Progressive scan quality with PC?

[sullivan47]

I'd like my home computer to replace by progressive scan dvd player. I have a high def TV, an ATI 9700 Radeon all-in-wonder card, 1 GB ram, 200 gig hard drive and a Intel P4 3.0 chip. I am using an S-Video with adequate quality but the ATI came with a component video adapter. I tried using the component Video in the TV but i could not get it to come in color, only B&W. Somebody told be I have to download a special driver. I guess my questions are 1) Can a computer achieve progressive scan quality (1080i)? 2) How do I make my component video come in color?

Thanks

[Gurm]

I don't know offhand, but someone over at Rage3D will.

http://www.rage3d.com

Their forums are dedicated primarily to ATI boards.

[Skith]

check your display properties (right click desktop -> properties -> Settings tab -> Advanced button). I am not sure about ATI cards, but for NVidia cards the setting is under their NView settings. There should be an option that lets you select what type of cable you are using (s-video, component, etc.) You might have to dig a bit. You *should* not have to install new drivers.

*Note: you may not need new drivers, remember - if it is not broke, do not try and fix it.*
Be careful when upgrading video card drivers, it is best to uninstall the old version before installing a newer version.
CATALYST Drivers for ATI Radeon Graphics Cards:

Win XP

Win 2000

Win 98

MultiMedia Center Drivers for ATI Radeon AIW cards:
For Win XP

Win 2000

Win 98

[doppletwo]

Does you TV have DVI inputs on it.

I am pretty sure your video card has DVI outs.

DVI is progressive scan.

Just htought I might mention this.

[funkguy4]

this might not apply to DVI, but this is something that has happened to me using analog signal when using the wrong TGV system. (i was sending some PAL signal to mah NTSC TV and the video was all B&W) so, if there's a setting for that on either ur TV (not likely) or ur card/drivers (very possible if there is such a setting), check it out and see if they match

[redwudz]

I use a Sapphire Radeon 9550 card with an ATI DVI to component adapter. In Displays> Advanced,>Displays, I have a selection for YPbPr for component. To make any HDTV display adjustments, I have to switch over to the HDTV, then go back to Displays to make changes. I can't do this when watching with the computer monitor.

I have set it up so I have one key on the keyboard that switches from monitor to HDTV. You will also have to go into your HDTV monitor menu and select settings there.

It takes a little playing around with the computer and HDTV monitor to get everything adjusted properly.

It is a little complicated to initially get the settings right, but ATI cards are much easier to set up than Nvida cards for this application.

Your questions: Yes, you can use progressive if you can set up the HDTV monitor and the ATI card properly. And you should have color. Double check your component cable to make sure you have it right. You shouldn't need anything but the regular ATI drivers for your card.

BTW, I used S-Video before I got the ATI adapter and I can tell you the component video is much better. You wouldn't want to use HDTV for a computer monitor, (I have a 5' X 8' projection screen) but you can read most of the fonts, which was all but impossible on S-Video. As far as 1080p (i is the interlaced), depends on your source and your monitor. DVD isn't 1080 to start with. But you should get as good of quality as your DVD video puts out.

[sullivan47]

Thanks for the info. I do have DVI but not real familiar with it. Does it carry sound also?
I can barely read fonts w/ s-video which is not acceptable.

[doppletwo]

DVI is Video only.

Supposed to be better, but I don't have monitor or TV that uses DVI. New LCD Monitors use DVI and new HDTV's use DVI.

I don't have an actual opinion. DVD players with DVI cost more. And sales people say it's better, but I haven't seen a demo with my own eyes.

You said you are using an adapter and in my experience not using an adapter when ever possible is best.

But you need a DVI cable.

[sullivan47]

My video card has a DVI output and my HDTV has a DVI input. I assume optical cable is the best for audio, correct?
New question, is the $15 DVI cable on ebay adequate or do I need the $90 monster DVI cable?

Is DVI quality comparable to progressive scan? I see a huge difference in the HDTV quality between progressive and nonprogressive scan (granted no difference in normal TV which they don't usually tell you at the store). I am just trying to determine if I can replace my dvd player BEFORE I throw down some serious cash on the PC.

[edDV]

I'd like my home computer to replace by progressive scan dvd player. I have a high def TV, an ATI 9700 Radeon all-in-wonder card, 1 GB ram, 200 gig hard drive and a Intel P4 3.0 chip. I am using an S-Video with adequate quality but the ATI came with a component video adapter. I tried using the component Video in the TV but i could not get it to come in color, only B&W. Somebody told be I have to download a special driver. I guess my questions are 1) Can a computer achieve progressive scan quality (1080i)? 2) How do I make my component video come in color?

Thanks

Manual
http://www.ati.com/support/manualpdf/AW9700Pr.pdf?type=pc&cardType=ALL+IN+WONDER&prod=...0&submit=GO%21
P-22, P-35. They want you to use Y, Pb, Pr.
for progressive DVD out use 480p out

To understand the issues around the DVI-I to DVI-HD connector see these links.
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/howto-dvi-hdmi.html
http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/DVI_monitor_cables.html (scroll down 30% for " Connecting a PC"
http://www.digital-cp.com/

If you get that to work, come back and tell us how you did it.

The ATI adapter will allow 1080i out of your computer. 1080i is 1920x1080 interlaced not progressive. 720p (1280x720 progressive) would look better but few HDTV sets accept 720p. 540p may work if the adapter has that setting.

[doppletwo]

If you don't have to cross over you power cables you shouldn't need the monster cables.

They have better shielding but if you don't have to cross over power cords this shouldn't be a problem.

Also how long of a cable do you need. If it is short like less then 10 or 15 feet the cheaper cable shouldn't be a problem.

[funkguy4]

i'm pretty sure DVI is a digital signal, so for most applications the cheap stuff shuold be just fine. Unles you've got a monster screen, you generally won't need the monster cable.

[edDV]

For the progressive 60 frames per second component analog signal (Y, Pb, Pr) you should be using double shielded cables. Monster cables are overpriced. Wal-Mart sells good double shielded 6ft and 10ft cables for around $20 (RCA or Philips).

The point I was making above is ATI offers no DVI solution for a HDTV. The DVI-I connector is for your computer monitor. DVI-I contains both DVI-D (digital) and VGA (analog) pins.

[sullivan47]

Thanks for the assist. I will try out both component and DVI and get back to ya with the results.