S-video support

[elmera]

I was currious if Nvidia based GeForce cards support TV-out in "command-line* mode (such as the boot sequence or none-graphical login). I have done a bunch of reading and see that TV-out is supported when running Xfree but haven't found anything out regarding command-line mode.

I would like to set up a Linux box connected *only* to a TV (I have my reasons) and want to make sure *everything* gets displayed. Unfortunately I don't have a Geforce card with TV-out to experiment with., and would like to know before I went out and bought one. Any info would be great! Thanks!

Andy

[elmera]

The title of my last message was misleading, implying only s-video types of tv-out. I was actually refering to any type of TV-out (eg S-video, RCA connection, etc).

[ricercar]

Initial testing suggests

- GeForce2 video on an an nForce1 motherboard
will not boot with only Composite video selected.
(MSI K7N420 Pro with MSI nForce TV card)

- NV11 reference AGP card POSTs fine with only
S-Video connected.

[r0gu3]

Well i can personally attest to the fact that geforce2 cards can post to the video port without problem... but if you have a monitor hooked up it doesn't work...

- r0gu3

[elmera]

Thanks for the info guys. I guess I'll be looking to pick up a Geforce 2 card w/TV-out somewhere here in the future then.

Andy

[ricercar]

eVGA.com has some dirt cheap cards if you're a "member." However, you may need to have already bought something before you see the member prices.

For example
This $89 GeForce 2 MX 400 with TV out (http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?Part_Number=064-A4-NV44-A1) is only $54 member's price (http://member.evga.com/Products/moreinfo.asp?Part_Number=064-A4-NV44-S1).

This $65 TNT2 with TV out (http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?Part_Number=032-P1-NV19-S1) is only $36 member's price (http://member.evga.com/Products/moreinfo.asp?Part_Number=032-P1-NV19-S1).

(Member price links appear to work only with member login.)

[elmera]

Are there any specific Geforce 2 cards you recommend? I'll check out the eVGA.com website, however, I usually make most of my purchases at newegg.com. I see that new egg has an eVGA Geforce2 card w/TV-out for $43.
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=48&manufactory=1402&DEPA=0&sortby=14&order=1

Are those ok cards? I have never heard of eVGA.

[ricercar]

eVGA came to my attention when I learned eVGA provides NVIDIA with employee discounted cards. NVIDIA employees get even more aggressive pricing than eVGA member prices.

eVGA sticks pretty close to NVIDIA reference designs, so there's not a lot to recommend or stay away from. I do hear that the eVGA "ACS2" fan is no better than the reference fan despite its $15 price premium, but otherwise I can't really make any recommendations.

Last year I bought my eVGA card on functionality alone, a discontinued GeForce2 MX 400 PCI card (http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.asp?Part_Number=032-P1-NV60-S1&switch=6) with dual-VGA ports + TV out. I love it; it's aggressively overclockable, and perfectly stable using the NVIDIA Detonator drivers. You'll probably do well with eVGA cards and linux drivers, too.

[johan]

I have been using a Geforce 2 MX card with both Linux and WinXP with TV-out. This card also supports booting with only the TV connected.

Now I'm building a PC for viewing movies. It has to be connected only to my TV (and network). I am looking at the MSI K7N420 Pro with the nforce chipset that has everything intagrated. If I can't get it working only with the TV-out, I have to buy an external VGA/S-Video adapter. Has anyone tried actually booting with only the TV connected to this motherboard? Linux/Windows experience? Of course I want to run Linux on it.

[ricercar]

Originally posted by johan
MSI K7N420 Pro .... Has anyone tried actually booting with only the TV connected to this motherboard?

The MSI K7N420 Pro is the board I tested. With the accessory TV output riser card, I have not been able to POST without a VGA display conected. With only a RCA video connection, the machine sits there with a black screen. I can wait indefinitely, and no boot. However, when I connect a VGA display, it will post and switch to the TV output when the OS loads the drivers.

[johan]

Thanks for replying :)

Sounds bad that it won't post. One option is of course if I get Linux running, I can disconnect the VGA and leave the PC on. Linux does rarely need reboot, and if I make it quiet enough, which is my intention, I can keep it always on. Last option is the VGA to Video adapter.

[ricercar]

FYI
Last night the MSI nForce1 K7N420D POSTed normally with my GeForce2 AGP card with only TV connected. The limitation appears to be only for on-board video with the MSI TV out card.