HDMI - DVI Insignia(NS - LCD19) fuzzy picture

[darkmetal]

I am trying to hook up a Insignia NS - LCD19 TV to ATI 4870 card and a Dell 19inch LCD monitor Dual to a desktop which has two DVI ports on the card its self. I am using a Phillips HDMI - DVI cable i hooked up HDMI on the TV to DVI on the ATI 4870. I then connected the Dell LCD monitor DVI to the monitor and DVI to the ATI card. Which works flawlessly, but the 19inch Insignia TV which is 60Hz 720p is having issues working on a resoution that is supporting the tv or recommended. I have messed around with the TV resoution and color in the AMD catalyst control center, but i can't find anything to work. Some resolutions around , 1600 X 900 have a digital fuzzy refreshing picture. 1400 X 900 is almost perfect,but the windows get cut off once i maximize window on the screen. I would like to see if it was possible to match the crisp HD display on the Dell LCD monitor to the Insignia tv, but Im not having much luck.

Here is the TV details - >
http://www.insigniaproducts.com/prod.../NS-LCD19.html

I have tried Overscan and underscan and it hasn't work to well.
I was almost thinking of trying to configure the Picture , contrast, tint ect to see if i could get both monitor matching color. It just seems the HD Tv can't produce as clear color as the LCD monitor?

Any ideas?

[usually_quiet]

That TV has a 16:10 aspect ratio. I couldn't find anything that says what the TV's real screen resolution is, but I suspect it is 1440x900 because of the aspect ratio and the VGA input resolutions the TV supports. You should set the video card to output the TV's real resolution, 1440x900, @ 60Hz. You also need to set up the TV not to overscan.

On my Windows 7 PC there are two dual monitor modes for my ATI card, Clone and Extended Desktop. Both monitors must have the same resolution for Clone mode to work correctly. Extended Desktop mode works with monitors that have different resolutions. If your monitor's real resolution is not 1440x900, then you need to use Extended Desktop mode. If you are using XP, it supports Theater mode too, but I can't advise you on how to use it correctly. Windows 7 does not support that feature.

[darkmetal]

That TV has a 16:10 aspect ratio. I couldn't find anything that says what the TV's real screen resolution is, but I suspect it is 1440x900 because of the aspect ratio and the VGA input resolutions the TV supports. You should set the video card to output the TV's real resolution, 1440x900, @ 60Hz. You also need to set up the TV not to overscan.

On my Windows 7 PC there are two dual monitor modes for my ATI card, Clone and Extended Desktop. Both monitors must have the same resolution for Clone mode to work correctly. Extended Desktop mode works with monitors that have different resolutions. If your monitor's real resolution is not 1440x900, then you need to use Extended Desktop mode. If you are using XP, it supports Theater mode too, but I can't advise you on how to use it correctly. Windows 7 does not support that feature.

Both my Dell LCD monitor is 19" with 1920 X 1080 res 60 HZ (max it can be set).. The Insignia is 19" also and its wide screen, so its can display higher resolution, since both monitors are 19" is it possible to use the cloning feature with this setup?

Currently i am using extended desktop in windows 7 with the res on Dell monitor 1920 X 1080 @ (60hz) .. and Insignia 1440 x 900 @ (30hz). The insignia wide screen set at 1440 x 900 @ (30hz) wont let me overscan or underscan, so that not problem. What about GPU scaling what does this feature actually do? I was messing with it and i found the picture alot more crisp then without GPU scaling. What options are best to configure both monitors with the best picture i can get out of the ATI-4870? If i manually set the color in AMD catalyst would that be easy solution to match the display color and picture clarity.

I guess I'm bit uneducated on how to configure my ATI- 4870 for both monitors. I also found when using dual monitors the secondary display doesn't show the full wallpaper, but that's not to big of issue. My main goal is to figure out the best configuration of my ATI-4870 card for both dual monitors.


-I am running windows 7 and using ATI-4870 with two dual DVI ports on the card.
-Insignia wide screen will only work 1440 X 900 at 30 hz --> if i set it at 60hz it defaults to 720p res .

[usually_quiet]

Both my Dell LCD monitor is 19" with 1920 X 1080 res 60 HZ (max it can be set).. The Insignia is 19" also and its wide screen, so its can display higher resolution, since both monitors are 19" is it possible to use the cloning feature with this setup?

