XL301 Drivers / underscan and overscan

[Lar77]

Hi All,

I have a new Sony VGX-XL301 vista media centre hookep up to a Philips 32PF9830 (tv res 1366 x 768) via HDMI, my issue is that the image either leaves a small border to the left and right (underscan) on one res setting and on the next one up I get overscan (image is too big for the screen). The graphics card is the one it came with NVIDIA® GeForce® 7600 GTL GPU. I see NVIDIA has a new driver up http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/winvista_x86_162.22_uk.html version 162.22 that states it adds "resize for the HDTV destop" underscan compensation option. I have tried installing this but can't get it to work, admittedly I don't know much about drivers and the like so I'm sure I'm doing something wrong in the installation (I did un-install the old one first but the PC restarted and re-installed the one I just took off). Has anyone tried this new driver, does it work for under and overscan and is it compatable with my graphics card ... NVIDIA haven't answered me : (

Plus does anyone have tips on installing drivers ...

please help !!

[Lar77]

no one any ideas then? Someone must have tried out these new drivers .....

[Glynned]

Hi there,
You need to do a search of the forum, there are a number of posts relating to your query. However, using the Nvidia Driver mentioned will not solve your problem, as yet there is no solution. the probem lies somewhere between Microsoft - Nvidia and Sony

I have the same model - XL301 and have had some of the problems you mention. I have tried various driver updates from Nvidia which seem to introduce many other problems to the Sony. Most of the updates are in beta format (which means thay are untested) I have reverted to the latest Sony version of the driver and put up with underscan on the desktop whilst in pc mode at 720p, whilst in Media Centre I have it set to 1080i and it seems to work quite well. I am usuing a Sony 32" Bravia flat panel display,via HDMI and it seem to be acceptable.

You could try my settings with the latest Sony driver(April 2007) but you need to follow the instructions given by Sony on installation and removal of the Nvidia driver software, they are quite specific!

Let me know if you want to try my settings and I will post full details.

[Blencogo]

Hi Lar77,

Unfortunately I don't have a XL301 but you may like to try installing the new driver following there step-by-step instructions: -

http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=11997

Try it with LaptopVideo2Go's modded .inf if it won't install.

Has anyone else tried this with the nVidia 7600 GTL - I think the problem is that this GPU is not supported. I can find the 7600 GT and the 7600GS and the 7600 LE in "Supported Products". Does anyone know where to find a modded .inf for this card?

[Lar77]

hanks for the replies.

I have seen the other threads on here about the resolution issues but my question was more about the 162.22 driver on the NVIDIA site http://www.nvidia.co.uk/object/winvista_x86_162.22_uk.html , it seems to be a full release and not a beta, well it's not in the beta section anyway, but I can't figure out if it's compatible with the NVIDIA® GeForce® 7600 GTL GPU card in the XL301, the web site says it works with the 7600 GT ..... I can't find any mention of the 7600 GTL on the NVIDIA site. What does the "L" mean??

Glynned , can you have the media centre run in 1080i (so you get slight overscan) and the normal PC applications run in 720p (slight underscan) without having to actually switch the res manually?? And if you can, how do you do it? I'd be happy if that would work as I don't mind the underscan except for when watching TV, DVD's etc. I'd be very interested in seeing your settings if you could post them ..... thanks.

Blencogo , I'll try that guide when I finally get up the nerve to have a go at changing drivers again thanks.

It's fairly annoying that sony / microsoft / nvidia would release a product thats not fully compatible with the most common (currently) TV resolution.

[Glynned]

Lar77,

Nvidia driver 162.22 is a generic driver not specifically for the Sony Vaio, thats why the video card in the XL301 is listed as a 7600GT-L and thats also why Sony do their own driver for Vaio Computers, the card will use the Nvidia 7600GT chip with some modifications made to the card by Sony or Nvidia for Sony. Nothing in computers is ever that simple. Also lots of manufacturers of video cards use the Nvidia chip on their cards and some write custom software drivers so 162.22 is a generic Nvidia driver for the chip, if that makes any sense. Some of the driver will work some may not, the probably stands for Limited, which may mean more or less functionality, I've no idea which. And its not only Sony who are having problems with machines running Vista, so our friendly Mr. Gates has a lot to answer for situation normal.

Anyway you are best using the specific Sony driver for your 301 as it is written for your machine. Go to Support at the top of the page and download the Video Driver (nVidia Video Driver 7.15.10.9813) and read the installation instructions provided (print them out and follow whilst performing the task)the instructions tell you how to uninstall the current driver etc and is very important.

It's quite a lengthy process to change you settings and I'm not sure how computer savvy you are? If you wish I could e-mail you the details but you have not left your e-mail address in your profile? Let me know.

[Lar77]

thanks, I'll stick with the sony drivers for now so .... will they ever do one that works properly though