Cannot get HDTV to work on right resolution through HDMI

[Raynaldo]

Hello! I'm trying to improvise a triple monitor setup using three different hd-ready tvs. They all support 1360x768 resolution, so I was hoping to set up surround using that. The problem is that one of the tvs will not work on that resolution when connected through hdmi. I get the option to enable it, but when I do, there is no signal on the tv. And when I enable surround, there is no option to pick a triple of that resolution. I can set it to triples of 1280x720, but text becomes unreadable. I can even set it to 1920x1080 but it looks terrible and I can't really run games that high. I tried different cables and hdmi ports, nothing helped. Is there any way to force it? Thank you!

 

I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit. Specs: Intel Celeron G1840, GTX 750, 4gb DDR3, 500W PSU, Asrock H81MVG-4 with 1.3 version bios.

[Bonesy]

Some TV's only support certain resolutions on certain inputs. For example, it's very possible if the TV is a 1080p capable tv, it doesn't support lower resolutions via HDMI. Is there a DVI or VGA port you can try?  If not, try using 1366x768 on the oddball TV, it's scaler might prefer this to 1360x768. Another possible option is to use a resolution on that particular TV that displays(1280x720, or w/e), even if areas are cut-off or don't fill the screen. You can then use Nvidia's control panel to correct the overscan/underscan to get the correct aspect

[Raynaldo]

Thanks for the reply, Bonesy! I am right now running the tv from a dvi port converted to vga at 1366x768. It fits the screen perfectly, but doesn't work under hdmi. Anything between 1280x720 and 1600x900 gives no signal. And on vga, I get a limited number of resolutions up to 1366x768, so I doubt it is a full-hd tv. It says HD-ready on it. I could try fiddling with the lower resolution until it fits, but the whole point is I am trying to enable Surround, and that only works when all 3 monitors are set to the same resolution.

[Bonesy]

Forgive me if i'm mis-understanding this: Currently you are using 1x DP to HDMI, 1x HDMI and 1x DVI to VGA? If so, use the VGA on the TV that displays correctly at 1366x768 and HDMI for the other 2 TV's.

[Raynaldo]

No no, my card has dual hdmi and dual dvi. I'm using 2xhdmi and 1x dvi to vga. What you suggest is what I'm doing right now, but I can't get surround running like this. I need 3 digital signals at the same resolution, so I got a dvi to hdmi converter for that purpose and got it running with the tvs at 1280x720 each, but that is not native for my main tv so text becomes unreadable.

 

Edit: Surround actually worked with the tv connected through vga, but it only lets me use 3076x768 resolution which is no good either.

[Bonesy]

Ok I understand, my apologies. Have you tried changing your scaling options within Nvidia control panel? Under the "Change desktop size and position" - you have options for scaling. This might help you scale it appropriately for that P.I.T.A 3rd TV.

[Raynaldo]

I fiddled with the scaling options and nothing changed. However... the vga connection now lets me set the tv to 1440x900, treats it as native and fits perfectly on the screen. I probably mixed something up to miss that. Anywho, I obviously can't run surround at that resolution, so I'll probably drop that idea and use the displays individually. Surround is more trouble than it's worth. Thanks for all your time and help

[Beltboy]

Native resolution for HD Ready is 720p which works out to 1280x720 I'd suggest trying this. It should be able to handle 1080i so can do some higher res but 1280x720 is native I'm afraid.

[Raynaldo]

Native resolution for HD Ready is 720p which works out to 1280x720 I'd suggest trying this. It should be able to handle 1080i so can do some higher res but 1280x720 is native I'm afraid.

I dunno about that, the newest tv I got supports 1366x768 in the specs, and it's HD-Ready too. And well I managed to get Surround to work with all the tvs at 1280x720, but like I said, it doesn't look good on my main, the text gets scrambled and impossible to read. Also, the picture on the third monitor doesn't fit, it goes out of the boundaries of the screen.

 

[Beltboy]

The HD Ready standard is a minimum requirement, some manufacturers go beyond what is needed. It should support up to 1920x1080 interlaced but that is gunna look crap.  The HD standards for TV's doesn't actually specify anything about resolutions other than 720P, 1080i and 1080P. while 1366x768 has become a standard resolution for 15" 16:9 laptops it's up to the descretion of the TV manufacturer whether they support it or not.

 

<720P resolutions do look appalling on HD 1080P screens, text particularly is horrible. If the picture doesn't fit the screen look in the graphics card settings for over/underscan options these only apply when you have a TV configured as a monitor.

[Raynaldo]

Well I actually did manage to run the surround at 1920x1080 each but yes, it looks crap. Trying to fit 1280x720 on that tv wouldn't have a point, really. I can run surround at that resolution, but it looks terrible on my better tv I use as a main. Which is weird because it looked fine with a vga connection, there was an additional option in the tv settings to change the resolution. I can probably try to run it like that, but at this point I'm not sure if it's even worth it running all my tvs at reduced resolution for the surround effect. Games don't look so good because I can never get the colors and brightness to match, and some programs refuse to work.