LCD TV: What TV specs work best with an HTPC?

[thomas2878]

Hey guys,
I have an HTPC running a 9800 GTX video card. I like to watch Blue rays and play some video games (Left for dead, WoW, Defense Grid, etc..), very little TV..

I want to buy a new 46" LCD TV. I am a bit confused about which model to buy. I'm not sure what I'm really going to get from the higher end TVs and there's obviously a lot of bull$$$$ marketing going on.

For example I always felt ok with any computer monitor over 60hz, I have no idea what refresh rate my video card can do at 1920x1080p or if video cards output P or I or both? Most of these 120 hz and 240hz tvs are only interpolating to double their refresh rate- they aren't actually taking in a signal and drawing that unique image..
If I have a 120hz tv and my vid card outputs 120hz is the tv really going to be throwing out half the signal- take in 60hz and then interpolate to show me 120hz?

4ms response time would be a pretty fast monitor.. in fact I would wonder if they hadn't nerfed the color gamut like some of those gaming monitors that came out.

Some TV's run 10bit some 14bit pixel processing.. most dont even say. WTF is that? What does a computer send over a DVI cable?

Most of these lcd tv's are advertising 24p frame rate like its something impressive.. but a lot of fps gamers would be upgrading their video cards if they started getting such a low frame rate.

So does anyone have any idea what the limits or optimum display parameters are when connected to a decent quality HTPC?
What can the PC output and what can the TV actually use as input?
What TV specifications look great when used as a monitor?
Thx

 

[ata786rz]

I have recently bought an 42 inch LG model 42LG70YR. It gives great results for both movies and games. I found that the maximum input refresh rate that is actually supported is dependant on the TV itself. In the manual, a list of supported rates were given. Though mine said it supported 100Hz. Most of this is just marketing and uses interpolation as you said.
4ms response time is on the border line. Better would definitely give you a very good crisp dynamic picture (which is usually required in games). I would suggest you look at fast action movie on the display TVs in the shop as I am no expert in all models. A high contrast ratio would be very good. But remember that most manufacturers actually DO NOT measure it on a standard scale. So see the picture and try to establish whether it is actually high contrast or not.
24p is actually smooth for movies. That is frame rate NOT refresh rate. As you said it uses interpolation. The p is very important as the other one is i i.e. interlaced and you will see the line effects that was present in old monitors. But games need something near 60Hz. Which is supported by mine atleast.
The specs for mine are:
03 HDMI <- Digital inputs (require HDCP compliant VGA card which I beleive 9800 is)
50,000 contrast ratio
2.7ms response time
1920x1080 native resolution
100Hz Refesh Rate
Brightness 500cd/m2

Overall I am satisfied with it. I hope my response was useful.

 

[kalrith]

I'm pretty sure than none of the 120Hz TVs will accept 120Hz from a PC, so this shouldn't in any way contribute to your decision. Here's my list of important things when looking at a TV for my HTPC:

• 1:1 pixel mapping
  1080P
  Low input lag

Of course, there are other things like contrast ratio, color saturation, color accuracy, and viewing angle that are factors in any TV purchase. However, the ones above are of extra importance for an HTPC monitor.

 

[ata786rz]

How do you estimate input lag? I could not find any documented value. The only thing I found was pixel response time.

 

[kalrith]

I'm not sure if there's a way to estimate it; the best way is to find a review that measures the input lag. The problem with LCD TVs is that most (maybe all) use PVA panels, which have the highest input lag when compared to TN and IPS panels. Some TVs also still use some processing even when in PC mode, and processing contributes negatively to input lag.

 

[XMan]

Originally posted by: ata786rz
How do you estimate input lag? I could not find any documented value. The only thing I found was pixel response time.

Check AVS Forums HTPC section. They should have a list of recommended sets, as well as recommended calibration settings for them.

Originally posted by: kalrith
I'm pretty sure than none of the 120Hz TVs will accept 120Hz from a PC, so this shouldn't in any way contribute to your decision. Here's my list of important things when looking at a TV for my HTPC:

• 1:1 pixel mapping
  1080P
  Low input lag

Of course, there are other things like contrast ratio, color saturation, color accuracy, and viewing angle that are factors in any TV purchase. However, the ones above are of extra importance for an HTPC monitor.

Any chance of "true" 120hz TVs at some point?