Hi Def Wide Screen Monitor HELP

[Ironhand]

Hi all,

 

Just purchased a Toshiba 32" Hi Def Monitor (as in TV without the tuner). While photos, the sim, etc look great, the desktop icons and text along with browser text, etc are anything but clear.

 

I'm coming into the monitor through the HDMI input since my video card only outputs through DVI using a DVI to HDMI cable. Like I said, hi res images, the sim itself (well, the cockpit itself doesn't but external views do), etc look great. But text (both desktop and application), especially, is horrible to the point of being difficult to read.

 

I've tried various resolutions, font smoothing, etc. Anyone have any ideas on how to improve this?

 

Rich

[G3]

rich, ignore if its already obvious to you,

do you know the native resolution for this monitor,

something like 2560x1600 or similar, (depending on model it could be far less)

the native res will give best results for text etc.

for gaming it must be pretty.

[G3]

and what about the cable lengths etc, things like this can give ghosting effects etc and quality loss, or is it more like some text is kind of clear yet other letters will look as if they were in bold print etc.

 

does the monitor have an auto tune feature for the current input.

just throwing around some ideas.

 

hope you get it sorted.:thumbup:

[urze]

I really recommend to use a vid card with HDMI out.

I had similar problems with my self-built videobeamer.

[vistrel]

Congrats with your purchase. I have 32" HDTV (Philips) and it rocks!

[Ironhand]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. So far still having a problem with text displaying properly. Images (photos, etc) are gorgeous. My first thought was cable length, too, though I couldn't understand why only text and low res images (desktop icons, etc) would be affected. Tried a shorter cable anyway. No difference. Also tried changing display drivers.

 

AFAIK, HDMI and DVI are essentially the same. They use the same encoding scheme which is why you can hook up a DVI devise (my video card) through the HDMI connection. The principle difference--other than the plug itself--is that HDMI can also carry audio. Anyway, if it turns out I'm wrong, buying the TV was a stretch. Buying a new video card with HDMI out is not in the cards. Unfortunately I'll return the TV, if I can't get this sorted. Then I'll have the money to buy the card.... :)

 

And I have tried all sorts of resolutions. At lower res, of course, the text is so large that whatever is going on doesn't really matter. At higher res, the text becomes progressively more difficult to read. And I want the higher res so that I have more real estate available when working with several apps at the same time. With a wide screen that becomes very feasible.

 

Vistrel,

 

What resolution are you running your 32" Philips at? And is your text clear?

 

Rich

[herig2]

I got a 30" WS from Dell, but found out that my DVI card was incompatible, I needed a duel DVI card, could this be your problum ?

[Ironhand]

If by "dual DVI card" you mean 2 DVI outputs, that's what mine has. The problem persists regardless of which DVI out I use. Out of curiosity, if your card is like mine, what was the difference between the outputs?

 

Rich

[Ironhand]

It's native res is 1366x768. However, there is no such resolution available through the Desktop Properties menu. Nor is it available through nVIDIA's control panel. Using a resolution on either side of it:: 1280x720 or 1600x900 :: results in equally blurry fonts. As does attempting to use nVIDIA's "Native" setting in the Overscan menu which supposedly defaults to the monitor's native res.

 

Rich

[Kuky]

You can set any resolution you want by manually editing graphics.ini file (in LockOn Config folder). Mind you though, any time you go into Options menu within game, resolution will be reset so you'll have to manually edit it again.

[Ironhand]

I realize that, Kuky, and thank you. My issues, however, are with the Desktop and text in apps such as browsers, word processors, mail clients, etc.

 

BTW, I ran FC at 1824x1028 and it looked fine.

 

Rich

[Ironhand]

Hi Rugg,

 

That box has been grayed out from the beginning. Any ideas about how to make it selectable?

 

I tried adding my resolution through the ADD button. It wouldn't accept 1366x768 but would accept 1360x768. The results, however, were less than spectacular. The Desktop extended well beyond the monitor edges to the point where I couldn't access the task bar and none of my icons along the left edge were visible. And text that was visible remained blurred.

 

Resizing the Toshiba screen with it's remote didn't help. Nor did resizing the Desktop with nVidia's utility. In fact, using the utility put me back in 1824x1028.

 

Rich

[Ironhand]

Unfortunately, no difference, Rugg.

 

Time to hit the rack. Tomorrow's another day. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Rich

[VMFA-Blaze]

I think that your problem is the result of the HDMI hook up..

 

HDMI is really for running movies..That's why your text is blurred, I have a Philips 32" that only had an HDMI connection and I was having the same exact problem ...

 

HDMI is not really a good way to connect your PC ...

 

If you have a VGA connection on the back of your set you might want to try an adapter to change DVI to VGA.. Another thing that might work if you dont have a VGA is to try to get a dongle that comes with some of the high end cards that allow you to connect to component connections..

 

I tried this as well on my Philips but with no success...

 

So my answer was to put the Philips in the bedroom and just use it for watching HDTV and viewing DVD's... I then got my present monitor, a Samsung, 32" LCD TV/ Monitor which has a VGA connection ..

I've hooked up my 8800 to it and this is really the best the picture by far....

 

~S~

 

Blaze

[OldFrankHog]

Might be stupid but have you restarted your computer after installing ?

