PC to TV output resolution stuck on 1024x768 or lower. Driver problem?

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 09:38 AM

Guys, I'm having a problem with my setup. I've got my PC running to my TV through S-video out which is then, through an adapter, converted to RCA and then connected into the TV. However, I can't set my television's resolution higher than 1024x768 even though it supports 720p, 720i and 1080i. The 720p resolution should be of 1280x720, correct? The display is also very blurry and text is totally unlegible. Granted, it's a projection screen but I'm hoping this is a minor issue with my setup.

So it goes like this:
[ PC ] -> Svideo out -> RCA adapter -> RCA in -> [ TV ]

Could this be a driver problem? Should I be using ATI's set or could this simply be a cable issue? The TV is a 52" Samsung HC-R5241W projection. I'm running Omega's latest set, based on Catalyst 6.2. Thanks guys.

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 10:50 AM

svideo only supports up to a maximum of 1024x768 Interlaced....

you'll need a VGA or DVI to Component (RGB) to get a progressive 720i/p or better image.

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 11:05 AM

Hmm, would there be a way to use my card's VGA port and then "covert" it to RCA?
Would that work? Hmm.

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 11:44 AM

Found this off ATI's site.
http://shopati.ca/product.asp?sku=2538031

Sounds like this would do it for me?

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 11:54 AM

YEP.. that's what you need... the VGA to (component which is RGB HD)...

Composite is the Yellow Video cable (red and white for stereo outputs, if you get the tri-color composite cables)..

RCA is just refers to the typical cable.... imo alot of people don't know what RCA stands for aside from i beleive RCA the company, made the first set of the yellow/red/white composite cables...

bah.... not completely sure though.... but it's something to do with way back when...

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 12:17 PM

Hmm, I also found this:
http://shopati.ca/product.asp?sku=2550138

I know I have this cable laying around in a box somewhere. Could I use that adapter with a regular "Yellow" RCA cable as an extension?
[EDIT] Guess I'll read my card's manual. I should have done that in the first place.
[EDIT] Ok, read the manual and I need that S-video to HDTV cable/adapter. Not the big boxy one but the one I posted above. Problem is, do I get the 7-pin or 9-pin version of it? It doesn't say anywhere in the manual.

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 01:31 PM

Another question: if I can't find the length of cable I need, can I connector two, say 15' Component cables together or would I lose allot of quality?

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 01:44 PM

Any normal cable.. be it the RCA composite red and white and yellow can be used in any combination.... as they all are made the same.. .. the center pin (positive) and the outside being ground....

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 01:46 PM

rule of thumb is the more converters and more connections.. no matter how simple it is.. and the longer you run... the more your quality or orginal signal quality drops...

As for the 7 or 9 pin.... not completely sure.. check the back of your computer.. where you card is.. and count the number of femaile pins there are... if it's 7 .. or 9...

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the help, Judas. I appreciate it. Guess I'll drop by Future Shop tonight and pick up some supplies.

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 01:55 PM

Just don't get fooled into the BS that some guy there might try to swing on you..

For example.. don't bother getting MONSTER CABLEs... imo, you paying out the ass for absalutely nothing you'll NEVER see in your life... even if they are GOLD PLATED or not.. frankly it doesn't make any difference....

Buy the much cheaper cables.... considering that they are heavy enouhg for the distance your going to prevent the possiblity of nasty interferance or say a dog or something chewing threw them in no time....

For a 12 foot cable.. you shouldn't pay more then say 12 bucks i beleive.... next stup up is probably close to a 25 foot cable.... (nothing is EVER just the right length)

I recently came across some damn good long cable... paid roughly 14 bucks... and it's nice and heavy.. roughly 12 foot.... excellent quality..... for the exact same thing.. monster cable..... they wanted 39 bucks....

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 02:18 PM

I need about 30 feet if I want to swing it out of the way, or about 15 if it's lying on the floor which sucks because I need to balance quality vs convenience.

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 03:09 PM

30 feet?

ok ok..

Make sure you get a single LONG cable.... i think you can buy them in 36 foot.... sometimes... you'll have to see.. but there is a good chance that 25 foot and then 50 foot is next...

erg

If you have to.... 50 foot is your best bet. and don't get the shitty stuff.. get a good heavy cable... ouch though.... 30 feet is quite a distance.... you pushing a rather light signal a fairly good distance... i'm not sure but i don't think the tv with component amplify the signal all that much..... but i'm sure it's good up to 50 feet at least

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 03:30 PM

Gotcha. Here's a very rough draft of my setup seeing as I'm at work. So instead of running the cable straight down from the PC which would leave a cable trailing in the way and be a tripping hazard, I want it to run on the right side where it would not only be out of the way but also invisable due to some objects located there.

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 03:41 PM

oh i see...
you got a rug?

i setup a surround sound system and using a rug.. we were able to run the wires directly across the room with zero tripping harzard... if that's not a possiblity... ya.... gonna have to go around the room...

is there ANY possiblity of moving the computer to the other side of the couch?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Mar 10, 2006, 04:15 PM

I just make sure people trip on the wires. More fun that way

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 04:31 PM

not if it yank your tv off the stand or computer.... or physically wrecks the connections

erg... i've had that happen

daedal · Mar 10, 2006, 05:14 PM

Exactly. I wouldn't mind people kissig the table face first a few times but if they rip my video card out of my PC in the process, well, it's just not as enjoyable.

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 05:15 PM

yeah... you end up with mixed emotions hey?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Mar 10, 2006, 05:25 PM

Yeah well that's why you tie them at each end so their much harder to rip out, it acts more like a tense steel cord

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 06:07 PM

taunt enough that it'd cut as well as trip... yes... i see it now... 100 foot pounds of pressure on the cables.. woot that would be sweet... dirt nap for anyone that abuses the might and power of feeling confident that you can run a small cable across your living room floor

H3X4D3C1M4L · Mar 10, 2006, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

taunt enough that it'd cut as well as trip... yes... i see it now... 100 foot pounds of pressure on the cables.. woot that would be sweet... dirt nap for anyone that abuses the might and power of feeling confident that you can run a small cable across your living room floor

You're a man after my heart you know Judas haha

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 06:48 PM

disturbing?

H3X4D3C1M4L · Mar 10, 2006, 07:04 PM

Just a little

Judas · Mar 10, 2006, 07:32 PM

i doubt "just a little"

H3X4D3C1M4L · Mar 10, 2006, 07:34 PM

You don't have to be freaked until I leave Ontario, I mean come on!