ENGLISH Matrox Millennium G550 User Guide 10776-301-0205 2011.04.
Hardware installation This section describes how to install your Matrox card. If your Matrox graphics card is already installed in your computer, skip to “Connection setup”, page 6. For information specific to your computer, like how to remove its cover, see your system manual.
2 Choose an expansion slot Most computers have different types of expansion slots. Choose an AGP, PCI, or PCI Express (PCIe) slot, depending on the type of Matrox card you have. If you have a PCI card, your card supports both 64-bit and 32-bit PCI slots. Your system manual should identify the location of each type of expansion slot in your computer.
3 Insert your Matrox card a Position your Matrox card over the expansion slot you’ve chosen. b Push the card in firmly and evenly until it’s fully seated in the slot. c Secure the bracket of your Matrox card to the computer frame. Your Matrox card is now installed. Before restarting your computer, connect your monitor or monitors (see “Connection setup”, page 6). After connecting, restart your computer and install your Matrox software (see “Software installation”, page 11).
Replacing brackets on a low-profile graphics card Most Matrox low-profile graphics cards ship with ATX brackets compatible with most systems. The following explains how to change brackets on your Matrox product. 1 Remove the current bracket from your Matrox graphics card by removing the hexagonal nuts on either side of the monitor connector. 2 Attach and fasten the new bracket with the two hexagonal nuts you just removed.
Connection setup For the purpose of determining your connection setup, there are 4 types of graphics cards: DVI/HD-15 – a DVI (white) and an HD-15 (blue) connector Dual-DVI – two DVI (white) connectors Single-DVI – only a DVI (white) connector LFH-60 – only an LFH-60 (black) connector DVI HD-15 DVI DVI DVI LFH-60 WARNING: Don’t change monitor connections while your computer is turned on.
If you have a DVI/HD-15 graphics card If your Matrox card has a DVI and an HD-15 connector, you can connect up to two monitors directly to your card. Monitor connector (HD-15) HD-15 connector You can use the HD-15 connector on your card to connect an analog monitor. DVI connector You can use the DVI connector on your card to connect a digital monitor. You can also use the DVI connector to connect an analog monitor. You should do this only when there’s already a device connected to the HD-15 connector.
If you have a single-DVI graphics card If your Matrox card only has a DVI connector, you can connect one monitor directly to your card or up to two monitors using a dual-monitor cable. Monitor connector (DVI) DVI connector You can connect a monitor with a DVI connector directly to your card. You can also connect an analog monitor with an HD-15 connector using an analog dual-monitor cable (included with certain Matrox products) or using a DVI-to-HD15 adapter.
WARNING: To avoid damaging the LFH-60 connector on your dual-monitor cable or on your graphics card, carefully insert the connector on your dual-monitor cable as straight as possible into the connector on your graphics card. Specifically, inserting the connectors into each other at an angle is likely to bend and damage the pins on the connector of the dual-monitor cable.
Note: Whenever you change your connection setup, make sure you’re using the correct connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened. Whenever you restart your computer, make sure your monitors are already turned on. Otherwise, the software may not be able to properly detect your monitors. Note: If a TV output adapter is included with your Matrox product, you can use this adapter to connect a TV or video recorder to your Matrox product.
Software installation Note: This guide has references that are specific to the Matrox installation CD-ROM. If your Matrox product wasn’t packaged by Matrox (for example, if it was included with your computer), your product may not include this CD-ROM. If you don’t have this CD-ROM, certain references in this guide may not reflect the software you have. For more information, see other software documentation provided by your system vendor.
Display setup Windows 2000/XP – Your Matrox display driver includes Matrox PowerDesk software. This software helps you get the most out of your Matrox graphics card. This section has important information on how to configure your display settings using Matrox PowerDesk software. Accessing PowerDesk property sheets Many display controls are on Matrox PowerDesk property sheets. You can identify Matrox PowerDesk property sheets by the icon appearing on the tab.
