Invalid Format (HDMI TV connection)

[mjslakeridge]

My normal setup is to run 2 monitors (21") connected to my GPU (GeForce 7600GT) using it's DVI-D single phase connections. Refresh rate is set at 75hz and the resolution is 1280x1024, which is each monitors native resolution. Everything looks and works great.

Wanting to watch some of the college football bowl games on my tv (LG 42LN5200), streaming over Watch ESPN on the computer, I connected my TV via a HDMI cable to one of the DVI-D ports on the GPU using a DVI-D to HDMI adapter. When I turn on the TV and select HDMI as the input source, the tv shows the message "Invalid Format", and does not display any picture. According to the TV's owners manual the native resolution for HDMI is 1920x1060 at a refresh rate of 60hz.

So I open up the NVIDEA Control Panel and it sees the LG TV and I have the resolution set to 1920x1080 and the refresh rate set to 60hz, but no picture appears.

It is only when I change the refresh rate to 30hz in the NVIDEA settings do I get a picture on the TV, although it is not the greatest. Is there a limitation in the DVI-D ports that is causing this issue?

I plan on going to MicroCenter later today to pick up a new GPU that has 1 DVI-I port, 1 DVI-D port and 1 Mini Hdmi port, so I plan to get a mini Hdmi to Hdmi adapter to connect the Hdmi cable to the TV's HDMI port.

The GPU I plan on buying is the GeForce GT710 2GB. I know it is not a high end GPU by any means, but I do not play any games on my computer. It is used only for internet browsing, and watching of live and recorded TV, Excel/Word Documents, Playing of Mp3 files, etc.

Should I be OK hooking up the TV via HDMI and setting the resolution to 60HZ?

 

[n3cw4rr10r]

Why a gt 710? You can get a gtx 1050 for 100 bucks with a full hdmi connection. Also you shouldnt need to set the refresh rate. The software will auto detect the TV's optimal settings and set it.

 

[mjslakeridge]

I got the gt 710 because I am not a gamer, and it cost me only $20 after rebate. (List price $64.99, Sales price $39.99, $20 mail in rebate). I know it is low-end, but a step up from the 10 year old card I had (although I will probably throw that one in an old XP computer I have if I can find XP drivers). I already installed the GT 710 and loaded the drivers, etc., and it seems to be working fine. I will run some benchmarks on it later.

Micro center didn't have a HDMI to Mini HDMI adapter (at a reasonable price) so I will find one online. It will be a while before I can test the TV with the HDMI connection, but I will probably test it later with the DVI to HDMI converter I already have to see if it now auto detects the TV's optimal settings.

Edit: I found the HDMI to Mini HDMI adapter on Amazon for $3.50 with free shipping so it should be here in a week or so.