A listing of Common VIDEO MODE-LINES.

[Jade]

A list of Common
Video Mode-Lines.

http://linuxhelp.150m.com/resources/modelines.htm
http://linux.50webs.org/resources/modelines.htm

Here is a list of commonly used modelines.

If you need a modeline for your X-configuration, try one of these.

WARNING: Before using any of the following modelines, check your monitor's specifications. Do not use a refresh rate, or an hsync value, higher than those specified. Be careful, running a monitor at a higher speed than its designed for, can easily damage it.

If you wish, you can double check the validity of the modelines online, at:

http://www.dkfz-heidelberg.de/spec/linux/modeline/

So, lets look at an example of a modeline. The commented line (the line beginning with a #) is just a label describing the modeline. The line beginning with ModeLine is the real thing.

# 1280x1024 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 64.0kHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync

We split up the modeline to more easily describe the pieces. This is how I understand it:

ModeLine Indicates a modeline in your xorg.conf file.
"1280x1024" A short label naming the mode (used in the screen section of xorg.conf).
Pixel-Clock (Dot-Clock) frequency in MHz.
108.0 The crystal on your card will be run at 108MHz = 108,000,000 pixels/second.
Horizontal Timings (one pixel corresponds to 1/108,000,000 seconds).
1280 Time to scan across visible screen = 1280 pixels (horizontal resolution).
1328 Time delay of 1328 - 1280 = 48 pixels.
1440 Time taken for beam to return to left of screen = 1440 - 1328 = 112 pixels.
1688 Time delay of 1688 - 1440 = 248 pixels.
Vertical Timings (one horizontal scan corresponds to 1,688/108,000,000 seconds).
1024 Time to scan entire visible screen = 1024 horizontal scans (vertical resolution).
1025 Time delay of 1025 - 1024 = 1 horizontal scan below the visible screen.
1028 Time for the beam to return to the top = 1028 - 1025 = 3 horizontal scans.
1066 Time delay of 1066 - 1028 = 38 horizontal scans.
Various flags, e.g., Interlace, DoubleScan, Composite, +HSync, -VSync, +CSync, etc.
+hsync Indicates the polarity of the hsync signal.
+vsync Indicates the polarity of the vsync signal.

The Horizontal Timings are measured in pixels:
In the example, one pixel corresponds to 1/108,000,000 = 0.00000000926 seconds.

The Vertical Timings are measured in horizontal scans:
In the example, one horizontal scan corresponds to 1,688/108,000,000 = 0.0000156 seconds.

During the various time delays, no signal is displayed. Hence, the signal is free to be used to instruct the beam to return to the left, or the top, of the screen (the horizontal and vertical sync pulses) or to encode other information, such as, the color burst signal, which provides the phase and amplitude reference for subsequent color information.

The modeline itself, is an abstraction of the electronic signals necessary to display content on a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) and the various delays, were designed to give the electronics time to do its thing. For example, the magnetic field strength needed to change the direction of the electron beam, is quite high, and some delay is necessary for the field (and thus the electron beam) to stabilize.

By adjusting the time delays, the visible screen can be moved up and down, or left and right.

In linux terminology, a modeline is:

ModeLine "Name" DotClock hdisp hsyncstart hsyncend htotal vdisp vsyncstart vsyncend vtotal flags
ModeLine "1280x1024" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync

The Vertical Frequency = DotClock/(htotal x vtotal) = 108,000,000/(1688 x 1066) = 60Hz
The vertical frequency is often called the Refresh Rate.

The Horizontal Frequency = DotClock/htotal = 108,000,000/1688 = 64.0kHz
The horizontal frequency is often called the HSync Rate.

For more authoritative information see: XFree86 Video Timings HOWTO

The VESA modelines are from a list in the Linux kernel source. The unsourced entries were acquired from a leading graphics company.

