Blurry output on TV

[anden]

This is my first post and have been searching the forums to find an answer but can't. I love this software and don't think the issue is with the software. I'll start by providing my system specs.

P4 2.6 ghz
1 Gig memory
MSI RX9250-T128 Radeon 9250 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Low Profile Video Card
(2) HD, main-40Gig IDE, secondary 250Gig IDE, both on separate channels
(2) Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150

This setup is only used for output to the Tv, which is a Sony 36" tube tv. Output from computers video card s-video output goes to TV's s-video input. Resolution on the video card settings is automatically identified as a TV, 640x480 but seems to always go to 8 Bit color.

It seems as though the picture is just blurry, not crisp as I expected it to be. Is this an issue with setup, video card, or combination of both?

I can take the feed directly from cable to TV, and picture is perfect. Any help on this is greatly appreciated!

[sub]

It seems as though the picture is just blurry, not crisp as I expected it to be. Is this an issue with setup, video card, or combination of both?

This would usually be related to either the quality of of your video card tv out, or the video decoder you're using. I'm guessing its your video card's tv out (does your desktop look bad also?).

[anden]

no, screen looks crisp and clear. I use vnc to connect to it, and have no issues with it.

I found this thread which may address some settings issues but it just seems like video quality should be better. Was reading the above mentioned thread, and the perfect description of what I'm seeing was like watching tv through a glass of tea. The picture is good, just a little small text items on the screen are not clear and defined. I will be trying to make some the the changes mentioned there and will update tomorrow.

[sub]

no, screen looks crisp and clear. I use vnc to connect to it, and have no issues with it

VNC wouldnt show the problem. I mean if you view your desktop on the tv, does it look crap?

How does the video look when you view it via a monitor instead of the tv out?

[anden]

Sorry, yes the output of the desktop looks like pure crap on the tv, is very hard to read text. When connected to a monitor, all is good.

[rowle1jt]

Resolution on the video card settings is automatically identified as a TV, 640x480 but seems to always go to 8 Bit color.

This makes me think that your video drivers are not working... default in XP is 800x600 w/ 16 bit colors with working drivers. If you don't have the correct drivers installed (or the correct ones are corrupt) that could certainly cause the issue.

With out drivers, XP defaults to 640x480 w/ 8 bit color.

[Gemini1706]

Edit: Rowle1jt beat me to it

Are you using latest ATI drivers?
I have an ATI setup (Radeon 7500) and when I installed latest drivers, picture improved a lot. But note that I am connecting TV thru DVI to a Sony 36" HDTV, but output resolution is set to only 640x480 like you, but picture is crisp clear even in desktop screen.

s-video should also be able to do progressive (not interlaced I think) so you shoudl get similar results I think.

Or if your TV has DVI, maybe use that port with latest drivers.

[anden]

Yes, latest drivers from website are installed. The 640x480 8bit resolution is only on the secondary monitor set as TV. The driver identifies it automatically as a TV, and sets the resolution appropriately. I am able to change the color setting to 32bit, but when I return to the screen, it has changed back to 8bit color.

Resolution on the main monitor is fine, can go as high as 2048 x 1536.

My TV is several years old, only has RCA and S-Video inputs.

[anden]

OK, it seems there may have been several issues with my picture. Here is what I did to make it better...but still not perfect.

-Found settings in video card driver to turn off the anti-flicker.
-Fiddled with the resolution/color settings on the second monitor and got the 32bit color at 640x480 resolution.
-Installed a cable amplifier on the input signals to the tuner cards and picture actually did improve. *Note: The picture was very clear on the direct cable to tv connection.

Now it seems the only issue I have with the picture is the pixelated display on dark shots, but that may be a normal thing. I am going to get a better S-VIDEO cable to see what improvement that will make, if any. I am using a cheap 6foot Wal-Mart cable. Surely a better quality cable should provide some improvement?

I do want to say that this software is great and want to thank Sub for it! I can now begin to mess with all the different plug-ins now that the wife is happier!