Choosing a graphic card with low power consumption/heat (1 Viewer)

[bigj]

Re: 9200 SE no probs

One thing it doesn't do which pisses me off a little :? is that you can't set it to strange and mysterious resolutions such as 720x576 or anything that closely resembles 16:9 aspect ratio (that can be actually viewed on a TV of course ) I've tried catalysts, powerstrip but no luck so far...

That sounds odd - I'm using a Radeon 7200 and have 720x576 working using powerstrip.

I've ordered the parts just today to make up a VGA->SCART lead.
As it happens I'm not sure the old 7200 will do the composite sync trick so if it doesn't work I will add the H+V combiner circuit... failing that I was going to pick up a 9200 or 9250 on ebay. (motherboard is AGPx2 only - so I need to stick with older card). I *presumed* a 9250 would do 720x576 and provide the composite sync.

Can anyone else with a 9200/9250 confirm that 720x576 works for them?
Also, anyone had success with VGA->SCART RGB output? (requires composite+interlaced mode via powerstrip).

(I do know that the 7200 won't do > 848 horizontal - 848x480 via the svideo tv out, so widescreen modes like 1024x576 will give the virtual desktop - scrolling within the 800x600 window on TV. Is this what you are seeing?)

My project is made up of old parts - and must be cheap - but also these 9200 series Radeons can be fanless so are perfect for applications like dedicated HTPC. But ONLY if I can get VGA->RGB SCART @ 720x576 50Hz working!

 

[skulls]

848x480 via the svideo tv out, so widescreen modes like 1024x576 will give the virtual desktop - scrolling within the 800x600 window on TV. Is this what you are seeing?)

Well 848x480 was precisely what I wanted to accomplish, but I would happily settle for 720x576 if I could, I'm currently @ 800x600 which is not too comfortable even on a 32" TV set. Neither with Catalyst nor with Powerstrip can I set the res to anything other than 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 and larger res (in which case you do scroll within the TV output)

Maybe is there some registry key I should tweak?

 

[patpotlood]

can someone tell me whats the difference between
800X600 and 720X576
i know 720X576 is pal resolution, the resolution my tv is.
but whats the problem in using 800X600?

this is not clear to me

P

 

[skulls]

Well it all boils down to aspect ratio and pixel size, IMHO.

The reason why I would like to set the res to 720x576 is because it is a 'natural' resolution for TV's, DVD's and such. Most MP skins are done in that res as well...

But the resolution I would rather have is 848x480 because it is a widescreen res and so is my TV set

 

[bigj]

Well it all boils down to aspect ratio and pixel size, IMHO.

The reason why I would like to set the res to 720x576 is because it is a 'natural' resolution for TV's, DVD's and such. Most MP skins are done in that res as well...

But the resolution I would rather have is 848x480 because it is a widescreen res and so is my TV set

I've stuck with 720x576 despite using it on a widescreen TV.
My reasoning is that at 848x480 you are loosing resolution (576->480 lines). And there is no real extra data in those 128 horizontal pixels (I think). Perhaps there is an improvement having the PC do the linear stretch rather than the analogue out, but I did try both and personally much prefered 720 stretched with the extra vertical resolution.
I believe even anamorphically encoded DVDs are still at 720x576 and are intended to be stretched horizontally.
In that respect running 720x576 on a widescreen TV is just perfect.
You just need to remember to set the aspect up for MP interfaces - using the screen calibration - else photos etc get stretched too.
I may be wrong in all this - but I'm sure someone will correct me if that's the case

I'm still keen to hear of ANY positive experiences running 720x576 with VGA->RGB using a Radeon 9200 or 9250.

Regards,
BigJ.

 

[FlipGer]

Hi,

I'm still keen to hear of ANY positive experiences running 720x576 with VGA->RGB using a Radeon 9200 or 9250.

I can only report for the Radeon 8500. Big hassle to find the right settings in Powerstrip, but the results are worth the work! Great colors and contrast.

HTH, Flip.

 

[skulls]

Well bigj you've convinced me, now if I could only find a way to set it to 720x576

 

[bigj]

Quick followup - finished making the VGA->SCART this evening and it works! (this is for Radeon 7200).

I did add the extra circuit for generating the composite from H+V syncs - I put it on a switch. As it happens I didn't need it, powerstrip allows setting the composite sync and it works.

Out of interest I tried disabling composite - I lost sync as expected, but flicking the switch on the cable got me the picture back - which at least proves that part of the circuit works . This cable then should work with any VGA card that powerstrip can adjust timings for (and set interlaced). Just thought I'd mention it for people without Radeons that want RGB-SCART out.

The improvement (over svideo) is dramatic, MP now looking as good as my other RGB enabled devices.

BigJ.