# 640x400 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 37.9kHz
ModeLine "640x400" 31.5 640 672 736 832 400 401 404 445 -hsync +vsync
# 720x400 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 37.9kHz
ModeLine "720x400" 35.5 720 756 828 936 400 401 404 446 -hsync +vsync
# 640x480 @ 60Hz (Industry standard) hsync: 31.5kHz
ModeLine "640x480" 25.2 640 656 752 800 480 490 492 525 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480 @ 100Hz hsync: 50.9kHz
Modeline "640x480" 43.163 640 680 744 848 480 481 484 509 +hsync +vsync
# 640x480 @ 72Hz (VESA) hsync: 37.9kHz
ModeLine "640x480" 31.5 640 664 704 832 480 489 491 520 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 37.5kHz
ModeLine "640x480" 31.5 640 656 720 840 480 481 484 500 -hsync -vsync
# 640x480 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 43.3kHz
ModeLine "640x480" 36.0 640 696 752 832 480 481 484 509 -hsync -vsync
# 768x576 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 35.82 kHz; pclk: 34.96 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 34.96 768 792 872 976 576 577 580 597 -hsync +vsync
# 768x576 @ 72 Hz (GTF) hsync: 43.27 kHz; pclk: 42.93 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 42.93 768 800 880 992 576 577 580 601 -hsync +vsync
# 768x576 @ 75 Hz (GTF) hsync: 45.15 kHz; pclk: 45.51 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 45.51 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 602 -hsync +vsync
# 768x576 @ 85 Hz (GTF) hsync: 51.42 kHz; pclk: 51.84 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 51.84 768 808 888 1008 576 577 580 605 -hsync +vsync
# 768x576 @ 100 Hz (GTF) hsync: 61.10 kHz; pclk: 62.57 MHz
ModeLine "768x576" 62.57 768 816 896 1024 576 577 580 611 -hsync +vsync
# 800x600 @ 56Hz (VESA) hsync: 35.2kHz
ModeLine "800x600" 36.0 800 824 896 1024 600 601 603 625 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 37.9kHz
ModeLine "800x600" 40.0 800 840 968 1056 600 601 605 628 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600 @ 72Hz (VESA) hsync: 48.1kHz
ModeLine "800x600" 50.0 800 856 976 1040 600 637 643 666 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 46.9kHz
ModeLine "800x600" 49.5 800 816 896 1056 600 601 604 625 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 53.7kHz
ModeLine "800x600" 56.3 800 832 896 1048 600 601 604 631 +hsync +vsync
# 800x600 @ 100Hz hsync: 63.6kHz
Modeline "800x600" 68.179 800 848 936 1072 600 601 604 636 +hsync +vsync

[Jade]

