RADEON™ 9000
RADEON™ 9000 PRO
User’s Guide
Version 4.0
P/N 137-40356-40 Rev.C
Copyright © 2002, ATI Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
ATI and all ATI product and product feature names are trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of ATI Technologies Inc. All other company and/or product names are
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Features,
performance and specifications are subject to change without notice. Product may not
be exactly as shown in the diagrams.
Reproduction of this manual, or parts thereof, in any form, without the express written
permission of ATI Technologies Inc. is strictly prohibited.
i
Table of Contents
Features At A Glance .................................................................................. 2
ATI’s CATALYST™ Software Suite ........................................................ 3
Multiple Displays and 3D Gaming Experience...................................... 3
HydraVision™ ....................................................................................... 3
Display Configurations................................................................................ 5
ATI Displays Tab......................................................................................... 6
Enabling/Disabling Secondary Displays (optional) ............................... 7
Enabling Extended Desktop Mode (optional)........................................ 7
Virtually Repositioning Your Displays (optional) ................................. 9
ATI Color Tab ........................................................................................... 10
ATI Options Tab........................................................................................ 12
ATI Overlay Tab ....................................................................................... 13
Video Overlay ...................................................................................... 13
View your PC’s display on a TV.......................................................... 24
Connecting to a TV or a VCR .................................................................. 24
Starting Windows® with TV Display Enabled.................................... 26
Using SCART Connectors for European TVs ..................................... 26
How To Enable/Disable The TV Display ............................................ 26
Using and Adjusting TV Out................................................................ 27
How TV Display Cannot Be Used ....................................................... 27
Using a Monitor vs. Using the TV Display.......................................... 27
iii
Adjusting Monitor Display................................................................... 28
Viewing Text on a TV.......................................................................... 28
Reducing Edge Distortion .................................................................... 29
Changing Display Configurations........................................................ 30
Using Games and Applications ............................................................ 30
iv
1
Introduction
The RADEON 9000 family of graphic accelerators
delivers ground breaking 3D graphics performance.
• Designed and built by ATI Technologies Inc.
• Powered by the RADEON 9000 family of Visual
Processing Units (VPU).
• Awesome 3D gaming performance.
®
• Support for OpenGL applications.
®
• Support for Direct 3D applications.
• High resolution in 3D up to 2048x1536.
• Best performance for today’s and tomorrow’s
applications.
• Supports TV-out to connect your PC to your TV or
VCR.
2
Features At A Glance
RADEON 9000 family
The RADEON 9000 family provides high
performance acceleration for today's demanding 3D
graphic applications. Its main features are:
• VIDEO IMMERSION™ II which provides
industry-leading DVD playback and digital TV
decode capability
• CHARISMA ENGINE™ II which is the main
VPU, providing the necessary power to accelerate
today’s 3D games and applications
• SMARTSHADER™ technology which can
realistically create the visual properties of any
material, like glass, metal, wood, and produce 3D
depth by rendering the object’s shadows
• SMOOTHVISION™ which provides users with
various degrees of jagged edge removal from 3D
images, allowing users to configure their own high
quality or high performance gaming experience
• PIXEL TAPESTRY™ II which provides even
greater 3D rendering power
• Dual monitor support (optional)
• TV output support
• Digital flat panel support (optional)
3
ATI’s CATALYST™ Software Suite
Multiple Displays and 3D Gaming Experience
ATI’s CATALYST Software Suite provides multiple
display functionality, and the advanced graphic
features, such as SMARTSHADER, for the ultimate
3D gaming experience. For help on installing the
Started Guide.
The CATALYST Software Suite installs the ATI
display tabs. These tabs are accessed through the
®
Windows Display Control Panel, through the
Advanced... button located on the Settings tab. For a
detailed explanation of each ATI tab, refer to
CATALYST Software Suite on page 6.
®
®
Direct 3D and OpenGL
The CATALYST Software Suite also supports the
®
®
latest versions of Direct 3D and OpenGL . Your
3D game titles will virtually come to life, as you can
tweak the game’s settings for maximum 3D image
quality or 3D gaming performance.
