Definitely not a deinterlacing problem - easiest way to diagnose is to get another cable (maybe borrow a friend's which you know is working properly?)
If it still happens, it's either the computer having problems outputting the signal or the tv having problems decoding it (The first can be tested easily - plug it into a regular PC monitor and see if it happens still. If it doesn't, it's your TV, unfortunately)

Definitely not a deinterlacing problem - easiest way to diagnose is to get another cable (maybe borrow a friend's which you know is working properly?)
If it still happens, it's either the computer having problems outputting the signal or the tv having problems decoding it (The first can be tested easily - plug it into a regular PC monitor and see if it happens still. If it doesn't, it's your TV, unfortunately)
Ok thanks. If its my TV is this a general problem with them or do you think its a warrenty thing?

Thanks

I have a hitachi p50h401 (plasma 50" )
and I want to conect my desktop and use as a monitor

what opptions do i have
I was checking the vga to rca cable but i do not know how is the resolutio


any ideas !!!!!! please and thank you

I have a hitachi p50h401 (plasma 50" )
and I want to conect my desktop and use as a monitorFrom the product website (http://www.hitachi.us/Apps/hitachicom/content.jsp?page=products/plasma_tvs/details/P50H401.html&level=2&section=products&parent=plasma_tvs&nav=left&path=jsp/hitachi/forhome/ubcg/&nId=iD) it looks like your best option is to get a video card with HDMI output. See some of the other posts in this thread.

I'd say a video card with either a DVI or HDMI output is your only option. The latter is preferable. Some older video cards have s-video outputs but the quality on a 50" TV is going to be abysmal.

Even with an DVI or HDMI video card, your results may not be that good. The panel resolution for your TV is 1280 x 1080. The PC will output true 1080 at 1920 x 1080. Consequently there is going to be some scaling, maybe some overscan. The result (and I'm guessing here) is that some of the PC's desktop may be missing and text may be a little distorted.

You might try to force the video card to output 1280 x 1080 but I'm pretty sure the TV will not be able to lock on to that signal. The user manual has very little information on attaching a PC so I don't think PC's are going to well supported.

Perhaps another owner can relate their experience with this model?

Based solely on the specs and user manual, these TVs should play nicely with HTPCs. As always the real acid test is plugging in a PC. Things to consider:


The panel resolution is 1920 x 1080
The PC input (DB-15) is limited to 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz. It supports VGA, SVGA, XGA, WXGA, SXGA resolutions
The TV allows you to adjust the vertical and horizontal position of the PC desktop
The HDMI 1 input tops out at 1920 x 1080 progressive @ 60Hz
The HDMI 1 input allows separate audio input. Perfect if you are using a DVI to HDMI cable
If receiving a 480i (HDMI), 480p (HDMI), 720p, 1080i, or 1080p signal program, Native mode scales the video to display the entire picture within the borders of the screen (i.e. no overscanning).
However The edges of the images may be hidden for VGA, SVGA, XGA, WXGA, SXGA resolutions.
Toshiba recommends that you turn on the TV first, and then the HDMI or DVI device. This could potentially cause problems when your HTPC wakes up from hibernation, standy or sleep.

Hello all

First, I have my Rogers HD PVR box connected via a DVI->HDMI cable to HDMI2, DVD player via HDMI1, DVD recorder via component, my desktop PC from another room via s-video (through a s-video/audio balun through my home Cat5e network). I bought a 25ft VGA cable to connect my laptop to the TV but the TV won't detect a signal nor will the TV go into PC Input source mode. PC Input is disabled under Input sources under Setup. Can anyone offer a suggestion here? I made sure my laptop is putting out a signal as I tried the 25ft cable on my Samsung LCD monitor and it worked fine plus I use extended desktop at work all the time.

Also, just to try and narrow down the problem, I tried using a second Rogers HD PVR remote (my primary Rogers remote is set up the way I want and I don't want to fool with it), I tried different Samsung codes and one code switches to the PC source and back to HDMI1 only. I still can't get my laptop to display when the source is PC in this case. Previously I was using the Samsung remote to switch sources, just as an FYI.

Thanks

On some HDTVs, you can "skip" certain inputs in the setup menu. Make sure that particular input is not "skipped" - you'll probably need the original TV remote to check this. On some HDTVs, the input only becomes active if a cable is attached or if there is a signal. (I assume that you've got the cable connected and there should be a signal). Also check that the output resolution matches the TV resolution, some inputs are limited to certain resolutions that can be different from the TV's native resolution - check the operating manual. For example, this TV is 1024 x 768.

I've moved your post to this thread.

Thanks for the reply 57.

I don't think my TV has a feature to skip inputs as I have tried to find it before to skip the TV air source.

I tried a 1024x768 rez but no luck.

My laptop has the ATI Mobility Radeon X1300 that supports HDTV. I enabled the option to add the HD rez to the list of resolutions and used that but no luck. However, when I am in the ATI control panel, and I detect displays, it does detect a VGA monitor. If I disconnect the cable, it doesn't detect. It will even detect if the TV is powered off. I assume that is normal. So some signal is passing through but not in the direction I want :confused:

I'd haul my desktop down to my rec room where my TV is and connect that to the TV as a test but I just had surgery and not suppose to lift 5lbs for 6-8 weeks :(

I don't think my TV has a feature to skip inputs as I have tried to find it before to skip the TV air source.Just as an FYI, I have not yet found a TV that allows you to skip that souce, but most TVs do allow a skip of the other inputs... Not being able to skip the "TV" input is especially silly since most people today don't use it...