# 1024x600 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 37.32 kHz; pclk: 48.96 MHz
ModeLine "1024x600" 48.96 1024 1064 1168 1312 600 601 604 622 -hsync +vsync
# 1024x768i @ 43Hz (industry standard) hsync: 35.5kHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 44.9 1024 1032 1208 1264 768 768 776 817 +hsync +vsync Interlace
# 1024x768 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 48.4kHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 65.0 1024 1048 1184 1344 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
# 1024x768 @ 70Hz (VESA) hsync: 56.5kHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 75.0 1024 1048 1184 1328 768 771 777 806 -hsync -vsync
# 1024x768 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 60.0kHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 78.8 1024 1040 1136 1312 768 769 772 800 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 68.7kHz
ModeLine "1024x768" 94.5 1024 1072 1168 1376 768 769 772 808 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768 @ 100Hz hsync: 81.4kHz
Modeline "1024x768" 113.309 1024 1096 1208 1392 768 769 772 814 +hsync +vsync
# 1024x768 @ 120Hz hsync: 98.8kHz
Modeline "1024x768" 139.054 1024 1104 1216 1408 768 769 772 823 +hsync +vsync
# 1152x768 @ 55Hz hsync: 44.2kHz
Modeline "1152x768" 65.00 1152 1178 1314 1472 768 771 777 806 +hsync +vsync
# 1152x864 @ 60Hz hsync: 53.7kHz
Modeline "1152x864" 81.642 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 865 868 895 +hsync +vsync
# 1152x864 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 67.5kHz
ModeLine "1152x864" 108.0 1152 1216 1344 1600 864 865 868 900 +hsync +vsync
# 1152x864 @ 85Hz hsync: 77kHz
Modeline "1152x864" 119.651 1152 1224 1352 1552 864 865 868 907 +hsync +vsync
# 1152x864 @ 100Hz hsync: 91.5kHz
Modeline "1152x864" 143.472 1152 1232 1360 1568 864 865 868 915 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x768 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 47.70 kHz; pclk: 80.14 MHz
ModeLine "1280x768" 80.14 1280 1344 1480 1680 768 769 772 795 -hsync +vsync
# 1280x800 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 49.68 kHz; pclk: 83.46 MHz
ModeLine "1280x800" 83.46 1280 1344 1480 1680 800 801 804 828 -hsync +vsync
# 1280x960 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 60.0kHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 108.0 1280 1376 1488 1800 960 961 964 1000 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x960 @ 75Hz hsync: 75.1kHz
Modeline "1280x960" 129.859 1280 1368 1504 1728 960 961 964 1002 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x960 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 85.9kHz
ModeLine "1280x960" 148.5 1280 1344 1504 1728 960 961 964 1011 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x960 @ 100Hz hsync: 101.7kHz
Modeline "1280x960" 178.992 1280 1376 1520 1760 960 961 964 1017 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 64.0kHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 108.0 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 80.0kHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 135.0 1280 1296 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 91.1kHz
ModeLine "1280x1024" 157.5 1280 1344 1504 1728 1024 1025 1028 1072 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 100Hz hsync: 108.5kHz
Modeline "1280x1024" 190.96 1280 1376 1520 1760 1024 1025 1028 1085 +hsync +vsync
# 1280x1024 @ 120Hz hsync: 131.6kHz
Modeline "1280x1024" 233.793 1280 1384 1528 1776 1024 1025 1028 1097 +hsync +vsync
# 1368x768 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 47.70 kHz; pclk: 85.86 MHz
ModeLine "1368x768" 85.86 1368 1440 1584 1800 768 769 772 795 -hsync +vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 60Hz M9 Laptop mode, hsync: 65kHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 122.00 1400 1488 1640 1880 1050 1052 1064 1082 +hsync +vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 72 Hz (GTF) hsync: 78.77 kHz; pclk: 149.34 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 149.34 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1094 -hsync +vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 75 Hz (GTF) hsync: 82.20 kHz; pclk: 155.85 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 155.85 1400 1496 1648 1896 1050 1051 1054 1096 -hsync +vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 85 Hz (GTF) hsync: 93.76 kHz; pclk: 179.26 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 179.26 1400 1504 1656 1912 1050 1051 1054 1103 -hsync +vsync