®
®
through the Windows Display Control Panel,
through the Advanced... button located on the
Settings tab.
®
For a detailed explanation of the Direct 3D and
®
OpenGL tabs, refer to Direct 3D® Control Panel
on page 15, and OpenGL® Control Panel on
page 20.
HydraVision™
You can also use HydraVision for advanced multi-
monitor management. For more information please
refer to the HydraVision User’s Guide PDF located
on your ATI Installation CD.
4
Multiple Displays (optional)
Connecting Your Monitor(s)
The RADEON 9000 family provides hardware
support for one VGA monitor and one flat panel
monitor, or two VGA monitors using a DVI-I-to-
VGA adapter*. It also provides TV Output via an
S-Video out or a Composite out connector.
Plug the monitor cable into your card (if you are
running multiple monitors, connect their cables to the
appropriate connectors), then turn on the PC and
monitor(s).
To connect a flat panel directly to your card, use the
DVI-I connector. To connect a VGA monitor to the
DVI-I connector, plug a DVI-I-to-VGA adapter* into
the DVI-I connector, then plug your monitor cable
into the adapter*, as shown below.
CRT
CRT
STANDARD VGA
MONITOR
CONNECTOR
VGA
CONNECTOR
FROM
S-VID OUT
MONITOR
COMP OUT
TV OUTPUT
S-VIDEO OUT
COMPOSITE OUT
DVI
DVI
DVI-I
CONNECTOR
VGA
CONNECTOR
FROM
DVI-I-TO-VGA
ADAPTER*
MONITOR
When you use multiple monitors with your card, one
monitor will always be Primary. Any additional
monitor(s) will be designated as Secondary.
5
Display Configurations
The following table lists the different ways you can
connect displays to your card.
Display
Configuration
Connector(s) Used
Comments
VGA connector OR DVI-I
connector with DVI-I-to-
VGA adapter*
One CRT
display
CRT- cathode ray tube
analog display
One DFP
display
DFP - digital flat panel
display
DVI-I connector
Cards with S-Video out also
support Composite out via
an S-Video-to-Composite
adapter*. Cards with
One TV
TV Output
Composite out DO NOT
support connection to TVs
with S-Video Input.
Unsupported configuration
if the CRT display is
attached to the DVI-I
connector via a DVI-I-to-
VGA adapter*
CRT display +
TV
VGA connector +
TV Output
DFP display +
TV
DVI-I connector +
TV Output
CRT display +
DFP display
VGA connector + DVI-I
connector
The DVI-I connector can
support a CRT display
using a DVI-I-to-VGA
adapter*
VGA connector + DVI-I
connector with DVI-I-to-
VGA adapter*
CRT display +
CRT display
CRT display +
DFP display +
TV
The TV display will “clone”
the image of one of the
other two displays.
VGA connector + DVI-I
connector + TV Output
CRT display +
CRT display +
TV
UNSUPPORTED
CONFIGURATION
6
CATALYST Software Suite
The following section provides an explanation of
each ATI tab available after installing the
CATALYST Software Suite.
Features presented in the following pages may not
be supported in all operating systems and/or may
appear differently.
i
ATI Displays Tab
The ATI Displays tab provides the multi monitor
features. Here you can enable/disable display devices
and swap the assignment of Primary and Secondary
displays.
7
Enabling/Disabling Secondary Displays (optional)
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
2 Click on the Settings tab and then the
Advanced... button.
3 Click on the ATI Displays tab.
4 Click the enable/disable button
for the
display device you want to enable/disable.
5 Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Enabling Extended Desktop Mode (optional)
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
2 Click on the Settings tab.
3 Click the monitor icon for the display onto which
you want to extend your desktop.
4 Click Yes to enable the selected display.
5 Checkmark the Extend my Windows desktop
®
onto this monitor check box (Windows may
automatically place it there).
6 Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Dynamic Display Reassignment (optional)
Secondary display on the fly, without rebooting.
However, before you can change the assignment of
the Primary display, at least one Secondary display
must be enabled, and Extended Desktop mode must
be enabled.
