I am running a 16:9 ratio TV and would like to know how to get the video on WinAmp to display across the entire screen. When running it with HDMI,S-VHS, or component (using an external video card), it crops the ends. Have tried setting the computer to the TV's native resolution with no luck. Something I'm missing?

Most widescreen TVs have a selector button or setting that lets you stretch out the input signal wider. It is meant to allow a non-widescreen 4:3 image fill out the wider 16:9 screen. That might explain what you are seeing.

Unfortunately that's not the problem. My computer has a 16:9 native as well. I can stretch the output on the screen, but then lose resolution. (Outputting 1080i from my computer into component cables). The visualization is capable of 1920X1080... so not the problem there. I "should" be able to full screen the visualization on the TV set. It's cropping at the top and bottom unless I stretch it. This brings the resolution down to around 720ish I'm assuming.

Oh. I thought it you meant it was cropping the sides.

All TVs have some overscan. Some TV's have over 10% overscan. Maybe that is what you are seeing. Many TVs have a maintenance mode which will allow you to adjust the amount of overscan.

My video card has TV out and I lose a bit of image when I play a video onto my standard TV. I think it is actually displaying the contents of the hardware video buffer. When I researched this issue via google I found it was a common issue. For a solution it seemes that some video boards have a way of adding a bit of border to the image to compensate for the TV overscan. My video board cannot seem to do this so I've learned to live with it.

Thanks I made some adjustments and it's now working. The cards I am using have adjustments for everything (which they should at the price they were)

If your TV if a RPTV, have the TV ISF calibrated, they'll remove most of the overscan. Won't ever get perfect like a direct view LCD or plasma set though.

My big set does 1920x1080 as well (Sony 70" SXRD) but there's a bit of overscan as well.

My LCDs are all 1366x768, but they display it just like a regular computer screen, exactly edge to edge.

Wasn't in the TV. I have calibrated the TV myself using AVIA HD. Adjusted the CRTs manually, focused, adjusted red push, full convergence adjustments, static focus...I know it's not a full ISF, but for the price.. picture looks great.

Slightly off topic:

Personally going to be going with Plasma when I buy my new house this summer. After looking at several LCD vs Plasmas, I prefer what plasma has to offer. The new Pannys have around 60,000 hour half lifes now, so not concerned about that. I don't like the fact that there is a lot of artifacts on LCD when there is high speed motion and they just plain aren't big enough for my taste. Problem with using a front projection system is that I don't like the contrast. You can only get so much even when using a silver toned screen.

Rob, check the Sony XBR SXRD's. The plasmas didn't compare in quality of picture. Granted this TV is in my basement so the light is controlled. I like knowing I can replace the bulb and have a picture like the day I bought it, unlike a plasma that loses brightness and contrast every day. It may have a 60,000 hour life, but it gradually dims over time until that 60,000 hour life expires.

Upstairs I have all LCD because they are all 42" or less. I have no ghosting issues, but the LCDs are all 8ms or less.

Front projection has great contrast in a light controlled room and a wall painted with flat white ceiling paint. I demod a Sony Qualia projector for a week, but it was $10K for the projector vs $5500 for the Sony 70". Since I had already spent about $10K on the speakers/etc, I went with the RP screen for now. I have the ceiling wired for the projector if I want to upgrade later.

I have a 42" RPTV that just blew up, so I MAY replace that one with a plasma because I might replace it with a 50" screen... however Sam's has a 60" Vizio plasma that is only three grand. I have a 37" vizio LCD in our bedroom and it's a great screen.

Since were already off topic ...

This is me in Las Vegas last year at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in front of a 102 inch plasma display. Would that be big enough for ya!