I was too happy when I got my new monitor I just plugged it in and hit power :/ Windows wasnt giving me the native resolution in the control panel even when I unchecked the "Show only resolutions available to this monitor." box. When i restarted the new resolution was available no problem.

[Ironhand]

VMFA-Blaze,

 

Thanks for that. In the end, that might actually be the issue with this TV, though an HDMI (DVI) connection should be the best way to hook it up. It certainly is on a high end monitor designed for computing. It may be an issue of how this TV processes data brought in through the HDMI connection vs it's VGA connection. Since my video card only has DVI out (no VGA), I'll have to find a DVI to VGA adapter and give it a try. For the moment, I've found a partial solution by increasing the OS's font DPI to 150%. Text is simply rendered larger in the higher resolution.

 

OldFrankHog,

 

It's a good thought but, unfortunately, I've rebooted the computer numerous times while experimenting. In fact, I made the initial connection with both the TV and computer turned off; then turned on the TV, then the computer. Upon hitting the desktop, the computer immediately knew that it was now hooked up to the Toshiba.

 

Rich

[vistrel]

 

Vistrel,

 

What resolution are you running your 32" Philips at? And is your text clear?

 

Rich

 

 

Are you talking about windows desktop or lockon interface ? Lockon interface doesn't look good on anything above 1024x768. Even on my 1280x1024 LCD I can see that (not to mention HDTV). However, everything else, including windows desktop, looks great.

Also, when you connect HDTV, make sure you enable HDTV compatible resolutions in your video card drivers.

 

Part of of the problem is because text and some interface images were created in 1024x768 res. So when you have a bigger resolution, images/text are stretched out.

[Ironhand]

Are you talking about windows desktop or lockon...

I'm talking about the Desktop and any applications you use such as text in browsers, word processors, etc. If I can't get those to an acceptable level, nothing else matters. Sounds like you use 1280x1024 as your Desktop resolution?? Are you connected to your computer through the HDMI or the RGB input?

 

Rich

[vistrel]

I have DVI output on my videocard. I bought DVI to HDMI cable and connected my HDTV through HDMI. Text and everything else looks good.

[Ironhand]

I have DVI output on my videocard. I bought DVI to HDMI cable and connected my HDTV through HDMI. Text and everything else looks good.

OK. Thanks. That's how I'm connected but, so far, my results have been very different.

 

Rich

[LazerPotatoe]

If by "dual DVI card" you mean 2 DVI outputs, that's what mine has.

Rich

 

He means a "dual-link" DVI cable. More info about DVI cables here:

http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html

 

Not sure if a dual-link cable would help.

 

Good luck,

LP

[VMFA-Blaze]

I have DVI output on my videocard. I bought DVI to HDMI cable and connected my HDTV through HDMI. Text and everything else looks good.

 

HDMI has worked for you, and that's cool but it doesnt seem to be working for Rich...

 

From my experience in electronic retail there are some sets that don't handle HDMI well for PC hook ups...

 

Rich you might try my earlier suggestion using VGA, it really does sound like that is your issue. And if its not ???? :blush:

 

Blaze

[Ironhand]

...Rich you might try my earlier suggestion using VGA, it really does sound like that is your issue. And if its not ????

 

Blaze

After my reply to your original post, I realized that a DVI to VGA plug was bundled with my video card. I found it just before leaving for work. I'll be home later tonight and plan to give it a try. Fingers crossed. :)

 

LazerPotatoe,

 

Thanks for the link. EDIT: Just checked the link you provided. The cable I'm using is a DVI-D dual link on the DVI end. It's HDMI on the TV end.

 

Rich

[33rd_bratpfanne.]

Hi Rich

 

may i share some thoughts with you: I experienced a similar problem when installing a PC for a customer. He had an Nvidia Card in an Dell PC. I had to connect it with a Viewsonic 1440x880 (not sure about the 880, might be slightly different). After not getting the Nvidia Controlpanel (latest Drivers at this time of course) to work with this resolution by any means, i decided to call Dell. They revealed to me, that the card was specialy manufactured for them and did not support this resolution from the Hardware side. I used the onboard graphics then and used the card in another PC that has a monitor with standard resolution. I might suggest tho that this is not the fault of ur monitor but might be the one of ur card manufacturer. I suggest contacting them and asking them about the supported resolutions of ur Card.

 

(just curious: what are ur system specs?)

 

Hope i could help a little

 

S~

 

Brati

[Ironhand]

Well, Blaze, the adapter doesn't work. The TV displays the initial boot screen being input through the VGA input. Then the screen starts flashing on and off with nothing displayed except "PC/VGA" in the lower right corner (where the TV shows what input you have selected). Then the "Window's is starting..." screen displays, then disappears in like manner. Then nothing. It's the same story through both DVI outputs. AURGHHH!!

 

Brati,

 

AMD 64 3500+ (2.21GHz)

ASUS A8N-SLI Delux

eVGA GeForce 6800 GT (single)

Drivers: ForceWare Release 90 Version: 93.71 (Just installed these to see if drivers were, perhaps, an issue. No observable difference. Had been running something from the 77.xx series.)

2GB DDR-SDRAM

 

I guess the next step is to try eVGA's tech support. Sigh.

 

Rich