I don't think Clone mode will work properly using your Insignia TV and your Dell monitor. Since the manual only mentions up to 1080i over HDMI I don't think the Insignia TV supports 1080p input via HDMI. However, 1080p is what you need to send to the TV in order to successfully clone the Dell monitor desktop.

Currently i am using extended desktop in windows 7 with the res on Dell monitor 1920 X 1080 @ (60hz) .. and Insignia 1440 x 900 @ (30hz). The insignia wide screen set at 1440 x 900 @ (30hz) wont let me overscan or underscan, so that not problem.

As far as the TV's overscan/underscan setting, the manual shows a "PC" button on the remote that toggles between VGA and HDMI. Have you tried it to see if it has any effect on the overscan or refresh rate?

What about GPU scaling what does this feature actually do? I was messing with it and i found the picture alot more crisp then without GPU scaling.

If GPU scaling seems beneficial, you might as well use it, but only with the video card's output resolution to the TV set to less than 1440x900. This page at AMD's website discusses GPU scaling: http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/UnableToSetGPUScaling.aspx

What options are best to configure both monitors with the best picture i can get out of the ATI-4870? If i manually set the color in AMD catalyst would that be easy solution to match the display color and picture clarity.

I don't know the answer to that question.

I guess I'm bit uneducated on how to configure my ATI- 4870 for both monitors. I also found when using dual monitors the secondary display doesn't show the full wallpaper, but that's not to big of issue. My main goal is to figure out the best configuration of my ATI-4870 card for both dual monitors.


-I am running windows 7 and using ATI-4870 with two dual DVI ports on the card.
-Insignia wide screen will only work 1440 X 900 at 30 hz --> if i set it at 60hz it defaults to 720p res .

If your video card has DVI-I ports, maybe you should consider switching to VGA and stereo audio out from the soundcard to use your PC with the Insignia TV. I hate to say it, but sometimes TVs are easier to set up to use with a PC when connected via the TV's PC/VGA port instead of an HDMI port. I have not had a problem using HDMI with two 720p TVs so far, but both TVs were 1366x768 and newer than yours. Before I had an HDMI cable I used VGA, and the picture was acceptable.

[darkmetal]

Both my Dell LCD monitor is 19" with 1920 X 1080 res 60 HZ (max it can be set).. The Insignia is 19" also and its wide screen, so its can display higher resolution, since both monitors are 19" is it possible to use the cloning feature with this setup?

I don't think Clone mode will work properly using your Insignia TV and your Dell monitor. Since the manual only mentions up to 1080i over HDMI I don't think the Insignia TV supports 1080p input via HDMI. However, 1080p is what you need to send to the TV in order to successfully clone the Dell monitor desktop.

Currently i am using extended desktop in windows 7 with the res on Dell monitor 1920 X 1080 @ (60hz) .. and Insignia 1440 x 900 @ (30hz). The insignia wide screen set at 1440 x 900 @ (30hz) wont let me overscan or underscan, so that not problem.

As far as the TV's overscan/underscan setting, the manual shows a "PC" button on the remote that toggles between VGA and HDMI. Have you tried it to see if it has any effect on the overscan or refresh rate?

What about GPU scaling what does this feature actually do? I was messing with it and i found the picture alot more crisp then without GPU scaling.

If GPU scaling seems beneficial, you might as well use it, but only with the video card's output resolution to the TV set to less than 1440x900. This page at AMD's website discusses GPU scaling: http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/UnableToSetGPUScaling.aspx

What options are best to configure both monitors with the best picture i can get out of the ATI-4870? If i manually set the color in AMD catalyst would that be easy solution to match the display color and picture clarity.

I don't know the answer to that question.

I guess I'm bit uneducated on how to configure my ATI- 4870 for both monitors. I also found when using dual monitors the secondary display doesn't show the full wallpaper, but that's not to big of issue. My main goal is to figure out the best configuration of my ATI-4870 card for both dual monitors.


-I am running windows 7 and using ATI-4870 with two dual DVI ports on the card.
-Insignia wide screen will only work 1440 X 900 at 30 hz --> if i set it at 60hz it defaults to 720p res .

If your video card has DVI-I ports, maybe you should consider switching to VGA and stereo audio out from the soundcard to use your PC with the Insignia TV. I hate to say it, but sometimes TVs are easier to set up to use with a PC when connected via the TV's PC/VGA port instead of an HDMI port. I have not had a problem using HDMI with two 720p TVs so far, but both TVs were 1366x768 and newer than yours. Before I had an HDMI cable I used VGA, and the picture was acceptable.