3 If the monitor name listed doesn’t match your monitor, click the Change button to select a new monitor name. Follow the on-screen instructions. For more information on Windows monitor settings, see Windows documentation. If you want to customize your Windows monitor settings (analog monitors only): 1 2 Access the PowerDesk Monitor Settings property sheet (see “Accessing PowerDesk property sheets”, page 12).
TV output You can use the TV output adapter to connect a TV or video recorder to view or record the secondary display of your Matrox graphics card. If a TV output adapter wasn’t included with your Matrox product, you can purchase it separately (see http://shopmatrox.com). This section describes how to use the TV output feature.
If your Matrox card has 2 DVI connectors, use a DVI-to-HD15 adapter to connect the TV output adapter to the secondary DVI connector (B) of your graphics card. 3 TV output adapter Connect video output To connect to a TV or a video recorder, you’ll need a composite video (RCA) or S-video cable. If your video device (a TV or a video recorder) didn’t come with one of these cables, these types of cable are available at most electronics stores.
Optionally, if you use the composite video and S-video connectors on your Matrox TV adapter, you can directly connect two different video devices at the same time. To view and record output from the same Matrox video connector, you can connect it to a video recorder and connect the video recorder to a TV. For more information, see your video recorder and TV manuals. 4 Connect audio output Typically, the sound output from a computer comes from speakers connected to your sound card.
Note: Two TV standards are supported for TV output. The NTSC standard is used in North America and Japan, among other places. The PAL standard is used in most of Western Europe and in China, among other places. If an incorrect TV standard is selected in Matrox software, the output from your computer may not appear or record properly on your TV or your video recorder. To find out what standard your TV or video recorder supports, see its documentation.
Troubleshooting Basic procedures This section explains basic procedures that are referred to by some troubleshooting items in this guide. Restarting in VGA mode Windows 2000/XP – What follows is information on how to restart your computer in VGA mode. 1 Click Start Æ Shut Down Æ Restart Æ OK* to restart your computer. (* Depending on your version and configuration of Windows, this part of the step may not be necessary.
3Cause 1Solution Your computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) may not be up to date. For more information on your computer BIOS, see your system manual. Reinstall your previous graphics card and, if possible, update your computer BIOS. This can usually be done with software from the manufacturer of your computer. Contact your system vendor or manufacturer to get a BIOS update for your computer.
Problem 1Cause 1Solution 2Cause Wrong color balance, screen image off-center, or no picture at all Your monitor video controls may be improperly set. Adjust your monitor controls (brightness, contrast, and so on). For more information, see your monitor manual. Your monitor may not be properly connected. 1Solution Make sure you’re using the correct connectors and that all connectors are properly fastened. 2Solution Make sure the monitor power cable is firmly in place.
Problem 1Cause After the startup screen, or after display settings are changed, the screen image is garbled or unusable (blank screen, rolling or overlapping screen images) The Matrox display driver may be trying to use settings your monitor doesn’t support. This can happen if a monitor was never selected in the software and the display resolution was changed to one your monitor doesn’t support, or if the monitor connected to your computer was changed without changing it in the software.
2 To remove Matrox software, click Start Æ Settings* Æ Control Panel Æ Add or Remove Programs (double-click*) Æ Matrox Graphics Software (remove only) Æ Change/Remove Æ Yes. (* Depending on your version and configuration of Windows, this part of the step may not be necessary.) 3 After removing Matrox software, install the latest display driver for your Matrox graphics card. You may also need to reinstall other Matrox software.
Note: Windows 2000/XP – To check if your monitor settings are properly selected: 1 Right-click your Windows desktop background, then click Properties Æ Settings Æ Advanced Æ Monitor. If you’re using multi-display mode, select a display before clicking Advanced. 2 If you see the name of your monitor or “Plug-and-Play”, your monitor settings are properly selected. If you see the wrong monitor name or Default monitor, your monitor settings aren’t properly selected.
Problem 1Cause 1Solution 2Solution Problem 1Cause 1Solution After game for Windows 2000/XP starts, monitor doesn’t display properly (blank screen, rolling or overlapping screen images) If your game uses a low-resolution (640 × 480 and below), full-screen display mode, your monitor may not support the refresh rate the Matrox driver is using. 1 If the game is still running in full-screen mode and your monitor is unusable, exit the game.
