MCE pixel mapping

[tman]

I'm going to be running MCE2005 on a standard def Panasonic plasma (852x480) over VGA (RGB). Not ideal I know, but it's what I've got.

Would it be best to pixel map a custom resolution on the MCE box (Nvidia GPU) to match the resolution of the plasma for best picture, or should I run the MCE box at a higher resolution, then allow the panel to scale the image down to fit? I thought pixel mapping would be the best bet, but would that still be effective on an SD plasma?

One quirk of the NVidia driver custom resolution config is that it only allows horizontal resolutions exactly divisable by 8, so I can only actually have 848x480 or 856x480

Cheers

[lisag]

Hi, I have the PW7 panel with MCE, after much experimentation, I found the best resolution via VGA was 1280 x 720, and via DVI 1024 x 576. You can tweak some windows settings to improve readability, such as clear type and large fonts.

[tman]

Originally Posted by lisag

Hi, I have the PW7 panel with MCE, after much experimentation, I found the best resolution via VGA was 1280 x 720, and via DVI 1024 x 576. You can tweak some windows settings to improve readability, such as clear type and large fonts.

Thanks lisag. 1280 x 720 is an interesting resolution to run at over VGA, but the scalers in the Panny plasma's seem pretty good. Did you pick this so the MCE box outputs at 720 lines for a more hi-def type output (even though the panel downscales), or just because it looked best to you?

[lisag]

I experimented a lot with this when I first got my panel. I found that the pq of full screen video was no different if the desktop res was set at 856 x 480, 1024 x 576 or 1280 x 720.. it all looked equally good. But, windows is a lot easier to navigate at 1280 x 720, or 1024 x 576 than it is at 856 x 480, which is why I settled for those resolutions, a good all round compromise.

I also used the DVE disc to calibrate the panel to the MCE input - this made a noticeable difference in the readability of fonts etc..

[bradmill]

With reference to "DVE disc to calibrate the panel to the MCE input", I was wondering if you followed a particular guide.

Thank you

[lisag]

Originally Posted by bradmill

With reference to "DVE disc to calibrate the panel to the MCE input", I was wondering if you followed a particular guide.

Thank you

No, I just stumbled through the instructions contained on the DVD... not easy