How can I swap between a 4x3 TV and 16x9 projector with different resolution?

[wilsonj]

HI,

I have just upgraded from a 4x3 projector to a 16x9 one. But I still have an older 4x3 crt tv.

I run everything through a htpc to the tv for daily tv watching etc, but I also want to occasionally use the pj. Mainly for DVD watching, but also some TV.

I am currently using Snapstream BTV and beyond media as my front ends.

I have an ATI radeon 9700pro card.

Basically what I want is to be able to swap between displays and have the HTPC change from 800x600 for the TV and 1280x720 for the PJ

I also have powerstirp and girder.

Thanks for any advice.

[miketech]

You need to make 2 profiles and hot switch them. Check the Catalyst profile help.

[wilsonj]

Thanks Miketech, Thats kinda simple I guess. Then I can just map it to a key on the pronto and hot swap accross.

I wonder how well it will work while video is playing? I heard that can cause trouble. I guess its not hard to exit back to the menu before swapping profiles.

The ultimate fix will be when I get my 32" 1280x720 LCD :) :)

[Andrew Hornfeck]

Since you have Girder you MAY try assigning it and using the state toggle function to trigger the other profile when the command is received. This way you can use a single button as a swap function rather than two buttons -- one for each.

When you perfect this let ME know -- I've not modified MY Girder in months and have forgotten how to do this.

Oh, and YES... swapping while video is running can cause issues, lockups, etc.

[Pootle]

I run a 4:3 LCD display and a 1024 X 576 projector using extended desktop, windows menu on the LCD display and move apps over to the other screen when it is switched on. Works well, apart fromn 1 or 2 silly apps that start on the wrong screen, but hydravision fetches them over no problem, and you can do other things on the LCD panel while watching TV or DVD on the big screen.

Especially good during F1 grand prix when the live timing etc in a web browser on LCD screen with the main program on the big screen.

[wilsonj]

Thanks for the other ideas.

I'll have to spend some time on girder myself!! I'm still a bit of a novice at it.

I also like the idea of extended desktops. I hadn't thought of that one.

I guess there is more than one way to skin this cat. Which is good, gives me some options to play with.

Would the use of an external scaler be another option?? Much more expensive one I know, but it could be handy. I've never used a DVDO Iscan or the like. Would it be possible I wonder to assign different resolutions to different output devices. Hmmm, could get a bit messy...

[miketech]

Ok. Here's my extended monitor setup:
Fujitsu 17" WS LCD Monitor,DVI,1280x768@60hz.
Mits 65" 1080RPTV, VGA>RGBHV, 1776x1000@30hz.
ATi Radeon X800XL, XP3000+,Soundstorm chipset

The primary is the RPTV so my 3d apps, Movies, HDTV, etc display there.
So when I need to tweak or other stuff, I set the LCD to primary so all the dialog boxes are displayed there. When I'm done, then I reverse the deal. No need of Hydravision. The RPTV
stays the primary most of the time so no switching or dragging apps across monitors.
The trick is to drag all your desktop icons and the task bar to the secondary so the RPTV just displays the movie, 3D game, etc. I used to do the switch trick and found that this is the most convinient way...