Anyone use a HD-TV as their monitor?

[ArchAngel777]

I am seriously looking into a 36" flatscreen HDTV. I was wondering what it looks like connected to a PC, and if it's cool for gaming. Please let me know of your impressions of it all.

Thanks!


Arch Angel

 

[konichiwa]

AFAIK, the problem with TV-out setups is not the TV, but the TV-out card.

 

[Mapidus]

<< AFAIK, the problem with TV-out setups is not the TV, but the TV-out card. >>



Most HDTV systems should have VGA input and progressive scan output to the screen and higher resolution than normal TVs, so you don't need to worry about TV-out quality problems. The only thing I see is that for close work it probably would not work well because of the high dot pitch and large pixel size of the TV's. Also the refresh rate would probably not go too high, probably only 60Hz. Probably would work well for gaming though.

 

[Raspewtin]

<< Most HDTV systems should have VGA input and progressive scan output to the screen and higher resolution than normal TVs, so you don't need to worry about TV-out quality problems. The only thing I see is that for close work it probably would not work well because of the high dot pitch and large pixel size of the TV's. Also the refresh rate would probably not go too high, probably only 60Hz. Probably would work well for gaming though. >>




that seems correct. i have a 60&quot; HDTV i use as a monitor for games ocassionally. some HDTVs don't have VGA so then you need to get a VGA to BNC adapter cable, and then get BNC - RCA cables for RGBHV. Nearly 100% of HDTVs have RCA plugs for RGBHV. I could not use my 60&quot; for serious work. something that you have to very concerned with is burn-in. 36&quot; is direct view so that's not too much of a problem remember to convert your VGA -> progressive scan requires a not so cheap converter (at least over $100, more for a decent one)

 

[pg22]

Guys, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't our monitors basically HDTV's?

 

[KrispyKremer]

Keep in mind that many hdtv sets can only support up to 1080 interlaced.

Don't expect to change your settings to 1600x1200+ and expect the same sharp, crisp picture as you would on a decent monitor.

 

[Diffusion]

Im using a Sony 24&quot; widescreen Trinitron (The one with the flat image). While its a true monitor, and not an HD-TV (Hits 2300x1500 or something) it works great for me. Some of the problems with it are finding a deep enough desk, finding a stron enough desk, and the small problem of moving it. However, whenever I host a LAN party, I am convinced that a good 40% of the attendees are scared of it.
(Note: Hide it somewhere, everyone can see your screen, no matter how much you try to hulk over it.)

 

[ArchAngel777]

I really dont care about the resolution, because I would run say 1024X768 with FSAA.
BUT!

I am wondering, will I get a flickering image?

When I hooked TV-Out to my old TV NON digital I got major flickering, and could not read the text...... are Digital TVs better?

I know the limitations of the resolution as stated before.... i am simply wondering, will it flicker, will I be able to read text? will I be able to play games on it for long periods of time without hurting my eyes?

I am planning on getting the Sony Hi-def, 32&quot; or 36&quot; inch one..... I am also planning for the X-box.... that is also why I am looking into it...

Another question for your Gurus, is... Will Hi-defs go beyond 1080 scan lines in the near future?

Thanks for all your input guys!

 

[KrispyKremer]

If anything, HDTV will eventually go from 1080 interlaced to 1080 progressive.

Text will best be viewed on a monitor.

The flickering you mention could be due to your video card settings. You'll want it set for 60Hz. Monitors are usually 75-85 (some can support 100Hz).

My two cents - if you want to game on a tv, you may want to get a game console. The X-Box is supposed to have support for hdtv, but I don't think any consoles will actually take advantage of an hdtv set until the next generation around 2005. However, it's still early to say on what Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft will do in regards to what, if any, hdtv they'll be.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

my buddy had a pioneer 60&quot; widrescreen hdtv. He has it hooked up to a computer for dvd viewing. He uses the straight vga from the vid card to his pioneer. It looks AWESOME, very clear and text is pretty damn good for a tv. Not as good as monitor (of course) but good enough for everything but 3dmodeling and precise apps that require precise monitors. Games never looked so good, playing quake 3 is a whole new experience. I can't even begin to tell you. He had his tv calibrated by an ISF technician and the ISF guy has calibrated one mode for his computer gaming, one for dvd viewing, and one for satellite viewing. He has a wireless keyboard and mouse combo, so gaming lags a bit but not that much. The only problem with this is that you really need a lot of space and it is very expensive. i don't think that we'll every replace our monitors with hdtvs, its just not practical enough, but it sure is nice.