To enable a Secondary display, refer to the section
Enabling/Disabling Secondary Displays (optional).
8
To enable Extended Desktop Mode, refer to the
section Enabling Extended Desktop Mode (optional).
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
2 Click on the Settings tab and then the
Advanced... button.
3 Click on the ATI Displays tab.
®
®
®
Windows XP, Windows Me, Windows 98SE
The ATI Displays tab shows you the display(s) that
are active. The Primary display has the
button
depressed. To change the display assignment, you
can click the Primary display’s button or you can
click the button of the other display device.
®
®
Windows 2000 and Windows NT4.0
Clicking on the
button will reassign the Primary
and Secondary monitors.
Clicking on the
button creates a clone or mirror
image of the Primary display onto the Secondary
display.
Clicking on the
button extends your desktop to a
Secondary display located to the right of the Primary
display. Clicking on the
desktop to a Secondary display located below the
Primary display.
button extends your
4 Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
9
Virtually Repositioning Your Displays (optional)
1 On the Settings tab, click and drag the
appropriate monitor icon to the desired position.
For example, the secondary display can be
dragged to the left of the primary display,
allowing it to be virtually on the left, as shown
below.
2 Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Ratiometric Expansion
The RADEON 9000 family offers ratiometric
expansion (or digital panel scaling as it is commonly
known). This expands a low resolution image to fill a
higher resolution panel. However, ratiometric
expansion is only available on the Primary display.
Therefore, if a flat panel display (FPD) is set as
Secondary, the Extended Desktop mode is disabled
and the resolution is less than the FPD’s native
resolution. This causes the FPD to default to center
mode.
10
ATI Color Tab
The ATI Color tab is used to adjust the color settings.
You can change the red, green and blue display
colors. Desktop brightness and Game Gamma
(brightness) can also be changed.
ATI Color Tab
This increases or decreases the brightness of your
desktop. The higher the gamma value, the higher the
brightness of your display.
Desktop
Brightness
This adjusts the selected color (red, green or blue check
button) by moving the color curve with your mouse.
Color Curve
Game Gamma
button
This accesses Game Gamma Properties.
Defaults
button
This allows you to reset the desktop brightness and
color settings to default values.
11
Clicking the Game Gamma button accesses the
Game Gamma Properties.
Game Gamma Properties
These controls allow you to increase or decrease the
color brightness of Direct 3D and OpenGL games
Red Green
Blue sliders
played in fullscreen mode. (NOTE: Game Gamma is
NOT supported in Windows NT4.0)
Uncheck this to adjust the RGB sliders individually.
Check this to adjust all three sliders at the same time.
RGB Lock
Defaults
button
This allows you to reset the Game Gamma settings to
default values.
12
ATI Options Tab
The ATI Options tab provides detailed driver
information and access to the card’s specifications.
You can also enable or disable the ATI taskbar icon.
ATI Options Tab
Provides the CATALYST version number, 2D
version number and the driver build information.
Version Information
Provides access to the Details tab which lists the
card’s hardware details and driver information.
Details button
Reactivate all
warning messages
This allows you to reactivate any disabled
graphics warning messages.
Unchecking this allows you to disable the ATI
taskbar applications and removes the ATI icon
from your system tray.
Enable ATI taskbar
icon application
13
Unchecking this allows you to remove the ATI icon
from your system tray without disabling the ATI
icon applications.
Show ATI icon on
taskbar
Quick resolution feature is accessible by left-
clicking the ATI icon in the system tray. Checking
this option disables the feature.
Disable quick
resolution feature
Clicking the Details button provides access to the
Details tab.
ATI Overlay Tab
The ATI Overlay tab allows you to configure the
brightness, contrast, saturation, hue and gamma
properties of your video overlay.
Video Overlay
Video overlay allows for the viewing of full-motion
video on your PC. However, there is only one video
14
overlay, which is only available on the Primary
display. The video overlay controls are automatically
activated during playback of any video file type that
supports overlay adjustments.
