Pixels UK digital media, products and services

GC-VR-32 version 2 drivers: To change screen resolution and select your widescreen panel that you are using click the Pixel Perfect Display Manager icon in the Windows system tray. When selecting the correct entry for your installed panel the correct resolution for your panel will be displayed. Widescreen and 4:3 resolutions are separated on different slider bars for your convenience. We strongly recommend using only the correct 'Native' resolution for your PDP, using any other screen resolution will produce greatly inferior picture quality. It is important to select the model of widescreen panel that you have attached as our drivers are specially configured and optimised to all supported widescreen panels individually.

There is no special button or check box to swap between 16:9 and 4:3 resolutions when using the Windows display applet. All resolutions are selected using the standard Windows Display Settings feature offered by your particular version of the operating system. You need to know what resolution is required by your particular display panel, select and apply this resolution.

If you are unsure what is the correct resolution for your panel, please check our installation documentation or the specification sheet on this website.

The 16:9 desktop does not fill the whole screen

Some panels require to be told that they are receiving a widescreen resolution. Use the on-screen-display and remote control for your panel to set the input signal to 'Wide'.

On Fujitsu ALiS 4222/1 plasma displays the 'Zoom' setting also needs to be selected.

Why can't I select my preferred refresh rate or resolution?

This is because Windows does not know what the capabilities of your 'monitor' are or our drivers have not installed correctly. Please install the driver file distributed by your display manufacturer. If none was supplied download the Windows Information file display.inf. This file contains information for all displays supported by Pixel Perfect and generic OEM information to cover any other displays.

Open display properties Click the Advanced settings button and select the monitor tab. Change your monitor to suit the make and model of wide-screen display that you are using. When installing the driver select "have disk" and browse to the location of the downloaded display.inf file. Apply the changes. Go to the Adapter or Monitor (OS dependent) tab, you should see all supported refresh rates available for your currently selected screen resolution. Going back to the 'Settings' Tab, you should now be able to select the correct resolution for your display. If problems persist return to the 'Monitor' Tab and deselect the "Detect Plug and Play Monitors" option. You will need to restart Windows before any additional resolutions and refresh rates are available in Display Manager.

For Windows 2000 or XP, on the Advanced Settings 'Monitor' tab you may also deselect the 'Hide resolutions that this monitor cannot display' checkbox.

If our drivers have not installed correctly you will only be able to select 640x480 and 16 colours. If this is the case please reload our drivers carefully following the installation instructions.

Please note many Wide-Screen displays only support 60 Hz refresh rate.

Which DirectX and AGP versions do the cards support?

GC-P2x-8
Our drivers for these cards are Microsoft DirectX 5 compliant, the AGP version supports AGP 1x.

GC-VRx-32
Our drivers for these cards are Microsoft DirectX 7 compliant, the AGP version supports AGP 2x.

GC-K2x-64
Our drivers for these cards are Microsoft DirectX 7 compliant, the AGP version supports AGP 4x.

Download the latest version of DirectX from Microsoft.

Microsoft do not provide a means of returning to an earlier version of DirectX after installing a more recent version. Therefore where possible, if you are experiencing problems using the incorrect version of DirectX, we recommend reinstalling Windows and then loading the correct version of DirectX. Where this is not possible you may try using a 3rd party freeware uninstaller from http://www.tweakfiles.com/misc/directxuninstaller.html . Please note: Pixels UK has not verified this software nor will we support it's use.

DVD playback

Please ensure that the correct version of Microsoft DirectX is installed prior to all other DVD / MPEG playback configuration.

GC-VRx-32 and GC-K2x-64
The Pixel Perfect GC-VRx-32 cards support DVD and MPEG-2 playback providing suitable software is used. Pixels UK recommends, but does not supply, PowerDVD software from Cyberlink. You can download a 30-day, free trial version from Cyberlink:
PowerDVD needs a PC with a minimum of a Pentium II/350, 32MB RAM and at least 20MB of free disk space. It will work without a sound card installed in your PC. The full version of PowerDVD can be purchased on line for $49.50.

I can't select the PCI driver for my GC-VRP-32 card

By default Windows offers to install the AGP version after you have selected the inf file. In order to install the PCI card please click the 'show all compatible devices' radio button.

