PC to TV Video

[donsor]

I connected my PC to my TV so I can play my FSX game using a larger screen. Using a DVI to VGA adapter, I connected my ATI Radeon HD3870 video card to the PC IN connector on the TV. I also connected a PC Audio Cable between the PC IN (Audio) jack on the TV and the Audio Out jack (black port) fo the sound card on my PC. When I turned my PC on and the TV on, the TV screen shows that there is no signal. I pressed the "Source" button of my remote control and the TV scrren initially showed a box indicating PC. Is there anything in my PC I need to do to get signal to the TV?

Thanks

[glc]

Set the resolution and refresh rate to something that's compatible with the TV.

[donsor]

I set the PC Display resolution to match that of the TV which is 1360x768 but still no joy. The TV screen shows "No Signal" . I think that the cable is OK because when I disconnect it then the screen shows " No Device Connected". If this is relevant, my video card (ATI Radeon HD3870) has two DVI outlets. I have my monitor connected to one via a DVI/VGA adapter and the TV connected to the other also via DVI/VGA adapter. Any other suggestions?

[Hi Ho]

Try using a DVI to HDMI adapter and connect the PC to an HDMI input. You will probably get better results.

What version of Windows are you using? Have you setup multiple displays in the ATI Catalyst control panel?

[donsor]

Windows XP Home Edition with SP3. I was studying the information in the Catalyst Control Center but have not been able to figure out what changes to make. Can you show me how?

[Hi Ho]

I have not used XP for a while, especially with multiple monitors. I do, however, have ATI graphics on my laptop. Here is a screenshot of my Catalyst Control Panel.



You may have to go into the Windows display properties in order to get the second display to show up in the ATI panel.

Here is a link to instructions:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u..._multimon.mspx

[donsor]

Your screenshot of the Catalyst Control Panel looks like mine. I did some tweaking and now on my TV screen it shows" Mode Not Detected". It used to be "No Signal". BTW is adding the TV like adding another monitor? Any other things I should try?

[Hi Ho]

Yes, adding a TV is just like adding a second monitor. The PC does not know the difference.

What kind of TV is it (brand/model)? Some sets only accept a low resolution via VGA which makes it pretty useless. Have you tried setting the resolution as low as it will go?

[donsor]

I have a Samsung 32" LCD. I got its resolution from the manufacturer and I tried matching with with my PC but still no joy. I suspect that there are some settings I have to make in the ATI Catalyst because in the beginning the TV screen will show "No Signal" and I did something and now it shows "Mode Not Detected". I contacted ATI (AMD) but I have not heard from them yet. It has to be something simple cause most others who have these connections and they work.

[Hi Ho]

It would help to know the exact model of the TV but Samsung sets don't typically have VGA inputs with limited resolution. Have you tried a lower resolution? It would be a good troubleshooting step.

It has been my experience that VGA inputs on TVs are rather finicky. I have had much better luck using DVI/HDMI inputs.

[donsor]

My TV is a Samsung Model No. LN32A450C1D. I don't think I can adjust the TVs resolution but I try lowering the PC resolution and see what happens. Is this type problem unusual? Sounds like its something routinely done, connecting PC to TV I mean, but I don't see very many pros and cons comments on the issue.

[Hi Ho]

No you cannot change the TV resolution. It is a fixed pixel display. The output resolution from the PC is what I am referring to.

Connecting TVs to PCs is very common and is normally not too difficult. In my personal experience, however, the VGA inputs on TVs have been difficult. As I said above, I have had much better luck using the HDMI inputs on TVs.

[pally01]

My Samsung TV (LNS-4041D) will not accept an HDMI-in from a p.c. The manual for my tv is very explicit in this detail, though I have never tried it to see for myself. I use VGA inputs and it works well for me. Could be that Donsor's won't work with DVI/HDMI either.

When my Brother-In-Law tried to connect his HTPC to his 52" Samsung, he got the same problems that Donsor has now. Neither VGA or HDMI would work. The same error messages were visible etc. Ultimately, he installed the latest Catalyst drivers and that got him going. His HDMI connection has been stable since...

[Hi Ho]

My Samsung TV (LNS-4041D) will not accept an HDMI-in from a p.c. The manual for my tv is very explicit in this detail, though I have never tried it to see for myself.

I have successfully used HDMI with a PC on several sets that specifically said their HDMI inputs did not support PCs. The TV doesn't know or care what is being connected. As long as the PC can output a standard signal like 1080p or 720p it should work just fine.

[pally01]

Interesting, Hi Ho. Serves me right for reading the manual

In your experience, why would the manufacturers state something like that and then the device functions anyways? (My tv is a few years old. Could it be that video cards a few years ago would've been hit-or-miss regarding their output ability?)

[Hi Ho]

I really have no idea why manufacturers say that. It makes no sense to me. I am sure there are some sets that just don't work with a PC and those are probably inexpensive sets with odd resolutions that a typical PC does not support.

[donsor]

Nice exchange of information and nice to know what works and won't work. But from what I've read however, it does not seem like it is a routine operation. The Users Manual of my TV listed different types connections ranging from DVD players, VCR, Camcorder, and of course PC. For connecting PC, it listed two options. One is using D-Sub cable and the other HDMI/DVI Cable. I am using the VGA/SVGA cable which looks exactly like the type connected to my monitor. Question: Is the D-Sub cable the same as the VGA cable? Also I am able to use Playstaton 2 with my TV using the AV IN 2 and the L and R audio (Yellow, White and Red). Hang on, we'll get this thing straighten out yet.

[donsor]

I went to the ATI Catalyst Control Center and right clicked on the #2 monitor icon. It added the #2 monitor labled Samsung. Now the Desktop Screen picture appeated on the TV screen but nothing else, no icons, to task bars or anything. When I change the Desktop screen picture in the monitor, the TV screen picture also shows it but that's all. I think it needs a little bit more tweaking in the Catalyst Control.

[Hi Ho]

Question: Is the D-Sub cable the same as the VGA cable? Also I am able to use Playstaton 2 with my TV using the AV IN 2 and the L and R audio (Yellow, White and Red). Hang on, we'll get this thing straighten out yet

Yes, the D-Sub connector is VGA. D-Sub is the technical name for the connector that VGA uses. You can use the AV2 input for the PS2. That is called composite video. If you haven't already, read the PC to TV Connection Guide at the top of the Multimedia, Audio, Video forum.

You have it set to "extend" to the TV. If you grab any open window and drag it off the right side of your main monitor it will move over to the TV.

The other option is "clone" which displays the same thing on both monitors. The problem with that is that if your monitor and TV use different resolutions then one will look strange.

I would recommend setting the TV as the primary monitor when you want to play a game on it.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307873

That article describes how to do that. It is simple and you cannot do it in the Catalyst Control Panel.