TV-OUT - video size too large, using MSI GeForce4 MX440

[pglenn]

When playing TV-OUT with my MSI GeForce4 MX440 I am having problems with the video size. When I am displaying the PC Desktop on the TV it displays fine and fits the screen, with room to spare actually. However, when I am playing a AVI video or a DVD movie in FULL SCREEN mode, the video size is larger than the TV screen, so I am missing about 1 or 2 inches on all 4 sides (on 29inch TV). Not enough to make it unviewable or noticable to others but quite aggravating to me.

I have tried this with Windows Media Player, with the bundled MSI-DVD player (a WinDVD variant I believe), PowerDVD, and ZoomPlayer and all with the same results. I have the latest MSI drivers installed for the card.

As the PC desktop fits fine, and with about 1/2 inch or more border around it, I believe it is something with the nVIEW/ GeForce Full-Screen options or with the Overlay options.

I have used the TV-Tool software, and there is an adjustment within it to actually shrink the TV picture, but it does not shrink it enough.

I have the setup as outlined below.

Patrick

XP Professional
AMD XP 2200
80GB Ultra ATA133 7200rpm 2MB Hard Drive
MSI-440T MSI GeForce4 MX440 W/TV-out 64MB 8X AGP Video Card
MSI KT4AV-L Socket A/KT400A/DDR400/8X/A/L/ATX Motherboard
2 x 512MB DDR333 PC2700 Kingston Original
"generic" LG DVDplayer

[monzie]

First off it has nothing to do with the software media player playing the file its the hardware of your gfx card....AND the limitations of pc to TV conversion.

' When I am displaying the PC Desktop on the TV it displays fine and fits the screen, with room to spare actually'..........if you think about this for more than a nano-second you will realize that NO, IT DOES NOT FIT FINE AT ALL!! Whats happening is your TV-out 'knows' about the quirks of a TV display (overscan, pixel ratios etc) and over-compensates to ensure the full desktop is visible (if it didnt much of the desktop would be lost behind the masked overscan).....and this is the root of your problem......FULL SCREEN is using more of the available TV resolution (but unfortunately you cant see it as its masked). Probably the best you will get is full screen video in one plane ONLY, eg. the horizontal.

Try disabling the Full Screen mode and use Zoomplayer to fill the TV screen (use the DISABLED -FIT TO WINDOW aspect setting) by dragging the sides (or zoom with the mouse wheel in ONE direction at a time)keeping it centred on your monitor........oh and ensure your desktop res is no more than 1024 X 768 as thats the max that most TV-outs can convert back to your selected TV format (PAL or NTSC).

Personally its FAR easier to just watch the movie slightly zoomed (and as anyone with a widescreen TV will tell you thats how things are viewed 99.99% of the time anyway......unless some oddball actually watch 4:3 TV in 4:3 mode on a 16:9 display........

PS. This is a super simple explanation.

[pglenn]

I know it isnt the media player, I mentioned the ones I have tried to emphasize that.

I cant use the "DISABLED -FIT TO WINDOW " aspect ratio as it does just that - reformats the video to fot the screen, which essentially will stretch a widescreen display.

Essentially what I have found is that I had to experiment with setting the desktop size as displayed on the TV-OUT using the TV-TOOL program so that it just extends over the edges of the TV. Then I use ZoomPlayer, click to MAXIMIZE the ZoomPlayer. At this point the ZoomPlayer border is at the edge of the TV. I then select to "turn-off" the ZoomPlayer user interface.

There must be an easier way. I would assume I should be able to enable the FULL SCREEN VIDEO, then use TV-TOOL or POWER-STRIP, or a similar tool, to then override and adjust the size of the Full Screen Video. But for now this setting does work.

Patrick

[monzie]

Have you tried it.???......it only takes seconds..

I think what your trying do is the impossible....what the hell DO you want?

For example most DVD's ARE NOT 4:3 (1:1.333) they are more likely in the 1:1.66-1:2.35 (ditto avi's) range and do not fit a typical pc OR TV (4:3)screen anyway.................the only possible way is to either zoom in OR stretch/shrink if you want a full screen..........plus of course due to the differences in monitor pixels vrs TV pixels there is about a 6% stretch anyway on a crt monitor (you did know that didnt you?).

If your a perfectionist then buy professional hardware and try re-authoring ALL your footage to your own unachievable standard.........

Maybe you should write to all the hardware and software manu's, Hollywood, etc and complain that YOUR picture isn't quite right............................................. .......................................or get real

[pglenn]

yes, I DID try setting the aspect setting to DISABLED -FIT TO WINDOW and it DID stretch my video, so I lost the widescreen aspect and had people that were 10feet tall... and I did MAXIMIZE instead of FULL-SCREEN the playing within ZoomPlayer, but as I described I had to do several adjustments within TV-TOOL to ensure proper placement and sizing of the video.

All I am looking for is a method, using my existing hardware and whatever software, to have the video fit my screen, and not be "over-scanned" or whatever the term is. Either a method exists or it doesnt. And judging by the number of people using HTPC I would assume it does.

Patrick