using a 42" LCD as a desktop monitor?

[daveymark]

is this overkill?

Text

it can be set up between 2 and 4 feet from where I'm sitting. Will be using mostly for web surfing, gaming, watching TV/movies.

Also, I have a radeon X850XT in there w/ DVI, as well as VGA. does this mean I will need to get a DVI to hdmi connector if I want to surf the web and game in 1920x1080 resolution? Based on google, the card can output that resolution. I have comcast so I'm hoping I can plug the coax in the back and get some HD channels. 1080p content will be downloaded shortly as well - do I need DVI to HDMI to watch that?

UPDATE: thanks for the help everyone. I have it up and running using ATI Catalyst with a DVI>HDMI cable. Will post pics shortly

 

[krotchy]

Yes it is overkill, but the good kind

Also a DVI->HDMI cable is your best bet for getting a good picture out of it from your computer, and will let you play anything you download just fine (www.monoprice.com for a cheap good quality cable).

Also the QAM tuner in it should pick up HD - ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC, CW PBS and a couple others just fine, but only if you have digital cable in your house.

 

[PurdueRy]

Seems a bit excessive for 2-4 feet but whatever floats your boat...

Yes you will need a DVI->HDMI converter.

 

[jpeyton]

I would get this rebadged LG set instead. Westinghouse has too many QC issues.

 

[Wuzup101]

I have a 40" Samsung 4065F (1080p) attached to my PC as the primary monitor. It works great at about 3-4 feet. You might find that 2 feet is a bit close for some things (just because of the sheer size of the screen - it'll hurt your neck looking side to side). Make sure to put it in a comfortable, viewable position (I would wall mount it and move your desk to an appropriate position so that you are looking dead on center). I'm watching NBC news in HD on comcast cable right now (as I type on my powerbook which is attached to an additional 24" screen). Here are some quick pics that I took a month or so ago (no I still have a huge rats nest... it's not going anywhere until I move out of this apartment!).

http://i164.photobucket.com/al...21/cjb266/IMG_2278.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/al...21/cjb266/IMG_2280.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/al...21/cjb266/IMG_2277.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/al...21/cjb266/IMG_2276.jpg

http://i164.photobucket.com/al...21/cjb266/IMG_2275.jpg

Edit: Your card won't have any problems with a 2D display. However, it won't have enough power to drive the newest games at 1080p. This really shouldn't come as a suprise, as the same rules apply to HD-TVs as Computer monitors. If you want to run at high resolution with juiced graphics you are going to need a juiced computer (sadly).

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Seems a bit excessive for 2-4 feet but whatever floats your boat...

Yes you will need a DVI->HDMI converter.

Yeah, I have 6' between me and my 37" westy -- and I think this distance is pretty optimal.

 

[daveymark]

unfortunately this was my only option, got it for $100. Otherwise I would have got a 37".

I'll put in an order for hdmi to DVI and see how it turns out, thanks guys

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: daveymark
unfortunately this was my only option, got it for $100. Otherwise I would have got a 37".

I'll put in an order for hdmi to DVI and see how it turns out, thanks guys

holy shit thats a friggen good deal. How did you manage that?

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: daveymark
unfortunately this was my only option, got it for $100. Otherwise I would have got a 37".

I'll put in an order for hdmi to DVI and see how it turns out, thanks guys

holy shit thats a friggen good deal. How did you manage that?

I sold my soul to best buy

I have the HDMI to DVI, but it looks like crap on 1920x1080. 800x600 is the only bearable resolution. is there some way to "tweak" the 1920x1080 resolution to make it look better?

 

[daveymark]

ok, I have everything set up. intital thoughts? I might need to get used to this it DOES seem like overkill. viewing distance is 3.5 - 4 feet. might have to downgrade to 37 incher. I did watch the 300 trailer in 1080p and it looks great! too bad I won't be watching too much 1080p content on this

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: daveymark
unfortunately this was my only option, got it for $100. Otherwise I would have got a 37".

I'll put in an order for hdmi to DVI and see how it turns out, thanks guys

holy shit thats a friggen good deal. How did you manage that?

I sold my soul to best buy

I have the HDMI to DVI, but it looks like crap on 1920x1080. 800x600 is the only bearable resolution. is there some way to "tweak" the 1920x1080 resolution to make it look better?

