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theOptimizedCoder

Member

Registered: 2013-06-16

Posts: 17

Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

I have an ATI card and am using the open-src ATI drivers. I'm using XFCE and am connected to an external HDTV (1920x1080) via HDMI. The whole desktop does not fit the screen, so I'm thinking there's something going wrong.

Also, when I hit C-M-F2 to go to VTs, I hit into issues similar to this: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1985837. The VTs and screen resolution seem to be fine when connected with VGA out to the same external display.It's just that HDMI doesn't like it. I see this from the Xorg.0.log, when the display just goes away when I try to go to a VT:

[  2513.699] (II) AIGLX: Suspending AIGLX clients for VT switch

Also, from my Xorg.0.log, I see these repeatedly. Is this common? Is there a way to turn hsync/vsync off?

[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1920x1080"x0.0   74.25  1920 2008 2052 2200  1080 1084 1089 1125 +hsync +vsync (33.8 
kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1360x768"x0.0   85.50  1360 1424 1536 1792  768 771 777 795 +hsync +vsync (47.7 kHz e
)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1280x768"x0.0   68.25  1280 1328 1360 1440  768 771 778 790 +hsync -vsync (47.4 kHz e
)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "800x600"x0.0   40.00  800 840 968 1056  600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync (37.9 kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "640x480"x0.0   25.18  640 656 752 800  480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync (31.5 kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1024x768"x0.0   65.00  1024 1048 1184 1344  768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync (48.4 kHz e
)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1440x900"x0.0   88.75  1440 1488 1520 1600  900 903 909 926 +hsync -vsync (55.5 kHz e
)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1280x1024"x0.0  108.00  1280 1328 1440 1688  1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync (64.0 
kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1400x1050"x0.0  101.00  1400 1448 1480 1560  1050 1053 1057 1080 +hsync -vsync (64.7 
kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1680x1050"x0.0  119.00  1680 1728 1760 1840  1050 1053 1059 1080 +hsync -vsync (64.7 
kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "720x576"x0.0   27.00  720 732 796 864  576 581 586 625 -hsync -vsync (31.2 kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1280x720"x0.0   74.25  1280 1390 1430 1650  720 725 730 750 +hsync +vsync (45.0 kHz e
)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1920x1080"x0.0   74.25  1920 2448 2492 2640  1080 1084 1089 1125 +hsync +vsync (28.1 
kHz e)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "2880x480"x0.0  108.00  2880 2944 3192 3432  480 489 495 525 -hsync -vsync (31.5 kHz e
)
[ 17730.260] (II) RADEON(0): Modeline "1920x1080i"x0.0   74.25  1920 2008 2052 2200  1080 1084 1094 1125 interlace +hsync +v
sync (33.8 kHz e)

Rexilion

Member

Registered: 2013-12-23

Posts: 784

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

Is 1920x1080 the used resolution or the max resolution of the HDTV? X is detecting this resolution.

The messages about VT switching are harmless. I have them too.

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clfarron4

Member

From: London, UK

Registered: 2013-06-28

Posts: 2,165

Website

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

What card are you using?

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theOptimizedCoder

Member

Registered: 2013-06-16

Posts: 17

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

ATI 5450, it's basically doing overscan , and yes 1920x1080 should be the native res of my HDTV screen. However, it's capable of a 120Hz refresh rate, but the driver only suggests that I can go upto 60Hz.

Rexilion

Member

Registered: 2013-12-23

Posts: 784

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

Someone else has the same issue. But maybe 120hz is not supported by this card?

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theOptimizedCoder

Member

Registered: 2013-06-16

Posts: 17

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

Someone else has the same issue. But maybe 120hz is not supported by this card?

Unfortunately, that is not what my issue is. I'm able to get video/audio out through HDMI from the card, it is just that the overscan is an issue. And, when I switch to VTs, the screen flickers and goes away. I've also noticed that the video struggles when I try to play 1080p HD videos. So, there's definitely some sort of driver issues. I'd briefly tried the catalyst drivers, and the overscan issue was seen there as well. Not sure if I should try catalyst drivers again.

However, none of these issues are present, when I use the VGA out from the same card to the same display/monitor. I'm not even sure how that's possible.

PS: I could care less for the refresh rate for now. Once I get the other issues fixed, I can go after that.

Last edited by theOptimizedCoder (2014-02-24 07:48:16)

emeres

Member

Registered: 2013-10-08

Posts: 1,570

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

Some thoughts:
-what model/manufacturer is your tv [from]? How did you setup you X, your hdmi connection?
-mess around with xrandr using different resolutions, refresh rates. Does overscan always happen?(switching between resolution might bring your screen back when using vts, probably a handshake issue)
-use gtf or cvt to set custom modelines. Try to get a resolution where your tv image does not overscan. Try modelines with different refresh rates at 1920x1080i.
-what does get-edid say?
-did you try that particular hdmi cable with other setups?
-try fglrx again and aticonfig to autoconfigure with tv switched on, look if there are underscan/overscan options.
-try a live-cd distribution with hardware detection like mint or manjaro to get correct configuration.

However, none of these issues are present, when I use the VGA out from the same card to the same display/monitor. I'm not even sure how that's possible.

VGA and DVI/HDMI are completely different systems. Former carries analogue, latter digital signals. It may be a solid temporary workaround to use VGA if you are ok with (probably) picture quality degradation. And if you are still convinced this is a bug, report it to upstream.

Last edited by emeres (2014-02-26 18:43:44)

theOptimizedCoder

Member

Registered: 2013-06-16

Posts: 17

Re: Issues with Xorg and the ATI open-src driver

Some thoughts:
-what model/manufacturer is your tv [from]? How did you setup you X, your hdmi connection?
-mess around with xrandr using different resolutions, refresh rates. Does overscan always happen?(switching between resolution might bring your screen back when using vts, probably a handshake issue)
-use gtf or cvt to set custom modelines. Try to get a resolution where your tv image does not overscan. Try modelines with different refresh rates at 1920x1080i.
-what does get-edid say?
-did you try that particular hdmi cable with other setups?
-try fglrx again and aticonfig to autoconfigure with tv switched on, look if there are underscan/overscan options.
-try a live-cd distribution with hardware detection like mint or manjaro to get correct configuration.

However, none of these issues are present, when I use the VGA out from the same card to the same display/monitor. I'm not even sure how that's possible.

VGA and DVI/HDMI are completely different systems. Former carries analogue, latter digital signals. It may be a solid temporary workaround to use VGA if you are ok with (probably) picture quality degradation. And if you are still convinced this is a bug, report it to upstream.

All valid points. I'm thinking of trying things out with it.
The HDMI cable is the new thin one with Redmere technology. With what you brought up, I'm beginning to think this might be the problem.