Why DVDs look crap on High End Monitor comparied to regular TVs?

lain

Member
Jun 21, 2001
83
0
0
My regular Panasonic TV looks better played DVD than my High End Sony/Mitsubishi Monitor...

You'd think higher resolution, brigher screen, more colors... but not. Especially the color, looks way off.

Can someone explain this to me? Thanks in advance.
 

Gosharkss

Senior member
Nov 10, 2000
956
0
0
Depending on your video card you may not be getting better resolution on your monitor when you play DVD's. Just because the monitor is capable of higher resolution it is up to the card to drive it higher.

The colors are off because computer monitors are set up to different color temperatures than TV's. Most monitors default to 9300 deg.

9300 deg. K is the standard "computer monitor" white, and gives the highest absolute luminance but is distinctly bluish in color. Every common desktop monitor that I know of defaults to 9300 deg. K color temperature.

6500 is generally considered a "whiter" white, and is often referred to as "daylight" white. It's the standard white point used in the TV industry, and so is the best choice if you're displaying video on your computer monitor. You gamers may want to check this out, flesh tones are better etc.

Another common "standard" white is 5500 or 5000 deg. K, a bit redder than 6500 and often called "paper" white. As you might guess, it's most often used in document review or photographic and pre-press applications.

Check the user manual for your monitor, it will tell you how to change color temp.


 

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
Well the only thing I can explain is that DVD's do look better on a decent monitor than a TV as long as you have good software and a decent system. You are doing something wrong. Post your CPU, Video Card and Software.

I use WinDVD 3.0 DTS and DVD's absolutely rock in terms of visual quality and sound. However, I still watch more DVD's on my TV from the comfort of my couch in the living room.


LJ
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
19
81
How close do you sit in front of your TV as opposed to your monitor?
Not only that, but the computer will likely have to interpolate the original DVD to get it to the resolution of your monitor, which is most likely higher than that of your TV. But yes, it does also depend on the video card and decoder that you're using.
 

Muse

Lifer
Jul 11, 2001
39,383
9,256
136


<< Well the only thing I can explain is that DVD's do look better on a decent monitor than a TV as long as you have good software and a decent system. You are doing something wrong. Post your CPU, Video Card and Software.

I use WinDVD 3.0 DTS and DVD's absolutely rock in terms of visual quality and sound. However, I still watch more DVD's on my TV from the comfort of my couch in the living room.


LJ
>>

Do you watch them via a "dedicated" DVD player like you find in an electronics store or are you watching them on your TV via TV-out?
 

dave5317

Senior member
Jun 18, 2001
697
0
0
Yeah....video cards and software are very important for nice picture of DVD!!! I tried and better video card generate better picture!!!
 

lain

Member
Jun 21, 2001
83
0
0
Thanks for all the info. Everyone.

So, it doesn't necessarly have to look crappy DVD on Monitor??

PIII @ 733Mhz
Matrox G400 TV
256MB SDRAM
Power DVD 3

I know I have enough hardware power.

Using HIGH END BNC Cable.

Should I change me Video Card???
 

Slugbait

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,633
3
81
Nah, keep the card...I have a G200 Marvel, DVD looks fine. If you'll note, PC-VCR won't even run at 24-bit color depth.

I assume you're running True (either 24 or 32)...reduce to 16-bit, drop your rez to 1024x768, make sure your refresh is 75 (or 'Optimal') and try again...that may be the ticket.
 

Soccerman

Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,378
0
0
all things being equal, a DVD will look crappy on a monitor when compared to a TV (assuming NTSC resolution). The reason behind this is simple! your TV can't show you the defects of MPEG2 compression nearly as easily as monitor!

now, we all know that there are quality differences between hardware and software decoders on computers (typically hardware acceleration on a seperate decoder card isn't so great due to the use of a pass through cable), but they aren't NEARLY as noticeable as just watching the DVD on a TV and on a monitor!

there are of course colour differences between TVs and monitors, but I would think computer based decoders automatically take that into account though. of course, you can personalize the colour settings on your monitor or in the software (at least, some of the software) to make it more like the TV settings, which you appear to like better.

tell us what kind of quality problems you're having? does it look like 16 bit mode trying to render 32 bit images (banding)?
 

LarryJoe

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,425
0
0
Muse - I have a set top player for the TV and a Pioneer drive in the PC.

I still disagree. DVD's look absolutely perfect on my system from the 2ft distance I am from the screen. Get 2ft from your TV and you will see nothing but granularity and low resolution.

LJ