In order to display the video output from the OtsAV to a 2nd display, a dual-head video card is required. Some video cards use the term "TV Out", which can also be considered a dual-head card. There are many different types of dual-head video cards currently available. Most recent video cards from ATI and Nvidia have dual-head options. The amount of video memory (or RAM) on the video card is not important. OtsAV has been tested using a dual-head video card with as little as 32mb of ram.
Other brands of dual-head video cards may work with OtsAV, however ATI and Nvidia cards have been tested extensively. If you are not using an ATI or Nvidia dual-head video card, we suggest downloading an OtsAV Trial version, and testing it with your existing video card.
Enabling your 2nd display
The output of OtsAV use the 2nd head of your dual-head video card. Windows needs to be setup so that the 2nd display is enabled, and Extended Desktop is used.
To extend your Desktop onto your 2nd display, follow the steps below.
Plug a TV (or a second monitor) into the 2nd output on your video card (on laptops this may be an s-video connection). Turn the 2nd display on.
Right-click on your Desktop and select Properties.
Click on the Settings tab.
A window showing two monitors should now be visible. Click on the monitor labelled 2.
If you are prompted to Enable this monitor, select Yes.
Check the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor check-box.
Change the resolution of your 2nd display to 720x480 or higher (for NTSC), or 720x576 or higher (for PAL). (Set the resolution higher if you are running OtsAV in ED or HD-720p mode, are using a component/HDMI interface and have an HD-capable display. E.g. 720p (1280 x 720) at 50 Hz (NTSC) or 59.94/60 Hz (PAL)).
Note: If these resolutions are not visible within the Display Properties Window, you will need to enter the driver software for your video card to adjust this setting.
You should now see an extension of your Desktop on your 2nd display. Click on the Identify button. If you momentarily see the number 2 on your second display, you have setup your dual display correctly.
Tip: Your video card driver should NOT use any settings where the video played on your main display is played full-screen on your 2nd display. For ATI card owners, this setting is called Theater Mode, and should be disabled. For Nvidia card owners, this setting is called Full Screen Video, and should be disabled.
Note: Nvidia video card owners should adjust the brightness, contrast and color settings for the overlay output (2nd display) using the Nvidia driver software, as the current driver sets defaults to an unusually dark setting. Consult your Nvidia video card documentation to learn how to adjust these settings.
ATI video card owners don't need to make these adjustments, as the default settings are as they should be.
NTSC or PAL
To achieve the best possible image on your 2nd display (TV), you need to make sure your video card is set to the correct system (NTSC or PAL), depending on which country you live in. Most video card software will allow you to select the output standard by country.
Consult your video card documentation for further details.
Overscan
Overscan is an area of your 2nd display that cannot be seen, as it is normally in the outer-most area of the display, behind the housing of the 2nd display. Enabling Overscan on your 2nd display will ensure that the video image is filling the entire display. Consult the instruction manual for your video card to enable Overscan mode.
Fine Tuning your video card
Most dual head video cards can send a video image to the 2nd display automatically, whenever a video is played. This feature needs to be disabled when using OtsAV for video/CD+G playback.
ATI video card users, click here.
Nvidia video card users, click here.
Setting up an ATI Dual-head video card for OtsAV
Ensure your 2nd display is enabled. (using Windows Display properties or ATI Catalyst)
Extend your Windows Desktop onto the 2nd display. (using Windows Display properties)
Within the ATI Catalyst panel, click on the Video section. Click on the "Theater Mode" option. Ensure both options within the "Overlay Display Mode" area are set to "standard".
Click on TV Properties.
Select the "Adjustments" option.
Make sure "Overscan" is enabled. (You may need to move the slider left, then right again)
Run OtsAV.
Go to the menu OPTIONS -> VIDEO/CD+G and enable the Video Subsystem. Once you can see the three monitors in OtsAV, all video options can be selected by right-clicking your mouse on the center monitor.
Open the video menu (right-click on center monitor) and select VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> ASSIGNED HEAD -> 2ND.
Open the video menu and select VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> HEAD TYPE (1ST) -> PC.
Open the video menu and select VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> HEAD TYPE (ADDITIONAL) -> 4:3/16:9 TV.
Finally, enable the Overlay if it isn't already. VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> OVERLAY ENABLED.
You should now see the blue OtsAV logo on your second display.
Setting up an Nvidia Dual-head video card for OtsAV
Ensure your 2nd display is enabled. (using Windows Display properties or Nvidia drivers)
Extend your Windows Desktop onto the 2nd display. (using Windows Display properties)
Within the Nvidia drivers, click on the Full Screen Video section. Click on the Full Screen Device drop-down box, and select Disable.
Run OtsAV.
Go to the menu OPTIONS -> VIDEO/CD+G and enable the Video Subsystem. Once you can see the three monitors in OtsAV, all video options can be selected by right-clicking your mouse on the center monitor.
Open the video menu (right-click on center monitor) and select VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> ASSIGNED HEAD -> 2ND.
Open the video menu and select VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> HEAD TYPE (1ST) -> PC.
Open the video menu and select VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> HEAD TYPE (ADDITIONAL) -> 4:3/16:9 TV.
Finally, enable the Overlay if it isn't already. VIDEO CARD OVERLAY OUTPUT -> OVERLAY ENABLED.
You should now see the blue OtsAV logo on your second display.
Note: At the time of creating this documentation, it has been reported that Intel video cards used under Windows Vista have problematic drivers. Feedback suggests that replacing the Vista drivers for the Intel video card with XP drivers for the card resolves problems associated with using multiple displays.