ATI Overlay Tab
Use this slider to adjust the brightness of the video
image.
Brightness
Contrast
Use this slider to adjust the contrast in the video image.
Use this slider to adjust the vividness of the color.
Sliding it all the way to the left removes all color and
produces a black and white picture.
Saturation
Use this slider to adjust the pureness or tint of the red,
green and blue components of the color.
Hue
Use this slider to adjust the overall intensity of the video
image.
Gamma
Defaults
button
This allows you to reset the Overlay settings to default
values.
16
This allows you to emphasize what kind of application
experience you’d like to have. Moving the slider to the
left will maximize application performance, while moving
the slider to the right will provide excellent 3D image
quality. Moving this slider from one position to the next
changes the individual Custom Settings sliders found
below.
Main Settings
slider
When Custom Settings is checked, the Main Settings
slider is disabled, allowing you to move each individual
slider in the Custom Settings section below. Setting the
individual sliders gives you complete control over your
application experience. Using Custom Settings is
recommended for advanced users only.
Custom
Settings
checkbox
Anisotropic filtering uses a texture filtering technique
that blends multiple texture samples together. Selecting
Application Preference will result in high quality
textures, with a negligible reduction in the application’s
performance.
Anisotropic
Filtering
checkbox
The number of samples taken when anisotropic filtering
is performed can vary. By moving this slider to the right,
as the number of samples taken increases, the quality
Anisotropic
Filtering slider of the final image increases significantly. 16X provides
extremely detailed, crisp-looking images as a result of
the largest number of texture samples possible.
SmoothVision (Anti-Aliasing) improves image quality by
removing jagged edges from 3D images, resulting in
SMOOTH
smoother, more natural-looking objects. Selecting
VISION
Application Preference will result in high quality
checkbox
images, with a negligible reduction in the application’s
performance.
SMOOTH
VISION
Performance
button
Select Performance for the best possible 3D gaming
performance at a slight reduction in 3D image quality.
The maximum screen resolution possible will
automatically be indicated.
Select Quality for the best possible 3D image quality at
a slight reduction in 3D gaming performance. The
maximum screen resolution possible will automatically
be indicated.
SMOOTH
VISION
Quality button
SmoothVision (Anti-Aliasing) can be applied using
different sample patterns and sample points such as 2X
or 4X. Moving this slider to the right increases sampling
to provide the most realistic 3D image.
SMOOTH
VISION slider
17
Selecting this decides whether your application should
use high quality or high performance textures. Moving
the slider to the right delivers the highest quality
experience. Moving the slider to the left emphasizes a
high performance solution while still providing good
visuals.
Texture
Preference
slider
This will allow you to choose the texture quality of the
mipmaps the application will use. Mipmaps are a
collection of different sized textures of the same image.
As the user moves closer to a 3D object the image
quality should increase, requiring a higher quality
texture of the same image. The base mipmap is the
highest quality texture, and all subsequent mipmaps are
smaller sized textures of the same image. Moving the
slider to the right selects a higher quality base mipmap,
delivering the highest quality application experience.
Moving the slider to the left selects a lower quality
mipmap, delivering the highest application performance.
Mipmap Detail
Level slider
Wait for vertical sync will lower the frame rate of full
screen games but reduce the image tearing that can
occur with the higher frame rate. Selecting Application
Preference allows the application to decide whether or
not it should display its frames at the refresh rate of the
monitor. Selecting Always Off allows the application to
run at its highest possible frame rate, regardless of the
monitor’s refresh rate which is typically less than the
frame rate at which the application will run.
Wait for
Vertical Sync
Compatibility
Settings
button
This button allows you to access advanced settings that
can solve compatibility issues for a few specific Direct
3D applications.
This button allows you to reset the Direct3D settings to
default values.
Defaults
18
®
Direct 3D Compatibility Settings
This will enable W-Buffer support for 3D games. It is
recommended to disable this for games that do not
support this feature. Certain applications require the
increased precision of W-Buffering and will exhibit
artifacts unless the W-Buffer is enabled.
