HTPC issues

[Mattd46612]

First using my s-vid to component adaptor I could get only get a almost completely blue picture. Now using just a s-vid cable the color is about right but overall just looks crappy.

System Specs
3.2 ghz celeron d
pc chips p23
chaintech av710
visiontek 9550 128
512mb ddr2 533

toshiba 51" rear projection hdtv. 1080i

ATI CCC says the default settings for the tv is 1024x768 which has to be wrong or something. I have a DVI-Component adaptor coming also. But figured this would work find with s-vid cable

 

[Lord Banshee]

S-video is only good for 800x600 so i am sure looks like ****** on a 51" 1080i screen

If you are calling the connector on your ATI card S-Video then you are incorrect. If you are S-video Wire from your video card as an extension to the s-video/component adapter that came with your video card then yes i could see you only seeing blue. as you are missing pins

Look at the connector on your ATI card if it has 4 round holes and one rectangle hole then it is S-video only. But the last ATI card i have looked at (9800Pro) it was like a 8-pin connector which the others are for component...

I think

Your best bet is to use the best connector on your hdtv, HDMI ? DVI? VGA? then component.

 

[tomt4535]

Its supposed to look crappy with Svideo. Use the DVI-Component adapter, it will look much better

 

[tuteja1986]

Use DVI or component or HDMI or VGA :!

 

[Mattd46612]

I have this coming http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...&viewitem=&item=220060777959&rd=1&rd=1. But is 1024x768 the right resolution for the tv? I can set it up over 2000x1000 (forget exact numbers) but it just makes the windows desktop like 2x the size of my screen. Hoping I can get this straightened out and find a good media center program i like because the av710 to my onkyo surround really sounds great.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Mattd46612
I have this coming http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...&viewitem=&item=220060777959&rd=1&rd=1. But is 1024x768 the right resolution for the tv? I can set it up over 2000x1000 (forget exact numbers) but it just makes the windows desktop like 2x the size of my screen. Hoping I can get this straightened out and find a good media center program i like because the av710 to my onkyo surround really sounds great.

S-Video is limited to 480i. If you set the resolution higher than 640x480, your videocard is scaling the higher resolution down to 480i so it can send it out with s-video.

This can lead to funky results when you try setting it too high since the videocard may end up not being able to scale it down to 480i (that's probably what's happening when you're setting it above 1024x768)

The component adapter is going to be A LOT better. I went from using s-video to the component adapter and being able to send resolutions above 480i made things look worlds better.

I was using the ATI branded adapter and I got very good results from 720p.

I had some issues with 1080i, but I didn't have a 1080i native display so that might have been the issue. At any rate, 720p should look much better than s-video.

 

[Mattd46612]

Yea im hoping the dip switches on that adaptor help me straighten it out. Its tolerable (barely) but I just expect alot of out it being a HDTV. Also having trouble with dvd/divx software fitting the movies properly on the tv. Even though its a wide screen tv im still getting like 8 inch black bars at the top and bottom. Figures the hardware went together so smoothly not a single problem till I hook it up to the tv. Hopefully that adaptor arrives tommorow so i can straightne it out.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

If your RP over/underscans, then you may be in for a whole new set of issues still :evil: You will end up having to use a custom res and many movies and games will become a unnecessary PITA.

 

[dfuze]

I am going through the same thing. Last night I just switched from an S to a HDMI/DVI connector. You will not be dissapointed w/ the picture quality difference. But I am now going through what DAPUNISHER is talking about. I've got some underscan issues and need to try to create a custom resolution after work tonight. If I figure it out, I'll pass on what I did.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Mattd46612
Yea im hoping the dip switches on that adaptor help me straighten it out. Its tolerable (barely) but I just expect alot of out it being a HDTV. Also having trouble with dvd/divx software fitting the movies properly on the tv. Even though its a wide screen tv im still getting like 8 inch black bars at the top and bottom. Figures the hardware went together so smoothly not a single problem till I hook it up to the tv. Hopefully that adaptor arrives tommorow so i can straightne it out.

Note that most movies are actually wider than 16:9

2.35:1 is a common aspect ratio.

8" black bars sounds like a lot though. 8" is taller than the bars on my 102" screen for 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/7%20DIY%20Screen/4%20Finished/2%2016%20by%209%20Angle.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaug......nished/2%2016%20by%209%20Angle.JPG</a>
vs
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaughlin/web/7%20DIY%20Screen/4%20Finished/6%202point35to1%20Angle.JPG">https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/spmclaug......nished/6%202point35to1%20Angle.JPG</a>

 

[Mattd46612]

Put the whole system together loaded the os and ditzed around with it and couldnt get it right. taking a day off from it and hopefully my dvi-component adaptor will come and Ill go from there.

 

[Mattd46612]

Well that adaptor made a world of difference and now the proper resolution is 1776x1000, movies look good although I havent tested it too much. (kid is here watching elmo on it and its not a widescreen movie). Just a touch of each side is cut off but I cant seem to find anything to help adjust the screen like controls on a monitor normally would. Anyone know of any programs?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Check out this thread for info on fine tuning your display calibration:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=206854