AGP doesn't work correctly with VIA KT133 chipset

In order for AGP services to operate using this chipset under Windows 2000 and Win98. The operating system AGP driver needs to be updated. This can be downloaded from the VIA website at http://www.via.com.tw

Panel shows 'Out of Range' message

This is because the vertical refresh rate of the display driver is set to high, many panels only support 60 Hz refresh rate. For Win9x or 2000 restart your PC in Safe Mode, NT 4 restart in VGA mode. Go to the Display Settings and select the correct resolution for your panel and set the appropriate refresh rate.

PowerPoint slides don't fill my 16:9 screen

This is because you have to specifically set the page size for your presentation. By default PowerPoint set the page size appropriate for 4:3 displays. If you intend for you presentation to be displayed rotated you need to create a 9:16 page size.

File->Page Setup. Suggested size: width 32cm x height 18cm. These may need adjusting for an exact fit depending upon which panel you are using.

How to rotate my display on NT4 (GC-P2x-8 cards only)

Open the Display Properties applet in the Control Panel. Click the 'Imagine' tab. Click the 'Rotation' radio button. Click the radio button for the desired degree of rotation or 'Landscape' to return to the standard Windows orientation. Click the Apply or OK button to affect the change.

Rotation, DirectX and OpenGL

The Pixel Perfect cards do NOT support DirectX and OpenGL rotation. The VR and K2 Pixel Perfect drivers will pass through all DirectX and OpenGL rendering with out rotating the image, therefore for Windowed applications that use either of these APIs the Window will be rotated but the content will not. In full screen exclusive modes the image will be as if a landscape mode were selected.

To prevent the content of application Windows that are using DirectX rendering (e.g. video playback) being displayed un-rotated use the following procedure. Use Windows Advanced Troubleshooting settings 'Hardware Acceleration' slider to reduce the graphics hardware acceleration to the point where DirectX is disabled. This will cause the Window contents to be rendered by GDI and be rotated.

Note also: the rotation driver for the GC-P2x-8 (V 2.11-0759a) does not support DirectX or OpenGL even in Landscape mode. If you require DirectX or OpenGL support in a Landscape orientation please install our standard NT4 driver (V 2.11-0561) for this card.

Image not sharp enough on Pioneer PDP 502

This panel only supports a sharp image at 56 Hz refresh rate. We included higher refresh rates to accommodate the occasional requirement for a more stable image. For general use we recommend setting the refresh rate to 56 Hz

How to program SONY PFM-42B1/E to recognise and display correctly 1024x512 Pixel Perfect resolution

This panel requries information about the 1024x512 resolution to be programed into it's internal memory in order for it to display the graphics correctly. To do this the following procedure must be undertaken. This only needs to be done once after which the panel will be permanently programed to recognise the resolution. Download Instructions.

The panel needs the following values entered into memory using Service Mode.

To enter Service Mode:

When the panel is in Stand By Mode press the following sequence on the remote:

"Display"
"5"
"BRT +" [brightness control button]
"ON" [green power ON button]

[Note: this sequence needs to be pressed quickly otherwise only the 'ON' is recognised and the panel starts up with only the Main Menu available.]

The panel should power up as normal. If you press the menu Key you will then see the mode select menu "Main Menu, Service Menu, Manual Menu" Please choose the Service Menu.

Select "PRESET EDIT"
Then select "ORIGINAL DATA SELECT"and press Enter
Set "Format Table = Program1", press Menu to go back up a level
Next select the "DATA EDIT" to view the following data values set these to the values specified:

Input select 01100000
Input select2 00000101
H Freq 33.66
V Freq 60
SyncPol NEGA/NEGA
H Total 1169
Left Edge 121
H Res 1024
Top Edge 36
V Res 1026 (*NOT 512)
Dot Phase 34
CP Placement 10
CP duration 10
Interlace Mode ON
Field Mode ON
Frame Lock Mode ON
Matrix Select ITU709
Picture AGC ON
Aspect 16x9
Zoom x1
Aperture Init Mid
Aperture High 000
Aperture Mid 002
Aperture Low 004
Auto PLL ON (allows phase adjustment from Main Menu)
Sync Width 1.53

Press Menu to go up a menu level

Then select the "SAVE AREA SELECT" and press Enter
Set "SAVE AREA=PROGRAM1"
Then move cursor down to "DATA SAVE" and press Enter
Set "DATA SAVE = Execute" then press enter
Press Menu successively to clear all menus from the display

The wide-screen settings have now been saved in the panel memory and will be retained when the power is switched off.

Ensure that you select "Sony PFM-42B1/E" panel as being your installed panel on the Pixel Perfect Display Manager and apply this change. Also ensure that the screen resolution is set to 1024x512.

