ATI Technologies Radeon 9800 Series User manual

RADEON
™
9800 SERIES
User’s Guide
P/N 137-40462-10
Copyright © 2003, ATI Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.
ATI and all ATI product and product feature names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of ATI Technologies Inc. All other company and/or product names are trademarks and/or
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subject to change without notice. Product may not be exactly as shown in the diagrams.
Reproduction of this manual, or parts thereof, in any form, without the express written
permission of ATI Technologies Inc. is strictly prohibited.

i
Disclaimer
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document, ATI Technologies Inc. assumes no liability with respect to
the operation or use of ATI hardware, software or other products and
documentation described herein, for any act or omission of ATI
concerning such products or this documentation, for any interruption
of service, loss or interruption of business, loss of anticipatory profits,
or for punitive, incidental or consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, performance, or use of the ATI hardware,
software, or other products and documentation provided herein.
ATI Technologies Inc. reserves the right to make changes without
further notice to a product or system described herein to improve
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warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and
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Table of Contents
Disclaimer...................................................................................................... i
Product Notice......................................................................................... i
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Features At A Glance .................................................................................. 2
ATI’s CATALYST™ Software Suite ........................................................ 3
Multiple Displays and 3D Gaming Experience...................................... 3
Direct 3D and OpenGL .......................................................................... 3
HydraVision™ ....................................................................................... 4
Multiple Displays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Connecting Your Monitor(s) ...................................................................... 5
Display Configurations................................................................................ 6
CATALYST Software Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
ATI Displays Tab......................................................................................... 7
Enabling/Disabling Secondary Displays ................................................ 8
Enabling Extended Desktop Mode......................................................... 8
Dynamic Display Reassignment ............................................................ 8
Virtually Repositioning Your Displays .................................................. 9
Ratiometric Expansion ......................................................................... 10
ATI Color Tab ........................................................................................... 11
ATI Options Tab........................................................................................ 13
ATI Overlay Tab ....................................................................................... 15
Video Overlay ...................................................................................... 15
Clone Mode Settings ............................................................................ 16
Direct 3D Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Main and Custom Settings........................................................................ 18
Direct 3D Compatibility Settings ............................................................. 21
OpenGL Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Main and Custom Settings........................................................................ 22
OpenGL Compatibility Settings............................................................... 25
SMARTGART™ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Set AGP Settings .................................................................................. 26
Fast Write ............................................................................................. 26
Retest All.............................................................................................. 27
Using TV Out. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

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View your PC’s display on a TV .............................................................. 28
Connecting to a TV or a VCR .................................................................. 29
Starting Windows® with TV Display Enabled .................................... 30
To Enable/Disable The TV Display.......................................................... 31
Using and Adjusting TV Out................................................................ 31
How TV Display Cannot Be Used ....................................................... 31
Using a Monitor vs. Using the TV Display.......................................... 32
Reducing Edge Distortion ......................................................................... 34
Changing Display Configurations ........................................................ 35
Using Games and Applications ............................................................ 35
NSTC/PAL Support for RADEON 9800 Series...................................... 36

1
Introduction
The RADEON™ 9800 Series graphics accelerator
delivers ground breaking 3D graphics performance.
• Powered by the RADEON 9800 Series Visual
Processing Unit (VPU).
• Second generation to Support Microsoft®DirectX®
9.0.
• 256-bit DDR memory interface.
• Support for AGP 8X specification.
• Second generation 8-pixel pipeline architecture.
• Support Direct 3D®and OpenGL applications.
• Cinematic experience for 3D gaming
• High resolution in 3D up to 2048x1536.
• Digital flat panel support.
• Supports TV-Out to connect your PC to your TV or
VCR.

2
Features At A Glance
The RADEON 9800 Series includes:
• CINEMATIC RENDERING:
With its highly programmable shader engines, the
RADEON 9800 Series of visual processors are
designed to bring the most detailed worlds to life with
cinema-quality lighting, textures, and effects.
• MAXIMUM 3D PERFORMACE:
Eight parallel rendering pipelines, 256-bit memory
interface, blazing fast clock speeds, and AGP 8X
support come together to deliver incredible
performance at the highest resolutions and detail
settings.
• PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF DIGITAL
REALISM:
Experience the smoothest, sharpest, and clearest 3D
image quality imaginable. Combining
SMOOTHVISION™ 2.1 and SMARTSHADER™2.1,
the RADEON 9800 Series enables hyper-realistic
interactive imagery.
• QUALITY VIDEO PLAYBACK:
Revolutionary VIDEOSHADER™ and
FULLSTREAM™ technologies provide the cleanest
video playback available on a PC.
• FLEXIBLE DISPLAY CONFIGURATIONS:
Enhance your work environment with multiple
displays, TV-output support, and high resolutions.

