Since both BIOS and video driver have been updated, trying looking into the BIOS itself. They say that stuff from Dell may have the TV-out port disabled there.
Are you connecting the s-video cable with the power of both the tv and the laptop off, then powering on the tv, and then the laptop? That made my tv button go from unselectable to selectable.
Note: if this works, you may want to create a profile under displays... I made one called tv, which will force the computer to recognize the tv next time without having to restart it. I use that profile all the time, since my laptop is often connected to my tv.
You said you did research on this, so you've probably already read this, but in case you haven't:
I was using a s-video->s-video cable. I guess it is because my TV doesn't support auto sensing, so the laptop refuses to output any signal to the s-video output because it thinks it's smarter enough. I have a desktop with radeon9200, and it's driver has a force tv out option so that I can hookup my desktop with the TV without any problem. But why DELL's driver disabled this function?!!!
@xudan01 wrote:
I was using a s-video->s-video cable. I guess it is because my TV doesn't support auto sensing, so the laptop refuses to output any signal to the s-video output because it thinks it's smarter enough. I have a desktop with radeon9200, and it's driver has a force tv out option so that I can hookup my desktop with the TV without any problem. But why DELL's driver disabled this function?!!!
Hmm... I would have thought that it would work, if you're using an s-video cable and you're turning all the devices on in the order I specified.
Maybe it's time to try some modified drivers, like the catalyst drivers (I think those are the ATI ones)... try a forum search for modified ATI drivers. Some forum users have reported better results when doing video-intensive tasks using these drivers, and they may solve your issue.
If any Dell representatives are listening, I have this exact same problem. Using svideo to svideo, the 600m will not recognize that the TV is attached.
Is it too much to ask to get a driver update that will allow us to force TV-Out...???
Dell is only required to provide drivers that work, so it's not likely that they'll update the drivers with the feature that you'd like.
However, I would try hooking up to other tvs. If you can get a tv detected, you may be able to save that display profile, and then you may be able to use that profile on your regular tv. In effect, the display profile may act as the force-switch that you want. It's an idea, at least. I guess the real problem is your tv.
Just a suggestion. In display properties, click on the #2 box (#1 being the LCD and #2 being the TV) and uncheck "Extend my Windows desktop onto this Monitor". Click Apply> OK> Restart computer with everything connected and TV on video mode. Try setting the LCD as the Secondary Display as well
What we are talking about here is getting the video out to work as Dell describes - this is not a wish list but a request to get what we paid for.
Regarding making a profile, I tried that several ways. I connected the computer to a TV with an S-video to S-video cable to establish the 'connection' (on my system auto-detect works in this format) and then saved the profile with hot keys. This works fine so long as the S-video to S-video cable is used (but then auto-detect works here too). However, when I use an S-video to RCA, the profile is unable to 'take' - it tries to make the connection but then gets pushed back to the single monitor profile (presumably again because auto-detect does not 'see' anything through the RCA connector).
I'm going to try a few other tricks (like putting a 75 ohm dummy load onthe RCA cable) but I'm running out of ideas. Both I and Dell have contacted ATI on this issue but I have yet to hear any response.
One Dell tech suggested loading the ATI 9000 driver, but from what I understand it would need to be 'hacked' to load on a laptop (the ATI drivers are not designed to install on a laptop). There are several such hacked drivers out there - anyone know whether they address the TV out issue?
I have already tried the method of saving the profile with a working TV, and using that profile with my non-working TV. No good. In the display properties page, although the TV image is lightened up, the TV button is still in grey. 75ohm resistor is a good idea, and I was also thinking about that. I would like to suggest DELL to sell solder pens as an accessary of the 600m.
What we are talking about here is getting the video out to work as Dell describes - this is not a wish list but a request to get what we paid for.
I am very sympathetic regarding your problem, but your statement above is not true. You have 2 pieces of hardware that you're trying to connect, and it isn't working. When you switch out the tv for a different one, the connection works. So, the problem is obviously the tv you're using. I realize that this is dissappointing, and changing your tv may not be practical, but it's not like it's Dell's fault that your tv doesn't conform to the standards of connection devices (i.e. sending a signal so that the laptop knows that it's connected). And I don't think that Dell is required to write drivers for every single possible case that their users may ever run across. In this case, your tv just isn't set up to connect as a display device, and I don't think it's Dell's responsibility to correct that.
