Thread: Newbie problem: aspect ratios, TVs and no xorg.config

hi all

first post, please gentle...

have installed ubuntu (lucid) onto dell optiplex gx280 - pleased , it's better (in every way) windows. using gnome xbmc. onboard graphics "integrated intel extreme graphics".

plugging dell monitor (just regular 1280x1024 panel) works fine, including xbmc, totem and... well, everything. however, when move box through living room , plug panasonic x10 hd ready plasma (using vga cable - box doesn't have hdmi or dvi output) aspect ratio seems wrong.

x10 funny beast it's 16:9 tv native resolution of 1024x768, distinctly rectangular pixels. want allow in linux (both gnome , xbmc) when play dvds , display photos.

i've done fair bit of googling haven't found solution i'm competent enough perform (remember i'm complete newbie , still getting grips sudos , apt-gets , like!). seems solutions involve editing xorg.config file - install doesn't generate/use 1 of these. alternatively, xrandr seems have funky options after reading man page, i'm stuck should do.

clear, system working - resolution correct, it's i'm not sure how configure recognise have pixels wider high... means can't use machine watch dvds or display pictures @ moment (one of purposes!)

i'm sure haven't given enough information, let me know if there's else needed i'd grateful or guidance more experienced , knowledgable me!!

tia...

paul

update:

stopped x tty , ran sudo x -configure has generated fresh xorg.conf file. display sections follows:

code:

section "monitor"     identifier   "monitor0"     vendorname   "monitor vendor"     modelname    "monitor model" endsection  section "device"         ### available driver options are:-         ### values: <i>: integer, <f>: float, <bool>: "true"/"false",         ### <string>: "string", <freq>: "<f> hz/khz/mhz"         ### [arg]: arg optional         #option     "noaccel"                # [<bool>]         #option     "swcursor"               # [<bool>]         #option     "colorkey"               # <i>         #option     "cachelines"             # <i>         #option     "dac6bit"                # [<bool>]         #option     "dri"                    # [<bool>]         #option     "noddc"                  # [<bool>]         #option     "showcache"              # [<bool>]         #option     "xvmcsurfaces"           # <i>         #option     "pageflip"               # [<bool>]     identifier  "card0"     driver      "intel"     vendorname  "intel corporation"     boardname   "82915g/gv/910gl integrated graphics controller"     busid       "pci:0:2:0" endsection  section "screen"     identifier "screen0"     device     "card0"     monitor    "monitor0"     subsection "display"         viewport   0 0         depth     1     endsubsection     subsection "display"         viewport   0 0         depth     4     endsubsection     subsection "display"         viewport   0 0         depth     8     endsubsection     subsection "display"         viewport   0 0         depth     15     endsubsection     subsection "display"         viewport   0 0         depth     16     endsubsection     subsection "display"         viewport   0 0         depth     24     endsubsection endsection

but i'm stuck again... don't want b*gger system making changes give me dreaded black screen...

tips? @ moment config file above not in /etc/x11 - it's x dumped it, i.e. in ~

tia.

edit: further update:

bit bullet , copied xorg.conf file /etc/x11 , edited it. stuck in displaysize 400 225 which, think, corresponds 16:9. has had no effect! not sure whether or bad thing, mind, of "effects" i've been able conjure have involved rebooting or worse

however, in totem can set aspect ratio 4:3 , seems make anamorphic film stretch fill screen (somewhat counterintuitive, though...). better, in xbmc i've found can calibrate video settings ensure things displayed square , true. has fixed issues programs need (as displaying pictures in xbmc) i'm happy now.

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