TV Output Using Linux & Stingray 128/3D? 17
cr0sh asks: "I am seeking help obtaining TV output under Linux. I am currently running SuSE 6.2 and XFree86 3.3.2, using a Hecules Stingray 128/3D with TV out. I have tried numerous different modelines under X to try and activate the TV output, with no luck. A look at the chipset revealed that the card uses a Chrontel CH7002D-V to provide the TV output. Studying the specifications revealed that in order to activate it, an I2C bus or direct pin programming may be used. I searched the internet using Google to see what I could find out regarding this chip and Linux, but the best I turned up was an I2C bus driver for a Riva TNT/BTV chipset. Seeing that this may have been a blind alley, I tried setting up my Genius HiEncoder VGA-to-TV converter to display the output from the card, with help from Tomi Engdahl and his site. I eventually found a solid modeline to use, however, all I get is a black and white display. No matter what changes to the modeline I try, I cannot obtain color. I really need a color TV output (it is to drive an HMD I own). Can anyone give me suggestions as to how I may get proper TV output, either via my current card (anyone know how to enable the Chrontel?), gaining color via my converter (has anyone used the HiEncoder with Linux?), or using an entirely different video card (with TV output supported under Linux)? Any help would be appreciated."
A bit of an "update"... (Score:2)
I purchased the HiEncoder off of Ebay, and didn't get any documentation on it. It has a variable cap that I don't know the use of (it doesn't seem to affect anything, color wise) - I have heard that some older converters could only do 640x480 in black and white, and at a lower res (320x240?), one could do color. But without the documentation, I don't know if this is the case.
Finally, I have purchased another VGA->TV converter from an individual off of Ebay (an AverKey 3), as a sanity check, in case the color output on the HiEncoder is hosed. When I receive it, I should have at least some kind of answer.
I have given thought to tracing the R, G, B and sync lines on the HMD, then setting up a custom connector for it, and just run straight from the card. I still would like to use video out, only because I have a cheap video projector I want to view with as well...
Thank you all for any help...
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!
Why isn't this showing on the front page??? (Score:1)
I used to have one of those cards... (Score:1)
"Titanic was 3hr and 17min long. They could have lost 3hr and 17min from that."
Whoops! (Score:2)
I am located in Phoenix, Arizona, USA (hence my URL) - so that would be NTSC standard.
Thanks for pointing that out...
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!
try X 4? (Score:2)
Option "Tv"
then added a section to the Monitor Section:
Section "Monitor"
Identifier "TV"
HorizSync 30-50
VertRefresh 60
EndSection
then added Option "Tv" "yes" to the device section..Then told it to use
Monitor "TV"
in the Screen Section
Make sure you are using 640x480 resolution, and 24-bit color depth..
that was with a Matrox G400 DualHead vid card (AGP)
but it seems generic enough that it should work for you too..msg me if you wnat a copy of the XF86Config file..
my question is:
Is there a way to setup multihead such that both screens are completely independant?? the only way I have seen to do it so far is with +xinerama..which just make one huge screen. that sucks. I need 'em to be completely separate for a project I am working on..
Good Luck.
BT848? (Score:2)
You are the second to mention using modelines only. Can you post the modeline you are using here (when you get a chance to look it up)?
Thanks...
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!
Re:try X 4? (Score:1)
> both screens are completely independant?? the
> only way I have seen to do it so far is with
> +xinerama..which just make one huge screen.
> that sucks. I need 'em to be completely
> separate for a project I am working on..
Um, just don't specify the +xinerama and you'll have two sperate heads. That's what I'm doing...
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Re:try X 4? (Score:2)
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!
But I am using it for an HMD... (Score:2)
I also have a video projector that uses a composite input, which I want to play with. I suppose I could get a better projector, but at this point I can't justify spending around $2000 for a projector (I can't understand why 640x480 color projectors aren't hitting the used market for under $1000 - heck, $500 would be more realistic. Of course, 3 tube CRT projectors are out there, but since shipping seems to cost over $300 for one of these from anywhere, that isn't worth it, not to mention the special ceiling mounts, etc)...
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!
voodoo3 (Score:1)
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Here is what I was talking about, driver-wise... (Score:2)
BTW - it is the BT869, not 848. My appologies for my mistake...
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!
bt848 - framebuffer (Score:1)
Re:Why isn't this showing on the front page??? (Score:1)
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Re:try X 4? (Score:1)
Re:BT848? (Score:2)
Yes, you can switch the output on and off with lm_sensors, but I'm too lazy and I let the BIOS take care of that at bootup (it'll auto-select the proper mode).
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Re: (Score:1)
No, no, no... (Score:2)
BTW, I am not cheap (although, I guess one could argue why I don't just get a better HMD - that's a problem when the cheapest VGA-compatible HMD runs around $1000) - but I do have a budget (and for your information, I have considered getting one of these cards, they seem pretty neat).
Worldcom [worldcom.com] - Generation Duh!