X850XT HDTV Component Out - Need Help

[Farfle]

Hi, I'm trying to hook up my HDTV monitor to my new X850XT so I can watch HDTV content with my ATI HDTV Wonder card. However, i'm running into difficulties when using the 9-pin HDTV Component out cable included with the X850.

I booted the computer with ONLY the HDTV monitor attached, using the 9-pin cable. I was surprised to see the BIOS POST tests already being displayed by the TV. I was under the assumption, according to ATI's website, that the component video won't be displayed until Windows is initialized. Anyways, while I could see the computer's normal bootup output, the colors were way off (ie, Windows logo), and it was considerably fuzzy. Everything was light bluish, and possessed no other colors. It's as if it were black and white, with blue in there as well. (My first thought was that the Component cable colors were mixed up, so I switched those around. The only difference that made was changing the bluish color to a magenta color).

When I got into Windows, the display was set to Default Monitor, and when I went into the ATI CCC, the HDTV monitor showed up as a general TV device (and had none of the same options my normal VGA computer monitor does. I was expecting to see the HDTV Support option, which is usually available, but it wasn't there.)

I'm Googling this like crazy, but I just wanted to throw this in here in case someone has had similiar experiences hooking their X800 series cards up to a HDTV. Anyways, thanks for the help!

P.S. I'm using regular A/V RCA cables for component input. I know, I know, everyone says you should use the "real" YPbPr cables, but i've had no problems in the past using the regular Red/White/Yellow ones. I've successfully been able to watch 1080i content, from an HDTV OTA receiver, on the same HDTV monitor i'm trying to use now, using the same cables i'm using now. So I don't think the cables are the problem.

 

[Farfle]

I forgot to mention that the 9-pin HDTV Component output cable that came with the card is fairly loose when I plug it into the card. It consistently falls right out if I tug on it gently. It's as if it's not pushed in all the way. From what I can tell, however, I put it in as far as it can go.

 

[Auric]

Using braided wire where coaxial is called for is just weird. I would not look any further for the solution before that is corrected. You say it worked with other hardware but I suppose your luck just ran out. Get some video cables.

 

[Farfle]

Well, I went out and purchased some Component cables (I needed to get a set anyways, as the longest composite/AV cables I had was 3ft.)

Unfortunatly, there's been no change. It's almost as if it thinks it's a regular TV over a regular composite video signal, it's that bad. ATI CCC just detects it as a regular TV, no HDTV. Do I need to have another monitor attached, and then use the HDTV as a second monitor? I'm beginning to think it's something to do with the card itself. That 9-pin connection is awefully loose when plugged in.

 

[Farfle]

Well, I tried out the Composite/S-Video In/Out dongle, and the screen looks normal (for that connection). There's full color, and I could see it right when the computer booted up. So that pretty much eliminates any possibility of that physical connection on the card being faulty.

Could there be something wrong with my 9-pin Component out dongle? Like I said earlier, the screen is entirely blue, and it's video quality/resolution is the same as that of composite video.

 

[Farfle]

Well, I ended up plugging a regular CRT into the VGA port, and the HDTV component out worked. So problem solved. However, it looks like crap at 1080i, at least text. Ah well, video looks alright.

 

[Auric]

So, do you think it is a defect in the drivers or some configuration option you missed but somehow worked itself out by connecting the monitor? Try rage3d or avsforum for more user experience with this schtuff.

 

[Farfle]

You know, it could be a firmware issue, but I I think it's more likely something with the card or the 9-pin component out dongle connection (as I said earlier, it is very loose). In fact, the CRT monitor had nothing to do with it; it was just a coincidence that when I plugged that in, it worked. It seems if I just repeatedly turn on and off my computer, and ensure the 9-pin connection is tight, it will eventually show up clear in the POST and in Windows.

Oh, and the cables used made no difference. Heck, the RCA composite cables worked just as well against "official" component cables with my HDTV Wonder. Additionally, they looked as good as the DVI cable that I tested with it as well. Just thought that was interesting .

 

[Auric]

Well, the yellow one would be coaxial and used for a composite video signal on its own or a component signal when used with two more (same as "official" component cables but with different colour coding). But the red and white are likely just stranded wire for analog audio. I would be surprised if using those resulted in a good HD signal. Could the connector have been crushed a bit? Does it look any different than the S-Video dongle? If so perhaps it can be fixed with some pliers or something. I would contact ATI.