Fine Tuning Your Display:

Press Menu and select "MAIN MENU"
It is now important to correctly set the panel's phase adjustment to suit your hardware and cable characteristics:

Select PICTURE SIZE and press Enter
Select AUTO PIXEL ADJUST and press Enter
The panels phase setting can now be adjusted. Before beginning phase adjustment please open the Pixel Perfect Display Manager and click the Test Patterns button. Cycle through the patterns to display the narrow vertical bars. This pattern is designed to help with phase adjustment. Adjust the phase so that the bars are as stable and bright as possible and minimum 'noise' visible. When you have finished adjustment press Menu successively to clear the menu from the display, the panel will now retain this setting.

Now that the 1024x512 resolution has been stored in memory, each time the panel is powered up it will recognise the signal and not require any further adjustment.

Universal Multimedia and Conrac 42 inch PDP adjustment for Pixel Perfect Image

These panels is programable to suit the GC-VRx-32 graphics card resolution at 852x480.

For Universal Multimedia:

Set the Pixel Perfect Display Manger to "Generic 42 inch PDP" and apply the setting.

Using the PDPs On Screen Display enter details for the 852x480 or 848x480 resolution (consult PDP user manual). The values required for Pixel Perfect display are:
H Total 1072
H Size 852 (or 848)
V Size 480

For Conrac 4020:

Select "Conrac 4020" in Pixel Perfect Display Manager.

As above use the PDPs On Screen Display and set the following values:
H Total 1067
H Size 852 (or 848)
V Size 480

Windows 2000 Display applet does not work properly when the display is in portrait orientation

This is because Windows 2000 does not recognise our portrait resolutions. In this instance the 'Settings' tab shows the default screen resolution and colour depth, it does not correctly report the current setting. When in portrait orientation we recommend exclusive use of the 'Pixel Perfect Display Manager' for checking and setting display characteristics.

Pixel Perfect Display Manager on multi-monitor systems

The Pixel Perfect Display Manager for the K2 64 card now supports multiple Pixel Perfect cards in a single system . Also supported is multiple angle and independent screen rotation.

How to configure Fujitsu 4242 and 42HHA AliS displays to support Pixel Perfect

The 4242 and 42HHA panels do support a resolution of 1024x512 as used for previous ALiS models but the panels factory default settings are not configured for this resolution. In order for the panels to correctly process the signal from the Pixel Perfect card the panel must be set to use the required signal processing code.

To set the panel for Pixel Perfect 1024x512 processing, access the panels' On Screen Menu and select:
Features->Others->Code Setting->Manual
For the 4242:
set the Manual value "2B" and press "Enter" , the panel will now recognise the Pixel Perfect graphics signal.

For the 42HHA:
set the Manual value "26" and press "Enter" , the panel will now recognise the Pixel Perfect graphics signal. In order for the picture to look sharp and stable it is also necessary to change the following setting: Features->Adjustment->Clock Phase. Change this from Auto to Manual and apply the change, use the Pixel Perfect vertical lines test pattern to verify the best manual setting.

Please note that these panels will not support 1024x512 when using the DVI input. There is no fix or workaround for this - analogue only can be used.

How to get Eizo P5071 to recognise the signal form the Pixel Perfect K2

This panel does not correctly recognise the 1280x768 signal from the Pixel Perfect K2 card. In order to attain proper display at this resolution enter the panel's On Screen Display Menu. Alter the screen resolution to 1280x768 (panel detects 1024x768). Alter panel Dot Clock to 1672. Save the settings, the panel will remember the information between sessions and being switched on/off. If you change the Windows screen resolution you may need to reprogram.

DVI Connector format issues

The Pixel Perfect K2 DVI graphics cards are fitted with DVI-I connector blocks. However the K2 card only supports Digital output from this connector. Analogue signal can only be used from the D-Sub connector. We use this connector format to support the use of both DVI-D and DVI-I cables.

How does Pixel Perfect work with ALiS Displays

We are often asked why the Pixel Perfect graphics card only supports 1024x512 (42/37" PDPs) or 852x512 (32" PDPs) for Hitachi, SONY and Fujitsu ALiS displays when all these panels state their vertical resolution to be 1024 lines.

