Why can't I set my resolution to 1900x1200?

Question

I recently bought a 42" HDTV. 1080p with a max resolution of 1900x1200. However I am having a hard time setting it up at that resolution. The highest I can get for one reason or another is 1280x1024. I have a fairly old card (Radeon x800xl) and I'm using a DMI - HDTV connector. I'm not sure whether it could be the card or the cord or maybe I'm just missing something. I have all the lates Radeon drivers and I've tried fiddling around with all the settings in CCC, but if I try to set it higher than 1280x1024, the screen just goes black.

EDIT:

I understand what you are saying. I hooked it up to my laptop VIA the VGA slot also. (my laptop has a geforce 7900), and it would only go to like 1360x780, but I assumed that was because I was using VGA and not DVI.

EDIT:

If I had a spare new video card. I would, but I would prefer to not spend 200-500 dollars if that isnt the problem.

EDIT:

It can run 1400x900 (the highest supported on the monitor) on my monitor just fine, but not on the TV.

Answer 1

You could try updating the video drivers, but even the latest update may not support widescreen modes. The fact that you are not seeing 1600 by 1200 resolution suggests that your video card can't cope with higher resolutions anyway.


Your best bet really is to get a new video card. Higher end ones cost $$$ but you can get something that will run rings around your current card, have dual monitor and DVI support for about $50.

Answer 2

The ability to set a screen to resolution X is that there must be some sort of handshake between the screen and the video card to affirm that the screen can accept that setting. It is possible that your older card won't talk to the particular TV in the "right" way.

Answer 3

I would try a newer video card with a dvi output and see if you can get a better resolution with that.

Answer 4

buy a new vid card. It doesnt support hi-res monitors