What exactly looks bad about it?

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: Tiamat

Originally posted by: daveymark
unfortunately this was my only option, got it for $100. Otherwise I would have got a 37".

I'll put in an order for hdmi to DVI and see how it turns out, thanks guys

holy shit thats a friggen good deal. How did you manage that?

I sold my soul to best buy

I have the HDMI to DVI, but it looks like crap on 1920x1080. 800x600 is the only bearable resolution. is there some way to "tweak" the 1920x1080 resolution to make it look better?

What exactly looks bad about it?

i fixed it. I had to download the ATI catalyst and adjust the Hz, the text looked fuzzy It also let me bump the rez up to 1920x1080

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Things will be HUGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.

 

[jpeyton]

Originally posted by: daveymark
i fixed it. I had to download the ATI catalyst and adjust the Hz, the text looked fuzzy It also let me bump the rez up to 1920x1080

Who knew the solution would be as obvious as a driver download.

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: daveymark
i fixed it. I had to download the ATI catalyst and adjust the Hz, the text looked fuzzy It also let me bump the rez up to 1920x1080

Who knew the solution would be as obvious as a driver download.

...and setting the correct resolution. Who woulda thunk, indeed?

 

[technophile82]

haha my friend used that exact tv for use as a computer monitor! and for several months too. i think he just used the standard VGA cable, or maybe the DVI. it looked pretty nice. later on...i bought his tv and it now sees a proper use in a home theater setup

 

[Auric]

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: daveymark
i fixed it. I had to download the ATI catalyst and adjust the Hz, the text looked fuzzy It also let me bump the rez up to 1920x1080

Who knew the solution would be as obvious as a driver download.

...and setting the correct resolution. Who woulda thunk, indeed?

P.S. there may be firmware updates available as WDE has recently released some for this model (depending upon specific build).

 

[imported_amx]

That is one sexy monitor. I still find it too big for daily use. I think 30" would be ideal .

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: Auric

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: daveymark
i fixed it. I had to download the ATI catalyst and adjust the Hz, the text looked fuzzy It also let me bump the rez up to 1920x1080

Who knew the solution would be as obvious as a driver download.

...and setting the correct resolution. Who woulda thunk, indeed?

I've got a Westy W4207 720p and was very happy with my calibration. I cruised by the AVS Forum and checked out some of the recommended calibrations - and - WOW! Quite an improvement over what I considered a quality view.

Optimal range is 6-7 feet. And though much is personal preference, adjusting your desktop appearance settings will go a long way toward improving your viewing pleasure.

Originally posted by: daveymark


is this overkill?

Text

it can be set up between 2 and 4 feet from where I'm sitting. Will be using mostly for web surfing, gaming, watching TV/movies.

Also, I have a radeon X850XT in there w/ DVI, as well as VGA. does this mean I will need to get a DVI to hdmi connector if I want to surf the web and game in 1920x1080 resolution? Based on google, the card can output that resolution. I have comcast so I'm hoping I can plug the coax in the back and get some HD channels. 1080p content will be downloaded shortly as well - do I need DVI to HDMI to watch that?

Use your 'Antenna In (RF)' on your Westy from your cable box.

As far as your audio it depends on yer stuff. You could pass audio from the Westy via the SPDIF Optical Out to:

1) your PC; or
2) a SS receiver.

A sound card for your PC with 'SPDIF Optical In' will cost you $150-$200.

A receiver (like the Yamaha HTR-5930) will set you back $170 and has multiple 'SPDIF Optical In' - one from the panel and one from your PC.

Crank it up

 

[daveymark]

Originally posted by: jpeyton

Originally posted by: daveymark
i fixed it. I had to download the ATI catalyst and adjust the Hz, the text looked fuzzy It also let me bump the rez up to 1920x1080

Who knew the solution would be as obvious as a driver download.

I had the omega drivers installed already for about 6 months before I bought the TV...it required a bit more tweaking than just downloading the driver. there's a huge thread at avsforum regarding the same issue. that said, it's my fault for not explaining more - it's the Catalyst Control Center -the utility, not the driver - that fixed the issue

I'm still trying to get used to it. I'm 4 feet away, and it's feeling a little too big. Might need to drop down to 37"