Support W-
buffer
Z-Buffer Bit Depth can be 16 bits, 24 bits, or 32 bits. 16
and 24 are selected by default to achieve optimum
performance. Very few applications require a 32 bit Z-
Buffer, so in most cases this feature should be disabled.
Support 32-bit
Z-buffer depth
19
When applications use both dithering and alpha
blending, visual artifacts can occur. This option allows
you to select how the application should handle both
features at the same time. In most cases Error
Diffusion will handle this situation quite well, but there
are a few cases where selecting Ordered may be
necessary.
Alpha
dithering
method
Enabling this allows applications to use this kind of
texture format. There are a few applications that can
only support a limited number of texture formats. By
selecting Disabled, the driver will not support DXT
texture formats, thus reducing the number of texture
formats supported.
Support DXT
texture
formats
This may eliminate problems with some D3D games
which display vertical and horizontal lines around
textures, or text that appears incorrect. However, this
setting should only be used if you are experiencing the
symptoms mentioned, as it may cause problems with
other games.
Alternate pixel
center
Defaults
button
This button allows you to reset the Direct 3D
Compatibility Settings to default values.
21
This allows you to emphasize what kind of application
experience you’d like to have. Moving the slider to the
left will maximize application performance, while moving
the slider to the right will provide excellent 3D image
quality. Moving this slider from one position to the next
changes the individual Custom Settings sliders found
below.
Main Settings
slider
When Custom Settings is checked, the Main Settings
slider is disabled, allowing you to move each individual
slider in the Custom Settings section below. Setting the
individual sliders gives you complete control over your
application experience. Using Custom Settings is
recommended for advanced users only.
Custom
Settings
checkbox
Anisotropic filtering uses a texture filtering technique
that blends multiple texture samples together. Selecting
Application Preference will result in high quality
textures, with a negligible reduction in the application’s
performance.
Anisotropic
Filtering
checkbox
The number of samples taken when anisotropic filtering
is performed can vary. By moving this slider to the right,
as the number of samples taken increases, the quality
Anisotropic
Filtering slider of the final image increases significantly. 16X provides
extremely detailed, crisp-looking images as a result of
the largest number of texture samples possible.
SmoothVision (Anti-Aliasing) improves image quality by
removing jagged edges from 3D images, resulting in
SMOOTH
smoother, more natural-looking objects. Selecting
VISION
Application Preference will result in high quality
checkbox
images, with a negligible reduction in the application’s
performance.
SMOOTH
VISION
Performance
button
Select Performance for the best possible 3D gaming
performance at a slight reduction in 3D image quality.
The maximum screen resolution possible will
automatically be indicated.
Select Quality for the best possible 3D image quality at
a slight reduction in 3D gaming performance. The
maximum screen resolution possible will automatically
be indicated.
SMOOTH
VISION
Quality button
SmoothVision (Anti-Aliasing) can be applied using
different sample patterns and sample points such as 2X
or 4X. Moving this slider to the right increases sampling
to provide the most realistic 3D image.
SMOOTH
VISION slider
22
Selecting this decides whether your application should
use high quality or high performance textures. Moving
the slider to the right delivers the highest quality
experience. Moving the slider to the left emphasizes a
high performance solution while still providing good
visuals.
Texture
Preference
slider
This will allow you to choose the texture quality of the
mipmaps the application will use. Mipmaps are a
collection of different sized textures of the same image.
As the user moves closer to a 3D object the image
quality should increase, requiring a higher quality
texture of the same image. The base mipmap is the
highest quality texture, and all subsequent mipmaps are
smaller sized textures of the same image. Moving the
slider to the right selects a higher quality base mipmap,
delivering the highest quality application experience.
Moving the slider to the left selects a lower quality
mipmap, delivering the highest application performance.
Mipmap Detail
Level slider
Wait for vertical sync will lower the frame rate of full
screen games but reduce the image tearing that can
occur with the higher frame rate. Selecting Application
Preference allows the application to decide whether or
not it should display its frames at the refresh rate of the
monitor. Selecting Always Off allows the application to
run at its highest possible frame rate, regardless of the
monitor’s refresh rate which is typically less than the
frame rate at which the application will run.
