RESOLVED: Weird colour shift when connecting LCD tv to comp via DVI

[bigshotceo]

Well, today I decided to finally test how good my tv's picture quality is. Unfortunately, when I hooked it (westinghouse w4207) to my computer, I noticed the signal was going through, but there were a lot of weird colour artifacts. I've included a picture so you can see what I mean. Specs are as following:

Computer:
-Video Card: pny 6800gt with latest nvidia drivers. Two DVI-I out ports; port one is connected to my CRT computer monitor via an adaptor, and port two is connected via a dual-link DVI-D cable to my TV. I've tried all the settings in the nvidia control wizard that should cause the signal to work properly (setting to 1366x768, setting 720p signal, etc..)

-TV: Westinghouse w4207

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing the problem or at least what type of problem it is?

UPDATE: I tried disconnecting the CRT monitor and moving the LCD TV to the first DVI slot. While there were no distortions/artifacts, I noticed that the screen had a distinct red tone; for example, screens that were normally black and white (such as the bios starting screen) were red and white.

UPDATE: Turned out to be a bad DVI cable. I replaced the cable and everything's working fine.



monitorproblem.jpg

[jagabo]

Make sure the refresh rate is set to 60 Hz.

[bigshotceo]

Make sure the refresh rate is set to 60 Hz.

Yup, set to 60 Hertz, still is not working properly.....

[jagabo]

I have an 8600GT hooked up to my Samsung HDTV through a DVI->HDMI cable at 1920x1080p60. I don't have any problems. But in the nVidia Control Panel, under Video and Television, there's a section called Change Signal or HD Format. You might try changing some of the settings there.

[bigshotceo]

I have an 8600GT hooked up to my Samsung HDTV through a DVI->HDMI cable at 1920x1080p60. I don't have any problems. But in the nVidia Control Panel, under Video and Television, there's a section called Change Signal or HD Format. You might try changing some of the settings there.

Tried that too, with no luck. I'm beginning to think it's a hardware issue that's causing the colour problems. I should mention, though that the Svideo from my xbox works fine. Could it maybe be a problem that I'm using a DVI-D cable while my TV is DVI-D and my computer's video card DVI-I?

[jagabo]

The DVI-I port on your graphics card has a few extra pins for carrying analog video. The DVI-D cable simply doesn't have those pins so doesn't carry the analog data to your DVI-D TV which wouldn't use them anyway.

Can you get a clean picture using any resolution? Many HDTVs will only accept certain resolutions via DVI or VGA connectors -- like 1024x768 60 Hz. Have you tried another cable?

[bigshotceo]

The DVI-I port on your graphics card has a few extra pins for carrying analog video. The DVI-D cable simply doesn't have those pins so doesn't carry the analog data to your DVI-D TV which wouldn't use them anyway.

Can you get a clean picture using any resolution? Many HDTVs will only accept certain resolutions via DVI or VGA connectors -- like 1024x768 60 Hz. Have you tried another cable?

Nope, no resolution seems to prevent the severe red tint/distortion. The user manual recommends 1366x768@60hz, which I tried..........

I haven't tried another cable, so I'll probably order another one on the internet.

[jagabo]

You may be able to find specific information on your HDTV at avsforum.com:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=741609&highlight=4207

If you figure out what's wrong please post back.

[edDV]

Two ways to connect

DVI-I to DVI-D (doesn't always work with some TV sets at other than at 1080i/720p)

DVI-I -> VGA Adapter -> VGA (This input expects 1366x768 60 Hz. VGA)

NVidia cards "autodetect" which means the TV path must be connected and on when you reboot. ATI has manual overrides that I wish NVidia would add.

[jagabo]

NVidia cards "autodetect" which means the TV path must be connected and on when you reboot. ATI has manual overrides that I wish NVidia would add.

Hmmm. I don't seem to have that problem using a DVI->HDMI cable from a nVidia 8600GT to my Samsung HDTV. Maybe it's because the TV is never really off unless the power goes out or the TV is unplugged.

By the way -- I notice the OP has resolved his problem and posted the solution in the first post. It was a bad DVI cable.

[edDV]

True the Samsung's ports remain active. I tested an LG DVD player that shut off the ports. It needed a reinstall each time.