[mythtv-users] I Strayed! Now I want to come back, but with caveats

[Michael T. Dean]

On 04/14/2006 12:04 PM, Matt Mousseau wrote:
> Once upon a time, I built and ran a mythTV box. I loved & hated myth, 
> mostly for what amounted to things that I simply didn't understand. 
> Outlined below are the main concerns I have with returning to myth:
...
> 2. Resolutions problems with my HDTV. I have a Philips 50" Ambilight 
> PDP with a native resolution of 720p. And I had one HELL of a time 
> getting X to use the right resolution, it always ran over the edges! I 
> think there may have been some sort of overscanning issue, or perhaps 
> I just wasn't holding my tongue right while working on it. Either way 
> I could use some serious help here, since getting X's resolution right 
> is key to getting things to look properly.


That is overscan.  All TV's (digital and analog) are built to use 
overscan (even high-def TV's).  So, you have a choice between any two of 
1:1 pixel mapping, full resolution, and no overscan.  You can't have all 
three.

The other option is to buy a monitor (not a TV) that does /not/ have 
overscan.  Although, usually, computer monitors have slightly different 
aspect ratio's--such as 1920x1200--so you would get a small amount of 
letterboxing.  And, from a cost perspective, this may not be ideal.

Mike