PC to HDTV via DVI: help me i am scared

ben0207

So, my girlfriends TV is connected to her PC via DVI, and it sort of works, but only at 1024 x 768. So it's either stretched horribly or not using the whole glorious 27 inches :winky:

Some specs:

TV is a Thomson 27LCDB03B (it's a couple years old now, but I only recently moved in)
PC is a 2.6Ghz P4 with a 256 MB GeForce FX 5600, running the most up to date driver I could find from Nvidia.
OS is XP Sp2

The main problem is that I'm very much a Mac guy. And this Windows install is in German, which I barely speak. So I'm going to need this in dummy-talk if possible

ArcticMonkey

right click desktop, click nvidia control panel, go to add custom resolution. Click add resolution and write in 1366 x 768 (the most normal resolution for lcd hdtv under 40 inches). Click test button. If test fails, try another timing scheme.

If the tv has a resolution of 1024x768, wich means non square pizels and most likely plasma, and 1366x768 makes text hard to read try 1024x576.

If none of those work try the two hdtv resolutions 1280x720 and 1920x1080.

mcdermott

ArcticMonkey wrote: »

right click desktop, click nvidia control panel, go to add custom resolution. Click add resolution and write in 1366 x 768 (the most normal resolution for lcd hdtv under 40 inches). Click test button. If test fails, try another timing scheme.

If the tv has a resolution of 1024x768, wich means non square pizels and most likely plasma, and 1366x768 makes text hard to read try 1024x576.

If none of those work try the two hdtv resolutions 1280x720 and 1920x1080.

I don't know how the nVidia equivalent works, but in my ATI control panel I can do a "detect displays," and it just detects my HDTV and only offers the appropriate resolutions and refresh rates.

Also, it's 1376x768 or 1360x768, I forget which...but both numbers should be divisible by 16. :P

Another thing to remember is refresh rates. Stick with 60Hz to start with...I know my TV craps out if I try 70Hz or 75Hz at most resolutions, even though they're theoretically supported (distorts the picture).

EDIT: And don't be scared. The worst that'll happen is you'll fry her HDTV while simultaneously destroying her video card.

ArcticMonkey

mcdermott wrote: »

Also, it's 1376x768 or 1360x768, I forget which...but both numbers should be divisible by 16. :P

Resolutions don't have to be multiples of 16 these days and most times it looks best to run lcd screens at their native resolution.

My current screen is not even a multiple of 4 (1680x1050).

ben0207

Other ersolutions like 720p etc work but they flicker like a bastard, and I can't change the refresh rate on any of them.


Wouöld switching to VGA help?

ArcticMonkey

ben0207 wrote: »

Wouöld switching to VGA help?

It can since VGA is sent analogue and the tv must handle the signal a different way.

mcdermott

ArcticMonkey wrote: »

mcdermott wrote: »

Also, it's 1376x768 or 1360x768, I forget which...but both numbers should be divisible by 16. :P

Resolutions don't have to be multiples of 16 these days and most times it looks best to run lcd screens at their native resolution.

My current screen is not even a multiple of 4 (1680x1050).

Well fuck me. Mine's a 1366x768 as well, I guess I just wasn't paying attention (thought it was 1360).

And yeah, in my experience VGA is easier. And the difference in quality is negligible.

AngelHedgie

This should help you with getting the resolution just right.

JWFokker

ArcticMonkey wrote: »

mcdermott wrote: »

Also, it's 1376x768 or 1360x768, I forget which...but both numbers should be divisible by 16. :P

Resolutions don't have to be multiples of 16 these days and most times it looks best to run lcd screens at their native resolution.

My current screen is not even a multiple of 4 (1680x1050).

Totally irrelevant. That's a MONITOR resolution, not an HDTV resolution. TVs are 16:9, monitors are 16:10.

EDIT: Correction.

ArcticMonkey

JWFokker wrote: »

ArcticMonkey wrote: »

mcdermott wrote: »

Also, it's 1376x768 or 1360x768, I forget which...but both numbers should be divisible by 16. :P

Resolutions don't have to be multiples of 16 these days and most times it looks best to run lcd screens at their native resolution.

My current screen is not even a multiple of 4 (1680x1050).

Totally irrelevant. That's a MONITOR resolution, not an HDTV resolution. TVs are 16:9, monitors are 16:10. All HDTV resolutions are still divisible by 16.

Ehm, not according to Google.
HDTV screens generally come in resolutions of 1366*768 and 1920*1080. Neither of those are multiples of 16.
HDTV signals comes in resolutions of 1280*720 and 1920*1080. Only one of those are multiples of 16.

Transparent

EDIT: I just looked up the specs for that screen, and it's 1024x768 native, and it's widescreen. You're kinda screwed.

Here's how I get to unlisted resolutions (But this won't work in your case, see edit note above):
Right click on the desktop
Go to properties
Click the settings tab
Click advanced
Click adapter
Click list all modes
Find 1366x768 60hz in the list and choose it
OK
OK
OK

ben0207

Transparent wrote: »

EDIT: I just looked up the specs for that screen, and it's 1024x768 native, and it's widescreen. You're kinda screwed.

Here's how I get to unlisted resolutions (But this won't work in your case, see edit note above):
Right click on the desktop
Go to properties
Click the settings tab
Click advanced
Click adapter
Click list all modes
Find 1366x768 60hz in the list and choose it
OK
OK
OK

So how it is how it is? That kinda sucks. Is there a res that's within that range but the right aspect ratio so I can switch for watching films?

mcdermott

ben0207 wrote: »

So how it is how it is? That kinda sucks. Is there a res that's within that range but the right aspect ratio so I can switch for watching films?

My adapter lets me choose 848x480, which is a widescreen res within that range. Then just set the TV up to fit it to the screen.

That's usually not preferred, though, as your computer will probably perform better scaling than the TV. Another option might be to try and set the aspect ratio within the player. I'm pretty sure, for instance, that VLC will allow you to override the aspect ratio in this way, stretching a 16:9 image to fill whatever resolution you're actually running at. Never really messed around with it, though...I'm just pretty sure it's possible.

For instance, some games will let you do this. Lego Indiana Jones is one I played recently; it runs much nicer at 1024x768 than any of the widescreen resolutions (which, IIRC, started at 1280x720), and allows you to switch the aspect ratio independent of resolution. I had my TV fit it to screen, and was good to go.

ben0207

Yeah I watched my DFVD rip of 300 last night and was able to set the aspect ratio to 16:9 (like the rip is) (it was nearly full screen and was the proper ratio - my guess is that the screen is 16:10 not 16:9). I just wasn't sure if this was the ideal way to do it