Wait for
Vertical Sync
Compatibility
Settings
button
This button allows you to access advanced settings that
can solve compatibility issues for a few specific OpenGL
applications.
This button allows you to reset the OpenGL settings to
default values.
Defaults
23
®
OpenGL Compatibility Settings
Force Z-buffer
depth
This allows you to explicitly set the Z-Buffer depth. Most
applications will work best when Disabled is selected
When applications use both dithering and alpha
blending, visual artifacts can occur. This option allows
you to select how the application should handle both
features at the same time. In most cases Error
Diffusion will handle this situation quite well, but there
are a few cases where selecting Ordered may be
necessary
Alpha
dithering
method
Enabling this feature allows rapid updates of those
portions of your screen that have changed. Note that
most applications will not be affected by activating this
feature
Support KTX
buffer region
extension
Defaults
button
This button allows you to reset the OpenGL
Compatibility Settings to default values.
24
Using TV Out
View your PC’s display on a TV
The RADEON 9000 family has TV Out capability.
You can attach your card to a TV and monitor at the
same time. Or you can connect it to your VCR and
record your monitor’s display.
TV display is ideal for playing games, giving
presentations, watching movies, and browsing the
Internet. The following tips will help you get the
most out of your TV Out feature.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
for European Customers
Some PC monitors in Europe cannot be used
simultaneously with TV display. When you enable TV
display in Europe, the refresh rate for the monitor and TV is
set to 50Hz. Some monitors may not support this refresh
rate and could be damaged.
•
Please check the documentation supplied with your
monitor to see if your monitor supports a refresh rate of
50Hz.
If your monitor does not support 50 Hz (or if you
are not sure), then turn off your monitor before
turning on your PC when using your TV as a
display.
For information on disabling TV display, see How To
Enable/Disable The TV Display on page 26.
Some TVs in Europe may use a SCART connection. If you
use SCART, please read Using SCART Connectors for
European TVs on page 26 before attempting to connect
your PC to your European TV.
Connecting to a TV or a VCR
To connect your card to a TV or a VCR, use the
available TV Output connector. Your card will
25
support either an S-video connector or a Composite
connector. If your TV has cable input only, you can
connect your card to your TV through your VCR or
an RF modulator (available in most electronics
stores).
The RADEON 9000 PRO that only has the
Composite out connector DOES NOT support
connection to TVs with S-Video In.
Connecting Your TV Output to a TV or VCR
1 Turn off your PC and your TV (or VCR).
2 Determine if your TV (or VCR) has an S-Video
In or Composite In connection.
3 The TV Output on your card will be an S-Video
connector or Composite connector. Please attach
an appropriate cable to the TV Output on your
card (S-Video or Composite). Attach the other
end of the cable to your TV (or VCR). Refer to
the illustration for further help.
4 Turn on your PC and your TV (or VCR).
S-Video Out
Composite Out
S-Video Out
Composite Out
S-Video In
OR
Composite In
PC
S-Video Cable or
Composite Cable
TV or VCR
NOTE: Newer TVs may have
the Video Input on the front
panel
OR
S-Video-to-Composite Adapter
26
®
Starting Windows with TV Display Enabled
The TV screen may become scrambled during the
®
initial Windows logo display. This is only a
temporary effect and your screen will be restored
within a few seconds.
During start up, your card will go through a sequence
of mode settings, during which your TV display will
remain blank. This process takes only a few seconds
and helps program the TV display.
Using SCART Connectors for European TVs
(Right = red)
(Left = white)
Audio In
Connect to PC
Audio Out
Connect to
TV or VCR
Audio Cable
Composite Cable or
S-Video-to-Composite Adapter Cable
Connect to PC
TV Output
SCART
CONNECTOR
Composite Video-In (yellow)
The above illustration shows how to connect your PC
to a European TV using the SCART.
The SCART connector supports only the Composite
video format. If your version of RADEON only has
the S-Video connector, you will have to use an
S-Video-to-Composite video adapter cable
If your European TV has S-Video In, you can use an
S-Video cable to connect directly to the TV rather
than through the SCART connector.
