CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Jesse S · Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 209 Location: Etobicoke

The Nvidia 8x00 series are still not supported by Powerstrip so I'm wondering how people are setting up their custom timings.

Is there any way to access porches and the like via Riva Tuner, or whatever is used to tweak Nvidia cards? I've been using ATI for the last 3 generations but the 2900XT is not as competitive and uses a ton of power and costs more than the mostly faster 8800GTS.

Ile · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007 10:32 pm Post subject:

Doesn't those 8x00 drivers have advanced timings window like for example 6600 drivers?

Jesse S · Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 209 Location: Etobicoke

I hope so. If not, no Powerstrip is a total dealbreaker.

Ile · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:11 pm Post subject:

It seems that Nvidia won't share needed info with EnTech, so they cant support GF8*00 before needed info leaks somewhere.
http://forums.entechtaiwan.net/viewtopic.php?t=5382

Joust · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:49 pm Post subject:

that makes no sense. Why would they make it difficult to sell their own product?

mrking · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 193 Location: Sweden

Hmm so that's why I can't change any custom timings in powerstrip on my 8800GTX!
When I go to adcanced custom timings it reads 640x480 no matter what resolution I'm at.

Having some very annoying problems with my HTPC running a 8800GTX and one of my 808LC units.

I can't sync to anything except 1024x768@70Hz or lower resolutions. Amu higher and picture just rolls vertically.
It could have something to do with my cables or maybe I just need an Extron Peaking Amplfier,
Anyone know where I can find an Extron PA250 or PA300?

Ile · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject:

mrking · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 193 Location: Sweden

Yeah I have the same problem on another HTPC with an 7600GT in.
Big problems with getting a stable picture.

1024x768 is a positive sync resolution on Barco's also and I think that's the reason why it works when nothing else does. So that is always a good resolution to start out with on Barco's.

Ile · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:42 pm Post subject:

mrking · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 193 Location: Sweden

Well whatever the reason for f*cking up the sync it's really stupid.

My BD808LC with 120MHz Neckboards should be able to do 720p@48/50/72/75Hz easily but because of this damn sync problem the picture is just rolling.
It's not quite the same thing watching HD DVD in 1024x768...

Mark_A_W · Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:11 pm Post subject:

Sigh...just get an ATi 2x00 series card.

Powerstrip already works with the 2900 - I havent' checked the newer ones yet, but it can't be long.

Chuchuf · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 548

I have an 8800GTX in my HTPC and you can get to the advanced menu and change all the settings as well as create custom resolutions just like the 6600.
I'm running 1920 x 1080P but have changed the refresh rates to custom ones and it seems to work.
One of the things I like about nVidia cards is that you don't have to run Powerstrip.

Terry

mrking · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 193 Location: Sweden

What driver are you using?

Elaine Benes · Joined: 25 Apr 2006 Posts: 1416

Chuchuf · Joined: 11 Mar 2006 Posts: 548

Alaric · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:01 pm Post subject:

Hi There,

Have a BG808s on a 8600GTS. XP Pro with 162.15 drivers. IIRC going via a dvi->vga then vga->5bnc port5

- Just had a look for these drivers - The AVS post is here, but the links seem broken

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=868480&highlight=beta+nvidia

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_162.18.html

Seems to be the closest. I'll check my version tonight.
-

Had a few issues with sync initaly but i think it was a slightly loose bnc as its fine now.

I'm mainly running 1280x720 @ 75/72hz, but i did try 1920x1080 @ 75/72 and was quite suprised by the picture. A bit soft, but then my rig needs some tweaking....I did find the first season Babylon 5 @1080 a bit noisy, but then the source and transfer are probably at fault !

Alas i have no HD/BR drive or discs so haven't played any HD at 1080, but i think it will look remarkably watchable. Text is fiddly on IE at that size.

There are custom resolutions in the advanced nvidia control panel, you need to define them and then test them, but it seems fine.

mrking · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 193 Location: Sweden

Thanks for that Alaric, will look into those when I get home again.

Yeah a regular 808 cannot resolve 1080p fully but with that said that doesn't mean 1080p doesn't look damn nice anyway.
In my opinion due to the huge amount of additional lines at 1080p compared to 720p the 1080p feels more detailed and has more 3d depth than 720p regardless of whether it resolves it fully or not.

It will look alot sweeter with PT18's or P16's though and with LC-chambers you are pretty damn close to an 9" in performance.

I'm pretty sure the projector will have to work harder at that resolution though because the RGB Bandwidth required for 1080p is beyond the specs of an 808 but given the huge availability of parts for the 808 I wouldn't bother too much about that. If something fails prematurely you just replace it. =)

Alaric · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:13 pm Post subject:

Hi There,

Yep its the 162.15 that i'm running. Custom res is in the nvidia control panel in advanced mode under display...Titled manage custom resolutions. You create them there then apply them in change resolution... I trialed a 1440 x 864 @ 50/75 the other day but thats about it. 1080 is already listed

The Graphics 808s (mine) has the higher bandwidth, doesn't it ? Or is it still not high enough ?

I Just have hd145's....I'd like to head for mike/gregs mods as due to room constraints (fixed screen, PJ already close to back wall and beyond limits (new holes) on my cm100 bracket) I can't mess too much with focus lengths.

Cya,
Lee

mrking · Joined: 29 Mar 2006 Posts: 193 Location: Sweden

I never managed to figure out how to calculate rgb bandwidth according to chiems post on avsforum but yes I believe 120MHz is too low for fully resolving 1080p but it will still look stunning to most people.

I don't think mods can make a bigger upgrade to a machine with old 180DVB22 tubes than replacing them with PT18's could.
The PT18's has tighter beam spot focus which makes the picture quite a bit sharper.
I would first replace the tubes THEN look into mods to the signal path and video chain...

And adding LC makes the picture incredibly much nicer than staying AC imo.

Jesse S · Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 209 Location: Etobicoke

!!!

That's great news. I want to buy ATI but their 2900 just isn't competive for gaming and the 2400/2600 are horrifically slow, even worse than my x850 XTPE.

If nvidia's panel gives access to porches/exact refresh(?) then that's all I need for crt pj. Can you set exact refresh rates like 71.928hz?