HDTV and Computers - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

feelgood · 11-28-2007, 02:28 PM

I have Insignia 42" HDTV and it supports using the TV as a monitor and speaker but is there any point in doing so? Reason I'm asking is that I once connected the computer's monitor to a different tv and the screen resolution came out distorted, as if it was displaying at 800x600 with low-bit color. So, I was wondering if anyone had a different experience.

My biggest worries is being able to read the text off a such a large "monitor".

Martian · 11-28-2007, 02:41 PM

Standard televisions have a very low resolution; if I'm not mistaken it's in the 320x240 range. Comparatively, your computer monitor (and your HDTV, for that matter) support resolutions much higher; the standard resolutions for HDTV are 1280x720 and 1920x1080. Note that these are both 16:9 aspect ratios, so while you should be able to get a much cleaner image with them than you would on a standard television, you'll also need to either have a video card that supports 16:9 resolutions or set the television to display as 4:3 instead.

But yeah, it's definitely worth trying it out. You should be able to get a good quality image out of any HDTV.

telekinetic · 11-28-2007, 03:19 PM

If you use VGA or DVI->HDMI you'll get pixel perfect results. The uses for this (for me) are primarily to play movie files on the TV, aka home theater PC. I've also got a video capture card/TV tuner, so once I find a good software solution I'm happy with, tada, instant TiVo.

captobvious · 11-28-2007, 06:05 PM

To elaborate on Martian's response, standard def resolution is 640x480. Here's a list of standard resolutions. As others have mentioned, if you use the right video card and connection, you should get a great picture on your HDTV.

11-28-2007, 02:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
feelgood Free Mars! Location: I dunno, there's white people around me saying "eh" all the time	HDTV and Computers I have Insignia 42" HDTV and it supports using the TV as a monitor and speaker but is there any point in doing so? Reason I'm asking is that I once connected the computer's monitor to a different tv and the screen resolution came out distorted, as if it was displaying at 800x600 with low-bit color. So, I was wondering if anyone had a different experience. My biggest worries is being able to read the text off a such a large "monitor". __________________ Looking out the window, that's an act of war. Staring at my shoes, that's an act of war. Committing an act of war? Oh you better believe that's an act of war

11-28-2007, 02:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Standard televisions have a very low resolution; if I'm not mistaken it's in the 320x240 range. Comparatively, your computer monitor (and your HDTV, for that matter) support resolutions much higher; the standard resolutions for HDTV are 1280x720 and 1920x1080. Note that these are both 16:9 aspect ratios, so while you should be able to get a much cleaner image with them than you would on a standard television, you'll also need to either have a video card that supports 16:9 resolutions or set the television to display as 4:3 instead. But yeah, it's definitely worth trying it out. You should be able to get a good quality image out of any HDTV. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

11-28-2007, 03:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	If you use VGA or DVI->HDMI you'll get pixel perfect results. The uses for this (for me) are primarily to play movie files on the TV, aka home theater PC. I've also got a video capture card/TV tuner, so once I find a good software solution I'm happy with, tada, instant TiVo. __________________ twisted no more

11-28-2007, 06:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
captobvious Insane Location: Somewhere	To elaborate on Martian's response, standard def resolution is 640x480. Here's a list of standard resolutions. As others have mentioned, if you use the right video card and connection, you should get a great picture on your HDTV.