Sluggish outputting at 1920 x 1080

[justjax]

So I've had my current Windows Media Center PC for about 18 month or so and until yesterday I had both a 40" TV and a Dell monitor attached to it. Dell monitor was older and didn't output at 1920 x 1080 so it default back to 1680 x 1050 for both n a perm basis. That was fine, but having got rid of the Dell yesteday the Media Center then auto outputted to 1920 x 1080 and I was loving the extra sharpness but I've noticed a little bit of sluggishness when playing video and also if I use the keyboard there seems a milli second delay the cursor moving, navigating menus, etc.

Any thoughts on how to optimise things so that the power needed is focused on Windows Media Center and video output?

Spec is Asus F1A75-M Case : Antec NSK 2480 MATX , AMD64 Llano A4 3400 Dual Core 2.7GHz Processor with APU, Socket FM1, HD Graphics Controller and 4GB RAM. Windows 7 Pro.

[STC]

Check refresh rate @1920x1080.

[justjax]

Check refresh rate @1920x1080.

It's 60Hz. What should it be?

[CyberSimian]

It's 60Hz. What should it be?

50Hz, if you are in the UK (or in any country that has a 50Hz electric mains).

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

[STC]

Try setting up the TV part of Media Center again whilst running the new resolution.

Hint: If you didn't already know, during the process, picking TV (not flat panel) gives you 1:1 pixel mapping without overscan.

[CyberSimian]

If you didn't already know, during the process, picking TV (not flat panel) gives you 1:1 pixel mapping without overscan.

I tried this setting when I was originally experimenting with different setups, but I found that it affects the colour rendering. Specifically, on my Toshiba LCD TV, picking the "TV" setting in Media Center results in a washed-out appearance compared to using the "Flat Panel" setting.

Also, on my TV I get overscan on the Windows desktop (there is no setting on the TV to eliminate this), so to avoid overscan I use a custom screen size of 1228x690 (set in Nvidia Control panel, and selected again during MC setup), plus the "Flat Panel" setting to avoid the washed-out colours.

-- from CyberSimian in the UK

[STC]

^That must be a PAL thing?
NTSC does not produce a washed out picture, and the procedure is recommended over here for best PQ. Interesting info though thanks.

[justjax]

Thanks all. I did the Media Center set up wizard and its changed it to 1920 x 1080 at least within WMC. Didn't have a chance last night to try it properly but will try it tonight. Hopefully its fine.