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General discussion

46" as Computer Display?

Feb 3, 2009 9:48PM PST

Okay, so I am getting frustrated as all heck, and I realize this probably isn't a TV issue, but nobody else seems to be able to help me.

I have a Samsung 46" Series 5 LCD. It has a 60 Hz Refresh Rate, and 2 HDMI inputs (other models seem to have 3 or 4). I can't seem to find the model number, but I figured that information would be sufficient.

I can't get my new Dell "Hybrid Studio" computer to look right when using either the htmi or the dvi connectors. I've tried all the computer settings I could think of. I know this display is beautiful, because I was able to get it looking great on my 7 year old computer that I built as I was graduating high school (after updating drivers). One difference between the two is that my old computer was running XP and the new one is running Vista.

The only way to view the whole screen with the new computer is under the "Just Scan" setting, whereas the old computer seems to be simply automatically detected.

What am I doing wrong?

Discussion is locked

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Can you describe your problem better.
Feb 3, 2009 9:57PM PST

All we know now:
- not the model number of the TV: please tell
- when being used as a monitor it doesn't look right; please tell what's wrong
- you tried all PC settings you could think of: please tell which
- there is only one way to show the whole screen: what do you see in all other ways (half the screen), and why do you need more than one way

And, yes, Vista is more picky on HD devices than XP was. Just to be sure you don't copy illegal content.

Kees

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Better Description
Feb 3, 2009 10:37PM PST

Model: LN46A550

Problem: text appears to have white "halos" around it (not to be confused with the halo effect), and the colors are terrible...almost what you would see if you were to be viewing a new system at 8-bit...but 32-bit is selected.

What I have tried (in no particular order): I have tried taking a look at the resolution (it is set to the TV's native resolution), updating drivers, changing cables, various boot orders between the TV and the CPU, "updating" to the windows 7 beta (as I was planning on doing so anyways), both the DVI and HDMI ports (via the proper cables), and searching through the built in intel graphics card settings, but finding nothing worth tweaking.

Screen settings: in the 16:9 setting, the ratio is correct, but it cuts off all edges and still has the above listed problems, and the other aspect ratios just squash the image or zoom into the image in various ways (obviously). The only setting that shows the whole screen and in the proper ratio is Just Scan.

I don't need more than one way to view it, I just need a 16:9 ratio that shows the whole screen clearly, like my other computer has.

As far as illegal content, I'm not entirely sure what you mean...but that isn't my intention.

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Turn on PC mode
Feb 3, 2009 10:45PM PST

1) Make sure you're using HDMI2 for your PC
2) Name the input "PC" -- hit the source button on the remote, go down to HDMI2, hit the tools button, then edit name. Select PC.

This should get you a decent baseline.

If you don't want to do that, you should use "Just scan", turn the sharpness down to 0, and set HDMI black level to "normal".

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Sounds good!
Feb 3, 2009 10:51PM PST

I am using HDMI2, so that should be good.

When I get home, I'll try that. Thanks a ton!

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Worked like a charm.
Feb 5, 2009 12:35AM PST

Thank you SO much. This worked like a charm. After the process, I'm starting to wonder if I had actually done the same for the other computer, as the process seemed to be familiar.

On another note, I was starting to get frustrated because I couldn't get the sound working for some reason. When I unplugged the stereo to rca cable from the computer and TV, though, it magically started working...only using the DVI to HDMI cable. Apparently, some video cards support transmitting audio through DVI-HDMI now (I must really be behind the times for not knowing that). Hurray!