output to 1980x1080 screen chops top and bottom of display

[Tony Pursell]

On Sat, 2010-11-27 at 00:44 -0500, Doug wrote:
> On 11/26/2010 09:40 PM, Verde Denim wrote: 
> > I'm running 10.04.1 LTS and just put my Panasonic 42" screen up (my
> > old monitor went dead a day or so back). I have the nvidia utility
> > loaded, and it seems to detect the 1920 x 1080 just fine, but the
> > top and bottom bars of the display are not visible. If I move the
> > mouse up so that it is off-screen, I can find the apps and
> > preferences drop-downs, but can't minimize any open windows as they
> > would be "lost" since I can't see the bottom either. Is there any
> > way of adjusting the display so that these bars are visible? I've
> > tried other resolutions which don't help. In reading through some of
> > the forum messages there seems to be some possibility with xrandr
> > and xbmc (although this seems to be a utility for tv and not for
> > actual desktop operation). Any input, as always, is appreciated.
> > 
> > Thanks...
> > 
> > Jack
> > 
> This sounds like normal TV operation.  For TV, there are some scan
> lines that are used for technical information, rather than 
> viewable picture, so the TV is deliberately set up so as not to show
> them.  There may be a setup routine for the screen that allows 
> you to show the full raster.  (It may be as simple as a video height
> adjust control somewhere on the unit--nowadays, almost surely
> digital--i.e., you hold a button or something down while the size
> shrinks or increases to your satisfaction and then you let go.)
> Even many standard size monitors have such a control. I sort of doubt
> that there is any adjustment in the computer software, Linux 
> or otherwise.   --doug
> 
No, not quite that.  You might have seen these extra scan lines on an
old analogue CRT tv, but not on a modern flat screen digital one.  What
you have is called overscan. Manufacturers set the picture size slightly
larger than the screen size so the picture edge is not showing.  The
proprietary nvidia driver should have a section of settings for your
screen which includes overscan correction.  I use my Panasonic Viera tv
as a screen for my Asus Revo and that is exactly what I have to use.
You have to change this setting for every user (unless you can do
something clever with the default new user settings)

Tony