# 1400x1050 @ 100 Hz (GTF) hsync: 111.20 kHz; pclk: 214.39 MHz
ModeLine "1400x1050" 214.39 1400 1512 1664 1928 1050 1051 1054 1112 -hsync +vsync
# 1440x900 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 55.92 kHz; pclk: 106.47 MHz
ModeLine "1440x900" 106.47 1440 1520 1672 1904 900 901 904 932 -hsync +vsync
# 1440x1050 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 126.27 MHz
ModeLine "1440x1050" 126.27 1440 1536 1688 1936 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
# 1600x1000 @ 60Hz hsync: 62.1kHz
Modeline "1600x1000" 133.142 1600 1704 1872 2144 1000 1001 1004 1035 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1000 @ 75Hz hsync: 78.3kHz
Modeline "1600x1000" 169.128 1600 1704 1880 2160 1000 1001 1004 1044 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1000 @ 85Hz hsync: 89.2kHz
Modeline "1600x1000" 194.202 1600 1712 1888 2176 1000 1001 1004 1050 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1000 @ 100Hz hsync: 105.9kHz
Modeline "1600x1000" 232.133 1600 1720 1896 2192 1000 1001 1004 1059 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1024 @ 60Hz hsync: 63.6kHz
Modeline "1600x1024" 136.385 1600 1704 1872 2144 1024 1027 1030 1060 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1024 @ 75Hz hsync: 80.2kHz
Modeline "1600x1024" 174.416 1600 1712 1888 2176 1024 1025 1028 1069 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1024 @ 76Hz hsync: 81.3kHz
Modeline "1600x1024" 170.450 1600 1632 1792 2096 1024 1027 1030 1070 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1024 @ 85Hz hsync: 91.4kHz
Modeline "1600x1024" 198.832 1600 1712 1888 2176 1024 1027 1030 1075 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 75.0kHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 162.0 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 65Hz (VESA) hsync: 81.3kHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 175.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 70Hz (VESA) hsync: 87.5kHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 189.0 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 93.8kHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 202.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 85Hz (VESA) hsync: 106.3kHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 229.5 1600 1664 1856 2160 1200 1201 1204 1250 +hsync +vsync
# 1600x1200 @ 100 Hz (GTF) hsync: 127.10 kHz; pclk: 280.64 MHz
ModeLine "1600x1200" 280.64 1600 1728 1904 2208 1200 1201 1204 1271 -hsync +vsync
# 1680x1050 @ 60 Hz (GTF) hsync: 65.22 kHz; pclk: 147.14 MHz
ModeLine "1680x1050" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -hsync +vsync
# 1792x1344 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 83.6kHz
ModeLine "1792x1344" 204.8 1792 1920 2120 2448 1344 1345 1348 1394 -hsync +vsync
# 1792x1344 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 106.3kHz
ModeLine "1792x1344" 261.0 1792 1888 2104 2456 1344 1345 1348 1417 -hsync +vsync
# 1800x1440 (unchecked)
ModeLine "1800x1440" 230 1800 1896 2088 2392 1440 1441 1444 1490 +hsync +vsync
# 1856x1392 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 86.3kHz
ModeLine "1856x1392" 218.3 1856 1952 2176 2528 1392 1393 1396 1439 -hsync +vsync
# 1856x1392 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 112.5kHz
ModeLine "1856x1392" 288.0 1856 1984 2208 2560 1392 1393 1396 1500 -hsync +vsync
# 1920x1080 @ 60Hz hsync: 67.1kHz
Modeline "1920x1080" 172.798 1920 2040 2248 2576 1080 1081 1084 1118 -hsync -vsync
# 1920x1080 @ 75Hz hsync: 81.1kHz
Modeline "1920x1080" 211.436 1920 2056 2264 2608 1080 1081 1084 1126 +hsync +vsync
# 1920x1200 @ 60Hz hsync: 74.5kHz
Modeline "1920x1200" 193.156 1920 2048 2256 2592 1200 1201 1203 1242 +hsync +vsync
# 1920x1200 @ 75Hz hsync: 94kHz
Modeline "1920x1200" 246.590 1920 2064 2272 2624 1200 1201 1203 1253 +hsync +vsync
# 1920x1440 @ 60Hz (VESA) hsync: 90.0kHz
ModeLine "1920x1440" 234.0 1920 2048 2256 2600 1440 1441 1444 1500 -hsync +vsync
# 1920x1440 @ 75Hz (VESA) hsync: 112.5kHz
ModeLine "1920x1440" 297.0 1920 2064 2288 2640 1440 1441 1444 1500 -hsync +vsync
# 1920x2400 @ 25Hz for IBM T221, VS VP2290 and compatible, hsync: 60.8kHz
Modeline "1920x2400" 124.62 1920 1928 1980 2048 2400 2401 2403 2434 +hsync +vsync
# 1920x2400 @ 30Hz for IBM T221, VS VP2290 and compatible, hsync: 73.0kHz
Modeline "1920x2400" 149.25 1920 1928 1982 2044 2400 2402 2404 2434 +hsync +vsync
# 2048x1536 @ 60Hz hsync: 95.3kHz
Modeline "2048x1536" 266.952 2048 2200 2424 2800 1536 1537 1540 1589 +hsync +vsync

