Is it possible to use the DVI out into a Sanyo Plasma screen?

My computer has a XFX GeForce 8400GS card that has two DVI, an S-video, and a 15pin VGA output. I'm using the VGA out to plug into a Sanyo 42" plasma that has VGA in, but also has a DVI(HDCP) input. When I plug the DVI cable from the DVI out to the DVI in, I get nothing but a black screen. Is this something that can be corrected via software or some setting, or is it a question of compatibility? In otherwords, just because the connectors are DVI on both ends doesn't mean that they automatically handshake?

 

Look through the settings in the nVidia Control Panel. For mine, the only way to get to it is to right-click on the desktop. In Multiple Displays, there are settings for screen detection (mine has a checkbox for "force television detection on startup ").

My version of nVidia Control Panel might be different to yours.

Look in the Help menu of the nVidia Control Panel about running a television and getting it detected.

Matt
Edit: I was looking at the information here:
http://www.bjorn3d.com/read_pf.php?cID=1240
The second DVI seems to run from a splitter. It may be possible to run two monitors that way, but not a monitor and a television. Read the manual for the 8400GS.

 

This got me doing some checking on my system. In the settings of my monitor there is a digital or analogue setting.

You may need to check the settings of the television for the method of input.

Have fun

Matt

 

Thanks Mattman. I'm using Nvidia's latest drivers, even though the manufacturer of the card, XFX, supplies some too. They were problematic, so I just got the latest from Nvidia.
I couldn't find anything in the Nvidia display properties that addressed what I was looking for.
The Sanyo plasma is fairly old. Model PDP-42H2W. I couldn't find any info on Sanyo's site. There was one site that had a .pdf file of the owner's manual, but called it a PDP-42H2A, and, even though it was very similar, made mention of built-in tuners, which mine doesn't have, as well as a control panel with a switch or two on the right edge, which is also missing from my model.
I did write to XFX, and am now waiting for a reply.
The Sanyo is capable of 1080i, but the best resolution I can get through the display properties is 1024X768. Also, the vertical refresh rate is at 60Hz, with no other frequencies available.
I'm only pursuing all of this because I'm assuming that using a DVI cable should give me a better, sharper picture. Is 1024X768 the "native" resolution of a 1080i screen? Thanks again.

 

I suppose this the website where you found the manual. There appears to be some specifications on this page:
http://sanyoservice.com/partsinquiries.cfm
The sanyo support email address is there. You can try emailing Sanyo support and ask if they could email a manual to you. (I checked the Sanyo US website, no luck).

Check that manual about onscreen settings. You may need to configure the input there.

Don't ask me too much about tv's. I have not researched them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1080i
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-definition_television
http://tv.about.com/od/hdtv/a/whatisHDTV.htm

Matt

 

Thanks again, Mattman. After I posted that last one, I went and "played" around with the menu on the Sanyo, and found a solution.
What had confounded me before was that there was an entry for PC, but it was greyed out, and therefore inaccessible, so I gave up... too easily it seems.
Anyway, I managed to get a picture through the DVI connection. If there is any improvement in clarity, it's too subtle for these old eyes. The display is still limited to the same max resolution: 768X1024. No complaints, as it is perfectly acceptable.
I was just hoping for a little more of the web page on the screen.
Anyway, all's well. Thank you for you kindness.

 

Oops, I put the wrong link to the specifications in my last post. This is the one:
http://www.fixya.com/support/p218080-sanyo_pdp_42h2w_42_in_hdtv_ready_plasma

It seems you won't get higher than a 1024 pixel resolution.

Good research and checking. I hope you can get it "nice ".

Matt