Problems Enabling S-Video With Intel Driver Software for 945GM Chipset

[idata]

Hi all,

I have a laptop with a 945GM (GMA 950) Express graphics chipset and the Intel driver software (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=16835&ProdId=2301&lang=eng http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=16835&ProdId=2301&lang=eng) does not have an option for controlling or using the S-Video output. See below:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to enable the S-Video output using Intel's software (or other software for that matter).

The laptop is a Compaq Presario c300 (c310tu) with a Intel Mobile 945GM Express (GMA 950) graphics chipset, with XP Home SP3 (and all updates).

XP Home was installed from a non manufacturers XP Home disk, but "missing" drivers were downloaded and installed from Microsoft Updates, from the appropriate Compaq downloads page (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3347828# N497 http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?os=228&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&sw_lang=&product=3347828# N497) and the graphics driver was from Intel (http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=16835&ProdId=2301&lang=eng http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=16835&ProdId=2301&lang=eng). Graphics drivers are not available on the Compaq downloads page or i would have used them instead of the Intel driver.

The Windows Device Manager shows no missing or problem drivers and a second "VGA" monitor can be connected and used without any issues. Nothing connected by S-Video works. The S-Video cable i am using works fine connecting a different laptop to a TV too.

I also tried reinstalling the Intel Graphics software (which made no difference), and also installing the "HP Quick Launch Buttons" software, which, by pressing [Fn] + [F4] allows me to quickly and easily switch between "detected" monitors, but still not the S-Video output.

Does anyone with this model laptop (or similar) and Windows XP, have any idea on how to select or use the S-Video output when it is not listed even when connected by the Intel software?

Thanks,

Liam

[Allan_J_Intel1]

Hi there!

Your graphics controller supports TV out through S-Video. Just make sure you are using a 4 or 7 pin video cable on both sides, in this case S-video to S-video cable.

Also, TV out depends on your computer manufacturer; this means that this should be enabled at Vbios. I recommend contacting Hewlett Packard to see if TV is enabled by default at BIOS level.

See below for information about TV out troubleshooting:

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-004653.htm?wapkw=(tv+out http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-004653.htm?wapkw=(tv+out)

Thanks

Allan.

[idata]

Hi Allan,

Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.

I am using a 7pin SVideo to 4pin SVideo cable. 7 pin SVideo connections are not common on TV's here unfortunately, so i have no choice but to use such a cable. The cable works well with the TV and another HP laptop (also with a 7pin SVideo connector) i have, so i can confirm there are no issues with the cable itself.

I reviewed the troubleshooting instructions you suggested (http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-004653.htm?wapkw=%28tv+out http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-004653.htm?wapkw=%28tv+out) and the options shown in the picture (http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif) are unfortunately not available to me. The only options i have available are what is shown in this picture: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/digitaltv_displaysettings.jpg http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/digitaltv_displaysettings.jpg

If i could get the options available here: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif i would be very happy, but the Intel software i currently have installed does not show those options.

The current software also seems to hide "disconnected" adapters such as the secondary monitor output and there is no TV output options available at all.

I am running the latest Bios version available and looked through the Bios settings, but there is nothing related to video outputs whatsoever unfortunately. HP/Compaq unfortunately rarely have advanced settings available in the BIos for some reason. As the laptop is no longer under warranty, i am not likley to be able to get support from HP either, and they definitely don't have any video drivers available on their website for this model either.

If you have any further advice or suggestions or know how i could get the options shown here: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif please let me know.

Thanks for your help.

Liam

[idata]

Does no one know how i can get the Intel driver companion software with the SVideo control options available, as shown here???: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/img/tv_out1.gif

[idata]

I still have no idea how to get that particular driver companion software, but i did manage to resolve my issue and just use the standard Intel driver companion software to manage my secondary display (TV) connected by S-Video.

I was actually using a S-Video to Composite adapter cable (which works just fine with the S-Video output on another laptop), but it seems that some graphics cards WILL NOT enable the S-Video connection unless they can FIRST detect a monitor/TV is connected, and using a S-Video to Composite adapter prevents that detection. So using a standard S-Video cable enabled this detection and the output to work correctly.

A bit of an annoying function if you ask me, but at least now i know why it wasn't working.

I wonder if there is some way of faking the monitor detection to allow people to use S-Video to Composite adapters...