Fuzzy - Composite LCD

Vittel · 10-04-2003, 12:43 PM

I have the TM702L in-dash screen - the power-on logo is great, pretty sharp and well defined, the boot logo isn't too bad either - within windows it's bloody awful ! I have messed about with resolutions/icon sizes etc etc but can't seem to get a half decent image (I'm not planning on actually using windows itself - just want to make an app usable, in 4AM for example, everything is blurry - even with 2 times font size on an 800x600 display - I have all latest drivers - running from the RCA output on my Nehemiah board. Playing a video is fine - it's just applications look terrible - MediaEngine is the same. You guys with composite screens live with this ok? What settings/resolutions/software do you use?
Might have to upgrade to VGA if I can't get a clearer pic - gives me a headache looking at it!

fluffy2097 · 10-04-2003, 12:52 PM

Thats because you're using Composite in. The only way to get a clean display in applications is to use a VGA in. You might also be able to get a clearer image if you use a Scan Line converter, But I have no personal experence with them and I can't tell you if it will help. You might want to try searching.

samc · 10-04-2003, 01:42 PM

show us an example, like how blurry is it?

I assume you grounded your RCA plug off your mobo?
Did you try your carputer on other monitors such as your home TV or just other lcds?

Vittel · 10-04-2003, 01:59 PM

I'll take a snap later - grounded RCA plug off mobo..?? I just plugged it in the socket... Please explain what you mean by grounding it - where would I run the wire to on the RCA lead...?

Vittel · 10-04-2003, 02:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Vittel

I'll take a snap later - grounded RCA plug off mobo..?? I just plugged it in the socket... Please explain what you mean by grounding it - where would I run the wire to on the RCA lead...?

Hmmm, on my normal TV it's pretty blurry too - (This is the lead I'm using - I bought it today; http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/mod...577&Products=1 - I bought this one because it has the 3.5mm to twin phono connections to connect my FM modulator to the 3.5mm audio out socket(which works great incidentally))

Seraph · 10-04-2003, 02:27 PM

Power on logo and boot logos are normally 320x240 on windows thus making them very clear. The only way you can get any readable text on the LCD with composite in is if you set the text to about 28point or bigger. It will still be fuzzy but readable.

Vittel · 10-04-2003, 02:32 PM

What do you reckon - would I be better off using the S-Video output on my EPIA-M board and using a convertor to switch it to an RCA plug? Is the Svideo output going to be any better? (If so, would I defeat the point of this by connecting to an Svideo-RCA converter?)
(eg http://www.maplin.co.uk/products/mod...795&Products=3 and a small adaptor to convert to RCA (part number QM52G) from www.maplin.co.uk
Or should I just buy a high quality 75ohm RCA video lead and ignore Svideo?

Vittel · 10-04-2003, 02:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Seraph

Power on logo and boot logos are normally 320x240 on windows thus making them very clear. The only way you can get any readable text on the LCD with composite in is if you set the text to about 28point or bigger. It will still be fuzzy but readable.

Thanks - although I am also experiencing a bit of ghosting-type fuzz - as someone mentioned above, could this be a grounding prob too...? (Running indoors on large, high amp capable 12v PSU (About a foot long!) - so no interference from car alternator etc...)

craigyb · 10-04-2003, 03:14 PM

I've generally found the composite feeds to be fuzzy from all the onboard video outputs that I've used, hence when I'm building my next carputer I'm going VGA.

Even with scan converters its been the same.

Craig

the_wombat · 10-04-2003, 03:58 PM

Composite in will never be as good as you want it to be there aren't even close to the same ammount of pixels in a tv compared to a VGA monitor, be it lcd or crt. Even if you were to find a Video lcd with an s-video input the most you'll get out of a video monior is below 500 lines of resolution. VGA is the only way to go if you want to run text clearly. It doesn't matter how good a scan converter is, there just is no comparison between VGA Lcd and Copmposite Video lcd.

Vittel · 10-04-2003, 07:52 PM

Indeed - I'm aware of the advantages of VGA over Composite - as stated above, I'd like to know peoples advice/experience who currently own composite screens rather than hear the pros of VGA...
Anyway - I've put on a new cable which has helped 10 fold, ghosting is now gone - runnnig 4am with the "TV" skin - much much better!

My own app is going to undergo some revisions before I use it, until then I'll stick with 4am. I'll probably buy the GA700 when it is released - VGA motorised DIN unit, until then this should do me right

Quote: Originally Posted by the_wombat

Composite in will never be as good as you want it to be there aren't even close to the same ammount of pixels in a tv compared to a VGA monitor, be it lcd or crt. Even if you were to find a Video lcd with an s-video input the most you'll get out of a video monior is below 500 lines of resolution. VGA is the only way to go if you want to run text clearly. It doesn't matter how good a scan converter is, there just is no comparison between VGA Lcd and Copmposite Video lcd.

the_wombat · 10-04-2003, 10:47 PM

I am using both and find my compsite sreen looks pretty darn good using large fonts "Arial Black" at 120 DPI 800x600. I had the same ghosting problem but better rca cables fixed mine as well. I also use Desktop X by Stardock http://www.stardock.com/products/desktopx/ as a screen overlay with a custom skin that really makes a composite screen fine as long as I am not using my GPS software, for that I have to use my VGA screen

Quote: Originally Posted by Vittel

Indeed - I'm aware of the advantages of VGA over Composite - as stated above, I'd like to know peoples advice/experience who currently own composite screens rather than hear the pros of VGA...
Anyway - I've put on a new cable which has helped 10 fold, ghosting is now gone - runnnig 4am with the "TV" skin - much much better!

My own app is going to undergo some revisions before I use it, until then I'll stick with 4am. I'll probably buy the GA700 when it is released - VGA motorised DIN unit, until then this should do me right