Video mode?

[PurdueRy]

What exactly does the "Video mode" option do? It is under displays and the properties for my secondary display which is a 24" CRT. It appears to expand the edges of the screen and make it much sharper but with tons of flicker. Anyone have any idea what exactly this does?

 

[M0RPH]

As far as I know, it turns on overscan and interlacing so that it emulates a tv signal. It makes video look much better IMO. The flickering isn't noticeable while watching video, only on non-video stuff. And this mode is intended strictly for watching video on tv-out.

 

[Auric]

I read somewhere once that it is intended for low-resolution video. It certainly does crop the image like Overscan and likewise disables the Adjustment options. As of 5.11 it is now claimed to be an "enhancement" along with the distorted aspect ratio (NTSC setting outputs at 1.5 rather than 1.33:1) and the user has no choice in the matter.