Try this, go into advanced catalyst control center, then click display manager, click on the force button then in the drop down menu click on desktop area and pick the resolution from the list that best matches your hdtv, then click apply.
In windows xp if I select list modes I can only select these as the highest started to think that’s as good as its going to get due to the hardware http://img113.imageshack.us/my.php?image=brianer0.png
Do you think this card would give me better performance don’t want too waste my money if it wont http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1582&maincat_no=130&cat2_no=&cat3_no=
I can clearly see the lack of a 1080p signal that's in 32-bit colour, which is rather odd. Realistically, playing back high def over a graphics card as slow as the X1250 could prove problematic anyway, I don't see the harm in getting a dedicated card, it's what I'd do for a high-def HTPC.
Your ati catalyst control is different from mine but i would try 1920 by 1080 high color(16bit)60Hertz, or 1920 by 1080, 256 colors,60Hertz as i don't see a 32 bit option with out it being interlaced, this is to improve the look of windows, it might look better if its not interlaced. As for HD graphics cards they can be quite cheap as there made for dedicated HD video encoding and not games, as to which is best and the performance gained i don't know as i'm new to this to, some research or reviews should help. I know ATI do a lot of these cards from £25 up but i guess the more you spend the better the performance, just remember that you don't want a noisy graphics card while watching dvds, so probably a passively cooled one.
That's not actually accurate about ATI cards, the HD name is simply what replaced the X, previously. All ATI's graphics chips start with HD now, including the high performance games ones such as the HD4850. However, you are right in the sense that ATI do focus on HD video playback, which they are good at. Integrated solutions like the X1250 though, may be limited in what they can achieve.
Thanks for taking the time guys but think this is as good as it gets the motherboard only cost £45 so when it said hddvd compatible thought it was too good to be true yes it can play hd video but with limits and not true high def it’s a good board but looks like ill have to put my hand in my pocket and buy a dedicated card like the one I said but a passive cooled 1 rogue20 in ati catalyst if I try and get too cleaver and force settings that are not listed the screen goes black and I lose the picture in vista got the picture better now when viewing windows so think I’ll quit while I’m ahead the misses wants the tele back can you recommend a dedicated card to buy lads in the £50 bracket cheers
This is what it looks like in windows weird its the orange etc http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=paininthearserl1.jpg
Sorry you couldn't get windows looking the way you wanted killalot, perhaps VGA is the road to go for that, as for the best graphics card for HD video playback i think you need someone with more experience to recommend one. I'm sure there are plenty of folk on here who can help, perhaps a new post, i wouldn't want you wasting your hard earned cash on my limited experience.
That doesn't look bad, it just looks a little blurry, which suggests interlacing. Try the 16 bit, but not interlaced video mode.
That is mainly down to HDMI, the world's least reliable connection interface. VGA works fine, every time.
I'm looking at this at the moment don't worry about recommending it its only £25 do you think ill get better results don't mind taking the chance http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140582/show_product_overview#specifications
I think that's very likely, the HD3450s are significantly more geared up for HD than integrated video chips.
would this one be better http://www.ebuyer.com/product/140600/show_product_specifications?spectype=extended
ok cheers just ordered it be here tomorrow let you know how i get on fingers crossed and everything else
£7 saturday delivery? Royal Mail then I guess? Ebuyer's next day delivery is usually £10 even on weekdays, let alone saturday delivery.