[Jade]

Another recent thread from Jade is:

Installing GENTOO 2008.0 on a QEMU DISK IMAGE (and KDE4).

http://www.phoronix.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12136

[Jade]

Anyone know of any more standard modelines, or collections of such?

[curaga]

Why not link to the XFree86 Modeline Howto at tldp.org?

It explains pretty clearly how to build one of these, for example to max out your CRT monitor and/or graphics card. Too bad LCDs can't go higher than their default like CRTs can.

[DeepDayze]

A good idea is to take a look at the monitor's owner guide to see if there are specifications listed. If not, perhaps a google search can turn up other people who may have a working modeline for it.

[Jade]

A good idea is to take a look at the monitor's owner guide to see if there are specifications listed. If not, perhaps a google search can turn up other people who may have a working modeline for it.

You can also get the modelines from the cards EDID information.

Run the command startx -- -logverbose 6 from the console. The EDID information should be in /var/log/Xorg.0.log (or /var/log/XFree86.0.log).

Note that the -logverbose level was initially 5,... but 6 gives much more information (it lists all the inbuilt X-server modes and why each is acceptable or not to the particular monitor/TV in question).

The -logverbose level tops out at 7.

On my amd64 box (for -logverbose 5) I get something like this:

 --- EDID for Philips 170S (CRT-0) ---

 EDID Version                 : 1.3
 Manufacturer                 : PHL
 Monitor Name                 : Philips 170S
 Product ID                   : 2078
 32-bit Serial Number         : 693129
 Serial Number String         :  CF  693129
 Manufacture Date             : 2003, week 32
 DPMS Capabilities            : Standby Suspend Active Off
 Prefer first detailed timing : Yes
 Supports GTF                 : No
 Maximum Image Size           : 340mm x 270mm
 Valid HSync Range            : 30.0 kHz - 82.0 kHz
 Valid VRefresh Range         : 56 Hz - 76 Hz
 EDID maximum pixel clock     : 140.0 MHz
 
 Established Timings:
   640  x 480  @ 60 Hz
   640  x 480  @ 72 Hz
   640  x 480  @ 75 Hz
   800  x 600  @ 56 Hz
   800  x 600  @ 60 Hz
   800  x 600  @ 72 Hz
   800  x 600  @ 75 Hz
   1024 x 768  @ 60 Hz
   1024 x 768  @ 70 Hz
   1024 x 768  @ 75 Hz
   1280 x 1024 @ 75 Hz
 
 Standard Timings:
   1152 x 864  @ 70 Hz
   1152 x 864  @ 75 Hz
   1280 x 960  @ 60 Hz
 
 Detailed Timings:
   1280 x 1024 @ 60 Hz
     Pixel Clock      : 108.00 MHz
     HRes, HSyncStart : 1280, 1328
     HSyncEnd, HTotal : 1440, 1688
     VRes, VSyncStart : 1024, 1025
     VSyncEnd, VTotal : 1028, 1066
     H/V Polarity     : +/+
 
 --- End of EDID for Philips 170S (CRT-0) ---

[StefanHamminga]

Here is a very nice list of (HDTV) modelines, thank to the MythTV contributors:

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Modeline_Database

[Jade]

Here is a very nice list of (HDTV) modelines, thank to the MythTV contributors:

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Modeline_Database

Thanks for the link.

Why do you think they never mention the TV's EDID as a source of accurate modelines?

[Jade]

How about folk posting their EDID mode-lines in this thread?