i2c protocol to query a display's edid. You don't have that with component displays. However it's possible that the dongle itself has an EDID prom inside that is reporting the valid HDTV resolutions. If so, your pc might be picking up the list of valid resolutions from the Dongle via the dvi cable. I guess it's possible that dongle isn't reporting a standard definition option to your pc ?

Things I can think of to try;

1/ cut the i2c wires without an edid it'll fall back to default resolutions - but unless your panel can handle monitor frame rates instead of ntsc that'll probably make it worse. Ok..so I'm biased in fixing things with a hardware approach.

2/ Somewhere in the display props you should have an ability to set a custom resolution. In the nvidia drivers you can set a h/v/clk/porch timing set that will override the edid. Bear in mind though that nv are crap. once you do this, it ignores the edid forever! I never found a way to reset to the defaults without uninstalling and reinstalling the driver again... grr!

If the edid is being your problem, you may need to use something like powerstrip or somesuch to override it - even though you don't need to set hdtv resolutions.

[btvfreak]

What driver version are you using? The latest ATI drivers are pretty good. You should be able to manully set the resolution in there and adjust other screen settings. Could be that even setting it a 480i/p might have issues since it's not a good resolution for the TV. I would think that s-video would look pretty good, which would eliminate the need for the adapter.

[nanook105]

I noticed that 6.1 came out a couple of days ago, so I asked him to update the driver, but we haven't had a chance to play with it since.

The dongle does have dip switches that contol the output resolutions, but the only one that delivers any kind of picture at all is 480p. Maybe the dongle only works with HDTVs ??

[Rich A]

I had nothing but grief when I was running my HTPC with an ATI 9600. In my case I was using the VGA to the projector and S-Video out to the modulator (to feed the TV dist.)

I had similar issues that you are experiencing. I also had problems with the screen displaying properly on the Projector.

And a lot of trouble with the TV display using the S-Video. (my card also had the digital output but never used it)

I found things would work "better" if I made the S-Video out the primary display.

Normally the VGA out would be display #1, and the 2ndary display would be either the digital or S-video. If you haven't tried it yet, try making the video out that is driving the TV the primary display.

Another note unique to the ATI world (for me at least) was that I could NOT turn on the projector before turning on the A/V Amplifier. Yes very very weird. IF I turned on the PJ first and then the A/V Amp. then the windows GUI would be shifted to one side. So I'd go into the ATI setup and manually adjust the display so the windows GUI (and SS applications) were centered and displaying correctly. Then if I shut off everything and restarted the PJ first again, the display would be shifted the OTHER direction. I could only fix it, by FIRST turning on all the external equipment and then the PJ last.

I have since given the ATI card to my son (who is using it only for Photoshop work) And I've replaced it with an Nvidia 6600 card. NO problems. Everything works fine.

So try making the TV display the primary one and see if that might help.

[nanook105]

Actually, we booted with only the TV attached, which should be the same as making it the primary display (unless I'm missing something) and still had the same issues.

I'm starting to realize why I have always used nvidia cards for this purpose. Instead of fighting it, I might just get a 6600 and be done with it. Actually, I have a 6600GT in my other son's PC that is just used for gaming, so maybe I just need to pull the old switcharoo.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by nanook105

Actually, we booted with only the TV attached, which should be the same as making it the primary display (unless I'm missing something) and still had the same issues.

I'm starting to realize why I have always used nvidia cards for this purpose. Instead of fighting it, I might just get a 6600 and be done with it. Actually, I have a 6600GT in my other son's PC that is just used for gaming, so maybe I just need to pull the old switcharoo.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.

6600 .. that's the route I took. By the way .. I actually thought the ATI had very slightly better quality picture. The Nvidia though had a user interface that was MUCH more polished and had better screen adjustments and set up. Not to mention comparing ATI's driver world to Nvidia's driver world. ATI is "catching up" but Nvidia driver install, remove and setup is much more polished.

[pdaughe]

Interesting discussion....I too have always used Nvidia cards; in my opinion ATI has great engineering but has historically lacked in the software exploitations of their engineering -- and marketing.

Merrypig -- you sound like a genius on this subject and Nanook, you may be interested in my experience:

I have a relatively new standard definition 35" TV. The HTPC originally had an Nvidia 6200 connected via S-Video. That worked perfectly. Later, I replaced (for other reasons) the 6200 with a 6600 GT. Initially, that was connected via S-Video and also worked perfectly. THEN, I replaced the S-Video connection with component video, using the dongle provided with the 6600 GT. It worked great.

At the time, I was using the 78.01 Nvidia driver. With this driver, the input source shows as 480i and the ONLY connection option is "component video."
I think you know the screen I'm referring to -- TV settings?

EVERY driver after 78.01 fails to detect the component video connection; it is NOT shown as a option; instead there are four options, one being SCART, whatever that is. The display is always blue and white. I have even tested with 81.98.

My 6600 GT is manufactured by EGVA. I have contacted both EGVA and Nvidia concerning this, but to date I've had no response from EGVA. Nvidia did respond, but referred me to the manufacturer.

It's not a big deal to me -- the 78.01 driver works fine.

I just wonder why and Merrypig's explanation about EDIDs has got me wondering -- maybe Nvidia only regards component video with respect to a high definition display.

Anyway, if your son's component connection doesn't work with a Nvidia card, try the 78.01 driver. If it does work, let us know who manufactures the card, okay?

Time to go home!

[FAMU_Rattler]

You can use Multires and Powerstrip. I have that same setup and this is what I used to make a custom resolution for my HD Widescreen tv. Both of the programs are shareware programs. Powerstip makes the custom resolution and multires give you the option to change the resolution easily.

www.entechtaiwan.net/util/index.shtm

I hope that helps I can feel you pain when I had to figure it out.

[Rich A]

I believe the SCART connection is a combination audio/video interface popular in Europe. Many of the VCR DVD players made for overseas distribution have "SCART" connections.

[Paul S]

I was using an ATI AIW-9600 in my box. I used the S-video to feed a SD TV and I had a CRT monitor hooked to it. I found that the regular ATI control panel was better than the Catalyst control panel. It seemed to have more options/adjustments and was easier to use.

I didn't use the dual-view mode. Go to the advanced settings and select the TV as the second output.

I just installed a ATI X850 Platinum to replace the 9600, so I can't give you detailed instructions on it anymore.