All About HDTVs as a PC or Laptop Monitor

[Michael DeAbreu]

As I shopped for an HDTV, I got the uncomfortable feeling that few were PC friendly. Most new models sport HDMI inputs. Contrary to what I read in many AV magazines, HDMI isn't a backward compatible evolution of the DVI interface. This White Paper from the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) explains the incompatibility between personal computers and consumer electronics. In short:

A major contributing factor to this growing problem is the use of similar (and in some cases identical) digital interfaces used in both markets. Examples include the DVI and HDMI specifications, both of which are based on a common electrical interface definition and which are showing up more and more in both entertainment and PC systems. There is a growing likelihood of consumers having products of both types in their homes, and the apparent compatibility naturally leads the consumer to believe that such products will interoperate. However, due to the current incompatibilities between PC and CE industry standards and typical industry practices, a consumer attempting to connect CE and PC products will very often find that they do not work well together as expected.

The whole point of an HTPC is to connect it to a high definition display. Many people in this forum are having problems doing this. So, I thought I would start a thread that would specifically identify those high definition monitors and TVs that can't be connected to a PC or that do not allow the PC to use the panel's full native resolution.

[Michael DeAbreu]

Samsung LN series LCD TVs have an HDMI/DVI inputs which according to the User Manual cannot be used for a PC. Support for PC connectivity is actually quite good, even if not all digital. Instead it has an analog VGA PC input which supports a maximum resolution of 1360x768.

Applies to:
LN-R238W
LN-R237W
LN-R268W
LN-R2668W
LN-R267W
LN-R328W
LN-R3228W
LN-R327W

[Michael DeAbreu]

I was ready to buy the Sharp Aqous LC32D4U. That's the shiny black one with CableCard and ATSC tuner. Dealer then told me that a previous buyer couldn't hook up their PC to it through the HDMI input.

Poring through the manual gives no hint that it supports PC connectivity. Except for using a PC to control the TV through its RS-232 C serial port.

[Michael DeAbreu]

As a computer monitor, the Proview is limited to 1024x768 (XGA), 800x600 (SVGA) and 640x480 (VGA). The monitor is plug and play, but doesn't support the LCD panel's native resolution of 1366 x 768.

[hugh]

Excellent idea for a thread!

To clarify. should the subject say "List of Incompatible Personal Computer and HDTV's? I think it would be more instructive. If yes, just PM me and I will change the thread title

[57]

By way of clarification, there are many user manuals that say that the TV SHOULD not be used with a PC. There are several possible reasons.

1. Burn in on CRT-based and Plasma TVs.

2. A carryover from Burn in concerns, even though the particular model is not succeptible (ie the manuals are written for several models).

3. Concerns regarding a signal coming to the TV that could harm it from a PC. (I haven't heard of any harm to a TV due to a PC signal, but I have heard people say that it is "possible".

4. (Credit to Michael TLV) The manufacturers don't wish to field calls from people trying to connect their computers to their TVs since there can be 1000's of possibilities for synchs, etc.

[jayfrostie]

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to use a Mac with the Proview RX Series?

Originally Posted by Michael DeAbreu

As a computer monitor, the Proview is limited to 1024x768 (XGA), 800x600 (SVGA) and 640x480 (VGA). The monitor is plug and play, but doesn't support the LCD panel's native resolution of 1366 x 768.

[que3jxp]

Originally Posted by Michael DeAbreu

As a computer monitor, the Proview is limited to 1024x768 (XGA), 800x600 (SVGA) and 640x480 (VGA). The monitor is plug and play, but doesn't support the LCD panel's native resolution of 1366 x 768.

Is this confrmed and if so has it been tested on the HDMI and VGA connector?

[Michael DeAbreu]

Originally Posted by que3jxp

Is this confrmed and if so has it been tested on the HDMI and VGA connector?

When I briefly owned this model, I was using the VGA input (D-sub 15 pin RGB). It's maximum input resolution was 1024x768. What was really neat however, was that it was stretched to fit the widescreen and the Windows desktop showed no distortion except for being a little squat. Text was perfectly legible. But I returned it since I couldn't drive it at full panel resolution (1366x768) and there were other problems with black crush and dead pixels.

I recall that the Proview/MAG owners manuals confirmed this. But they seem to have a new glossy version which says nothing about connecting PCs.

http://www.proview.com/Product/Produ...5090014&pi=121


My video card is an ATI AIW X600Pro.

[AdamInc]

I Hear Lots of People Saying i'll need a super high end video card with HDCP Complient on it. the only card i can see that has it is a 7950GT2, i have the 7900GTX SC and dont want to buy another expensive video card for the purpose and dont want to downgrade my video card, is there any tv tuner cards i could use for it or anything else like that?

[TedS]

HDMI is only one of several hardware changes coming in Vista. Here's a good summary of things that you should consider in your next PC: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...00438%2C00.asp

Ted

[jvincent]

You don't need an HDCP compliant card to connect to a TV. HDCP will only come into play when it is required for the playback of protected content.

I have a 6600GT connected to my Plasma TV via HDMI, using a DVI to HDMI cable.

My video card also supports component output, which I could have also used to connect to the TV.

[AdamInc]

Thanks for all the inforomation, its helped quite a bit, from what i can tell, the HDCP will only come into play when trying to play Blueray or HD-DVD from the PC to the TV. if i bought media centre 2005 and setup my PC as a PVR would i get any errors trying to do so?

[pnear]

Basically, yes. Testing is limited right now (only one such card exists) so I can't tell you what the exact error will be. It might refuse to play, or it might downgrade the content to 480p.

This also will come into play on OCUR-enabled PCs with direct digital cable connections (Cablecard) but that's a moot point in Canada. With the state that the HDCP hardware and software implementations are at now, I wouldn't focus on that until later. Just make sure your PC has a slot for future upgrade of the video card.

Pete

[AdamInc]

I'm trying to use my panasonic TH-42PX60 but i cant seem to find a good resolution that will show the whole screen clearly. i found this option with my nVIdia 7900GTX SC where i can make a custom resolution, i'm wondering if anyone found a good one that will make the screen perfect.