Thanks for the fast reply it looks like the cloning method isn't the best solution, so that isn't a option. Ill look at the GPU scaling documentation later on the see if that fixes some issues. I was messing with the GPU scaling last night and i noticed when i have GPU scaling enabled it moves the "close" "min", and maximize off screen. When i have it disable it cuts less of the screen off. The window is less cut off only by inches on each side of the screen vs having screen cut off on each side and top with GPU scaling enabled.

I have question about your recommendation about VGA vs HDMI. I don't currently have a VGA port on my custom desktop only two DVI ports on the ATI card its self. What type of connector or attachment hardware would i need to purchase and install to be able to use VGA vs HDMI?

Regarding a hardware recommendation or cable here is few specs might help you:
Gigabyte motherboard: GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Graphic Card: ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 1GB

Again thanks for all your help

[usually_quiet]

I have question about your recommendation about VGA vs HDMI. I don't currently have a VGA port on my custom desktop only two DVI ports on the ATI card its self. What type of connector or attachment hardware would i need to purchase and install to be able to use VGA vs HDMI?

Regarding a hardware recommendation or cable here is few specs might help you:
Gigabyte motherboard: GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Graphic Card: ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 1GB

Again thanks for all your help

I'd need the maker (Sapphire, VisionTek, etc.) and their model number for the ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB card to look up the type of DVI ports it has, DVI-I or DVI-D. However, you can look at the Wikipedia DVI article, which includes pictures of the various kinds of DVI ports, and that should help you to figure out what you have.

DVI-I supports VGA output via a DVI-I to VGA cable or adapter. Your PC may have come with an adapter. If not, you can buy a cable or adapter. Cables need to be male to male, and adapters need to be DVI-I male to VGA female to use with a typical VGA monitor cable. DVI-I ports are usually pinned as 24+5, but check before buying an adapter/cable. Each pin on the DVI-I side of the cable/adapter has to match up with a hole in the DVI-I port on the graphics card.

This is an DVI-I 24+5 to VGA adapter that would work if you already have a VGA cable http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI-Cable-Adapter-DVIVGAMF/dp/B000067SOH
This is a DVI-I 24+5 to VGA cable that would work. http://www.amazon.com/HDE-DVI-DVI-I-male-Cable/dp/B002IWP87S

I think this cable would work for the TV's audio input, but check the connection on the TV side to be sure:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-27411-Stereo-Color-Coded/dp/B000234HVS

If you have DVI-D, you are out of luck. DVI-D only supports digital output.

The only big drawbacks to using VGA are that you can't play HDCP protected content, and you have to provide audio using an additional connection. However, it might be the only way to get an acceptable picture on your TV.

[darkmetal]

I have question about your recommendation about VGA vs HDMI. I don't currently have a VGA port on my custom desktop only two DVI ports on the ATI card its self. What type of connector or attachment hardware would i need to purchase and install to be able to use VGA vs HDMI?

Regarding a hardware recommendation or cable here is few specs might help you:
Gigabyte motherboard: GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Graphic Card: ATI Radeon™ HD 4870 1GB

Again thanks for all your help

I'd need the maker (Sapphire, VisionTek, etc.) and their model number for the ATI Radeon HD 4870 1GB card to look up the type of DVI ports it has, DVI-I or DVI-D. However, you can look at the Wikipedia DVI article, which includes pictures of the various kinds of DVI ports, and that should help you to figure out what you have.

DVI-I supports VGA output via a DVI-I to VGA cable or adapter. Your PC may have come with an adapter. If not, you can buy a cable or adapter. Cables need to be male to male, and adapters need to be DVI-I male to VGA female to use with a typical VGA monitor cable. DVI-I ports are usually pinned as 24+5, but check before buying an adapter/cable. Each pin on the DVI-I side of the cable/adapter has to match up with a hole in the DVI-I port on the graphics card.

This is an DVI-I 24+5 to VGA adapter that would work if you already have a VGA cable http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-DVI-Cable-Adapter-DVIVGAMF/dp/B000067SOH
This is a DVI-I 24+5 to VGA cable that would work. http://www.amazon.com/HDE-DVI-DVI-I-male-Cable/dp/B002IWP87S

I think this cable would work for the TV's audio input, but check the connection on the TV side to be sure:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-27411-Stereo-Color-Coded/dp/B000234HVS

If you have DVI-D, you are out of luck. DVI-D only supports digital output.



