Ati 9800 Pro question?

[Md500]

I've had this video card for over a year now and still can't figure out how to make it display a dvd playing on the computer screen and the tv at the same time. I'm begining to think it's not possible. Has anyone been able to figure this out. Thank you.

[korben_dallas]

I haven't specifically tried this w/ a DVD, but I've done SageTV on monitor & TV simultaneously a number of times.

What Catalyst do you have? What app are you using to play the DVD?

I'll try it out tonite when I get home, if I can remember

[Md500]

I've tried the Ati software that came with the card and there are two options, default display, or switch between displays. Is it even possible to do this with this card?

[stanger89]

You'll need to pick a renderer other than Overlay. You'll probably have to use Default.

Another option is to enable Theater Mode (it's in the Overly settings pane in the Advanced Display Properties), and then use Overlay in Sage. But this way you won't get the Sage OSD on the secondary display.

[dagar]

You can't because of Macrovision copy protection (or similar sillyness); it only allows either/or displaying. I know Kny posted it in another thread, but there are a couple of progs that can strip it on the fly; I use DVD43.

I have a 9700 Pro and can do it with DVI to HDTV, Dsub to CRT, and even VNC (though that is a BIT slow )

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by dagar

You can't because of Macrovision copy protection (or similar sillyness); it only allows either/or displaying.

I don't think that's true, but MV can cause problems with TV/HDTV outputs.

[dagar]

No, that is why, at least in my own experience. And it will only display to the primary display.

[stanger89]

I think you're running into a couple issues here:

1) Video, especially Overlay and/or VMR9 often only work on the primary display, this has nothing to do with MV. However Theater Mode can get Overlay onto both displays, and I think, Default (VMR7) works on both displays simultaneously usually.

2) If the S/Video output doesn't have an MV encoder, it will be disabled for MV protected content. Some (older) nVidia cards had this problem, they were fine until a new driver enforced the MV restriction. There is also the upconversion issue, where Component outputs are disabled if the resolution is >480p and you try to play MV protected content, again because the cards don't have an HD MV encoder. Of course this limitation applies whether you're using 1 or 2 displays.