Windows 2000/XP – To check the display adapter’s IRQ: 1Solution 1 Click Start Æ Settings* Æ Control Panel Æ Performance and Maintenance* Æ System (double-click*) Æ Hardware Æ Device Manager. (* Depending on your version and configuration of Windows, this part of the step may not be necessary.) 2 Click the plus sign to the left of the Display adapters. An “X” through an icon means the hardware has been disabled. A circled exclamation point through the icon means the hardware has a problem.
Problem 1Cause Using multiple displays under Windows 2000/XP, program doesn’t work with main graphics card Your main graphics card may not be controlling your primary display. The graphics card that controls your primary display is the one that first displays information when you restart your computer. (A DualHead-supporting graphics card may display this startup information on both of its displays at the same time.
2Solution Windows 2000/XP – For advanced users – To use a program that doesn’t support multidisplay systems, you can disable all displays other than your primary display: 1 Through the DualHead property sheet, make sure the DualHead Multi-Display feature is disabled. To access this property sheet, see “Accessing PowerDesk property sheets”, page 12. 2 Click Start Æ Settings* Æ Control Panel Æ Performance and Maintenance* Æ System (double-click*) Æ Hardware Æ Device Manager.
Note: A unified Matrox display driver may not be available for all the models of Matrox graphics cards installed in your computer (especially for older models). Under Windows 2000/XP, you can use more than one display driver in this case. 2Solution If a graphics card isn’t supported, you may need to remove it. If there’s graphics hardware built into the motherboard of your computer that’s not supported by your software, see your system manual for information on how to disable this graphics hardware.
Problem 1Cause 1Solution Screen image defects appear, program doesn’t run properly, or Windows doesn’t work properly (example: mouse pointer not drawn properly) Some programs may not work properly with some Matrox acceleration. Disable specific types of software acceleration: Windows 2000/XP – 2Solution 1 Access the Matrox PowerDesk Options property sheet (see “Accessing PowerDesk property sheets”, page 12). 2 Clear one or more check boxes, starting with Use device bitmaps caching.
Problem 1Cause 1Solution 2Cause 1Solution 3Cause 1Solution Program window or dialog box doesn’t appear on screen Another window or dialog box may be covering the window or dialog box you want to see. Move, close, or minimize any window or dialog box that may be covering the window or dialog box you want to see. If you’re using multi-display mode, the program window or dialog box may be in a display or on a monitor that’s unusable. (For example, your monitor may not be properly connected or configured.
3Solution 2 If you see a pop-up menu, click Move. If you don’t see a pop-up menu, press [M] (for Move). 3 Press on one of the arrow keys once and move your mouse pointer to where you want the window or dialog box to appear, then click. The program window or dialog box should appear where you clicked. Windows 2000/XP – Use the Move All Windows to Primary Display feature to move the program window or dialog box. Simply press the keyboard shortcut assigned to this feature.
Video The following troubleshooting items address problems related to video files. Problem Video file playback is jerky (skipping frames) Note: Jerky video file playback may be the result of slow playback or recording. Slow recording causes frames to be dropped (frames aren’t recorded). If jerky video is caused by frames that were dropped during recording, the problem can only be fixed by recapturing the video under better conditions. 1Cause 1Solution Your hard disk may be too slow.
1Solution 3Cause Close other programs, including memory-resident programs like System Agent. Your display settings may be too high. As a result, video file playback may not be fully supported by your Matrox hardware. 1Solution Try lowering your display settings. We recommend a 1024 × 768 or lower display resolution with a 16-bit color palette. 4Cause Your Matrox graphics card may be sharing an IRQ (interrupt request) with another PCI card in your computer (for example, a network card).
DVD The following troubleshooting items address problems related to DVD. (For general video-related troubleshooting items, see “Video”, page 32.) Problem 1Cause DVD video playback is jerky (skipping frames) Your DVD drive may be too slow. 1Solution If your DVD drive supports DMA transfers, enable this feature (see page 32). Problem Can’t play certain DVD videos 1Cause A DVD video may not play back because the region setting on your DVD player doesn’t match the region code on the DVD-ROM disc.
