Using a TV as a computer monitor

[maxhavoc]

This might not be the correct forum for this, but I'll try anyway.

I'm thinking of buying a 60" HDTV that supports 1080p for use as both a TV and a computer monitor and I was wondering if such a thing is truly feasible. I mean, will the TV actually be able to display a computer's video signal at 1920x1080? Also, in order to do this, would the signal output from the DVI connector or the S-Video from the graphics card? Thanks for any help.

 

[Peter]

Yes of course it will, and it'll have to be DVI - simply because SVideo is 480 lines interlaced, with just enough bandwidth to tell about 360 pixels apart horizontal. This might be good enough for your average CRT TV, but is definitely way too poor for a big HDTV unit.

 

[maxhavoc]

Ok, thanks for the reply. Now, I read this article on cnet about how TV's which claim to support 1080p can't actually support it and can only run at 1080i, do you know what this means? The article is here: http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11246_7-6388574-1.html

 

[Peter]

What do you think it means? It means the affected devices do no more than 1080i whilst being advertized as 1080p capable.

 

[maxhavoc]

Ok, but it's not that simple, the article mentions that TV's cannot do 1080p using HDMI, first of all, what is HDMI? I'm assuming that's referring to HD-TV input from a cable provider. It also says that some TV's can handle 1080p from a computer input, is there anyway to tell if a TV can do 1080p from a computer input without actually plugging a computer into it and checking?

 

[Peter]

Do your homework - google and browse forums for experience with the PARTICULAR model you've thrown an eye on. (Google might also tell you what abbreviations like HDMI mean )

Then buy, try, and return as "not as advertized" if it doesn't do what it said on the box.

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: maxhavoc
Ok, but it's not that simple, the article mentions that TV's cannot do 1080p using HDMI, first of all, what is HDMI? I'm assuming that's referring to HD-TV input from a cable provider. It also says that some TV's can handle 1080p from a computer input, is there anyway to tell if a TV can do 1080p from a computer input without actually plugging a computer into it and checking?

HDMI = DVI-D + SPDIF

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Originally posted by: keeleysam

Originally posted by: maxhavoc
Ok, but it's not that simple, the article mentions that TV's cannot do 1080p using HDMI, first of all, what is HDMI? I'm assuming that's referring to HD-TV input from a cable provider. It also says that some TV's can handle 1080p from a computer input, is there anyway to tell if a TV can do 1080p from a computer input without actually plugging a computer into it and checking?

HDMI = DVI-D + SPDIF

Um, not quite... HDMI has roughly a third more bandwidth and the audio signal isn't in S/PDIF format - it can theoretically carry 8 audio streams at up to 32bit/192Khz each.

 

[Peter]

HDMI does not have more bandwidth than DVI.

Come on guys, this is "Highly Technical". Either move to an appropriate forum or just google it. Thank you.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Originally posted by: Peter
HDMI does not have more bandwidth than DVI.

Come on guys, this is "Highly Technical". Either move to an appropriate forum or just google it. Thank you.

Type B HDMI allows for twice the video bandwidth of DVI. Type A can carry 8 192Khz audio signals in addition to the same video signals as DVI.

By definition, therefore, HDMI has more bandwidth. It's not simply DVI+S/PDIF.

 

[Peter]

Type B HDMI is the same thing as dual channel DVI.

There being audio channels is nothing to do with the properties of the video signals.

Next question please.

 

[Woodchuck2000]

Suggest you stop being patronising and Google something yourself.

Dual-link DVI used six TDMS channels run at 165MHz. HDMI-B uses three at 330MHz. Saying they're the same is like suggesting that ten 100Mbit ethernet connections are the same as a single gigabit connection.

In other news, I never specified video bandwidth in my original statement. It is a simple fact that HDMI, as an interface, carries more information (i.e. has more bandwith) than either DVI, or DVI with a S/PDIF interface tacked onto the side.

Next answer please.