Cloning monitor with different resolutions

Zeon

So im trying to clone my desktop monitor to my tv. The desktop is running 1080p right now, but the TV only accepts up to 1080i. Im running an ATI Radeon 5770, which doesnt seem to have the ability to downscale the cloned image. If i select clone, it forces my desktop to run at 780p, which looks awful on this monitor.

I also tried Ultramon, which works, but the refresh rate on the tv is terrible. Basically i want to be able to watch videos from my bed on the tv, because i cant see the computer from there. Is there any way i can do this without buying hardware?

If it makes a difference, the TV is connected via a DVI to VGA adapter, but after googling i dont think an HDMI cable will help because the option is just not built into the ATI drivers. I read its supposed to be built into Windows 7, but damned if i can find the option.

Raern

Not sure about cloning, but have you tried using the windows display settings to extend your desktop onto the TV? That should allow you to set separate resolutions, then you should be able to full-screen the movie on the TV.

Been a while since I messed with this, but under WinXP it used to be possible with an extended display to turn on theatre mode and automatically project the movie full-screen on the other monitor.

Zeon

I can do that, but I dont really like that option because of the mouse leaving my main monitor. I play a lot of games so i dont like the idea of the cursor escaping to the second monitor.

khain

The vast majority of games when run in fullscreen mode won't allow the mouse to leave the monitor the game is running on.

Iruka

You have to run games in "windowed fullscreen" mode to allow the cursor to leave the monitor for the majoriy of games. Do you have a crt/lcd button on your key board? I can cycle through having dual screen to one monitor to the other with mine, and the settings stay secure.

Zeon

I generally run a lot of games in windowed/windowed full screen so i can alt tab easier.

I dont have any special keys on my keyboard, its just a generic Dell keyboard.

Raern

I'm not currently running a Radeon card, so I can't check this is still true, but I vaguely recall my old Catalyst drivers from a few years back having profiles you could set hotkeys for. Have you looked for something like that?

bobAkirafett

I'm curious if there's a way to do this on newer nvidia drivers as well. When I get clone mode to work it's at some god awful resolution. The problem is if I run OLD drivers from October of last year or before it works perfectly fine. They removed clone mode for a while and now it's back but all shitty.