Using TV as a Monitor Giving me a Headache

[DSF]

When I built my new gaming computer, my old computer became the base of an HTPC. Right now I don't own an HDTV and don't have the funds for one, so the HTPC is hooked up to a Sony WEGA CRT.

Using the computer for more than a short period of time gives me a headache. I'm not sure whether it's because the picture is so much lower res than I'm used to, the refresh rate is too low, etc. I don't have this headache issue when using the TV normally, or when playing Xbox. I also don't get a headache using the computer with an old CRT monitor.

Is there anything that can be done? Any settings I can tweak with a program like RivaTuner or PowerStrip? Any settings I should adjust on the TV?

If it matters, I'm using a 7600GS connected to the TV by an S-Video cable.

Of course the obvious answer is to save up for an HDTV, which I'm doing, but that will be a while coming. I'm looking for an interim solution.

 

[JustaGeek]

Get a cheap LCD monitor.

 

[Zap]

Originally posted by: DSF
the HTPC is hooked up to a Sony WEGA CRT.

Using the computer for more than a short period of time gives me a headache.

The problem is that you have to strain your eyes to read text on a normal CRT TV because of the low resolution and high dot pitch. Eyestrain leads to headaches. You can alleviate some of it by lowering the resolution as much as possible to make the text bigger and easier to read. Failing that, take more breaks from the computer to rest your eyes.

Watching a moving image (using TV normally or playing Xbox) won't incur as much eyestrain as reading text.

 

[imported_wired247]

If you do get an HDTV:

I just got a $4 DVI --> HDMI cable from monoprice.com ... of course shipping was about $4 but that's ok, it's still cheap

it makes a huge difference. S-video is utter crap

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Zap

Originally posted by: DSF
the HTPC is hooked up to a Sony WEGA CRT.

Using the computer for more than a short period of time gives me a headache.

The problem is that you have to strain your eyes to read text on a normal CRT TV because of the low resolution and high dot pitch. Eyestrain leads to headaches. You can alleviate some of it by lowering the resolution as much as possible to make the text bigger and easier to read. Failing that, take more breaks from the computer to rest your eyes.

Watching a moving image (using TV normally or playing Xbox) won't incur as much eyestrain as reading text.

Thanks Zap, I kinda figured it was something like that. Most of my internet browsing is done on my gaming computer that has a conventional monitor anyway. Until I get a better TV, I'll just use the media one for recording shows and playing emulator games.

@ wired247 - Good advice for sure. I definitely wasn't planning on connecting it to the eventual HDTV with S-Video.

 

[AzN]

If your TV does 720p why not use DVI cable HD cables?

 

[DSF]

Originally posted by: Azn
If your TV does 720p why not use DVI cable HD cables?

Either way, it's something that will have to wait until I actually have an HDTV.

 

[AzN]

I thought wega's were HD capable.

Not really good idea hooking up computer with SDTV unless you want to do basic tasks and nothing long term.