Houston, we have a problem (with new HD TV)

[jmiddleton]

I am using a DVI to HDMI cable to connect an LG 52" DLP TV to my ATI X1600 XT video card with superb results. I originally set it up for 1280x720 but some of my software choked on the 720 vertical so I switched to 1280x768 and the TV doesn't have any problem with that. If you are feeding the TV through a DVI to HDMI cable you should see something as long as video settings and TV input selection are correct (never overlook the trivial roots). Until you get it working, I recommend using 480p (852x480) or 1080i (1920x1080 interlaced) as some TV's - particularly the lower cost CRT projection units, aren't happy with 720p.

[GKusnick]

I doubt those ATI adapters will work with non-ATI cards. I don't think they actually convert the signal; that's most likely done by the card itself. The adapter just exposes the converted signal on the right connector type.

Many Nvidia-based cards come with a similar adapter/dongle type of deal that provides component output from a second DVI connector on the back of the card. But again, it's the card that does all the work, and the dongle just provides the appropriate connector type.

Putting an active converter device between your video card and your TV is not an ideal solution because it will tend to degrade the image quality somewhat. If your graphics card does not support component out natively, you should be able to get one that does for less than the price of that converter box you ordered.

But before you spend any more money, make sure you understand the features and specs of the card you have. If that connector on the back is S-Video, then it should work with any TV with an S-Video input. If it's not an S-Video connector, what is it? Get in touch with Gateway support if necessary to figure out exactly what manufacturer and model of graphics card you have, what it's capable of, and what you need to do to make TV-Out work.

[bmcraig]

Good idea. It looks like a S-Video, put it seems like it would have worked if it really was S-video.

Thanks,
Brent

Originally Posted by GKusnick

...

But before you spend any more money, make sure you understand the features and specs of the card you have. If that connector on the back is S-Video, then it should work with any TV with an S-Video input. If it's not an S-Video connector, what is it? Get in touch with Gateway support if necessary to figure out exactly what manufacturer and model of graphics card you have, what it's capable of, and what you need to do to make TV-Out work.

[camus]

Originally Posted by bmcraig

Good idea. It looks like a S-Video, put it seems like it would have worked if it really was S-video.

Thanks,
Brent

Yeah I would check that out, and looking at those gadgets I would consider replacing the video card before pruchasing a converter.

[bmcraig]

Hey, I had a breakthrough! I looked over my card and thought I would try that S-Video output again. It just had to work. This time I remembered to shut down the computer, turn on the TV, THEN reboot the computer. When I did, it picked up the TV this time. I opened the NVidia control panel and selected TV as my monitor. I am typing this as I look at the computer screen on my TV now!

Here is my only problem-- the driver for the TV is a default monitor driver. I cannot figure out how to get the resolution higher than 1024 X 768 (that is the maximum option under the screen resolution options) even though I know this TV should be able to go higher than that.

Any ideas would be appreciated as always. Thanks again for all previous help that got me a picture.

Brent

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by bmcraig

I cannot figure out how to get the resolution higher than 1024 X 768 (that is the maximum option under the screen resolution options) even though I know this TV should be able to go higher than that.

S-video is designed for analog TVs and is by definition a lowest-common-denominator interface. 1024x768 is the best you can do with S-video, regardless of what your TV might be capable of.

Maybe you should try the reboot trick with your DVI-to-HDMI cable.

[bmcraig]

I think I did last night, but it is worth another look. Thanks.

Brent

Originally Posted by GKusnick

S-video is designed for analog TVs and is by definition a lowest-common-denominator interface. 1024x768 is the best you can do with S-video, regardless of what your TV might be capable of.

Maybe you should try the reboot trick with your DVI-to-HDMI cable.

[walter scott]

Originally Posted by bmcraig

I just ordered this gadget. Hopefully, it will do the trick...

http://sewelldirect.com/VGA-to-HDTV-Converter.asp

PLEASE let me know how this works for you, i have been looking at the exact same device!