vi

Installing Software and Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Installing Drivers and Software in Windows®

21

Monitor Configuration

22

To set up a multi-monitor display

23

Reinstalling Drivers

23

Installing the Catalyst™ Software Suite

24

Catalyst™ Control Center

27

Launching Catalyst™ Control Center

27

Catalyst™ Control Center Dashboard

30

Catalyst™ Control Center Views

31

Hotkeys Manager

32

Profiles Manager

33

Preferences

35

Help

38

Information Center

39

Displays Manager

40

Displays Manager Advanced View

41

Display Options

46

Monitor Properties

49

Avivo™ Color

54

HDTV Support

55

3D

58

Standard Settings

59

Anti-aliasing

61

Set the Anti-Aliasing preference manually

61

Adaptive Anti-aliasing

63

Anisotropic Filtering

63

Catalyst™ A.I.

65

Mipmap Detail Level

67

Adjust the Mipmap detail level

67

All Settings

68

API Specific

71

Color

73

Color Desktop

74

Color - FullScreen 3D

77

Avivo™ Video for Radeon® X1000 Series

78

Standard Settings

79

VPU Recover

88

Using TV Display and Capture Features . . . . . . . 93

Using TV Out

93

Connecting to HDTV

95

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ATI Technologies X1550 SERIES manual Installing Software and Drivers, Using TV Display and Capture Features

X1550 SERIES specifications

The ATI Technologies X1550 series, released in 2006, is a key component of the Radeon line aimed at delivering affordable yet capable graphics performance for entry-level desktop and mobile computing. This graphics card series is based on the RV530 architecture, which was designed to offer strong visual quality and a variety of features suited for mainstream users.

One of the standout characteristics of the X1550 series is its support for DirectX 9.0c and Shader Model 3.0. This enables the card to handle a range of graphics-intensive applications and games that utilize advanced shading techniques, providing a richer visual experience. Additionally, the inclusion of OpenGL support empowers software development for applications in CAD and 3D rendering, making it versatile for both gamers and professional users alike.

The X1550 series caters to various segments with different configurations, including the X1550 Pro, X1550, and X1550 XT. Users can expect these cards to come equipped with 128MB to 512MB of GDDR2 or GDDR3 memory, depending on the model. The memory bandwidth and capacity enhance the ability to render graphics smoothly even at higher resolutions, ensuring that users can enjoy a decent gaming experience on budget.

Another significant feature of the X1550 series is its implementation of ATI’s Avivo technology, which enhances video playback and enables high-quality video encoding. Avivo includes features such as UVD (Unified Video Decoder), allowing for efficient video playback and improved power management, which is especially beneficial for laptops.

The card also supports ATI's CrossFire multi-GPU technology, which allows users to link multiple graphics cards for enhanced performance in gaming and graphic rendering tasks. This scalability ensures that even entry-level graphics solutions can meet the demands of more modern applications when combined with another compatible card.

In terms of connectivity, the X1550 series comes with various output options, including DVI and VGA outputs, ensuring compatibility with a wide array of monitors. Some models also support HDMI, enabling users to connect to high-definition displays for an expanded viewing experience.

Overall, the ATI Technologies X1550 series stands out as a cost-effective solution for users seeking decent graphics performance without the financial investment associated with higher-end models. Its balance of features, from support for modern graphics APIs to video playback technologies, makes it a noteworthy option for entry-level gaming and general multimedia tasks.