HDTV As A Second Monitor

[Nebor]

I did a search for HDTV, and sorted through about 100 threads, but I really didn't find too much info... I have a Radeon 9800 Pro... If I were to go out and buy say, a Samsung TXN3298HF which has component inputs, as well as DVI, could I just plug my DVI right into it? Would that be the best way to do it? Or would component input be better?

What resolution does an HDTV display natively? Can an HDTV change resolutions, or is it set at one resolution? Would games look ok on a 27" or 30" HDTV?

 

[rbV5]

Check out AVS forum

There are far too many variables to give a definative answer to most of your questions. You could plug that particular model into the search engine there and get some good answers.

Games can look pretty good on a 55" widescreen btw.

 

[Nebor]

Oh wow... After looking at AVS for a while, I see that I certainly said a mouthful before. Obviously such a setup is beyond the grasp of a layman such as myself.... That sucks, I had my hopes up. Could I get bestbuy to install it for me or something?

 

[Big Lar]

Just, IMHO, but I wouldn't let anyone from Bestbuy touch my computer.

 

[rbV5]

The easy part is putting the components together. The hard part is to get it to work.

For DVD viewing at 480p for instance is pretty simple. Hook the component output of the AIW into the component input of the Widescreen. Enable 480p in the drivers...reboot. Put the TV on AV4 with the remote, plop the DVD in the drive and press DVD on the remote wonder. Navigate the menu's or play the movie...nice.

Everything else pretty much just gets harder. I think you want to put it together yourself so you can understand how it works, since nobody is going to troubleshoot it for you. Its worth the trouble IMHO, so just hang out at AVSforum and read up on the technology. When you get ready to buy, simply ask specific questions and you'll get some good help. Its alot like this community except for A/V issues. Its just different terminology is all.

 

[Nebor]

I was hoping I could plug the DVI cord from my vid card into a TV and just use my vid card drivers from there... Looks like life isn't that simple.