LCD or Plasma TV for PC Gaming...

[Anomaly1964]

Are any of you guys using an LCD or Plasma TV for PC gaming? I mostly play FPS...

I just got an Insignia 46" inch LCD HDTV, 120hZ from best by to try as a gaming monitor on my PC (using a BFG 9800GT Video card). The graphics were GREAT but there was enough mouse lag in COD Black OPS that I could not aim fast enough to stay alive very long (even after adjusting the mouse thru Vista and in the game)...LOL!

I called and spoke to one of the guys at Best Buy and he said he would not recommend any larger than 40" and that should take care of the mouse lag...

Someone else said putting the TV in GAME MODE might help...

What do you guys think?



Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[shortylickens]

Welcome newb!

Most people here would recommend using a proper monitor so you can get a resolution better than 1920x1080.
Frankly no television is acceptable for quality PC gaming, but thats just how I feel. I'm a bit of a strict nerd in that regard.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Thanks Shorty!

New twist...

I plugged my PC into my Panasonic 50" PLASMA TV and there was NO mouse lag. I set the HDMI 1 to "GAME" (options are cable, camcorder, etc.) I wonder if this is SIMILAR to GAME MODE on the Insignia. I am thinking the plasma being 600hz vs 120 is what helped the mouse lag (is that correct logic?) but...

Text didn't look very good (kinda like a printer starting to run out of ink).

Any thoughts?

 

[Craig234]

I don't really know about all this but I'll post some educated opinions short of that.

First, CRT's are said to be the best - but that's just for info, they're not practical unless you are happy with an old 22" or smaller. (I sure liked those however).

For bigger screen, I think Plasma's with something like 600 Hz refresh might be great, but are best in a darker room.

I think 1920x1080 is generally just fine for gaming. That's the resolution on my 65" LCD, which I'm interested in using for more gaming (and do with my PS3).

In fact, the only monitors I know above that are the 30" expensive types ($1K+) with 2560xsomething or so, needing two video card connector cables.

I have hooked up the PC as a test and it was fine.

'Game mode' is designed for fast refresh and should help with lag.

I wouldn't listen a lot to what a guy at best buy said. They can say a lot.

Isn't a 9800GT an old card to use for black ops? Maybe others have more.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Thanks for the reply Craig...

On my pc, using my Gateway, HD, 24" monitor, my 9800GT kicks Blacks Ops ASS (plays just fine, no stutter at 1900x1200)...

I guess I can try setting the Insignia to GAME MODE and see if that helps...

Thanks again!

 

[NoSoup4You]

I game on a 40" Samsung 1080p 120hz tv. Just plug and play, didn't have to adjust any settings (game mode...etc.). Works superbly well, I wasn't sure the resolution would look good on such a big screen but everything looks fantastic on it. Couldn't be happier.

I sit somewhat far away though and games with small text (Dragon Age...) can be rather difficult to read clearly. Fortunately there are mods for DA:O to make the fonts/UI larger and these are fantastic.

Overall I can't see myself ever gaming on a normal monitor again unless there's some breakthrough technology wise that prevents televisions from competing with traditional pc monitors.

 

[power_hour]

I game on a 40" Samsung 1080p 120hz tv. Just plug and play, didn't have to adjust any settings (game mode...etc.). Works superbly well, I wasn't sure the resolution would look good on such a big screen but everything looks fantastic on it. Couldn't be happier...

+1 (do we have the same TV?!)

With game mode, I don't notice any issues. Perfect for any type of use i.e. Xbox, PS3 (GT5 - soonTM), PC (RPGs), movies, kids stuff, Netflix. The PIP is great because I can put a show on for the little one and still use the TV for PC. Very happy in our choice.

 

[OCNewbie]

Sensitivity to refresh rate lag, mouse/input lag, etc., varies from person to person. Don't rely on one individuals perception of whether or not a certain tv/monitor model has or doesn't have acceptable lag. You'll have to try it yourself. There have been tests done on computer monitors that test for input lag, by comparing them side-by-side to a CRT screen with a stopwatch. Some LCD monitors are known to have little to know input/mouse lag, but only through testing.

I still game on a 19" CRT. I imagine I won't be moving away from CRT til something like OLED or another more advanced tech is released.

 

[Mogadon]

IIn fact, the only monitors I know above that are the 30" expensive types ($1K+) with 2560xsomething or so, needing two video card connector cables.

Not two video card connector cables but a dual link DVI cable, it has additional pins.


I find gaming on my HTPC with a 42" LCD works very well, but I would generally just be doing RPG type games I can control easily with an HTPC type keyboard.

I tried using a 32" LCD as a monitor but it just didn't work that well when using it as a traditional computer monitor, ie. sitting with it a few feet from my face.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I tried using a 32" LCD as a monitor but it just didn't work that well when using it as a traditional computer monitor, ie. sitting with it a few feet from my face.

