Gateway 3-Bay mBTX Pro User Manual page 158

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
You need to configure your Media Center computer to output to a TV
•
152
CHAPTER 13: Troubleshooting
Display type—The Media Center is best viewed on display devices that were offered with
the Media Center computer when you purchased it from Gateway. Other types of display
devices, including retail TVs, may provide lower quality video. If you did not order a display
device when you purchased your Media Center computer, a progressive scan display device
with a VGA input is the best choice.
Quality of video source—The quality of the video signal coming into the Media Center
computer has an affect on the video quality. The video displayed from the Media Center
is only as good as the source video signal. Cable, digital cable, and satellite usually provide
better quality than an antenna.
Type of connection used—You can connect the Media Center computer video output to
a TV. However, the connection type has an affect on the video quality. The Media Center
has two video outputs:
•
VGA—If your TV includes a VGA port, connect the VGA cable from the Media Center
computer's VGA (monitor) port to the TV's VGA In port for the best quality. Many TVs
do not have a VGA port.
•
S-Video—If your TV does not have a VGA port, but includes an S-Video port, connect
the S-Video cable from the Media Center computer's S-Video Out port to the TV's
S-Video In port. S-Video display quality is usually good for TV images. The display
quality for the Media Center computer functions, however, is not as good as VGA
output. S-Video display output is not optimized for computer video display.
Quality of video cables—Poor quality or the incorrect type of video cables can cause
problems and affect the video quality. Gateway recommends using high-quality video
cables that can be purchased from the Gateway Accessory Store.
Note: Cable connections must be made correctly for optimal video quality. A poor cable
connection can lower video quality.
Screen resolution—By default, if your display device was purchased with the Media Center
computer, the computer uses a screen resolution of 1024 × 768 for computer monitors and
800 × 600 for the Gateway 42-inch Plasma TV. Many TVs cannot display this high of a
resolution and may shift, scramble, or scroll the picture. For a better picture on a TV display,
you may need to lower the Media Center screen resolution to 800 × 600 or 640 × 480. For
more information about changing the screen resolution, see
screen resolution" on page
Size of display device—Small computer monitors for standard computer applications are
generally not optimized for motion video playback. Although they offer excellent
resolutions and refresh rates, they are designed to make static white backgrounds with
black text look readable. Some small display devices do not make colorful motion video
look its best. Generally, video will look better on a larger display device.
Age of the TV—Newer TVs usually have more advanced features, produce a better quality
picture, and support higher screen resolutions. The Media Center video display will likely
be better on a newer model TV.
Type of TV (interlaced or progressive scan)
Many TVs use interlaced video. Interlaced video displays a video frame with two passes
of alternating scan lines. The TV screen first displays the video image odd lines one
at a time, sequentially from top to bottom, then it fills in the other half of the video
image with the even lines. Because most TVs use this interlaced method to display
the picture on the screen, a standard interlaced analog TV will most likely flicker when
displaying thin lines and small text. An interlaced video display device will produce a
lower quality display, especially when viewing and using the Media Center computer
functions.
Progressive scan video displays a video frame with one pass of sequential scan lines.
A progressive scan TV displays the entire picture, drawn sequentially from top to
bottom, without the odd/even interlacing. This results in a fuller, sharper picture and
better display quality for viewing and using the Media Center computer functions. The
progressive scan picture is also brighter and easier on your eyes.
Your Media Center computer detects whether you are using a VGA or an S-Video display
device and automatically changes the display settings for the type of display device you
are using. For more information, see the Gateway support Web site at:
www.gateway.com.
70.
"Changing color depth and