Topic: PC to HDMI TV

[F9thDigi]

I need some advice.

I've been wanting to run TV through my PC for a while now, and although I have a TV decoder card I'm not entirely happy with it.  In the UK we're just getting HD tele's now with the HDMI connections.  I would like to be able to have a stand alone TV in my study and use it for PC use without having to need a seperate monitor. It will mainly be for PC use and when I'm watching the TV I don't want the noise of the PC in the background.

• Does anyone run a system like this at the moment?
• I have a nVidia Gigabyte 7800gt 256Mb graphics card.  Do I need a new graphics card or can I go DVI to HDMI?
• The LCD TV Resolutions over here are 1366 x 768.  Is this the maximum you'll get with both TV and PC visuals?
• Most LCD TV's here have only one HDMI connection.  If I later on wanted to add a HD DVD or HD Cable would it be possible to use a splitter into one HDMI port or should I be looking at a TV with multiple HDMI ports?

A TV I was looking at is linked below.  Due to room space I don't think I'd need anything over 26", as I may still need to sit near the screen.
http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/television/tftlcd/le26r72bxxeu.asp

Any help or insights would be extremely useful!

[GE-Raven]

The best of the best in the "TV" market is going to have a 1080i resolution.  (Few brands get up to 1280).  Basically this is the same top end resolution as your average 17" flat screen monitor.  (This is approx 1920x1080 resolution)

So if you get a larger scale HD TV... keep in mind, you will likely be unhappy with the look of the graphics.  For instance I have a Sony 42 Grand Vega LCD Projection TV.   At 42" it is basically functioning at or around 6X my 19" monitor on my computer.  (Like have 3 monitors wide and 2 monitors high)  However if I plug my computer into it in HD mode (Wide Screen) I am only running a resolution that is 320 pixels wider, and about 500 pixels LESS tall.  You are however sitting several feet away which does help reduce the "grainy" look.  However if you are serious... I recommend getting a Nice Monitor (Something in the 4 million pixel range will be 2x the BEST HDTV) and then getting an HD TV card.  If you want to go all in one.

However, if you are interested I would recommend you talk to the Computer retailer in your area to see if they know of any such setup you cuold see (Computer and HDTV as monitor)

GE-Raven

[F9thDigi]

Thanks Raven - that's interesting about the resolutions. 

I think in the UK companies like SKY are going for 720p rather than 1080i.

We don't really have that many independent retailers in this area, mostly your big stores.  I had a chat with them at the weekend and althought they could answer a couple of my questions they really didn't know anything else.

From what you've said I may be able to get away with a 26" screen.  My current 19" TFT has a max resolution of 1280x1024 so anything above that would be a bonus.

Thanks
Digi

[kmelew]

It appears from the specs that the unit has VGA input.  I have a similar Samsung 26' LCD here in the States and it has VGA input.

You have to make sure that your video card can support the resolutions and refresh rates that the TV is capable of supporting, or you might damage the TV.

Download the manual and see what PC resolutions/refresh rates the TV is capable of supporting.