3
ATI’s CATALYST™ Software Suite
Multiple Displays and 3D Gaming Experience
ATI’s CATALYST Software Suite provides multiple
display functionality, and the advanced graphic features,
such as SMARTSHADER 2.1, for the ultimate 3D
gaming experience. For help installing the CATALYST
Software Suite, refer to the Getting Started Guide.
The CATALYST Software Suite installs the ATI display
tabs. These tabs are accessed through the Windows®
Display Control Panel, through the Advanced... button
located on the Settings tab. For a detailed explanation of
each ATI tab, refer to the section CATALYST Software
Suite on page 7.
Direct 3D and OpenGL
The CATALYST Software Suite also supports the latest
versions of Direct 3D and OpenGL. Many new 3D game
titles, and the latest versions of older titles, will virtually
come to life as they utilize their advanced Direct 3D or
OpenGL features. Gamers can fine-tune these settings for
the ultimate experience in 3D image quality or 3D
gaming performance.
ATI’s Direct 3D and OpenGL tabs are available through
the Windows®Display Control Panel, through the
Advanced... button located on the Settings tab.
For a detailed explanation of the Direct 3D and OpenGL
tabs, refer to Direct 3D Control Panel on page 18, and
OpenGL Control Panel on page 22.

4
HydraVision™
In addition to the multiple display functionality available
with ATI’s CATALYST Software Suite, you can also use
HydraVision for advanced multi-monitor management.
For more information on HydraVision, please refer to the
HydraVision User’s Guide PDF located on your ATI
Installation CD.

5
Multiple Displays
Connecting Your Monitor(s)
Your RADEON 9800 Series provides hardware support
for one DVI-I monitor or two VGA monitors using the
supplied DVI-I-to-VGA adapter. A TV can also be used
to expand your desktop by using the S-Video out.
Plug the monitor cable into your card (if you are
running multiple monitors, connect their cables to the
appropriate connectors), then turn on the PC and
monitor(s).
To connect a flat panel directly to your card, use the
DVI-I connector. To connect a VGA monitor to the DVI-
I connector, plug the supplied DVI-I-to-VGA adapter
into the DVI-I connector, then plug your monitor cable
into the adapter, as shown below.
When you use multiple monitors with your card, one
monitor will always be Primary. Any additional
monitor(s) will be designated as Secondary.
DVI-I-TO-VGA
ADAPTER
DVI-I
CONNECTOR
VGA
CONNECTOR
FROM
MONITOR
STANDARD VGA
MONITOR CONNECTOR
S-VIDEO OUT

6
Display Configurations
Your RADEON 9800 Series graphics accelerator card
provides dual display functionality and TV Out. The
following table lists the different ways you can connect
displays to your card.
Display
Configuration Connector(s) Used Comments
One CRT
display
VGA connector OR DVI-
I connector with DVI-I-
to-VGA adapter
CRT- cathode ray tube
analog display
One DFP
display DVI-I connector DFP - digital flat panel display
One TV S-Video out
The S-Video out can also
support a composite
connection via the S-Video-
to-Composite adapter
CRT display +
TV
VGA connector +
S-Video out
Unsupported configuration if
the CRT display is attached
to the DVI-I connector via the
DVI-I-to-VGA adapter
DFP display +
TV
DVI-I connector +
S-Video out
CRT display +
DFP display
VGA connector + DVI-I
connector
CRT display +
CRT display
VGA connector + DVI-I
connector with DVI-I-to-
VGA adapter
The DVI-I connector can
support a CRT display using
the DVI-I-to-VGA adapter
CRT display +
DFP display +
TV
VGA connector + DVI-I
connector + S-Video out
The TV display will “clone”
the image of one of the other
two displays.
CRT display +
CRT display +
TV
UNSUPPORTED
CONFIGURATION

7
CATALYST Software
Suite
The following section provides an explanation of each
ATI tab added to the Display Properties after installing
the Catalyst Software Suite.
ATI Displays Tab
The ATI Displays tab provides multiple monitor
features. Here you can enable/disable display devices
and swap the assignment of Primary and Secondary
displays.
Features presented in the following pages may
not be supported in all operating systems
and/or may appear differently.
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Enabling/Disabling Secondary Displays
1Access the Windows®Control Panel. Double-click
Display.
2Click the Settings tab and then the Advanced... button.
3Click the ATI Displays tab.
4Click the enable/disable button for the display
device you want to enable/disable.
5Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Enabling Extended Desktop Mode
1Access the Windows®Control Panel. Double-click
Display.
2Click the Settings tab.
3Click the monitor icon for the display onto which you
want to extend your desktop.
4Click Ye s to enable the selected display.
5Checkmark the Extend my Windows desktop onto
this monitor check box (Windows®may automatically
place it there).
6Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Dynamic Display Reassignment
You can change the assignment of your Primary and
Secondary display on the fly, without rebooting.
However, before you can change the assignment of the
Primary display, at least one Secondary display must
be enabled, and Extended Desktop mode must be
enabled.

