I've seen bad cards, but being underpowered is not likely for a mass produced video card.  Check the min. card requirements to make sure your system is compatible.

I don't know the exact length where problems begin.  Like said, the problem is shielding.  Bad shielding bleeds, and interference from outside electrial sources, in.

Poor Nvidia TV Output Jonny "Me You" wrote: So back in late november I went and bought a shiny new Dell with an NVidia 6800 graphics card and figure it would be neat to hook up to my TV so I could watch stuff full screen that way, or edit my home videos in a more professional way, etc..

I finally got the cables the other day and guess what?

The graphics card is emitting a huge rolling bar of distortion making the image from it nearly unwatchable. It's hooked via SVIDEO directly into the TV (a 27 inch sony wega) so it's not a macrovision thing.

At first I thought it was the cable, but then I plugged it into my digital cable terminal and it worked perfectly.

Anyone else have a similar problem? how did you fix it? I can't believe that NVIDIA's display is really that bad.

     My first suggestion, and the easiest, would be to update your drivers.  If this was already suggested, I apologize.

I think this may be the problem, especially if you have a long s-video cable.  Those type of cables are very lossy at lengths of over 8-10 ft or so, because its carrying a video signal.  When using s-video cables you need a high quality cable.  I know this because I had the exact same problem as you, many years ago with my first computer DVD player.  I bought about a standard s-video 20ft cable at a computer show and had the bars on my tv screen like you did.  After pulling some hair out I went and bought a Monster cable, which was very costly, and the problem was gone. It's mostly because of the shielding on the cable.  Standard quality cables (s-video) have poor shielding.

Acoustic Research, which I think is still available at retail stores, or Blue Jeans cable on the internet.  Both would be a better buy than Monster Cable  I think Radio Shack carries Monster Cables now.  If it doesn't work you can always return.

Here's a little update. I found where to change the timings and refresh rates, but none of the custom modes made much of a difference. I also downloaded this little thingy called TV tool, but it didn't help either.

Its your refresh rate homie. A normal TV cant hadle that amount of refreshing. Keep lowering it about 5 points at a time till your problems go bye bye. You probably have it set somewhere around 85 right now.

Poor Nvidia TV Output So back in late november I went and bought a shiny new Dell with an NVidia 6800 graphics card and figure it would be neat to hook up to my TV so I could watch stuff full screen that way, or edit my home videos in a more professional way, etc..

I finally got the cables the other day and guess what?

The graphics card is emitting a huge rolling bar of distortion making the image from it nearly unwatchable. It's hooked via SVIDEO directly into the TV (a 27 inch sony wega) so it's not a macrovision thing.

At first I thought it was the cable, but then I plugged it into my digital cable terminal and it worked perfectly.

Anyone else have a similar problem? how did you fix it? I can't believe that NVIDIA's display is really that bad.