Before I take the plunge into HD territory..

[Sweetloaf]

I have a few questions I need clearing up...again.

As I have asked in a previous thread I need a card that handles 2 x DVI connections to two monitors and a HDMI connection to run all three screens simultaneously if required.

I've narrowed the TV down to the Samsung 37 inch jobby with three HDMI ports and a VGA input.

I want to use 1 HDMI input for a soon to be purchased PS3 and another one for my PC connection. I have seen a couple of 9600GT cards (Gainward Golden Sample and a Palit) that have the correct number of portsn ow onto my real questions:

1) Most TVs are listed as 50Hz, I assume that they can also display 60Hz for console gaming, am I correct?

2) Over HDMI what is the best resolution to use on a non 1080p set for PC gaming etc?

3) Over HDMI will my PC FPS be limited to 30 FPS due to the interlaced nature of the screen?

4) Can I overcome this by running at the screens native res or will this look pants?

5) Is it possible to set up a custom resolution for my PC to output which exactly matches the screens resolution to overcome the above point?

6) Is the above also the case with a 1080p set?

7) I've heard mixed reports about screen tearing even when running a console on an LCD, what causes this, can it be avoided, is it limited to certain sets and certain resolutions?

8) Which is better, LCD or Plasma?.......JOKE!!!, please don't even start on this one

I think that's all for now.

Cheers!

 

[Fr0dders]

1) Most TVs are listed as 50Hz, I assume that they can also display 60Hz for console gaming, am I correct?

Yes

2) Over HDMI what is the best resolution to use on a non 1080p set for PC gaming etc?

720p. P is for progressive and has a higher frame rate of 60s vs 30fps for interlaced. Much better for fast moving gaming.

3) Over HDMI will my PC FPS be limited to 30 FPS due to the interlaced nature of the screen?

send it a signal of 1360 x 768 and it will display progressive

4) Can I overcome this by running at the screens native res or will this look pants?

See above, Running at at native res will not switch it to interlaced. Your PC graphics card doesnt output interlaced outputs very easily. Its much happier sending progressive !

5) Is it possible to set up a custom resolution for my PC to output which exactly matches the screens resolution to overcome the above point?

Most graphics cards have a HDTV output resolution available of 1360 x 768.

6) Is the above also the case with a 1080p set?

it is easier with a 1080p set. You send it 1920 x 1080, it displays 1920 x 1080Whereas with 720p sets you have to hope the set you buy does 1:1 pixel mapping so when displaying 1360 x 768 it just leaves 3 blank pixels at each edge (almost un-noticable in real life)

7) I've heard mixed reports about screen tearing even when running a console on an LCD, what causes this, can it be avoided, is it limited to certain sets and certain resolutions?

Its down to cheap and poor quality sets. Look up on-line reviews for your specific set to assertain its gaming performance.



One other thing to menton, samsung dont make 37" panels. So if you buy a 37" samsung you are certainly being a chinese panel made by Chei Mei.

If you're budget can stretch to it, I would seriously consider a 40" one. Its guaranteed to be a samsung panel, and they have higher contrast ratios and generally better quality panels. Plus you can get the super clear panel on the 40" which makes stuff look the dogs

 

[Sweetloaf]

Thanks for that mate, you've cleared up a few issues there...and given me a new one to consider

Both 37 and 40 inch Samsungs claim 8000:1 contrast ratio, is this not the case then, are the Chai Mei panels useless?

40inches is just getting silly..but hey!

 

[Fr0dders]

Thanks for that mate, you've cleared up a few issues there...and given me a new one to consider

Both 37 and 40 inch Samsungs claim 8000:1 contrast ratio, is this not the case then, are the Chai Mei panels useless?

40inches is just getting silly..but hey!

the differences i was quoting were from the M87 1080p series.

the 37" M87 is quoted at 8000:1. However the 40" M87 is quoted at 15000:1.
quite a jump.

I think the R88/R87 (is that what you're looking at) may not have the same difference, but the 37" wont be an SPVA panel. The 40" R88 definately is, SPVA has better viewing angles etc..

 

[Sweetloaf]

Yeah sorry, should have said, the £500 samsung 37inch jobby.

Might still up it to 40 inch though, seems worth it for £50 extra.

Can you recommend a decent wallmount preferably one that can tilt/swivel/angle depending on where I sit?

Just convinced my wife that 3 inches makes all the difference....oddly, she agreed

 

[Fr0dders]

Unfortunately not, ive got mine on a glass stand

But, i recommend www.avforums.com. Theres a wealth of information on there. If its not there, ask and somebodys bound to know. I literally lived on that site while researching my baby

Samsung 40 " LE40F86

 

[El_Watcher]

Unfortunately not, ive got mine on a glass stand

Samsung 40 " LE40F86

I think that TV would need magic viewing angles to be watchable from that sofa

 

[Sweetloaf]

Thanks MrLOL, big help

I've seen some very favourable reviews of the 37 Samsung though so I've decided not to dismiss it just yet, the more I think about it the more I think 40 inches is too much for the room it's going in, I'm going to head over to The AV forums tonight after work, in the meantime I don't suppose you have any info on the following set do you?

TOSHIBA 37AV505D

Picture Enhancement - Active Vision LCD
Contrast - 14,000 : 1 (Dynamic)

I know it's the bottom of the Regza range but something that sticks in my mind is the first ever Nicam Tv I bought, a 4:3 21 inch set and I have yet to find any CRT that matches its clarity, I know the new tellies are a world apart but do Toshiba have the same QC that they used to?

 

[Fr0dders]

some of the toshibas arent very PC friendly, no 1:1 pixel mapping etc..

check on AV Forums, but they're not bad sets.

 

[Sweetloaf]

Well, after all my procrastination I've just ordered a telly because it caught my eye online, It's not available until 18 Apr and I know little about it so it's a bit of a fingers crossed job to be honest, specs speak for themselves, I just hope it lives upto my expectations

Cheers again and wish me luck.

Not bad for little over £550....I hope:

http://www.home-entertainment.toshi...pages/lcdplasma-regzaxv-37xv505d?opendocument

Mine is actually a 503D which has a silver stand instead of a black one, specs are the same.

 

[Fr0dders]

looks to be a good shout

have a read of the XV thread on avforums

seems its better than the current Z series, but its the next generation replacement for the X series, so allthough better specs, is lacking some top of the range features like 100hz processing.

but then again, only sony seemed to have really mastered it. So your not missing much.

looks a good buy

 

[Sweetloaf]

seems its better than the current Z series, but its the next generation replacement for the X series, so allthough better specs, is lacking some top of the range features like 100hz processing.

but then again, only sony seemed to have really mastered it. So your not missing much.

Yep 100Hz is really the only thing that it's missing that I would like, but then everything in my price range was missing it too, considering that a few weeks ago my budget was £399 I've decided to stop looking because it's torturous.

It would be rude not to get it at the price I managed

Thanks again for your input mate, I've been browsing the AV forums but didn't feel the need to join yet because everything I wanted to ask had already been answered in one form or another

 

[GazD]

I have the LE40M87 and have it wall mounted. I bought my mount from ebay, email me if you want more details.

 

[Fr0dders]

Thanks again for your input mate, I've been browsing the AV forums but didn't feel the need to join yet because everything I wanted to ask had already been answered in one form or another

not a problem

that place really is a wealth of information. I darent go on there anymore since i bought my new telly

im afriad about hearing of Samsungs 2008 models and wanting a new one. I promised the Mrs this set would last longer than my last one (did well though, nearly 4 years with that one, even if i did start looking for its replacement after about 2 )