I'm disappointed that the display profile didn't work - I thought it would. But I guess even the profile needs a signal from the tv, and that's just not present in either of your cases.
I think your suggestion of using alternate drivers is a good one (didn't I make that suggestion earlier in this thread?). I would try using the forum search function to see what drivers people with ATI cards are using. Try checking out the omega drivers... I believe they're quite popular around here, and a google search will probably turn them up.
Didn't you say that you had gotten a different tv to connect to your laptop, though, to get the display profile set up?
I personally don't think Dell has the responsibility to provide a driver that works with every tv, and I'm not sure that your assumption that " here is no effort for doing this" is correct. There would have to be some effort involved... someone would have to program that switch in to the new driver (at this point, the Dell and ATI drivers are different, and it would probably take more effort to take an ATI driver with this option and change it to meet Dell's specs than to change Dell's driver to add the function you'd like), and then they have to test the driver extensively to make sure that the changes they made didn't have any negative effects on how the driver worked. And all of this is for a change that isn't really required - I'm sure the programmers are busy with changes that are necessary for the proper functioning of their systems.
I'm curious as to whether the modified drivers will solve this problem... can you post back when you've had a chance to try the Omega or Catalyst drivers? If one of them works, it will be good info for others who come here with the same issue.
I think sfcpc's problem is not exactly the same as mine.
His s-video to s-video connection works fine, but has problem with s-video to RCA connection, if I understood correctly. But my TV's svideo-svideo connection can't work properly.
The question here is: is it dell's responsibility to provide driver working for every TV? My TV does have some problem, but the s-video input does work, as long as the computer outputs the signal. I paid money for the s-video funcion of the laptop, all I ask for dell is a little tiny button on the display properties page which is called "force TV output", just as ATI radeon driver does on their desktop products. There is no effort for doing this, because ATI proved it is doable and I believe there is finished driver at either ATI or Dell.
seto_kaiba
222 Posts
0
December 30th, 2003 21:00
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
December 30th, 2003 21:00
Are you connecting the s-video cable with the power of both the tv and the laptop off, then powering on the tv, and then the laptop? That made my tv button go from unselectable to selectable.
Note: if this works, you may want to create a profile under displays... I made one called tv, which will force the computer to recognize the tv next time without having to restart it. I use that profile all the time, since my laptop is often connected to my tv.
You said you did research on this, so you've probably already read this, but in case you haven't:
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_cdrom&message.id=20719
Best of luck!
xudan01
11 Posts
0
December 31st, 2003 04:00
I did what you said, and the TV button is still in grey.
I am really mad now. Is there any other way to force the computer to find the TV? I can't find options in bios related to s-video output either.
Are you also using dell 600m? Thanks anyway for your reply.
sfcpc
38 Posts
0
January 4th, 2004 18:00
I have the same problem, but it appears to be unique to connecting the computer to the TV via an S-video to RCA connector as S-video to S-video appears to work fine. Others have also reported this problem (http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_video&message.id=85137&highlight=600m+tv#M85137 )
What is your hook-up (to a TV with S-video or RCA)?
xudan01
11 Posts
0
January 9th, 2004 18:00
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
January 9th, 2004 19:00
Hmm... I would have thought that it would work, if you're using an s-video cable and you're turning all the devices on in the order I specified.
Maybe it's time to try some modified drivers, like the catalyst drivers (I think those are the ATI ones)... try a forum search for modified ATI drivers. Some forum users have reported better results when doing video-intensive tasks using these drivers, and they may solve your issue.
deman123
1 Message
0
January 19th, 2004 02:00
I have exactly the same problem (and feelings).
I have a Dell Latitude C600 with s-video output and a GE television with s-video input.
There is no way I can get my laptop to display on the TV.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.
m6oo
1 Message
0
January 19th, 2004 19:00
If any Dell representatives are listening, I have this exact same problem. Using svideo to svideo, the 600m will not recognize that the TV is attached.
Is it too much to ask to get a driver update that will allow us to force TV-Out...???
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 01:00
Dell is only required to provide drivers that work, so it's not likely that they'll update the drivers with the feature that you'd like.
