PC on 40"+ HDTV

[dakotagts]

I am sitting on my PC typing thru a 40" Sony V4100. I am not completely happy with the setup. I have been searching all over the web and here for a guide to using a PC on large HDtv's but have not seen any clear answers. Here are some questions that I feel will help many looking for this same info.

1. IF I have a LARGE HDTV (40"+) does the video card need to be an HD video card?
I have a radeon x1900xt with HD resolution size, but I cannot read anything!

2. I have the DVI to HDMI cable hooked up and the Pixel Ratio 1:1 on the TV what is the best resolution for 6-8 feet from the TV?

3. I have HD media, when I view it from the PC is it displaying in HD if I am using any video card that has resolutions at HD size or higher?

Any help would be great. Maybe even someone can setup an HDTV settings recommendation post?

 

[Spicedaddy]

Originally posted by: dakotagts
I am sitting on my PC typing thru a 40" Sony V4100. I am not completely happy with the setup. I have been searching all over the web and here for a guide to using a PC on large HDtv's but have not seen any clear answers. Here are some questions that I feel will help many looking for this same info.

1. IF I have a LARGE HDTV (40"+) does the video card need to be an HD video card?
I have a radeon x1900xt with HD resolution size, but I cannot read anything!

2. I have the DVI to HDMI cable hooked up and the Pixel Ratio 1:1 on the TV what is the best resolution for 6-8 feet from the TV?

3. I have HD media, when I view it from the PC is it displaying in HD if I am using any video card that has resolutions at HD size or higher?

Any help would be great. Maybe even someone can setup an HDTV settings recommendation post?

1. No, resolution should just be set to 1920x1080.
2. Your TV's native resolution is the best.
3. Yes. For Blu-Ray movies, you need an HDCP video card (using DVI or HDMI) and Windows Vista.

 

[Soundmanred]

Yup, you need to set it to your displays native resolution (1920x1080)
If your text is too small, you can resize it in Windiows.
Just play around in Display Properties->Appearance->Advanced.

 

[Yanagi]

I am one of those that uses my computer with my HDTV.
I use a 47" LG 1080P display.
I am superhappy.
I use a GTX260 using a HDMI connection to the tv set, SPDIF to the reciever.
Installation, not a problem. Most of the times (using friends with similar setups as reference) the TV set is detected as a normal monitor. Just set the native resolution as needed, might need to do some adjusting via TV option / drivers to shrink the image so its not to large / small.

The only quirk with running a large tv set is that you sit far away from it, and lets be honest, 1920x1080 is still a *fairly high resolution* especially when you sit 8-10ft or so from it. This results in webbrowsing becoming a pain sometimes. Fortunately FF3 is great when it comes to enlarging fonts / sites. A few Ctrl+ presses later all is good to go again.

Gaming, having lots of fun, especially with surround for added effect

Movie watching, with a proper media player setup (maybe a Bluetoth remote aswell) your gaming PC can serve as a fairly OK HTPC aswell.

Best part? I can game / surf from the couch since I use a wireless keyboard / mosue. I for one wont go back anytime soon to using a regular monitor again. Thats what my servers are for

 

[dakotagts]

Thanks for all the input.

Here is where I sit now.

I used to be a gamer... a 10 month old baby has changed that. 2 years ago this was a gaming rig that was high quality. Now I am trying to find a good purpose for it, so I hooked it up to my new 40". Here is what I am currently doing with this PC, maybe this will help with some other questions.

1. I have a Sony HD Camcorder HDD model. I have a backup storage attached to the PC and we want to watch the videos in HD and burn the DVD's using this PC. I do not have a Blu-ray burner, but I do have a PS3 sitting right next to the PC. I plan to upgrade to a blu-ray burner when media and burner are not so darn expensive.

2. We use it also for photo storage and viewing.

3. Browsing the web... I have a notebook in the same room, but when one of us it on it the other will use the HDTV PC to view the web. (I did figure out the CTRL + for making the web pages larger, but that does not increase video plugins...)

Here are some more issues I still have!!!

1. I set the TV to 1:1 pixel, however there is still about a 1-2 inch black box around the edge of the screen when set to 1920x1080. Should I use the screen adjustments to fill that border?

2. I have a copy of Vista Premium, should I install that on this PC?

3. I do not have HD service, but I am thinking about upgrading to Dish Network's HD soon. I will most likely use their DVR service, is their any reason to use the PC in conjunction with HD service? And does that mean I need to upgrade my Vid card?

 

[toslat]

You might also want to look into overscan/underscan as it can reduce picture quality.

I think recommended setup is 1080p resolution with no overscan (or underscan) on both PC and TV

 

[coreyb]

how would one setup their computer to their tv without hdmi? i know that i can connect using dvi but how would i get the sound working with my receiver?

 

[dakotagts]

Originally posted by: coreyb
how would one setup their computer to their tv without hdmi? i know that i can connect using dvi but how would i get the sound working with my receiver?

The best bet is using a DVI to HDMI cable. I bought one for like $5 on monoprice.com. Your motherboard may have a Toslink Optical output on it if it has on board surround sound. You can get that cable also at monprice for a couple bucks. You need to make sure your receiver has an input for optical however.