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To enable a Secondary display see Enabling/Disabling
Secondary Displays on page 8.
To enable Extended Desktop Mode see Enabling
Extended Desktop Mode on page 8.
1Access the Windows®Control Panel. Double-click
Display.
2Click the Settings tab and then the Advanced... button.
3Click the ATI Displays tab.
The ATI Displays tab shows you the display(s) that are
active. The Primary display has the button depressed.
To change the display assignment, click the Primary
display’s button or click the button of the other
display device.
In Windows®2000 clicking the button will reassign
the Primary and Secondary monitors. Clicking the
button creates a clone or mirror image of the Primary
display onto the Secondary display. Clicking the
button extends your desktop to a Secondary display
located to the right of the Primary display. Clicking the
button extends your desktop to a Secondary display
located below the Primary display.
4Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Virtually Repositioning Your Displays
1On the Settings tab, click and drag the appropriate
monitor icon to the desired position. For example, the
secondary display can be dragged to the left of the
primary display, allowing it to be virtually on the left,
as shown below.

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2Click OK or Apply to save the changes.
Ratiometric Expansion
Your RADEON 9800 Series card offers ratiometric
expansion (or digital panel scaling as it is commonly
known). This expands a low resolution image to fill a
higher resolution panel. However, ratiometric expansion
is only available on the Primary display. Therefore, if a
flat panel display (FPD) is set as Secondary, the
Extended Desktop mode is disabled and the resolution is
less than the FPD’s native resolution. This causes the
FPD to default to center mode.

11
ATI Color Tab
The ATI Color tab is used to adjust the color settings.
You can change the red, green and blue display colors.
Desktop brightness and Game Gamma (brightness) can
also be changed.
ATI Color Tab
Desktop
Brightness
This increases or decreases the brightness of your
desktop. The higher the gamma value, the higher
the brightness of your display.
Color Curve
This adjusts the selected color (red, green or blue
check button) by moving the color curve with your
mouse.
Game Gamma
button This accesses Game Gamma Properties.
Defaults
button
This allows you to reset the desktop brightness
and color settings to default values.

12
Clicking the Game Gamma button accesses the Game
Gamma Properties.
Game Gamma Properties
Red Green
Blue sliders
These controls allow you to increase or decrease
the color brightness of Direct 3D and OpenGL
games played in fullscreen mode.
RGB Lock
Uncheck this to adjust the RGB sliders
individually. Check this to adjust all three sliders at
the same time.
Defaults
button
This allows you to reset the Game Gamma
settings to default values.

13
ATI Options Tab
The ATI Options tab provides detailed driver
information and access to the card’s specifications. You
can also enable or disable the ATI taskbar icon.
ATI Options Tab
Version Information
Provides the Catalyst version number, 2D
version number and the driver build
information.
Details button
Provides access to the Details tab which lists
the card’s hardware details and driver
information.
Reactivate all
warning messages
This allows you to reactivate any disabled
graphics warning messages.

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Clicking the Details button provides graphics card,
graphics driver and system information.
Enable ATI taskbar
icon application
Unchecking this allows you to disable the ATI
taskbar applications and removes the ATI
icon from your system tray.
Show ATI icon on
taskbar
Unchecking this allows you to remove the ATI
icon from your system tray without disabling
the ATI icon applications.
Disable quick
resolution feature
Quick resolution feature is accessible by left-
clicking the ATI icon in the system tray.
Checking this option disables this feature.
Reduce DVI
frequency on high-
resolution
Resolves display corruption or no image at
high resolutions (for example 1280x1024
@75Hz) using a digital DVI display. (This
setting has no effect when using a DVI-to-
VGA adapter.)
Alternate DVI
operational mode
Use this option if you are experiencing
display corruption on your DVI flat panel.

15
ATI Overlay Tab
The ATI Overlay tab allows you to configure the
brightness, contrast, saturation, hue and gamma
properties of your video overlay.
Video Overlay
Video overlay allows for the viewing of streaming video
on your PC. However, there is only one video overlay,
which is only available on the Primary display. The
video overlay controls are automatically activated during
playback of any video file type that supports overlay
adjustments.

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Clone Mode Settings
ATI Overlay Tab
Brightness Use this slider to adjust the brightness of the video
image.
Contrast Use this slider to adjust the contrast in the video
image.
Saturation
Use this slider to adjust the vividness of the color.
Sliding it all the way to the left removes all color
and produces a black and white picture.
Hue Use this slider to adjust the pureness or tint of the
red, green and blue components of the color.
Gamma Use this slider to adjust the overall intensity of the
video image.
Clone mode
options
Click this button to access Clone Mode overlay
settings.These settings only apply to video content
when viewed in dual-controller Clone mode.
Defaults
button
This allows you to reset the Overlay settings to
default values.
Theater Mode
This allows you to display video playback in full
screen on a secondary monitor, if available and
enabled.
Clone Mode Options
Standard Video content is displayed on your Primary display
only.
Theater Mode
Video content is displayed on your Primary and
Secondary displays. Video content is displayed on
your Secondary display(s) is always in full screen
mode. Note: your computer must be set for 16-bit
color depth or higher to use this mode.