G5 and HDTV

I've been using a Panasonic HDTV as my G5's monitor for a while but the only drawback so far is the screen stretches beyond the visible edge... not by much, but things like the clock in the upper right are cut in half.
I'm trying to figure out if it's the TV or the graphics card. The TV supports 1080i/720p with a res of 1366x768. The only res setting that works in sysprefs is 1280x720. Choosing other resolutions causes a distorted signal. The card is a GeForce FX 5200.
The TV has settings for the size of the screen like normal, stretched, zoom etc. but these options aren't available for adjusting when I'm on the mac (HDMI input). But when I'm viewing cable (component input) I'm able to change the screen size or prevent it from stretching on non-HD channels.
Could anyone help me understand where the likely problem lies? If it's a graphic card problem, is it possible to update its drivers? Would a new card help?
Thanks in advance,
George
PowerMac G5   Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

After fiddling around more I was able to correct some but not all of the overscan.
In case it helps anyone else, here are my settings which are specific to my TV I'm assuming:
Active Horiz/Vert: 1248/710
Front Porch Horiz/Vert: 120/10
Sync Width Horiz/Vert: 40/5
Back Porch: 240/20
Scan rate: 45/60.403
I read that increasing Front/Back Porches while decreasing the Active Horiz/Vert by the same amount would work. So I started out at 1280 horizontal and increased the front porch and back porch for horizontal by 16 each. Then I subtracted 32 (16 front porch, 16 back porch) from 1280 to get to 1248.
I tried the same method for vertical but I could not figure out how to get the top edge to come down into view. As I tried increasing the porches and decreasing the active vertical, the vertical height just kept getting smaller. So if anyone has a suggestion I'd love to hear it.
I am able to correct all but the top of the overscan. The menus, clock, user etc. are still cut off, but somewhat legible still.
I have no clue what any of these numbers mean, this was just a trial and error (rebooted about 30 times).
George
PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Similar Messages

  • Recording TV and HDTV

    Can anyone tell me which hardware / software to use to capture TV and HDTV to a Mac Book Pro and what the procedure is?
    Additionally I need to capture streaming audio.
    Mac Book Pro   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

    I believe there are copyright issues here.
    You might want to indicate what the intended use is?

  • MBP and HDTV aspect ratio compatibility

    Hi, I have recently bought and HDTV with a 16:9 aspect ratio (768 vertical pixels). When I connect my MBP using the DVI to VGA convertor it stretches the image because the MBP only outputs in 16:10 ratio resolutions. Is this a known limitation or am I missing something.
    Cheers all.

    fraser123, welcome to the Apple Discussions forum. The MBP can operate an external screen in two different ways. One is called mirror mode, where the same image is presented on both screens, and the other is called extended desktop mode, where the built-in screen and the external screen can display independently of one another. It sounds like your set up may be running in mirror mode. The easiest way to swich between the two modes is to us the F7 key. Alternately, you can turn off display mirroring within the display preferences pane. See if that allows you to access 16:9 resolutions on your TV.

  • MSI TV tuner card and HDTV

    I decided for grins to connect my Pioneer Voyager HDTV box from Timewarner Cable TV (AOL) into my MSI TV tuner card to see what kinda picture I would recieve.  Well, first I should say I am only allowed to use S-video and not the HDTV component cables (3), but it works.  Timewarner at this time only offers 10 HDTV channels and rest or either digital (DVD quality) or analog.  Some of the HDTV channels do not completely fill the screen and I have to adjust my screen to fit, but this is not to much effort.  Some HDTV channels fit the screen but are in wide screen only and not full screen, but this was still pretty cool.  I watched some of the wimbleton tennis in HDTV on my computer (awesome picture quality)    
    I am guessing that when HDTV becomes more popular and prices drop, that perhaps MSI might consider building a TV tuner card with HDTV outputs??

    I have been seeing some amazing video using my msi TV-Tuner card (older card) and HDTV S-video inputs from my digital HDTV cable box.  I understand what SteveK is saying about how S-video is not capable of displaying 1080i, but dang it looks awesome using dscaler.  I did some searching and this guys says:
    A better solution is S-video. Almost all players have s-video output. S-video looks much better than composite video, and only slightly inferior to component video. Hook an s-video cable from the player to the display (or to an A/V receiver that can switch s-video). The round, 4-pin connectors may be labelled Y/C, s-video, or S-VHS.
    Link found here:  http://www.home-theater-faq.com/whats_the_difference_between_composite_s-video_component_and_rgb_video.htm
    Anyway I found some similar links that said about the same.  In any case, if anyone wants to play with the HDTV viewing using dscaler and an HDTV s-video connection, it might be of interest.

