Settings for using tv as monitor?

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
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357
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I think this may have been mentioned once before but I could not find a thread in my search. Is there any specific settings one should use when plugging a pc into a tv? I can get over scan and such all sorted but the desktop is pretty blurry. Is there a way to clean it up a bit? I am not expecting text as sharp as my monitor but something a little more usable would be nice. There is probably something I am missing.
 

Kenmitch

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,505
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Results vary from TV to TV. Did you google search your TV model yet? How is it connected? HDMI? D-Sub?
 

cmdrdredd

Lifer
Dec 12, 2001
27,052
357
126
Results vary from TV to TV. Did you google search your TV model yet? How is it connected? HDMI? D-Sub?

HDMI and nobody really has used the tv I have from a pc and mentioned this(I have a sony kdl55w900a). The discussion I found on avs forum revolved around whether or not they could run 120hz and it is not possible. That isn't my issue. I just want the desktop a little more readable. Sharpness controls dont help much. I think there is a windows setting maybe I should use.

I will play with it more tonight and see if I can figure anything out. Games look fine on it though.
 

Kenmitch

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
8,505
2,249
136
OK. I use AMD based cards for the most part.

I do know in CCC there is a setting for pixel format listed under My Digital Flat Panel that does seem to effect text sharpness and image quality.

Does the NVidia control panel have something similar?

I've heard of strange things fixing issues with TV as monitor. Things like just renaming the port to PC, disabling advanced features on TV, etc. Playing around with the TV settings may cure it.
 

tolis626

Senior member
Aug 25, 2013
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I'm using a Phillips HDTV as my monitor and have no problems now,although at first it wasn't the best of experiences.First,make sure to enable your TV's PC mode or similar,if there is any.Try to disable most image enhancements from the TV and add them back one by one.Also,as Kenmitch said,make sure to use 4:4:4 full RGB if there is a setting in NVidia's control panel.Overscan can also cause issues if not configured properly (No 1:1 pixel mapping,which you can test online).Finally,in Windows' screen settings there are some stuff about Windows Clear Type.You want to configure that,it makes a night-and-day difference for text.
As for 120Hz,I don't think many TVs can do that high.Try 100Hz or something.