Connect as monitor or TV-Out?

[Twinkle]

For a video card that can connect either directly to the TV via a DVI-HDMI adapter cable as if it were a monitor, or via TV-Out (component, and maybe DVI as well) - what is the best way to handle the video hookup?

[Menehune]

I would use the DVI connection. I have had some problems with video out on video cards. Sometimes the card does not detect that the video cable is connected to my TV and does not activate the video out port. This requires a reboot of the server since the video out is only enabled at power up.
The problem could be due to my cheap 3x1 video switch not properly terminating the video inputs.

[Twinkle]

Originally Posted by Menehune

I would use the DVI connection. I have had some problems with video out on video cards. Sometimes the card does not detect that the video cable is connected to my TV and does not activate the video out port. This requires a reboot of the server since the video out is only enabled at power up.

The problem could be due to my cheap 3x1 video switch not properly terminating the video inputs.

Ah. I didn't know if Sage specifically looked to pipe the video somewhere, or if everything just displays on the monitor and it's up to you how you route your monitor to the TV.

[Menehune]

IIRC, sage is dependent upon windows (and the hardware) activating the output.
VGA is always enabled, S-video is only enabled if a properly terminated s-video cable is connected at power on and video card initialization. Laptops usually have a hot key combination to toggle the s-video output on. I've never seen a desktop machine with a hotkey combo.

I think the only video card I had that allowed windows to turn on the video out was an ATI 8500 AIW. I can't remember if the card required a reboot after plugging in the svideo cable.

[Twinkle]

Originally Posted by Menehune

IIRC, sage is dependent upon windows (and the hardware) activating the output.

But is it attempting to pipe it through TV-Out? Or does it just display it onscreen?

For the video card in question, I can connect the TV to it's normal DVI ports as if it were a monitor. But I can also connect it through the TV-Out DVI port. Does it matter which one I use?

[Menehune]

I'm not certain what you're asking-I'm not a programmer, but I think the flow is thus: Sage grabs the raw mpeg data, sends the data to the primary display, then the graphic card renders the data onto which ever display windows assigns as primary.

As to which output to use, I don't think it matters. I think you only need to make the output that goes to the plasma "primary" in windows' display control panel so you see the video.

The last time I played with dual displays on my desktop I had a 9600 and I could only see the sage client picture on the primary display. The secondary monitor had a black screen. Check the card's manual and see if you can play DVDs on the DVI-TV out. If you can, there should be no problem viewing the sage client.

[Twinkle]

Originally Posted by Menehune

I'm not certain what you're asking-I'm not a programmer, but I think the flow is thus: Sage grabs the raw mpeg data, sends the data to the primary display, then the graphic card renders the data onto which ever display windows assigns as primary.

Thank you - that answers my question perfectly.