  • Switch 2nd monitor  between dvi monitor and hdtv

    I have an Intel iMac and I use the mini-dvi output to have a second monitor for working on the computer and also to watch online videos on my hdtv. Both work great. The problem is I have to reach around the back of the iMac to unplug the dvi monitor and plug in the tv and then do it again when I want to get back to work. I am pretty sure that the mini-dvi socket is not built to be used twice a day or more, so I am eager to find a better solution (preferably cheap).

    I am using the apple mini-dvi to dvi adapter with a dvi-hdmi cable to connect to the visio 42" hdtv and the same apple mini-dvi adapter with a regular dvi cable to connect to the Sceptre 22" monitor. The TV is in the next room, so it is not really practical to use as a second monitor, besides sometimes my wife wants to watch TV while I am working.
    I think what i am going to do is get a small dvi extension cable and leave that connected to mini-dvi adapter which I will leave plugged into the iMac. That way I will just be plugging and unplugging into the dvi extension cable (which is more robust than the mini plug) which will be much easier than reaching blindly behind the iMac. If the extension wears out I can just get a new one rather than having to get the iMac repaired.

  • HT4366 my sony bravia HDTV is not a smart tv.  I want to add an apple tv to my cable box and HDTV.  I understand to connect the HDM1 cable from the TV to the back of the apple tv devise but what cables do I use to reconnect back tho the comcast cable box?

    My Sony Bravia HDTV is not a smart TV.  How do I setup connection between the Apple TV, Comcast HD box and the Sony.  I believe the HDM1 cable goes from the Sony to the back of the Apple TV, but what cables connect the Sony back to the Comcast box?

    Welcome to the Apple community.
    The HDMI cable goes from the Apple TV to the TV.

  • 24" iMac and HDTV?

    Does anyone know if the new 24" iMac is capable of displaying true HDTV for use as an HDTV and/or HD DVR? From the pixel dimensions of the display itself, it seems like it should be able to, but I was looking for some expert advice.
    Thanks!

    Eric & Glor,
    Thanks for the lightning fast responses. Glad to hear this should be feasible. I'm trying to "convert" a friend who is remodeling their kitchen and wanted to include a 23" LCD TV/monitor (with HD-capability) with a computer for web-browsing, e-mail, photo slideshows, etc. What better way to do that than with an iMac, right?!?!
    The HDTV part isn't crucial at the moment... but they want to know that they have the option if they decide to go that route in the future. I didn't want to recommend the iMac and then have it turn out it wasn't feasible.
    Thanks again for the help!

  • Strange iPhone and HDTV Issue

    This is probably the strangest iPhone issue I've encountered to date (even more weird than the "stop the image rotation half way" bug).
    For those who either don't know or don't care, the Major League Baseball playoffs are going on right now. For the most part, the division series and championship series for both American and National leagues are being broadcast on TBS and TBS HD. When my Westinghouse 32" LCD HDTV is on TBS HD and I get a phone call, the TV begins to freak out and come to a screeching halt. Occasionally when the phone switches from EDGE to Wi-Fi, the same thing occurs. It's the most bizarre thing I've seen in a while. My guess is that the signal is interfering with the HDTV's built-in HD tuner, even though I'm using my cable box to watch TBS HD. However, no other channel does this (including other HD channels that are "over the air" HD); only TBS HD.
    I know there isn't much I can do about it (it's kind of like dealing with GSM noise), but I was just wondering if anyone else has encountered this weird issue. It's also probably not iPhone-specific, but alas, I don't have another mobile phone to test this with.
    At least I know when someone is calling me before the phone rings :P

    I'm guessing its a Westinghouse thing. First off I thought they only made washers and dryers.
    Anyway, I've had my phone around numerous manufactures HD TVs and have never seen this happen before. I'm guess that Westinghouse TV has some serious shielding issues that makes it very sensitive to RF.
    Thats my guess.

  • IPad and HDTV

    I just bought my wife an iPad for her birthday and am wondering if she can do the following.
    I'm wondering if she can use our HDTV as a secondary monitor similar to what is done during WWDC when Apple demos a new product on the big screen.
    I'm familiar with AirPlay and have an AppleTv 2. Can she use this method for viewing her iPad on our HDTV or must we purchase Apple's HDMI adapter?
    Thanks.
    -Mike

    You can do similar with an Apple digital AV adaptor for the iPad with an HDMI cable connection between the two, which provides mirroring.
    The same will be available wirelessly via AirPlay with iOS 5 and with a newer model Apple TV.