The only big drawbacks to using VGA are that you can't play HDCP protected content, and you have to provide audio using an additional connection. However, it might be the only way to get an acceptable picture on your TV.

The graphics card is a Powercooler ATI RADEON HD 4870 PCI-E 16X 1GB DDR5
http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_features.asp?id=106

Heres the motherboard http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3010#ov

Looks like a i have a DVI-I port from the power cooler site. I don't have any adapters that came with my graphics card or motherboard to convert DVI - VGA , so it looks like i may have to purchase that adapter. Let me know if you need anymore information..

[usually_quiet]

The graphics card is a Powercooler ATI RADEON HD 4870 PCI-E 16X 1GB DDR5
http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_features.asp?id=106

Heres the motherboard http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3010#ov

Looks like a i have a DVI-I port from the power cooler site. I don't have any adapters that came with my graphics card or motherboard to convert DVI - VGA , so it looks like i may have to purchase that adapter. Let me know if you need anymore information..

I don't think I need any more information.

I went to the link for your graphics card and confirmed that it supports VGA via adapter, and that the DVI to VGA cable and adapter I linked to are the correct type. (The Specification tab at the link for your card says it supports VGA output via adapter, and the Features tab says it supports all resolutions up to 2048x15362 when connected using VGA. The DVI ports use a 24+5 pinout, since they are DVI-DL and can provide VGA analog output.) Some people like adapters because they are less expensive and allow them to re-use a cable that they already own. Others like cables because the connection on the PC side is neater looking and requires tightening 2 screws instead of 4. The choice is up to you.

It looks like the TV has a 3.5mm stereo audio jack next to the VGA port for audio input, but the PDF version of the manual doesn't specifically say it is 3.5mm. If it is 3.5mm, then the audio cable I linked to is correct. It would be connected to the green audio port on your motherboard's backplane.

If your TV is like most with an input set aside for a PC, using VGA should allow you to send video to the TV at its real resolution (1440 x 900) and 60Hz with no overscan. The PC button on the remote appears to turn overscan on and off.

[darkmetal]

The graphics card is a Powercooler ATI RADEON HD 4870 PCI-E 16X 1GB DDR5
http://www.powercolor.com/Global/products_features.asp?id=106

Heres the motherboard http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3010#ov

Looks like a i have a DVI-I port from the power cooler site. I don't have any adapters that came with my graphics card or motherboard to convert DVI - VGA , so it looks like i may have to purchase that adapter. Let me know if you need anymore information..

I don't think I need any more information.

I went to the link for your graphics card and confirmed that it supports VGA via adapter, and that the DVI to VGA cable and adapter I linked to are the correct type. (The Specification tab at the link for your card says it supports VGA output via adapter, and the Features tab says it supports all resolutions up to 2048x15362 when connected using VGA. The DVI ports use a 24+5 pinout, since they are DVI-DL and can provide VGA analog output.) Some people like adapters because they are less expensive and allow them to re-use a cable that they already own. Others like cables because the connection on the PC side is neater looking and requires tightening 2 screws instead of 4. The choice is up to you.

It looks like the TV has a 3.5mm stereo audio jack next to the VGA port for audio input, but the PDF version of the manual doesn't specifically say it is 3.5mm. If it is 3.5mm, then the audio cable I linked to is correct. It would be connected to the green audio port on your motherboard's backplane.

If your TV is like most with an input set aside for a PC, using VGA should allow you to send video to the TV at its real resolution (1440 x 900) and 60Hz with no overscan. The PC button on the remote appears to turn overscan on and off.

Thanks for all your help! You been life saver! .. Looks like i might just go head and grab the DVI-VGA converting since i have i few vga cables laying around. For qualitty would it matter if you bought a DVI-VGA cable Vs using an adapter or is the picture quality the same?

[jagabo]

For qualitty would it matter if you bought a DVI-VGA cable Vs using an adapter or is the picture quality the same?

No difference. Or it's more accurate to say it will depend on the quality of the specific parts. A good DVI-I to VGA cable will give you a better picture than a DVI/VGA adapter with a poor VGA cable. And vice versa.

[darkmetal]

For qualitty would it matter if you bought a DVI-VGA cable Vs using an adapter or is the picture quality the same?

No difference. Or it's more accurate to say it will depend on the quality of the specific parts. A good DVI-I to VGA cable will give you a better picture than a DVI/VGA adapter with a poor VGA cable. And vice versa.

ok sounds good man! I think i have some OEM Dell VGA cable laying around, so i should have some decent quality VGA cables.