AIW Radeon resolution?

[tech405]

Does anyone know if the AIW Radeon can match an HDTV's resolution of 1080i using the composite video output? Thanks for any feedback.

 

[Workin']

Composite video is nowhere near 1080i, from ANY source. Not just the Radeon. Composite video is standard analog NTSC (or PAL, depending where you live) video. 1080i is digital, not analog. You're talking apples and oranges. But the composite video signal is comparable in quality to a 480i HDTV signal.

 

[tech405]

So, how would I get the 1080i from the AIW to a HDTV? Would I need to use the DVI-I to VGA converter, and have a TV with a VGA input?

 

[Workin']

With that card, you'd need a TV with a VGA input. But I don't think that card will even do 1080i, that's not a "normal" format for PC graphics.

You also don't need 1080i for DVD playback. DVD's are typically 720x540, but can play back especially well on some stand-alone players using the 480p format.

Where are you getting your 1080i signal (or programming)?

 

[theonewithnoname]

there is a DVI connector on the bcak of my AIW... wouldnt that work?

 

[Workin']

<< there is a DVI connector on the bcak of my AIW... wouldnt that work? >>

Nope.

 

[tech405]

Hmmm, but using the DVI-I to VGA connector, would the AIW be able to output &quot;480p&quot; to a HDTV with a VGA input? I wonder how graphics resolution translates to TV scan lines. Then again, maybe I should just save my money for another couple of years till all this gets resolved.

 

[Workin']

<< I wonder how graphics resolution translates to TV scan lines. >>

Well, graphics resolution is a digital term and TV scan lines are analog, so it's an apples to oranges comparison. But roughly speaking, horizontal scan lines are roughly analagous to VERTICAL resolution in graphics terms. i.e., 640x480, where 480 would be similar to TV scan lines. Standard NTSC video can have up to ~550 horizontal scan lines. But as broadcast over the airwaves it's at best 320 lines. Standard VHS can do about 400 lines, and DVD can be up to 540. The 640 part of the 640x480 example is meaningless in TV terms, other than how it would relate by virtue of image aspect ratio or size. And of course, every TV in the US uses a refresh rate of 60Hz, well really it's 30Hz because only half the field (every other line) is drawn on each pass (called &quot;interlacing&quot.

In my opinion (I know others disagree, but they are wrong ), at this point HDTV is only for those who are rich and technically savvy, or even richer so they can afford to pay someone who is technically savvy or are rich enough that they don't care they are spending a small fortune on a device where all the applicable standards haven't even been established yet.