2Solution If a video recorder is connected to your Matrox graphics card and the video recorder has a TUNER/LINE switch, set it to LINE. For more information, see your video recorder manual. 3Cause Matrox software may not be set up for TV output. Particularly, the TV standard selected may not be correct. 1Solution 4Cause Windows 2000/XP – see “Software setup”, page 16.
2Cause There may be too many video devices between your video source and destination, or one or more of the video devices may be degrading the quality of the video signal. Demodulators, long cables, cable extensions and improper connections can all affect video signal quality. 1Solution If your video equipment supports it, use S-video connections. For more information, see “Connection setup”, page 6. 2Solution Try changing one or more video devices. 3Solution If possible, use fewer connections.
Sound The following troubleshooting items address problems related to sound cards. Problem Sound doesn’t record, video files play back with no sound, or sound output is distorted or too loud 1Cause If the sound problem is with a particular device (for example, TV or speaker), the volume control on the device itself may need adjusting. 1Solution 2Cause Adjust the volume control on the device itself. Audio cables may be loose or incorrectly wired.
3 Click the Recording button, enable all check boxes in the list box, then click OK. 4 For the Line In and/or Microphone controls, make sure the Volume slider levels are okay (if you’re not sure, try half level), and the appropriate Select check box is enabled. 5 Click Options Æ Properties. 6 Click the Playback button, enable all check boxes in the list box, then click OK.
Display information Your Matrox graphics card is 100% VGA compatible and supports all VESA standards: VBE 2.0 (Super VGA modes), DPMS (energy saving), and DDC-2B (Plug-and-Play monitor). Matrox graphics cards that can support a secondary display have the Matrox DualHead feature. The secondary display of your graphics card only supports a 16- or 32-bit color palette. 3D acceleration is only available with a 16- or 32-bit color palette.
You may experience problems viewing certain types of video (for example, DVD video). If you experience this problem, try lowering your display settings (resolution, color palette, and/or refresh rate). If you’re having problems viewing video with your secondary display, try using your main display instead. For information on changing display settings, see “Display setup”, page 12.
Hardware information Features Millennium G550 Millennium G550 Low-profile PCI Millennium G550 PCIe Matrox G550 Matrox G550 Matrox G550 (256-bit DualBus) (256-bit DualBus) (256-bit DualBus) Main RAMDAC 360 MHz 360 MHz 360 MHz Secondary RAMDAC 230 MHz 230 MHz 230 MHz 32 MB 32 MB 32 MB Graphics chip Memory Memory type DDR (Double Data Rate) DDR (Double Data Rate) DDR (Double Data Rate) SDRAM SDRAM SDRAM DualHead* 9 9 9 9 9 9 AGP 2× and 4× compatible PCI PCIe ×1 ATX or low-profi
Digital monitor information (certain models only) TMDS (Transition Minimized Differential Signaling) encoding based on the Silicon Image PanelLink standard* DDWG (Digital Display Working Group) compliant DVI connector EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) 1.2, 1.3 (without the extended data block), and 2.0 support * While using 2 digital monitors at the same time, certain limitations may apply. For more information, see page 39. Maximum card dimensions for ATX cards (AGP version) ≤ 0.
Maximum card dimensions for low-profile cards (AGP version) ≤ 0.75 in. / ≤ 1.91 cm 6.6 in. / 16.77 cm 0.36 in / 0.91 cm 2.54 in. / 6.
Maximum card dimensions for ATX cards (PCIe version) ≤ 0.75 in. / ≤ 1.91 cm 4.35 in. / 11.05 cm 3.577 in. / 9.09 cm 0.331 in / 0.
Maximum card dimensions for low-profile cards (PCIe version) ≤ 0.75 in. / ≤ 1.91 cm 6.35 in. / 16.13 cm 0.36 in / 0.91 cm 2.712 in. / 6.
Customer support Matrox Web Our Web site has product literature, press releases, technical material, a sales office list, trade show information, and other relevant material. Visit the Matrox Graphics Web site at www.matrox.com/graphics. Technical support Matrox values your business and offers professional support for your Matrox product. If your product was purchased through a Matrox dealer, contact your dealer for product support. This is the quickest and most effective method of technical assistance.