Luckily, most TVs now allow direct access to certain inputs (Harmony remote or TV remote). Sorry for the OT post, just wanted to clarify.

I found the problem. I was sold a 14pin VGA cable. I exchanged for a 15pin where apparently the 15th pin sends rez data to the TV. Works perfect now. Who would have thought ???

Hope this helps someone else some day.

I recently purchased an 26LG30, I managed to get the PC to HDTV working through a VGA cable by adjusting my screen to 1024 by 768 pixels.
I can see my Windows Screen and all programs including internet on the TV screen, as soon as I try playing any type of video or DVD from my laptop an "Invalid Format" comes up on the screen.
I bought this TV in the purpose of playing my downloaded videos, from my laptop to my TV.
Please help.

I just purchased a new samsung 5 series lcd, and have some learning to do it seems... I hooked it up last night, and changed the resolution to 1920x1080, and it worked fine (although the icons were a bit too small, it worked)
When I got up this morning, and turned the HTPC on, it booted up, I had video on the Samsung, and then, the tv went black, and said "mode not supported"
I spent the better part of the afternoon, trying to change the display settings.....
I went in to safe mode, tried changing them, but whenever I rebooted, the tv would show in the top corner 1920x1080, so I knew the settings werent changed....
I finally put them back to 1280x720 using the Catalyst software for my radeonx1550 video card, and in the control panel display settings....
I am just wondering why it was saying the mode is not supported, and what is your video card resolution settings set to?

How are you connected? HDMI or component?

What were you doing (or trying to do) when it gave you the "mode not supported" message?

Many HDTVs need to have standard consumer HDTV timings for 1920x1080 to work so if you don't have that selected it may be an issue.

Hello

I'm a newbie here and I hope that someone is able to offer some advice.

I've got a Dell Inspirion 6400 (OS Windows Vista) and recently purchased a 19 inch Samsung SyncMaster 932MW to be used as an extended monitor with the laptop. However, each time I plug and connect the two, the laptop immediately switches to safe mode. I have rebooted, turned-off & turned on the laptop but it still goes to safe mode whenever the TV monitor is detected.

Am I missing something? How do I get round this issue?

Your advice is very much appreciated.

Hi there,
I am a new to this ... please be gentle.
I'm about jump onto the digital bandwagon and leave my Trinitron behind.
After researching HDTV's and PC compatiblility I am leaning towards the Panasonic TH46PZ85 and wondering if this is a good choice. I have an HP Pavilion DV6335ca laptop and I'll be upgrading to the StarChoice HD PVR when I buy a TV.
Any input on the Panasonic choice? Other choices?
What about cables? To be honest I have no idea what half the ports on the side of the computer are for.
My plan is to use the TV with the SC PVR 95% of the time, but once in a while I'd like to be able to use the TV as a monitor from the laptop [as simply as possible].
Thank you very much to anyone with information. I hope I've given enough information for someone to fill in my blanks. Technology is moving way to fast for me.
-Dick

That plasma has multiple HDMI inputs and a dedicated VGA (analog RGB) input, so it's a good choice from that perspective.

As far as using it for a monitor, you are likely to find that because of the resolution it won't be particularly useful for anything other than casual web browsing.

Using TVs connected to a PC is really best for media playback (DVD, etc).

After researching HDTV's and PC compatiblility I am leaning towards the Panasonic TH46PZ85...I've not seen this particular model attached to a PC, but statistically speaking I don't know a better brand than Samsung when it comes to HTPC "friendliness".
Things have changed in the least 12-18 months. Most of TV brands are not as anti-PC as they used to be.

I've been trying to hook up my laptop to my Sony A2020 for weeks without luck and have finally found this thread.
If you are familiar with this TV then you know that the PC input is useless as it outputs at a reduced resolution within a large black border.
I found a VGA to component cable at a surplus store and have been tearing what's left of my hair out ever since.
After numerous reboots and resolution changes, I keep coming up with strange looking versions of the windows desktop (multiple versions, strange colours scrolling endlessly ). I guess this means that the TV is not "synching" properly.
I have the VGA output set to 1280x720 (although I have tried every resolution under the sun) and would think that the TV should be able to accept a "standard" HD resolution like 720 without problems.
Is it possible to display my laptop ( acer aspire 1640) on my sony a2020 using the full screen? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

The biggest problem you have is the video in your laptop: it is Intel.
With ATI and Nvidia you'd have no problem getting a hidef mage trasfered to this TV.
But Intel IGPs don't support custom resolutions (at least the GMA900 generation your laptop has).

Have a look at archibael posts at A.V.S. (he's an Intel insider).
He posted some over/underscan/porch/etc. utility for latest Intel IGPs a couple months ago (what PowerStrip does for ATI and NV).
Not sure it will handle GMA900, but that would be your best chance, I think.