Composite Video Input on 21" LCD

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

HAHAHA, yeah, I was wondering how long it would take people to realize I have a VIVO card. I guess you win the prize polo :thumb:
Anyway, I still have yet to get the VIVO funtionality figured out and perfected on my card, but that is something I intend on doind before I purchase any new monitor (so don't worry). But overall, it sounds like the concensus seems to be:

If you are gonna spend extra $$ for extra video in connectivity, it is better to spend it on a VIVO video card rather than a monitor with the extra connections.

Is this a safe conclusion to make? Since I already have VIVO, I guess that settles it. Thanks guys!

Yep that's exactly it. A monitor with video in connectivity is not bad but I prefer a VIVO video card and since you have one, nothing is stopping you.
Blake it's not really that hard. You install the WDM driver from ATI, you download and install Dscaler, you connect the cables then powerup everything and voila. The rest is just a bit of fiddling.
ATI also have their multimedia center or whatever but it isn't very customizable.

[gvblake22]

Ok, I just blew the dust off the ol' Nintendo64 and connected it via Component video to my X1900GT and used DScaler to view it and it looks TERRIBLE! Even at about 1/4 of my screen text is very smudged and hard to read, plus the detail is just aweful. If the video inputs on a monitor are even worse than this I don't know why they even bother. Am I doing something wrong or are there other options?

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Ok, I just blew the dust off the ol' Nintendo64 and connected it via Component video to my X1900GT and used DScaler to view it and it looks TERRIBLE! Even at about 1/4 of my screen text is very smudged and hard to read, plus the detail is just aweful. If the video inputs on a monitor are even worse than this I don't know why they even bother. Am I doing something wrong or are there other options?

What driver version of the WDM are you using? The newest drivers (6.6 and up) have a problem where you can't set the resolution in Dscaler.
I recommend installing the 6.5 WDM drivers but keeping the 6.9 display drivers (and catalyst control center if you use it) then setting the resolution in Dscaler (Dshow->Resolution) to the Nintendo 64 resolution (640*480).
Then enable the sharpness filter and configure it (Filter->Filter settings->Sharpness), and while you're at it with composite (not component, two different things) put the De-interlacing mode to simple bob. This should give you the best results.

[gvblake22]

I just installed the Catalyst Control Center 6.9 package. Is the WDM driver included in this? If I just used the ATI Multimedia Center, will I have access to the resolutions in there?

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

I just installed the Catalyst Control Center 6.9 package. Is the WDM driver included in this? If I just used the ATI Multimedia Center, will I have access to the resolutions in there?

Yes, the WDM is included and it's 6.9. What you want is the 6.5 WDM, available here.
Personally I don't use the ATI Multimedia center, infact it is not installed at this moment so I wouldn't be able to tell you.

[gvblake22]

The link is messed. I've noticed that trying to link directly to a particular download on ATI's site is a lost cause. I see what you mean though and I can find it. But I'll try installing the Multimedia Center first and see how that does...

[polobunny]

Ah leech alert. Just incase, link. Once there simply download the "WDM Integrated Driver Only" from the Low-Speed (Dial-up) section.

[Panda Man]

Originally Posted by polobunny

While it might be cool for the user to be able to do that, it's a real pain when you're the one selling it. It's seriously this type of user fault if the computer parts companies customer service is so crappy and obtaining a RMA is so hard.

Yea i know. That's why they charge a 15% restocking fee =D

I mean, under the RMA options, you can actually select "No longer wanted the part/item" as the reason for returning.