In order to explain this it is necessary to understand a little more about ALiS technology. The fundamental difference of ALiS panels over standard 16:9 plasma displays is that they are manufactured with rectangular pixels, this is designed to increase the number of active pixels on the display and thus improve the resolution of video images. All video inputs to plasma displays are scaled to fit the display and so the ALiS panels offer a scaling improvement over the standard 480 line panels. However in order to produce the best quality graphics display from a PC on a PDP, we require that the image is not scaled. In other words one pixel of the Windows desktop maps exactly to one pixel on the display. In the case of ALiS the PDPs, two lines are generated for each one the display receives in order to produce an almost square pixel (see diagram below).

Why do we not use 1024x1024? Because Windows regards each pixel as equal in width and height and so would produce a literally square desktop. So what happens if you try to fit a square image on a physically 16:9 display? It would look extremely vertically squashed. Therefore we need to produce an image with the closest aspect ratio to the physical dimensions of the panel and not require the panel to scale the image (which causes blurring). The 1024x512 resolution has an aspect ratio of 2:1 but the PDP is physically 16:9 - this is why the image looks slightly squashed horizontally. The 852x512 resolution is much closer to true 16:9, therefore the image appears virtually correct on the PDP.

The Pixel Perfect resolutions for ALiS panels are the best compromise to produce the best possible PC graphics results on PDPs that are designed predominantly for video processing.

(Please note that as ALiS displays are interlaced, therefore you will see a very slight shimmering of the image)

SONY PFM-32C1 reported resolution

The SONY PFM-32C1 will respond well to the use of the 16:9 Pixel Perfect resolution 852x512. However it will report that the input signal is 1080i, this is incorrect but the Pixel Perfect resolution will be processed with a good image resulting.

JVC GM-P420 PCE Programming

Re-programming the firmware of this PDP can only be undertaken by a JVC service engineer.

What are wide-screen XGA PDPs?

Pioneer 433, Panasonic TH-42PHD6 and NEC 42 MP4 XGA are all examples of wide-screen XGA displays.

XGA is defined as VESA standard 1024x768, this is a 4:3 standard resolution and is NOT wide-screen.

So how can we have a physically wide-screen Plasma display that uses XGA as it's native resolution? The number of actual pixels on the display is 1024x768 but these are rectangular pixels, not round or square. Thus with rectangular pixels you can fill a 16:9 display with only 4:3 number of pixels.

What does this mean? As always, Plasma displays and LCDs will only produce their sharpest, clearest and significantly best image only when they are being driven at their native resolution. Therefore for best image quality we recommend using an XGA wide-screen panel at a resolution of 1024x768. However many of these panels will 'Scale' other resolutions very well ,including WXGA (1366x768, 1365x768 or 1280x768). But however well the displays scaler process a WXGA image, it will not be as clear and sharply defined as an un-scaled image.

What will the image look like? Driving your wide-screen XGA display at 1024x768 you will see a very sharp clear image BUT the image will appear distorted - stretched width-ways. This is because Windows creates square pixels, these are being stretched into a rectangle by the displays rectangular pixel elements. If you drive your display using a WXGA resolution the image will appear correct in aspect ratio, but will not be as sharp and clear as the XGA image, or in comparison to another type of display with a native WXGA resolution.

Settings for NEC VP4 PDP

The native resolution of the glass on this panel is 853x480, however the closest wide-screen resolution that it supports is 852x480. We recommend that for best image quality this panel is driven at 852x480 @ 60Hz.

In order for the PDP to correctly process this wide-screen resolution it is necessary to enter the PDPs On Screen Display menu (OSD) and make the following change. Select "Option 1", Select "RGB Select", change this value to "Wide 1". The 852x480 resolution will now be detected correctly and will work well using both analog and DVI inputs.

Hitachi wide screen LCD menu settings

In order to use the 1280x768 wide screen mode of the Pixel Perfect card the following menu settings need to be used on Hitachi LCDs.
Setup menu:
WXGA TYPE = Off
WXGA MODE = Off
Function menu:
Wide Standard Setting = Fill

Can't set Portrait mode on Win2k, XP

Windows sometimes block the setting of certain resolutions if a monitor driver has not been installed, follow instructions given under Why can't I select my preferred refresh rate or resolution?

It can also be necessary to deselect the 'Hide resolutions that this monitor cannot display' checkbox, also described in the above link.

On Windows XP it is necessary to have Service Pack 1 or greater installed.

Please note: At all times you should use the Pixel Perfect Display Manager to change resolution and display orientation. Also Windows display settings will not show rotated modes with a screen width of less that 640. For example 480x852 will not be listed, but can be set with the Pixel Perfect Display Manager.

Pixels UK Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)1727 840700, Fax: +44 (0)1727 851177 sales@pixels.uk.com