The RADEON 9000 PRO that only has the
Composite out connector DOES NOT support
connection to TVs with S-Video In.
How To Enable/Disable The TV Display
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
27
2 Click on the Settings tab and then the
Advanced... button.
3 Click on the ATI Displays tab. Click on the TV
button.
4 Click the enable/disable button.
5 Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Using and Adjusting TV Out
For information about how to use TV display, right
click the ATI taskbar icon, point to Help, then point
to ATI Television Display.
How TV Display Cannot Be Used
A TV cannot be left connected to the card if two
analog monitors are connected, even if the TV is off
and not enabled in the software.
An analog monitor connected to the DVI-I connector
cannot be left connected to the card when TV out is
enabled. In both cases, your graphics card will
become overloaded, resulting in a dim image on all
devices.
Using a Monitor vs. Using the TV Display
Using your TV for your PC’s display is ideal for
playing games, giving presentations, watching
movies, and browsing the Internet. However, the
display on your monitor may change or looked
squashed. This occurs because the display adjusts to
fit the dimensions of your TV. To correct the
monitor’s display, use the monitor’s control buttons
to adjust its display size and position.
Some single frequency monitors may not work with
TV display enabled. If you experience problems
when TV display is enabled, disable TV display to
restore your monitor’s display.
28
Adjusting Monitor Display
The size of the display on your monitor may be
smaller and not perfectly centered when you have TV
display enabled. These effects are caused by the
changes required to provide a proper display on the
TV.
Use the controls available on the Adjustments tab on
the Monitor Properties page (accessible by clicking
on the Monitor button on the ATI Displays tab) to
adjust the display on your monitor only. Click on the
TV button to adjust the TV display only.
Viewing Text on a TV
A TV is designed primarily to show moving, rather
than static, images. The large dot pitch of a TV
(which is fine for moving video) will yield poor
quality static images such as text.
The small text sizes commonly used for PC desktops
can appear blurred or unclear on a TV. You can
compensate for this by using larger fonts.
To Use Larger Display Fonts
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
®
2 For Windows XP, click the Appearance tab.
®
®
®
For Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows
2000, click the Settings tab, the Advanced...
®
button, then the General tab. For Windows NT
click the Settings tab.
3 In the Font Size box, select the size you want
your displayed fonts to be.
4 Click Apply. If prompted, click Yes to restart
your PC.
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Reducing Edge Distortion
When using a TV for your PC’s display, you may see
some edge distortion on the left and right side of your
TV screen. This effect depends on your TV and the
PC application you are running.
To reduce edge distortion, you can increase the TV
display’s horizontal size.
To Increase the Horizontal Size
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
2 Click on the Settings tab and then the
Advanced... button.
3 Click on the ATI Displays tab.
4 Click on the TV button.
5 Click the Adjustments tab.
6 In the Screen Size section, click on the plus (+)
button beside the horizontal arrowheads
to
increase the horizontal size of the TV display.
7 Click OK or Apply to save the changes you have
made.
You can also reduce edge distortion by increasing the
TV’s contrast.
To Increase the TV Contrast
®
1 Access the Windows Control Panel. Double-
click Display.
2 Click on the Settings tab and then the
Advanced... button.
3 Click on the ATI Displays tab.
4 Click on the TV button.
30
5 Drag the Contrast slider to the right to increase
the contrast.
6 Click OK or Apply to save the changes you have
made.
Changing Display Configurations
If you move your PC to a place where you are using
TV display only, make sure that you have the TV
display feature enabled.
You can set your display resolution as high as
1024x768. However, higher resolutions will result in
a virtual desktop. If a TV is your only display device
and a higher mode is selected, the display on your
TV will disappear.
Using Games and Applications
Some older games and applications may program the
card directly, to run under a specific display mode.
This may cause your TV display to turn off
automatically or become scrambled (the PC monitor
will not be affected). Your TV display will be
restored once you exit the game or if you restart your
PC.
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