Samsung 27a34 + ATI8500 + HDTV? Help

[magic0200]

Hey guys,

I read about the great quality you could get from you using the samsung tv and ati adaptor on this site, so I went out and bought everything and yesterday finally tried to install it.

The problem is, I was able to go into windows and set the screen to 640x480 (through list all modes), but the screen is still HUGE! Every worse, is that if I go to a smaller resolution 1024x768, the screen increases. I have it to the point where I can see half the start menu and any window I pull up is about the size of the screen (which makes it impossible to click "ok" or "apply" to try and fix this.


Does anyone have a guide on setting it up or could help me out? The hdtv adaptor is set to 480i and I can give any info needed.


Samsung 27a34 (same model as 27a33)
ati 8500
dvi to component adaptor


Any help is greatly appreciated and thank you for reading this.

[StephenH]

480i is your problem.  Set to 720p or 1080i and you should see a much better picture at the higher resoultions.

[PaulG]

This whole post confuses me.  What kind of television is it?  I did a google search for Samsung 27a34 and didn't come up with any Samsung's.  Toshiba has a 27A34 model that repeatedly shows, but not Samsung.

To the above poster, if that television is not HDTV, 480i is the only dongle setting an analog television can output.

Back to the original poster:  Do you get most of the picture at 640*480 (With just overscan the issue)?

Raising the resolution to 1024 (By "lowering", I assume you mean the dot pitch, because, obviously 1024 is raising the resolution) is NOT recommended.  Resolutions are not upscaled like with s-video.  Keep it at 640*480 or if overscan's an issue, 640*432.  (Easiest method for that is using Rage3D and Catalyst driver 4.6 (They've removed that as a supported resolution in 4.7.  Though powerstrip is always available if you wanna get more complex.)

Other than that, a picture might be helpful in getting a more detailed response (at least from me.)

[magic0200]

First of all thank you guys sooo much for posting. As to the concern of the company, I apologize for my mislabeling of the brand. It is infact Toshiba, and I chose this model because everyone on this forum recomended it (well the 2003 model, but that's hard to come buy now).

As for the picture, I can see most of the screen (will some clipping on the bottom and other sides), but the problem lies within the windows and large desktop (icons). If I try to open a window or open the options for the desktop settings, the windows are so BIG that they are taller than the screen (can't get to the close box), and also I can't get to the APPLY or OK or CANCEL on the bottom.

I know other people that have my same combination of parts are using powerstrip, but when I installed it (to take a look), I couldn't find the preset arcade option.

640x480 does inscrease the overscan significanly, and I have the TV set to 640x432 as of right now.

I will try to post a picture, and I understand that the TV will have some overscan, but for the icons to be .5 to 1 " in size and windows that can't fit the screen, I know something isn't set properly.

[magic0200]

I have installed powerstrip but haven't used it yet, but it's ready to go if needed. Right now I have the desktop @ 1024x768 due to the fact that @ 640x480, I can't reach any of the buttons (mentioned above). I have included two pictures to give you a better idea.

This one shows the screen being cut off on the left and bottom sides. Also, you can see the size of the menus.

Also, In list all modes I can only do 640x480, I can't go any lower.

Once again thank you so much!

[magic0200]

Here is also another picture that might help

[magic0200]

Now that powerstrip is installed, it says how it wasn't closed properly and automaticly just starts screwing up  the screen where it goes into a seizure. I probably have to figure out how to do everything through a monitor and then hook up the tv.

Im just wondering what everyone else did on this forum to set it up. Having the same hardware, I would think there could just be a few steps involved? Or is it always different?

[PaulG]

I'm in the middle of a little remodeling, so I don't have things hooked up to compare those screenshots to mine.  The one thing that has caught my attention is you stating you might have to hook up to a monitor to get things straightened out.  I know the directions state you must have the CRT hooked up before installing the dongle for the 1st time.  Here's a link to the directions (Page 4):

http://www.ati.com/support/manualpdf/CmpVidAd.pdf

I hate to point to the obvious things, but this is something I would definetely do if you haven't.  The other thing, I'm assuming you have a relatively recent Catalyst driver?

[AmericanDemon]

Thats not an HDTV.  At $200.00 price tag.  The picture is going to be virtually identical to an S-Video connection.

[magic0200]

Actually if you search for the Svideo VS component thread, you'll see the difference with Street fighter Alpha when it comes to color difference, and MAN you can  tell a difference on 2d fighters (handdrawn animation). I will try to find the link to those images and post the thread link here.


FINALLY!

After some looking I found taht ATI actually has the TV SETTING (600 something by 432) hidden in it's system tray icon when you have the HDTV setup. I will post pictures tomorrow to show the difference. However the desktop properties are still hard to get to (near impossible to see), everything else works in the screen.



SPECIAL NOTE:

Anyone with this TV only 480I is allowed. Therefore only have your DIP switch settings turned on only for that format, or else you can see a thing. With everyone reading the forum that gives praise on the TV (toshiba 27a34 or a33, I will write a 10 step setup for a sticky in case it's needed.)


Thanks to everyone for their help and I will post with final findings.

[magic0200]

Although this is RGB, I can confirm this is the difference between Component and Svideo (no bleeding colors). These were copied from the "TV: S-video vs. Component" thred

[magic0200]

Here ya go

[PaulG]

Well in fairness, RGB and component are different.  That said, fly to my house and you'll see there huge difference component makes.

[magic0200]

Paul,

Not necessarily RGB and Component are that different . Component is comprised of Red, Green, and Blue. Granted, it won't be as detailed as a RGB monitor, but Component is probably as close as you can get to RGB for now.

Also, did you go from S-video to component or straight to component on your machine?

[maxstang]

Yes!  Please post that stick Magic0200!  I'm thinking about going with this tv, but will need all the help I can get setting it up!  Thanks!

[PaulG]

If you go to the Component Vs. S-video thread (It's slipped down a couple pages) you'll see I have a bunch of posts in there about my situation.  Went from s-video to component.  Openly questioned whether you could tell any difference between my television now and an arcade monitor.  But I'll semi respect the opinion of those who state RGB is a slightly better signal.

[maxstang]

If you go to the Component Vs. S-video thread (It's slipped down a couple pages) you'll see I have a bunch of posts in there about my situation.  Went from s-video to component.  Openly questioned whether you could tell any difference between my television now and an arcade monitor.  But I'll semi respect the opinion of those who state RGB is a slightly better signal.

Thanks, that post has a lot of great info.  Have you noticed the shimmering problem some of the others had talked about?  -malcolm