Overscan? On HDTV used as monitor

[Pete S]

On Tue, 27 Apr 2010 13:52:29 +0000, Pete S wrote:

> On Sat, 24 Apr 2010 12:43:02 -0700, NoOp wrote:
> 
>> On 04/24/2010 07:26 AM, Pete S wrote: ...
>>> Hi,
>>> 
>>> Just to update this thread, I have been unable to reduce the overscan
>>> on my orion 32in HDTV, I have tried adding various modelines to
>>> xorg.conf with no luck, I ahve also tried altering the 'panning'
>>> option from within my Nvidia settings, but every time I alter them
>>> they revert back to default, with no change, (note I was running
>>> Nvidia settings as root). The custom modelines in xorg had very little
>>> effect other than to make it impossible to get gnome running at all!
>>> 
>>> If anyone has any ideas I will happily try them, failing that will
>>> have to live with it for the time being, as I have run out of ideas
>>> now!
>>> 
>>> thanks for the suggestions, serves me right for buying a cheap HDTV!
>>> will bear it in mind for future purchases!!
>> 
>> You don't say which model exactly, so it hard to tell. However, you
>> might be able to find a firmware update for your model. I have an
>> Emerson 32" (Funai) and within an hour of plugging it in I'd updated
>> it's firmware. Figured that doing it immediately & if it crapped I
>> could take it back to the store :-) Anyway worked fine & fixed a few
>> minor issues.
>> 
>> Also check:
>> <http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&complete=0&q=orion+32in+HDTV+%
> 2Boverscan&btnG=Search>
>> 
>> Seems that the overscan issue isn't just linux, or your particular
>> model:
>> http://forums.amd.com/game/messageview.cfm?catid=261&threadid=104246
>> http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=861041&page=2
> 
> Hi,
> 
> Sorry about the delay posting back, been very busy last couple of days!
> 
> Tv is an Orion TV-32082, if this helps as I have no idea how to update
> the firmware of the set! (maybe as it is no longer under any sort of
> guarantee, a step too far!).
> 
> As mentioned in my OP the issue is not exclusive to Ubuntu or Linux in
> general, yet the Microsplot boffins have come up with a work-round,
> which dispite much googling and visiting various forums across the net
> (thanks NoOp for your suggestions) people far better qualified than me,
> have yet to come up with in Ubuntu!
> 
> Perhaps I shall have to wait for the developers (great job they are
> doing, as an entire system still far better than any flavour of Windows)
> to resolve the problem as I am not the only one (thousands of posts for
> all shades of os) to resolve!
> 
> Still intrigued by the panning setting on my Nvidia settings, will join
> Nvidia forum and ask, and post back if any joy, if not may spur them on
> to take action!
> 
> Reagrds
> 
> Pete S

Hi, again,

just spent an hour signing up and trawling through 50+ posts on the 
nvidia forums and it seems that the issue was first raised when 8.04 was 
still in the BETA test stage and people have been raising ever since! 

Since 9.04 Nvidia seem to be convinced that there is a underscan setting 
in the Nvidia settings, however this is not true, or if it is then myself 
and 20+ others can't find it so it is well hidden!

They suggest custom modelines in xorg.conf but all the ones I try 
including my TV's native 1280x768 60Hz or 1360 x 768 60Hz result in a 
working xorg.conf (always backup your almost working file prior to 
playing around then easy to put back!) that is GNOME fails to start and 
I'm 'dumped' into text shell (still with overscan!)

I think I shall make do with my 'untidy' panel (toolbar) fix and hope 
Nvidia get around to putting in the button they keep directing people to 
in the forums!

I imagine it would be possible to do something with Compiz? Someone on 
their forum has 'hacked' (not correct as open source!) one of the zoom 
plugins to 'zoom out' beyond 1:1 to bring the edges of the screen into 
view! hope this can be included as an update or possibly as defult on 
lucid or possibly 10.10 (codenamed merry meerkat and what the bigwigs are 
aiming to make 'the perfect 10! Can't wait!). will post on Ubuntu 
brainstorming in the hope it will be picked up.

Awaiting response from the person on Compiz forum regards the 'hacked' 
plugin if possible will try out for myself (my skills are limited but 
will try anything once!) and post back.

Regards

Pete S