I use a 32" tv as a monitor, and I like it a lot. I think I could go for a 37 inch and still sit near it; any bigger and I don't think I'd like it.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

The lag on the LCD may be due to the image processing/frame insertion feature (called something like smoothmotion or whatever). You should turn those features off for gaming.

 

[Ross Ridge]

I plugged my PC into my Panasonic 50" PLASMA TV and there was NO mouse lag. I set the HDMI 1 to "GAME" (options are cable, camcorder, etc.) I wonder if this is SIMILAR to GAME MODE on the Insignia. I am thinking the plasma being 600hz vs 120 is what helped the mouse lag (is that correct logic?) but...

Text didn't look very good (kinda like a printer starting to run out of ink).

Any thoughts?

Generally speaking game mode on TV disables various video processing effects that generally don't help when playing games, and require that the TV delay video by a frame or more do the processing and causing lag. What processing gets disabled and what processing still remains varies from TV to TV so how much this ends up solving lag issues also varies. Having a display running at 120 Hz, 600 Hz or anything other than what your PC is driving the TV at (usually 60 Hz) is actually potentially worse for lag, as the TV needs to do additional processing to create the additional interpolated frames.

To improve the text on your plasma you probably need to make sure that you're using a 1920x1080 display mode and that your TV is set to a 1:1 pixel mode. If your Panasonic is like my mom's you'll want to adjust the HD Size under the Advanced Picture menu to "Size 2" or 100% scaling. Otherwise the TV will clip out the edges of the display (hiding junk that can appear there on broadcast TV) and then scale up the image.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Generally speaking game mode on TV disables various video processing effects that generally don't help when playing games, and require that the TV delay video by a frame or more do the processing and causing lag. What processing gets disabled and what processing still remains varies from TV to TV so how much this ends up solving lag issues also varies. Having a display running at 120 Hz, 600 Hz or anything other than what your PC is driving the TV at (usually 60 Hz) is actually potentially worse for lag, as the TV needs to do additional processing to create the additional interpolated frames.

To improve the text on your plasma you probably need to make sure that you're using a 1920x1080 display mode and that your TV is set to a 1:1 pixel mode. If your Panasonic is like my mom's you'll want to adjust the HD Size under the Advanced Picture menu to "Size 2" or 100% scaling. Otherwise the TV will clip out the edges of the display (hiding junk that can appear there on broadcast TV) and then scale up the image.

I had the head of MAGNOLIA from Best Buy and a young WONDERKID come up with JUST this solution on a 42 inch Panasonic Plasma, 720p. It KICKED ASS in the store and I hope to be able to replicate it at home after I de-stress from all this research...LMAO!

 

[BladeVenom]

I don't doubt that some of them do have bad lag, but the couple of LCD TVs I've tried have worked well.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Generally speaking game mode on TV disables various video processing effects that generally don't help when playing games, and require that the TV delay video by a frame or more do the processing and causing lag. What processing gets disabled and what processing still remains varies from TV to TV so how much this ends up solving lag issues also varies. Having a display running at 120 Hz, 600 Hz or anything other than what your PC is driving the TV at (usually 60 Hz) is actually potentially worse for lag, as the TV needs to do additional processing to create the additional interpolated frames.

To improve the text on your plasma you probably need to make sure that you're using a 1920x1080 display mode and that your TV is set to a 1:1 pixel mode. If your Panasonic is like my mom's you'll want to adjust the HD Size under the Advanced Picture menu to "Size 2" or 100% scaling. Otherwise the TV will clip out the edges of the display (hiding junk that can appear there on broadcast TV) and then scale up the image.

Well just my luck, not working at home the way it did in the store...

They were using a laptop, I am using a desktop...

I have an Nvidia 9800GT, Dual DVI video card...

I have the resolution set to 1920x1080, 60 hz

I go into TV menu

Aspect Adjustment:

Options available...

Full (cant adjust size 1 or 2)
H-Fill
Just
4:3
Zoom

All still leave the screen too big for the TV if I use size 1 or 2???

Something else...

When I go into the Nvidia Control panel it shows:

1. Panasonic TV
2. HDMI - HDTV (Audio Enable or Disabled are the options)
Resolutions:

1080P, 1920x1080 (native)
1080i, 1920x1080
and many more

My question is this, if the the TV is 720P, why is there a resolution for 720P 1920x1080 (native)

Oh, the model of the TV is TC-P42C2

It is SOOOOO frustrating cause I saw it work in the store on the EXACT tv, they were just using a laptop instead of desktop...

HELP

 

[slayernine]

I will never endorse the usage of a Television designed for large size and low pixel density for use as a computer monitor.

TV's are for watching video and still images at a distance.