However, I would try hooking up to other tvs. If you can get a tv detected, you may be able to save that display profile, and then you may be able to use that profile on your regular tv. In effect, the display profile may act as the force-switch that you want. It's an idea, at least. I guess the real problem is your tv.
RP-L2
2 Intern
•
617 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 03:00
sfcpc
38 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 03:00
Hey Martini:
What we are talking about here is getting the video out to work as Dell describes - this is not a wish list but a request to get what we paid for.
Regarding making a profile, I tried that several ways. I connected the computer to a TV with an S-video to S-video cable to establish the 'connection' (on my system auto-detect works in this format) and then saved the profile with hot keys. This works fine so long as the S-video to S-video cable is used (but then auto-detect works here too). However, when I use an S-video to RCA, the profile is unable to 'take' - it tries to make the connection but then gets pushed back to the single monitor profile (presumably again because auto-detect does not 'see' anything through the RCA connector).
I'm going to try a few other tricks (like putting a 75 ohm dummy load onthe RCA cable) but I'm running out of ideas. Both I and Dell have contacted ATI on this issue but I have yet to hear any response.
One Dell tech suggested loading the ATI 9000 driver, but from what I understand it would need to be 'hacked' to load on a laptop (the ATI drivers are not designed to install on a laptop). There are several such hacked drivers out there - anyone know whether they address the TV out issue?
xudan01
11 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 14:00
martini and sfcpc:
I have already tried the method of saving the profile with a working TV, and using that profile with my non-working TV. No good. In the display properties page, although the TV image is lightened up, the TV button is still in grey. 75ohm resistor is a good idea, and I was also thinking about that. I would like to suggest DELL to sell solder pens as an accessary of the 600m.
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 15:00
I am very sympathetic regarding your problem, but your statement above is not true. You have 2 pieces of hardware that you're trying to connect, and it isn't working. When you switch out the tv for a different one, the connection works. So, the problem is obviously the tv you're using. I realize that this is dissappointing, and changing your tv may not be practical, but it's not like it's Dell's fault that your tv doesn't conform to the standards of connection devices (i.e. sending a signal so that the laptop knows that it's connected). And I don't think that Dell is required to write drivers for every single possible case that their users may ever run across. In this case, your tv just isn't set up to connect as a display device, and I don't think it's Dell's responsibility to correct that.
I'm disappointed that the display profile didn't work - I thought it would. But I guess even the profile needs a signal from the tv, and that's just not present in either of your cases.
I think your suggestion of using alternate drivers is a good one (didn't I make that suggestion earlier in this thread?). I would try using the forum search function to see what drivers people with ATI cards are using. Try checking out the omega drivers... I believe they're quite popular around here, and a google search will probably turn them up.
spiked_martini
948 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 16:00
Didn't you say that you had gotten a different tv to connect to your laptop, though, to get the display profile set up?
I personally don't think Dell has the responsibility to provide a driver that works with every tv, and I'm not sure that your assumption that " here is no effort for doing this" is correct. There would have to be some effort involved... someone would have to program that switch in to the new driver (at this point, the Dell and ATI drivers are different, and it would probably take more effort to take an ATI driver with this option and change it to meet Dell's specs than to change Dell's driver to add the function you'd like), and then they have to test the driver extensively to make sure that the changes they made didn't have any negative effects on how the driver worked. And all of this is for a change that isn't really required - I'm sure the programmers are busy with changes that are necessary for the proper functioning of their systems.
I'm curious as to whether the modified drivers will solve this problem... can you post back when you've had a chance to try the Omega or Catalyst drivers? If one of them works, it will be good info for others who come here with the same issue.
xudan01
11 Posts
0
January 21st, 2004 16:00
I think sfcpc's problem is not exactly the same as mine.
His s-video to s-video connection works fine, but has problem with s-video to RCA connection, if I understood correctly. But my TV's svideo-svideo connection can't work properly.
The question here is: is it dell's responsibility to provide driver working for every TV? My TV does have some problem, but the s-video input does work, as long as the computer outputs the signal. I paid money for the s-video funcion of the laptop, all I ask for dell is a little tiny button on the display properties page which is called "force TV output", just as ATI radeon driver does on their desktop products. There is no effort for doing this, because ATI proved it is doable and I believe there is finished driver at either ATI or Dell.