32" Sony 1080i Plasma TV

[ptech]

Hello everyone. I just decided to hook up my 32" Sony 1080i TV to my computer. I have a Geforce 7950 GX2, so it came with the component connector so I can use my component video cables. Anyways, I finally have it to the resolution that best fits this screen, but the text is very hard to read and you can tell the screen is kind of shakey. I have never done this before, so I was hoping someone that has would be able to help me out. I changed the settings in the NVIDIA Control Panel, so it is using a 1080i HDTV signal...

 

[gramboh]

Shaky screen is because of 1080i = interlaced, so the display only draws half the lines of an image per pass rather than the full image (I believe this is how interlacing works, probably wrong, check wikipedia for a better description)

Interlaced produces a "shaky" image and makes text hard to read, this is why PC displays are 'progressive' scan in nature (I thought all LCD was too).

If possible use 720p if your TV supports it. I have a 480p/1080i rear projection Panasonic from 2001 and in 1080i mode the menu in Xbox Media Centre looks clear and not shaky, using component, so perhaps its something else.

 

[ptech]

Hey, upon testing, I have it running in 720p, and now it looks a lot better. Now the problem is that it runs in a resolution of 1216 x 684, and for what ever reason it is not letting me set it higher. Either I'm doing something wrong, or is a higher resolution on 720p not supported? Then I tried playing some games, like BF2 (which crashed because of the resolution Im guess, still need to work on that) and FEAR (which wont recognise the resolution higher than 800x600 when I'm using the TV).

Sorry, this is something new to me, so ofcourse Im having a lot of problems...

 

[m21s]

Actual televisions unfortunetly do not make very good computer monitors. (because of the lower resolutions)

If you really want something in a monitor at that size your best bet would be something like the westinghouse 1080p monitors that are out.
1920x1080 resolution. (And these are not TV's no tuner in them.) But can be used as a TV if connected properly.

I do not think your TV is going to give you exactly what you are hoping for. (in terms of your PC experience that is)

 

[ptech]

That Westinghouse 37" 1080p monitor looks very nice, making me consider getting one of those. I was looking around and the price I found was around $1,200 - $1,300. How much did you pay? Know any sites with good prices on these?

 

[m21s]

plasmabay.com
http://plasmabay.com/plasma/Product.asp_X_Sku_Y_LVM37W3

$1110.00 before shipping.
Then you can talk them down to about $140-$150 for a 5 year in house service plan. <-- Get a service plan!

Can't go wrong really.

I ordered mine on a Monday. They shipped 2nd day for me (even though it said ground) and had it on the wall on Wednesday!

Best upgrade I have done to this rig so far