Do you play PC games using your TV/Home Theater setup?

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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I am sure the majority of PC gamers here probablly just sit at thier desk and play using thier awesome widescreen dell flat panels that they nabbed during a hot deal, much like myself. But I am wondering how many play thier PC games using thier TV/home theater setup instead? It sounds pretty cool, and I may give it a try, just seeing who else is doing it.
 

777php

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2001
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I play my Xbox and PC games on my projector. Certain games are better suited for a small screen but, for some FPS's the big screen is just too much fun.
 

BurnItDwn

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
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I don't play games on my BIG tv, as it's not really well suited for it. (61inch pre HD era rear projection)

However, I have a 27inch Widescreen HDTV LCD at my main computer desk that I use for gaming most of the time.
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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4-3-1 so far, closer then I expected it would be. Anybody using a SDTV instead of HDTV?
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: biostud
PC + 5.1 HT setup. You don't have that in your poll.

What do you mean, using your PC at your desk with a monitor, but hooked up to a 5.1 system? If so I consider that to go in with the desk and monitor option. If your using it with your TV, the second poll option also says home theater system.
 

WhoBeDaPlaya

Diamond Member
Sep 15, 2000
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I've just started trying with an OC'ed 9600 Pro w/HDTV dongle + Sony 27" SDTV. The 9600 can handle pretty much anything (not hard, since it's only running 640x480 :D) and I'm undecided so far...
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: WhoBeDaPlaya
I've just started trying with an OC'ed 9600 Pro w/HDTV dongle + Sony 27" SDTV. The 9600 can handle pretty much anything (not hard, since it's only running 640x480 :D) and I'm undecided so far...

What leaves you undecided? Not as good as you had hoped? What games have you tried?
 

biostud

Lifer
Feb 27, 2003
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Originally posted by: coolred
Originally posted by: biostud
PC + 5.1 HT setup. You don't have that in your poll.

What do you mean, using your PC at your desk with a monitor, but hooked up to a 5.1 system? I

Yeah, I chose #1 and that is exactly what I meant.
 

tomt4535

Golden Member
Jan 4, 2004
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i have an SDTV on my HTPC setup and i havent tested it on games, but based on the horrible picture i get in windows, i doubt it would be any good.
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: tomt4535
i have an SDTV on my HTPC setup and i havent tested it on games, but based on the horrible picture i get in windows, i doubt it would be any good.

Thats not entirely true, at least i don't think so. I assume by horrible picture you are referring to unreadable text, right? The rest of the picture should look tolerable at least. I guess in games with a lot of text this can be an issue, but with games with less text they should be fine.
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Let me ask this, for those that have replied, or anyone who replies int he future, do you prefer PC gaming to console gaming? I currently own a PS2(one of the new small ones), and Xbox and then my 2 computers. Since getting the xbox a couple months ago, I think I have only played the PS2 a couple times. I should probablly sell it, but I haven't yet for a couple reasons. One, I like several games that are exclusive to the PS2, GT4(the game that I played the 2 times I have played it lately), the MGS series, Final Fantasy and GTA(although not really exclusive to the PS2 anymore). I have yet to beat GT4 or MGS Snake Eater, but don't know if/when I will get around to playing them any time soon. Seems like I almost lost interest in them when my Xbox showed up at the doorstep. Then I am wondering if the next version of these games will still be on the PS2 or if they will be on the PS3. Secondly, I am lazy, I know I could sell my PS2 and games for a decent price, but it would be much easier just to trade them in at gamestop or EB, albeit at a lower value. So because of these things, I have held off on selling it. Oh yeah that and the fact that my sons InteracTV game only works on the PS2. It won't work with the Xbox or PC, so I would have to buy at least a cheap DVD player to replace it for his game and whatever movies he may watch upstairs.

 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
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I mostly play games on my monitor at my desk. I played some NFSU2, Doom3 and Splinter Cell on my HTPC with an Onkyo 5.1 (but no true surround, just DPLII, boo) and an SDTV.... with a GAMEPAD. And I liked it, too. I also play all 3 console's games on my HT setup, too.
So, I don't know what poll option to choose. I guess the first one, because that's the majority of how I play.
 

funboy6942

Lifer
Nov 13, 2001
15,368
418
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I know when I move I am getting a toshiba 65" HDTV and I am for sure setting up my pc on it along with all my other consloes. If I run at the lower res on the tv I can make up for it by turning the eye candy all the way up as far as it can go and I am sure it will look just as good. Just in 65" of pure goodness though :D
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Raduque
I mostly play games on my monitor at my desk. I played some NFSU2, Doom3 and Splinter Cell on my HTPC with an Onkyo 5.1 (but no true surround, just DPLII, boo) and an SDTV.... with a GAMEPAD. And I liked it, too. I also play all 3 console's games on my HT setup, too.
So, I don't know what poll option to choose. I guess the first one, because that's the majority of how I play.

Well since you have played a few of the same game son multiple platforms, which did you like the best on the TV that is, console or PC?
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
31,205
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I play games on my 76" screen projected from my Infocus 4805 and on my sound system that cost three times more than the projector :p

I have some screenshots of CS:S in my sig.

I should make some screenshots of how great FarCry looks onit.

I don't have Raduque's problem of DPII since I got an HDA X-Mystique with DD Live encoding.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
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I prefer sitting on my couch and gaming on my 100" screen and 5.1 surround. I've SoundStorm setup for my HTPC mainly for this reason. I also have Dreamcast, PS2, and Gamecube hooked up to it as well.
 

silent tone

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,571
1
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PC gaming on the big screen is okay, except you need some place to use the mouse and keyboard and long cables/stretch wireless receiver across the floor or someting. My eyes aren't good enough to read text from across the room though.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
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1. The easiest way to get all the surround sound you want out of your HT setup is to get a card with good analog 5.1/6.1/7.1 out and plug it into the 5.1/6.1/7.1 input on your reciever. You'll get all the dolby digital and DTS using certain programs, plus all of the surround sound game modes that your soundcard can support

2. Soundstorm is good but I missed playing games with surround sound like EAX and others. Analog out solved this nicely:D

3. I use my monitor and keyboard and such, plugged into my HTPC that is around me
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Dang, didn't realize so many people on here had front projectors. I really want one, can't wait till I get my house so I can have room for one. Well not really room, since they don't require much space. Sounds like a blast. Yeah I definately need to get me one of those.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
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Originally posted by: coolred
Dang, didn't realize so many people on here had front projectors. I really want one, can't wait till I get my house so I can have room for one. Well not really room, since they don't require much space. Sounds like a blast. Yeah I definately need to get me one of those.

720p or better all the way
 

coolred

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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What projectors are you guys using. And any idea how much image quality/brightness/contrast/whatever suffers when using a off white wall instead of a nice screen? As I said, I have wanted one for a while and just talking about it is really tempting me. I am wondering if I couldn't get by with one now in my apartment. But even if I could, I would likely pass on the screen until I move.


Also the smaller the screen size, the brighter the picture would be right? Cause obviously with it being summer it doesn't get dark till 9-10 oclock, so if I did get one it would be used during somewhat daylight on occasion. I know the extra light can wash out the image. But I was wondering if maybe I only went with like a 36" screen or something, and try to minimize the light as best I can, if it would look okay. Also is there a minimum screen size on these things? I know many of them can easily hit screen sizes of 100" diagonals, but not sure on the low end, is 36" even possible? My current SDTV is a 27", so it wouldn't take much to be an upgrade.