<< RobsTV
That is a common misconception. Scan converters output an NTSC signal to the TV. This is at best 720 X 480 INTERLACED (about 1/2 the bandwidth of 640 X 480 on your pc). Even if you start with 1600 X 1200, your TV will always have this same lower resolution. Even the cheap Gateways are night and day better than NTSC. >>
I have to disagree for a couple reasons.
I do see a big difference at all resolutions from 800x600, up to 1600x1200, at every stage. If it was always scaled down to the 720x480 interlaced resolution, then I would see no difference. But then again, perhaps it is my 20/20 eyes, or simply since the fonts and graphics changed it appears to as well? Either way, on to the next point.
Even Canopus, with their Total3d 128v, made a big point of how their card would output to TV at a full 800x600 non-interlaced resolution, and they gave you some tests you could run yourself to see that it really worked! That was years ago, in the days of the Riva 128 chipsets, and when 800x600 TV out was considered awesome. Since those old days, lot's of improvements have gone on, and now 1600x1280 @152Hz is common, and they don't cost $4000+ anymore, but now around $150.
As most have said, you will not be using this huge monitor for everyday PC use, but will instead limit it's use to gaming, DVD's, and browsing, so that means you'll need to have you regular monitor connected as well. A 17" monitor placed about 3 feet from you, will give you about the same viewing area that a 32" monitor placed 6 feet away will provide. So in reality, while others may be watching the game on the big tube, you will still be using the PC's monitor in many cases. Which would you rather see on your PC's monitor, 800x600@60Hz, or 1024x768@85Hz?
Also, with gaming, you are limited to playing at the max the output supports.
Normal TV outputs on video cards output up to 800x600 @60Hz, so that would be your limit in a game. But, with a scan convertor, you CAN still play the game on your 17" or 19" monitor at 1024x768 @85Hz, (or higher if you prefer), while it is also being displayed on the TV. That is one of the big differences. You are not limited to 800x600@60Hz max, like other methods.
For the Gateway issue, another common cause of the darker blotches is the purity rings on the neck of the CRT. Degaussing will have no affect on that, and this is more common with large tubes. You can do a simple test to see if degaussing will work. Place a large magnet in front of the screen and move it around in a circular pattern. Old car stereo speakers should do the trick. If it helps or moves the dark or discolored area, then call a TV shop. They can degauss it for around $20. The built in degausser only works automatically when monitor is turned on dead cold, so you could also try that as well, by letting the unit cool down for a few hours, or overnight, and see if that helps. There is a manual degauss in the menu that you can try as well, even if the monitor is hot. What you are looking for is an improvement, not a fix. If the above improves things, then go to the next step and have it degaussed.