Long VGA cable, video tearing

[admin]

I'm using a 4M VGA cable, and the display has tearing problems. I would think this is caused by the length of the cable, but is there a way around it like getting a better type of cable, (ATI) software settings (using a digital connection would solve it, I suppose)?

[Chewy]

have you tried lowering your refresh rate?

[admin]

I'm using 60 Hz. Can't go lower than that without using PowerStrip, and I don't know if my monitor/TV supports lower refreshes.

[Chewy]

have you tried adjusting vertical synch thru catalyst control center?

[admin]

I have vsync set to "Always On" under D3D - is that the setting you were referring to?. Doesn't seem to have any effect for video (can't remember if it works in games or not ... I'll check it out). If it does work for games (D3D), is there a similar settings for video (I've had a brief look, doesn't seem to be one)?

[admin]

Never mind. Updating to the very latest drivers seems to have fixed it ... must have been fixed recently, because I was using fairly recent drivers (3 months old)

[anonymez]

I don't know that the length of a cable can result in tearing, only slightly (if at all noticeable) reduced picture quality (or interference).

I have vsync set to "Always On" under D3D - is that the setting you were referring to?. Doesn't seem to have any effect for video (can't remember if it works in games or not ... I'll check it out). If it does work for games (D3D), is there a similar settings for video (I've had a brief look, doesn't seem to be one)?

Things like VSync, Colour correction and Anti-aliasing settings in graphics card's drivers will affect video if rendered in 3D, as in VMR9.

[admin]

The strange thing was the the desktop would tear too (eg. if I move a window really fast across the screen). I guess I'll put it down to an ATI driver bug, or perhaps installing a new version of the driver without properly uninstalling the previous version. It works good now.

Thanks Chewy and anon.

[katzdvd]

Just curious; Do you use the OmegaDrivers, or would they not apply in this case?

[admin]

I'm now using the latest catalyst drivers - I've tried the Omega drivers before, can't remember if it made any difference.

I sort of have a different problem in that some games I play (PES 6) seem to be a bit jerky when displayed on the TV (using the long VGA cable) as compared to the monitor (I set the TV display as the only display) - it's not really a framerate issue, because it's smooth on the monitor, and not related to the VGA cable I suppose. Might play around with the refresh rate a little - the TV's native refresh rate is 72 Hz, but it doesn't seem to support this refresh mode through VGA for some reason ...

[anonymez]

it's not really a framerate issue, because it's smooth on the monitor

Are you perhaps running it at a higher resolution when playing on the TV?

[admin]

Same resolution, 1024x768 @ 60 Hz. I've tried it at 75 Hz, it doesn't seem to be much different. If the TV is internally converting everything to 72 Hz, then this could be where the problem is. I've even tried it using dual display (both monitor and TV displaying the same game), and the monitor is fine, while the TV is not. Interestingly, I have the Xbox 360 connected through component at 60 Hz too, and the same problem doesn't occur - I'm guessing the VGA input is different somehow.