Driver and software download A more recent display driver may support more features and may offer increased capabilities (such as higher display resolutions). Matrox makes the latest display drivers, software, and system utilities available on the Matrox Technical Support Web site (www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/drivers). View your warranty information Matrox makes warranty information available on the Matrox site (www.matrox.com/graphics/en/about/warranty).
Software license agreement Single User Products This Matrox software (the “Software”) is copyrighted by Matrox Graphics Inc. All rights are reserved. The purchaser is granted a license to use the software only, subject to the following restrictions and limitations: 1. The license is for the original purchaser only, and is not transferable without written permission of Matrox. 2. The original purchaser may use the Software on a single computer owned or leased by the original purchaser.
Index A AGP 3 B BIOS I T Installation Hardware 2–4 Software 11 Technical support IRQ Troubleshooting DVD 34 Sound 37–38 TV output 34–36 Video 32–33 24 19, 25, 26 BNC monitor connection Bus mastering 24 CD-ROM, Matrox 25 Connector 9 LFH-60 9 46–47 Customer support TV output Adapter 14 Connection setup 14–16 Software setup 16–17 Troubleshooting 34–36 25 Display Information 39–40 Modes 14 Primary 19, 26 Setup 12–13 13, 36, 39 Monitor Connection setup Setup 12–13 4, 6–10 U Unified displa
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USA FCC Compliance Statement Remark for the Matrox hardware products supported by this guide This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation.
EUROPE (English) European user’s information – Declaration of Conformity Remark for the Matrox hardware products supported by this guide These devices comply with EC Directive 89/336/EEC for a Class B digital device. They have been tested and found to comply with EN55022/CISPR22 and EN55024/CISPR24. In a domestic environment these products may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures.
(Italiano) Questo prodotto incorpora la tecnologia di protezione di copia protetta da uno o più brevetti USA e da altri diritti di proprietà intellettuale di Rovi Corporation. È vietato decodificare o disassemblare il prodotto. (Español) Este producto incorpora tecnología de protección de copia que está protegida por patente(s) de EE. UU. y por otros derechos de propiedad intelectual de Rovi Corporation. La ingeniería inversa y el desmontaje están prohibidos.
Copyright © 2011 Matrox Graphics Inc. • (English) All rights reserved. • (Français) Tous droits réservés. • (Deutsch) Alle Rechte vorbehalten. • (Italiano) Tutti i diritti riservati. • (Español) Reservados todos los derechos. Trademarks • Marques déposées • Warenzeichen • Marchi registrati • Marcas registradas Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd. / Matrox Graphics Inc..................................................
Matrox TV-output Release Note /10945-401-0100 2008.01.28 These notes contain important information about your Matrox graphics card. Due to the last-minute nature of these notes, they’re in English only. We apologize for the inconvenience. Remark for the Matrox TV-output adapter WARNING: Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause harmful interference in which case the user will be required to correct the interference at his own expense.
and found to comply with EN55022/CISPR22 and EN55024/CISPR24. In a domestic environment these products may cause radio interference in which case the user may be required to take adequate measures. To meet EC requirements, shielded cables must be used to connect the monitor and other peripherals to the card. These products have been tested in a typical class A compliant host system. It is assumed that these products will also achieve compliance in any class A compliant system.
(English) Disclaimer THE INFORMATION IN THIS GUIDE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT NOTICE. Matrox Graphics Inc. reserves the right to make changes in specifications at any time and without notice. The information provided by this document is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed by Matrox Graphics Inc. for its use; nor for any infringements of patents or other rights of third parties resulting from its use.
Matrox Graphics Inc. 1055 Saint Regis Boulevard Dorval, Quebec, Canada H9P 2T4 North America: 1-800-361-1408 International: (514) 822-6000 Email: graphics@matrox.com Web site: www.matrox.com/graphics Technical support: www.matrox.com/graphics/support To locate the sales office nearest you, visit www.matrox.
