Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum
The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.

HD-TV and PC

MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNARochester, MNRegistered User regular
edited February 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
I'm sure this isn't anything new. I, like many others, have just realized that I can run my PC through my TV via an S-VIDEO cable. It's pretty neat. I then threw my XBOX 360 into the mix with the Microsoft Media center for streaming fun, etc. etc.

However, this is my issue.

For whatever reason, my Samsung LN-T4661F 1080p HDTV only shows up as a "Generic TV" under my display options and the max resolution available is a paltry 1024 x 768. According to my owner's manual for the TV the native display of that juggernaut is 1920 x 1080. My videocard is an older Radeon X700 - is it just not capable of those higher resolutions for the TV (my monitor, another Samsung 755DF CRT max resolution is 1600 x 1200).

Does this problem extend due to my older video card, the S-Video cable... what am I missing here?

I am in the business of saving lives.
MegaMan001 on

Posts

  • AngelHedgieAngelHedgie Registered User regular
    edited February 2008
    MegaMan001 wrote: »
    I'm sure this isn't anything new. I, like many others, have just realized that I can run my PC through my TV via an S-VIDEO cable. It's pretty neat. I then threw my XBOX 360 into the mix with the Microsoft Media center for streaming fun, etc. etc.

    However, this is my issue.

    For whatever reason, my Samsung LN-T4661F 1080p HDTV only shows up as a "Generic TV" under my display options and the max resolution available is a paltry 1024 x 768. According to my owner's manual for the TV the native display of that juggernaut is 1920 x 1080. My videocard is an older Radeon X700 - is it just not capable of those higher resolutions for the TV (my monitor, another Samsung 755DF CRT max resolution is 1600 x 1200).

    Does this problem extend due to my older video card, the S-Video cable... what am I missing here?

    It's because you're running on S-Video - the resolution available to you when you do so is...limited. If you use an actual monitor connection (VGA or DVI), the computer will recognize the TV as a monitor and provide full resolution.

    AngelHedgie on
    XBL: Nox Aeternum / PSN: NoxAeternum / NN:NoxAeternum / Steam: noxaeternum
  • an_altan_alt Registered User regular
    edited February 2008
    Angel nailed it, but one more thing to keep in mind is that your TV will likely be pretty picky about what signals it accepts so double check resolution and refresh rate first if you run into any issues.

    an_alt on
    Pony wrote:
    I think that the internet has been for years on the path to creating what is essentially an electronic Necronomicon: A collection of blasphemous unrealities so perverse that to even glimpse at its contents, if but for a moment, is to irrevocably forfeit a portion of your sanity.
    Xbox - PearlBlueS0ul, Steam
    If you ever need to talk to someone, feel free to message me. Yes, that includes you.
  • EggyToastEggyToast Jersey CityRegistered User regular
    edited February 2008
    Yeah, S-video essentially doesn't tell your computer what the "monitor" is that's attached. Think of it like a fancy composite cable -- the yellow cable just sends video in to an output. It doesn't monitor the output to see what resolution works or anything.

    As such, the S-video resolution is limited entirely by your video card and how the hardware is setup to output on the S-video connection.

    EggyToast on
    || Flickr — || PSN: EggyToast
  • MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    edited February 2008
    Hmm, sounds like I'll have to invest in a DVI cable then, thanks for the prompt response!

    This can be locked now.

    EDIT: Dang, go monoprice.

    MegaMan001 on
    I am in the business of saving lives.
  • vonPoonBurGervonPoonBurGer Registered User regular
    edited February 2008
    You can't get anything higher than standard definition resolutions using S-Video. According to the spec page for your TV, it has a D-SUB (i.e. 15-pin VGA) input, you could use that and get HD resolutions. Alternately, if you have a spare DVI port on the video card you could get a DVI to HDMI adapter and connect to one of the HDMI inputs on your TV. Or you can get a card with component out and use that. Any of the above would work, but DVI->HDMI would probably be highest quality, and VGA or component would be tied for next best since both are analog.

    vonPoonBurGer on
    Xbox Live:vonPoon | PSN: vonPoon | Steam: vonPoonBurGer
  • MegaMan001MegaMan001 CRNA Rochester, MNRegistered User regular
    edited February 2008
    vonPoonBurGer wrote: »
    You can't get anything higher than standard definition resolutions using S-Video. According to the spec page for your TV, it has a D-SUB (i.e. 15-pin VGA) input, you could use that and get HD resolutions. Alternately, if you have a spare DVI port on the video card you could get a DVI to HDMI adapter and connect to one of the HDMI inputs on your TV. Or you can get a card with component out and use that. Any of the above would work, but DVI->HDMI would probably be highest quality, and VGA or component would be tied for next best since both are analog.

    Hey. Hey you. I responded to your PM about the Gamecube cables and you never told me if they worked. PM me post haste.

    MegaMan001 on
    I am in the business of saving lives.
Sign In or Register to comment.
Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum