What's the best way to use a TV for a monitor?

[RADIOLEE]

I would like to use my 51" Hi Def TV as my computer monitor as well.

In my limited research, I assume I need a new video card w/ S video or component video out. Is there a big difference in quality between the two for use with a computer?

I would prefer S as the cards are cheaper. It's also easier to run a single cord rather than the three for component.

Anybody doing this?
Any recommendations for video cards?

Thanks!!

Lee

[Duo]

Well, component video is definitely better than s-video by far. I've found many systems in which composite works better than s-vid.

Trouble with component, as you know, is cost. It isn't cheap, but definitely nice.

[mbroker]

Since I'm stuck with a 27" TV for the time being, all I have is second-hand experience, so take this with a grain of salt. The two or three people I know who have attempted to use their giant screen TVs for monitors didn't like the results much. As I recall, the resolution was really just not very good. Good for Half-Life, Quake, etc, but not so good for email, surfing, typing, CAD of any kind, etc. That was about 18 months ago, so things probably have improved since, and I do also believe they were using "standard" plasma screens. The only big screen TV I've ever seen used as a monitor was about 8 years ago, and was about CGA quality The 13" TV next to me doubled as our Tandy-1000 CGA monitor back in about 1985.

That said, I do believe that converter boxes are made to convert the DB15 signal into some signal the TV will accept (RF, composite, S-video, or component). I don't know how well they work compared to a video card with similar outputs.

So the bottom line is that I'd make every attempt to see it in action before purchasing. If that isn't possible, purchase from a store with a good return policy.

Cheers,

Mark

[RADIOLEE]

Thanks!
Good advice from Oshkosh...

Air show coming up?

Lee

[mbroker]

Originally posted by RADIOLEE
Good advice from Oshkosh...

You say that like it doesn't happen often....

Air show coming up?

Yeah, don't remind me. Bad traffic and too many turists make it an unpleasant week for those not into planes. And, to top it off, I live in a crash zone. At least I can watch some of the aerobatics from the front door, and during "breaks" at work.

Cheers,

Mark

[jleaman]

if it is a hi-def screen you should have dvi input on the back if so i would buy a nice ati video card and buy a nice dvi cable. what is the model and make of the screen..>?

[RADIOLEE]

It's an RCA D52130 (52" screen-correction). Doesn't have DVI, but does have 15 pin High Resoultion input.

I'm not sure of the purpose of that input. Seems like just another component video input.

Thanks!

Lee

[cowanrg]

that 15 pin cable is a SCART cable. its an RCA thing. its component video and audio all in one. as far as the RCA goes, we carry them at work, they are the worst tv we have. (if im thinking of the right one). i would either do the DVI thing (which the tv cant do really), or just put the money toward a real monitor...

i have s-video out on my laptop. hooked up to my tv downstairs, which is a tube (arguably the best picture quality out, other than plasma), it still looks bad. games are cool, but text is hell to read, and just about anything of any value is horrible. i cant even USE most programs in there. just FYI.

[Grumpy_Git]

hey got hold of this a while ago, cant remember where so apologies for lack of credit to sources but anyway, i never tried it so have no ideas about it, hope this helps...

Nick.

[DPW666]

Well if you have HD component inputs just build this VGA transcoder. You'll get very nice resolutions out of this....check the latest pages for the latest schematic. I started that thread so long ago and the guys are still working on it. They are the champs!

woopsie forgot the link http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...13#post1582413