When I installed RedHat 8.0, I had to add this line to my /etc/X11/XFree86Config file to use 24 bit color rather than 8 bit:

DefaultDepth 24

This line should go inside the Section "Screen" section.

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, I already have that line. I've been playing with options, trying to get the picture right. I'm not entirely clear on some of the -vop options, so I've just been trying them randomly. If I use -vop palette, the picture improves in the color area, but it appears like it's painted on canvas. (strange crisscross lines in the video, almost like it's had a photoshop canvas filter applied...) I can't seem to find any specific documentation on the the options regarding palettes, etc. Some of them even say "finish documenting" in the man page. I am going to keep trying, but I sure wonder why it worked before! Thank you for any other ideas you may have... -Shawn