TV output support for DOS
=========================
Some models of Matrox graphics cards support TV output. With TV
output support, you can view or record your computer display with
a TV or video recorder connected to your graphics card.
TV output is supported with Windows 98/Me/2000/NT 4.0/XP and DOS.
By default TV output is disabled. If TV output is disabled, a TV
connected to your computer will display black. For information
on how to enable TV output mode in Windows 98/Me/2000/NT 4.0 or XP,
see Matrox online documentation.
To enable TV output for DOS display modes, the BIOS of your Matrox
graphics card needs to be configured.
DOS display modes may be used when:
- your computer is restarted in DOS mode
- DOS programs are run full-screen
- a full-screen DOS prompt is used under Windows
- text is displayed on your computer monitor before Windows starts
Note: For G450/G550-based graphics cards, TV output for DOS
display modes aren't supported.
BIOS configuration
------------------
To configure the BIOS of your Matrox graphics card to support TV
output for DOS display modes:
Windows 98/Me/2000/NT 4.0 or XP
-------------------------------
(1) Click "Start" -> "Run", type "c:\matrox\util\pbioswin",
then click "Update the Matrox Graphics BIOS".
If you have more than one graphics card, select the
graphics card you want to update.
Note: DOS display modes are only supported on the primary
display.
(2) Select a TV standard (*), then click "OK".
(3) After the BIOS is updated, make sure no disk is in your
disk drive, then restart your computer.
DOS
---
(1) Make an emergency disk (see "Matrox emergency disk").
(2) Type "cd c:\matrox\util", then press [Enter].
(3) Depending on the TV standard (*) of your TV output device,
type "progbios -maven ntsc" or "progbios -maven pal". (To
disable TV output support for DOS display modes, type
"progbios -maven off".)
(4) After the BIOS is updated, make sure no disk is in your
disk drive, then restart your computer.
After restarting, when a DOS display mode is used, your Matrox
graphics card will automatically work with a TV or VCR connected
to it.
* Note: Two TV standards are supported for TV output. NTSC is used
in North America and Japan, among other places. PAL is used in
most of Western Europe and in China, among other places. If
you're not sure what standard your TV or VCR uses, see its
documentation.
Limitations
-----------
If you use TV output support for DOS display modes, note the
following:
- TV output isn't supported for all DOS display modes. As a
result, a DOS program or game may use a DOS display mode that's
not supported for TV output. A DOS display mode without TV
output support will only display on your computer monitor (a TV
would display black).
- While using DOS display modes with TV output support, your
computer monitor is also using TV settings. While using TV
settings, the displays of some computer monitors may flicker or
become off-centered, garbled, or unusable. As a result, you may
have to turn off your computer monitor.
Supported DOS display modes
---------------------------
- 720 x 400, text (02h, 03h)
- 640 x 480, 16 colors (12h) *
- 320 x 200, 256 colors (13h) *
- 640 x 400, 256 colors (100h) *
- 640 x 480, 256 colors (101h) *
- 640 x 480, 32 K colors (110h) *
- 640 x 480, 64 K colors (111h) *
- 640 x 480, 16 M colors (112h) *
* Under Windows NT 4.0, these modes may not display properly on
your TV.
