Sunday, February 28, 2010

Ubuntu Linux on a Syntax Olevia LT30HV

The Syntax Olevia LT30HV, like many off-brand low cost LCD HDTV, does not provide accurate EDID information which prevented me from running the LCD at the native resolution 1280x768. After extensive Googling, I finally found the necessary configuration to put in my /etc/X11/xorg.conf.

1. First, make sure you have the proper Modeline in your Monitor Section:
Section "Monitor"
        Identifier      "Default Monitor"
        HorizSync      31.5 - 80.0
        VertRefresh    56.0 - 75.0
        DisplaySize    722 406
        Modeline "1280x768" 79.464 1280 1360 1488 1664 768 771 778 798  -Hsync +Vsync
EndSection

 2. Make sure your Screen include the Option UseEDID and ExactModeTimingsDVI like so:
Section "Screen"
        Identifier      "Default Screen"
        DefaultDepth    24
        Monitor         "Default Monitor"
        Option         "UseEDID"        "false"
        Option         "ExactModeTimingsDVI"    "true"

        SubSection     "Display"
                Depth      24
                Modes      "1280x768"
        EndSubSection
EndSection
3. And of course, make sure you use the nvidia driver: 
Section "Device"
        Identifier      "Default Device"
        Driver  "nvidia"
        Option  "NoLogo"        "True"
EndSection
That's it.