Phase 4: So the TV landed

[DR]

All seems to be happening in the world of my current project (which now has a name - "Digital Wardrobe")

So I got it up and running tonight, intial thoughts? Well I am sort of disappointed - there are bugs with it which are, hopefully, going to get fixed with the latest software update.

Thoughts:
- DTV, worked first time - working great.
- Component HDTV (720p) works well - with XBOX360
- DVI to HDMI - Well, what a disaster, this would run every resolution bar 1360*768 but gave a black screen when this resolution was tried. This is using X300 and X800 cards. Why can't ATI make drivers for HD? It's so close, come on guys. (Note: I did try 2 different driver builds).
- HD over VGA - this works, but on the X300 has a lot of interference, and on the X800 (which I can't use) appears to be better.
- I don't like the remote, and the menus feel slow.

Speaking of updates - DTG - how much does this remind you of the days of ye good old Spectrum / BBC-B software being transmitted during TV programs like Microlive in the 80s? Nothing has changed!

This update is just downloading now, hopefully 9 plus months of bug fixes will sort out most of the problems.



I also think I have solved the mounting problem - more soon.

[5lab]

someone else had the problem.. have you considered taht it might be because hdmi isnt designed to carry 1360x768 - the tv cant support it?? just a thought..

[DR]

Well, it could be that, but surely that would be documented as a bug?

I am going to call Samsung tommorow and see what they say - I am sure it will be sorted.

DR

[5lab]

well not really

hdmi has specs (i dont know what they are, i'm just speculating) - but if that res is not one of the ones in that spec, theres no reason for the tv to support it??

[DR]

Hmm, yeah meaning HDMI specs say this:

HDMI 1.1 :: Primary Video Format Timings
• 640x480p @ 59.94/60Hz
• 1280x720p @ 59.94/60Hz
• 1920x1080i @ 59.94/60Hz
• 720x480p @ 59.94/60Hz
• 720(1440)x480i @ 59.94/60Hz
• 1280x720p @ 50Hz
• 1920x1080i @ 50Hz
• 720x576p @ 50Hz
• 720(1440)x576i @ 50Hz

Is HDMI backward-compatible with DVI (Digital Visual Interface)?
Yes, HDMI is fully backward-compatible with DVI using the CEA-861 profile for DTVs. HDMI DTVs will display video received from existing DVI-equipped products, and DVI-equipped TVs will display video from HDMI sources.

So even though the screen has a port which is labelled DVI/HDMI it may well not support the resolution properly. What resolution will this run at if it is an HDMI feed from a PC? • 1280x720p?

It would appear the native resolution of the screen 1360 * 768 may not work over HDMI->DVI.

I can get my hands on a HDMI-HDMI cable which can link this card:



This is a Sapphire X1600 Pro which has an HDMI connector and can carry sound. However, if the native resolution of the TV is not supported via Digital input who know sif this will help?

Of course all of this depends if I can get my hands on one. However, I am shocked how silly Samsung have been to only allow you VGA HD and not Digital HD. I guess over time this may get resolved but who knows, a call in to them tommorow may find out more.


It would appear to be a common gripe linky

[5lab]

i think samsung intend most users to run hdmi off some non-pc digital source - ie an xbox 360...

my suggestion would be - try running 1280x720 @ 50Hz - is there any way of setting the tv to map pixels as 1:1, rather than filling the whole screen? granted, you'll be left with a small black border, but that's not the end of the world.. or just use vga i guess..

someone else on this forum has the same problem with the same screen (maybe at a different panel size, but i think the chipset driving things is the same)

incidentally, i couldnt actually find a spec for dvi (as the 2 are compatible) - so not sure if the native res of that panel is actually in the dvi specs or not??

[herulach]

Maplins sell the cables, theyre ludicrously overpriced though, about 25 quid a pop if i remember right

[Funkstar]

I take it you are using a Digibox for DTV as opposed to your PC. Which one are you using? My brother has a thomson one and the remote is very speedy, much better than my POS Nokia box.

Are you going to move to a homebrew PVR at any point?

[DR]

5lab - if I can find out how to map 1:1 I am going to be laughin 1280*720 looks fine and I don't mind the small black border, any ideas how to map 1:1?

I will have a search for DVI specs right now..

... herulach you talking DVI to HDMI? I have one already.....

Funkstar - this is using the integrated DTV tuner

My MCE for this box may well end up being my OurRoom PC which is also sold by Alienware and HiGrade

[BlackDwarf]

Interesting... My Panny has the same problem (i.e It wont display 1360x720, even though thats the monitors native res (or close enough)). The problem i get is that its too big for the screen, and lose about an inch on either side of the picture

Im currently running mine through dvi from my x800xtpe to hdmi at 1776x1000....

[DR]

Which screen do you have? Also an update on the card - I can't get one due to Chinese New Year, and the one I had before was a Prototype

[herulach]

Originally Posted by David

... herulach you talking DVI to HDMI? I have one already.....

no, hdmi - hdmi

[DR]

Ah yes - but I need an HDMI output on a gfx card to do it

[herulach]

Sorry, i thought you had that x1600 available. Surely your hexus.powers can get you a testing one?

[TiG]

David if you want to run the system in 1:1 i think you are going to need powerstrip to do it. While i was reading up on all these types of screens i'm pretty sure that is the only way that people could get it setup.

TiG

[BlackDwarf]

Originally Posted by David

Which screen do you have?

Erm, a Panasonic 26" with DVB tuner... Can't remember the model number exactly