  • IBook G4 and HDTV

    Hello,
    I have an iBook G4 (1.33 GHz, 1.5 GB) running OS 10.4.11. Can the iBook use a 1080p LCD HDTV as a monitor for showing iPhoto slideshows, etc? If so, what adaptors, cables, etc. do I need?
    Thanks.
    Mike

    The iBook G4 has a mini-VGA connector which has the following output options:
    VGA using the Apple VGA Display Adapter (M8639G/A). This supports 640 x 480 pixels at 60 Hz, 800 x 600 pixels at 75 Hz, and 1024 x 768 pixels at 75 Hz.
    S-Video or composite video using the Apple Video Adapter (M9109G/A). This supports 640 x 480 at 60 Hz, 800 x 600 at 60 Hz, and 1024 x 768 at 60 Hz.

  • Dazzle Capture Card and HDTVs

    Okay i have a dazzle capture card and i want to use it with a new hdtv but none of the hdtvs
    seem to have the right output unless i dont know what its called please help me!

    The N95 does not have facility for a hardwired audio/video input & the PC capture card likewise have only a audio/video input ports, where one can capture video from a video players, or TV receivers. You wanted to stream a video from PC to the phone, its not possible.
    Message Edited by android on 26-Apr-2008 10:37 AM
    Knowledge not shared is knowledge wasted!
    If you find it helpfull, it's not hard to click the STAR..

  • Slide show format in PSE6 for SLR and HDTV (16:9) format

    I have a 16:9 monitor and I want to create slide shows using images taken from a DSLR in the 3:2 format. The images are scaled in PSE6 to the default 4:3 slide area.
    When I send the slide show to a HDTV format the images are still confined to the default 4:3 box of the slide show.
    Is there a possibility to change the default format for a slide show in PSE6 from 4:3 to 3:2 (DSLR format) or HDTV.
    Best Regards
    Wolfgang

    It all depends on how you crop the pictures. If you're doing a 16:9 slide show, and you don't want any black edges, you'll need to use nothing but horizontal pictures in the same proportions as 16:9.
    Unclick auto KB, and you can set the focal point yourself on each slide. Auto KB is a quick fix thing, for those times when you don't care about cropping and focal point. If you do care about that stuff, you'll need to set each picture with it's own KB effect, either moving in or out based on the content of the picture. Auto KB is never going to be smart enough to do that for you.

  • MacMini and HDTV?

    i'm thinking about getting a MacMini to connect to my HDTV, and then just connecting my bluetooth keyboard and mouse to it, thus Macatizing my living room. if i connect the Mini to the TV, will i be able to watch DVDs in HD on it? what if i make movies with iMovie HD, will i be able to watch those in HD on the TV too?
    (i hear there are some programs out there that will allow me to record TV, kind of like Windows XP: Media Edition, but i'll save those questions for later. thanks!)
      Mac OS X (10.4.3)  

    Rck,
    You & I are thinking exactly the same thing. I want to buy a Mac Mini to drive my Panasonic TH-42PX500U. I want to use the TV audio for iTunes, DVD player for DVDs, Handle Slide Shows Via iPhoto, play games and surf. Basically having a 42" monitor for the Mini. I also wonder if software upgrades will suffice when the HD DVD/Blue-Ray decision is made or if a different drive will be needed. I suspect many people are considering this and the first Intel Mac Mini will be designed for this application. Any help is welcomed. I'm stoked.

  • Shoddy Resolution - ATI Radeon X1900 XT and HDTV

    Hi guys,
    I'm having a problem here with my resolution. I've got a 26" Polaroid HDTV that I've just switched over to using as my Mac's monitor. The resolution through HDTV was astounding (1080i) and now switching to the DVI-D input on the TV to use it as a monitor it's really bad. My question is this, is it possible to use DVI-to-component cables for a monitor with this video card or am I stuck at 1280x1024 at 60hz as specified in the manual for the TV? It would really stink if I couldn't because the TV and the video card cost so much and the TV is brilliant with a component signal (no HDMI unfortunately).

    The problem was the TV. :/

  • Keynote and HDTV?

    Will Keynote & PowerPoint 2008 or future versions provide both 4:3 NTSC and 16:9 HDTV slide format options? I seldom use either application, but our faculty use both. Future construction projects are already calling for HDTV format media options.

    Welcome to the discussions, etbozo.
    Keynote supports 4:3, 16:9, 16:10, pretty much any resolution you enter. Some theme vendors include the specific resolutions mentioned, but, if you enter the resolution of your display device, when you connect the computer to the display, it will use the entire screen.

Maybe you are looking for