Hi all

I'm getting set to delve into the world of MythTV after seeing a friend's system and what it's all about. But I have a couple of questions that I'm hoping can be answered here.

Ok, here we go - apologies if these questions seem a little silly. I'm just trying to get my head around it all and thanks in advance for any help/suggestions you can provide.

Our display panel at home is a Sony HDTV LCD, resolution 1368x760 @ 60Hz (and 1280x760 @ 60Hz) I want to hook up the Myth box via either component out or VGA connection. From what I've read to date, nVidia based cards are the way to go for Linux and Myth so I'm planning on heading down this path. Now, my questions.

1. Does anyone here have a similar config (ie. to a HDTV panel)? If so, what card are you using and are you happy with it? Also, what are you using to connect it to the panel (Component, VGA, etc) and at what resolution?

2. Does the video card have to explicitly support the resolution of the panel? I've seen cards support the likes just about everything other than 1368x7600 or 1280x760. They seem to support more 4:3 resolutions than 16:9 resolutions. What resolution should the card run/support for HDTV output to the panel?

Cheers and thanks,

Sime

does your TV have HDMI input? If it does, you can go with a DVI->HDMI cable from an nVidia 6200 (that's what I currently do and it works very well)

You can get those cables cheaply at www.monoprice.com.

If your TV has a DVI or HDMI input you should use one of those. Otherwise go with VGA. Stay away from component.

I use an nvidia geforce 7600GS. It is passively cooled. So there is is no fan noise. I connect to my TV with DVI and It works great at 1080P resolution.

Modern video cards actually don't have a set list of "supported resolutions". There is a maximum signal rate and any combination of horizontal resolution x vertical resolution x refresh rate (frame rate) can be supported as long as you don't exceed the maximum signal rate of the card.

While HDMI or DVI is superior, unfortunately my GeForce 5200 does not have a DVI output so I am limited to VGA. I'm am planning to upgrade to DVI soon but can say that the VGA works great and looks really good on my 1366x768 LCD panel. If I get right up to the screen though I can notice a little bit of ghosting around some text which is probably due to the VGA connector being an analog connection.

Martian

_________________
ABIT NF-M2 nView | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | 2GB DDR2 800 | HDHomerun | GeForce 6150 (onboard) | WD 640 GB SATA HD | DVD-RW (sata) | StreamZap IR receiver with Logitech Harmony remote

Vizio 37" LCD HDTV (1080p)

In my experience, ghosting is usually due to cheap vga cables. I've run a 1280x1024 signal on a 75 foot vga cable to a projector with no ghosting in many installations. I've run a 1024x768 signal over 150 feet with no ghosting.

All VGA cables are not created equal. Make sure your vga cable runs the rgb signals down coax. These are often sold as "hi res" cables.

Psicard,

You are right on the money. It is a cheap VGA cable with almost no shielding whatsoever. I actually got it off of an old 15" monitor that died about 5 years ago. I know I could get rid of the slight ghosting by upgrading the cable but as I said it is only noticeable if you go right up to the screen and it is only a temporary solution until I get a DVI video card and a DVI to HDMI cable.

Martian

_________________
ABIT NF-M2 nView | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | 2GB DDR2 800 | HDHomerun | GeForce 6150 (onboard) | WD 640 GB SATA HD | DVD-RW (sata) | StreamZap IR receiver with Logitech Harmony remote

Vizio 37" LCD HDTV (1080p)

Hey folks - thanks for the feedback. The Sony LCD does have a HDMI connection, but no DVI connection. So with a DVI-HDMI connector, the sound then still gets run to an amp or whatever? What resolution is best to run the card at then if it's going out via DVI-HDMI to a panel that is 1368x760@60Hz?

Yes, you will need to run audio connections from your Myth system's sound card to your TV or your amplifier, regardless of how your video is connected.

I wouldn't worry about that until you get it installed Let Xorg set it's defaults, then you can tweak it.

I agree with slowtolearn, go ahead and get Myth working then worry about mode lines.

When you get to that point have a look at my modeline for my MAG 1366x768 LCD panel. It works great. (Please note that the modeline is actually for 1368x768 due to technical reasons but doesn't hurt anything)



Martian

_________________
ABIT NF-M2 nView | Athlon 64 X2 3800+ | 2GB DDR2 800 | HDHomerun | GeForce 6150 (onboard) | WD 640 GB SATA HD | DVD-RW (sata) | StreamZap IR receiver with Logitech Harmony remote

Vizio 37" LCD HDTV (1080p)