Computer monitors are for watching video, still images, reading text and creating content at close proximity. Video games for computers are designed to be displayed on computer monitors.

So in conclusion I suggest against such ventures.

 

[Obsoleet]

When I game in the living room I use a 50" Samsung plasma. Sometimes I fire up Street Fighter 4 or Overlord 2 on it and use an Xbox 360 gamepad. Works great.

I'm a plasma diehard, so much better than LCD IMO. I only use LCD for the computer room. I'd get an LCD over a CRT though, just in form factor alone.

Oh, and ignore burn-in mumbo jumbo. I've never had an issue and I leave static images on mine, they don't stick and I can't imagine them doing so. Plasma has superior color, response rate and is just as light and thin anymore. If you're going to use it as a desktop though, and go to webpages ect, get an LCD. Just for gaming, plasma. That's how I use mine. A 40 or 42" plasma would be great. You would have to sit close to a TV to view webpages anyway, I wouldn't recommend that usage.

 

[RussianSensation]

I will never endorse the usage of a Television designed for large size and low pixel density for use as a computer monitor.

If you sit far enough, the human eye can't see the pixels. Generally speaking, you aren't going to sit just 1-2 ft away from a 37-50 inch LCD/Plasma unless you want to go blind!

When you compare the immersion factor of the larger monitor, then it can to make a lot of sense. Don't forget, the black levels are far superior on Plasma TVs to any computer LCD monitor and the refresh rate is far faster too. I think 2560x1600 30 inch vs. a 37-40 inch 1080P is debatable, but 50 inch is just a completely different experience. I can definitely see how playing a game on a 50+ inch plasma is prefereable compared to a tiny 24 inch LCD.

 

[Anomaly1964]

Well just my luck, not working at home the way it did in the store...

They were using a laptop, I am using a desktop...

I have an Nvidia 9800GT, Dual DVI video card...

I have the resolution set to 1920x1080, 60 hz

I go into TV menu

Aspect Adjustment:

Options available...

Full (cant adjust size 1 or 2)
H-Fill
Just
4:3
Zoom

All still leave the screen too big for the TV if I use size 1 or 2???

Something else...

When I go into the Nvidia Control panel it shows:

1. Panasonic TV
2. HDMI - HDTV (Audio Enable or Disabled are the options)
Resolutions:

1080P, 1920x1080 (native)
1080i, 1920x1080
and many more

My question is this, if the the TV is 720P, why is there a resolution for 720P 1920x1080 (native)

Oh, the model of the TV is TC-P42C2

It is SOOOOO frustrating cause I saw it work in the store on the EXACT tv, they were just using a laptop instead of desktop...

HELP

Issue SOLVED

The TV we did it on in the store was 1080P NOT 720P...

The 1080P is $200 more, $699...Hmmmmmm

 

[Pooptacular]

I use my 42 inch Panasonic plasma for gaming on my PC and I love it. I can't imagine playing games like Dead Space on a LCD. The blacks are so deep.

 

[Anomaly1964]

I use my 42 inch Panasonic plasma for gaming on my PC and I love it. I can't imagine playing games like Dead Space on a LCD. The blacks are so deep.

How does the desktop and regular web browsing look?

 

[taltamir]

For bigger screen, I think Plasma's with something like 600 Hz refresh might be great, but are best in a darker room.

There is no such thing, AFAIK plasma TVs claim 480Hz refresh rate and it is a flat out lie, it is actually 60Hz.
Maybe his LCD TV was working in 30Hz mode? (1080i) or even 24hz? How was it plugged and did you check the resolution?

I suggesting getting a quality monitor that is good for gaming.

 

[Anomaly1964]

There is no such thing, AFAIK plasma TVs claim 480Hz refresh rate and it is a flat out lie, it is actually 60Hz.
Maybe his LCD TV was working in 30Hz mode? (1080i) or even 24hz is possible.

I suggesting getting a quality monitor that is good for gaming.

I'm telling you, if going to the 1080P helps the desktop issue, there is absolutely NO LAG playing Black Ops, 1900X1200 !!!

 

[taltamir]

I'm telling you, if going to the 1080P helps the desktop issue, there is absolutely NO LAG playing Black Ops, 1900X1200 !!!

I don't understand what you are saying, your spelling is fine, but the grammar is all wrong, so much so that I have no idea what you are trying to say.

 

[Anomaly1964]

I don't understand what you are saying, your spelling is fine, but the grammar is all wrong, so much so that I have no idea what you are trying to say.

Let me break it down...

On the 720p Plasma TV, the DESKTOP of my PC pushes past the edges of the monitor, i.e. you only see 3/4 of your task bar below...

With the 1080P Plasma TV, this is NOT the case...

As far as GAMING is concerned, the 42 Plasma TV is great! I can play Black Ops with everything maxed out, no mouse lag, no game lag...