 

[Raspewtin]

ISF thing really helps. i had a guy calibrate mine- really paid off. most big screens you won't get 1024x768. 1080 interlaced is only like 540 progressive. i get no flickering whatsover.

 

[JoeDaddy]

<< Don't expect to change your settings to 1600x1200+ and expect the same sharp, crisp picture as you would on a decent monitor. >>



The love of my life

 

[>>>Newbie<<<]

Suggested List Price: $9,995.00

The love of arm and leg Hope Plasma display will drop like CPU and RAM.

 

[Linux23]

yeah, i gotta get my Panny 56&quot; ISF'ed next year! and my Panny supports 720P, so games should look pretty good on this set!

 

[JoeDaddy]

<< 1080 interlaced to 1080 progressive >>



Drool...

1080P would be great. Does anyone know if Radeon's support HD-TV?

[EDIT]
Anwsered my own question.
[/EDIT]

 

[ArchAngel777]

Wait a sec here...... Why do the Graphics look so damn good on a OLD TV, with consoles? Don't consoles run at 640X480, and if so...even HD-TV progressive cannot handle that resolution... so I guess i am confused.....

if 1080i=540P, then what would happen if you set the resolution to say... 800X600. How the hell would it work? Would it even work? See this is where I get confused guys.... They are 2 different technologies.. Monitors use dimentions.. while HD-TV uses verticle scanline and thats it... So me confused....

I really would like a link to more information or would really like someone who really knows how it works to post a reply, and sorta fill me in on my ignorance of this area of computers.

Since I wrote this really poor, what I am asking is this.

How the hell can a regular anolog TV, display 640X480 from a console? Because from the sound of it 540P, does not meet that resolution requirement either.... which leaves me in a state of &quot;WTF&quot;

Thanx guys for all your input so far and hopefully some future input.

 

[KrispyKremer]

Initially, Sony Playstation titles were 320x240, but I'm uncertain as to whether or not the standard/default has been bumped up to 640x480 now; possibly with the new generation consoles we'll see 640x480 and 800x600 as default. These resolutions may look cleaner on tv's, but not text. Most people have their computer monitor settings at least 1024x768. Notice that when you run a non-compressed video file (as opposed to a divx or compressed clip) that is 320x240, it's in a tiny window display. If it's in media player, right click and select the full screen option. Looks yucky doesn't it? Shows how much sharper a monitor is than a television.

ArchAngel, hdtv can handle a 640x480 resolution easily. The 1080 refers to the vertical lines. The actual res is something like 1920x1080, but again, that's interlaced. Some hdtv sets can do 720 progressive, but I think that as soon as Hollywood quits being greedy with control gestapo tactics like the Recording Industry, we'll start seeing movies on something like hd-dvd at 1080 progressive. I'm not holding my breath - it'll be another 5 years. By that time we'll be able to decode hdtv in software on our 10GHz cpus.

You can pick up a 65&quot; hdtv set today for $3000. Within a few years, you'll be able to pick up a same-size, higher quality for closer to $2000. Why pay $1500 for a 21&quot; monitor when you can get a 65&quot; screen? Not many people want to bother with all the tweaking and setting up it will require.

Since hdtv is the big buzzword in video right now, all the video card companies are announcing their cards as being hdtv compatible. But right now, for one you still need an hdtv decoder card. It's kinda sneaky of the companies advertising hdtv compatible - it would be like saying back in 1997 that a video card is 3dfx compatible, you just need a 3dfx card.

Right now there are 3 cards that can give you hdtv on your system: Hauppauge WinTV-HD, AccessDTV and the HiPix card. They run between $400-$500. The cool thing about some of the capabilities is that you can record hdtv onto your hard drive! Of course, it averages at 9 gigs per hour.

Here's to hoping one day we'll all have dual setups - one display going to a 19 or 21&quot; monitor (for text), the other going to a 65&quot; hdtv (for graphics).

edit: fixed typo

 

[madthumbs]

I thought the idea of using an HDTV for a monitor was for getting a wireless keyboard/ mouse and sitting in a lazy boy or on a couch, not a desk! Anyway I was indeed impressed with some mpeg4's I encoded when I got to play with one.