Geforce4 MX440 bootup question

Tony S · 07-15-2003, 12:46 PM

I just got a Mad Dog Multimedia Geforce4 MX440-SE (NV17 chipset) card, believe the model is the "Prowler", and have a few questions. Should it display anything on the svideo(tv-out) before Windows actually boots? If not, is there a way to make this happen? Lastly, anyone know if the svideo-to-composite adapter they include has a capacitor in it? Thanks.

Moose · 07-15-2003, 02:10 PM

I don't know if that particular model will output to TV from boot. My Geforce 2's will output all the booting screens to TV if I don't have anything on the VGA. I first make sure the TV outs are working from the windows display properties menus and then just shut down, unhook monitor and reboot. I would recomend getting an additional utility like TV Tool or Powerstrip to enable hotkeys and TV Tool makes the nvidia's output much cleaner.

I am not sure if you adapter has the capacitor, but there is an easy way to test it out. Just plug in the adapter and in the advanced display properties see if it shows composite TV out as an available display device. I have yet to get an adapter that has one. Most TV's I have output to only worked when they are waiting for input and many LCD screens don't send that resistance that the video out is looking for, so rigging up the capacitor yourself would be worth it.

Tony S · 07-15-2003, 03:48 PM

Thanks Moose. Appreciate the info. When I get my meter back from my bro tomorrow I'll see if the cable's got a capacitor. Cheers.

frodobaggins · 07-16-2003, 12:45 AM

It's a resistor, not a capacitor

75ohm

Tony S · 07-16-2003, 10:34 AM

We're talking about two different things now, Frodo. You're talking about when the card doesn't get the resistance from the screen. That's when you would use a 75ohm resistor.

If the card is able to output a composite signal over the Svideo jack then a capacitor is not needed on pins 3 & 4 of the Svideo plug on the svideo-to-composite cable. Some cards require a 470pF capacitor to mix pins 3 & 4 for a composite signal.

In the very limited amount of time I've had to redo my system with the new card I've not gotten anything on the screens yet, but the monitor-out works fine. I may need the resistor afterall, and possibly the capacitor, too.

Tony S · 07-16-2003, 10:20 PM

Got it working!!

I rigged up my own Svideo-to-composite cable with both a 470pF cap and 75ohm resistor and she works beautifully now. Sweet!

So, for anyone having problems, here's yet another testament to the cap and resistor doing the trick. Cheers.

frodobaggins · 07-17-2003, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tony S
We're talking about two different things now, Frodo. You're talking about when the card doesn't get the resistance from the screen. That's when you would use a 75ohm resistor.

My mistake, I didn't read carfully enough, but it isn't that clear from the context