What LCD HDTVs Satisfy These Needs! Inside.

[gord]

Hello all.

Well having bought an xbox 360 im now looking towards buying a HDTV. However, my room is quite small and thats where i have my pc etc. The screen should be able to:

Play normal tv.. from an aerial.
Play xbox 360.. in HD.. through whatever i can
Play computer.. through whatever i can.. which i imagine is only VGA

It will be a multipurpose screen as you can see, because i am currently using a 19" TFT and for xbox its just naff, letter boxing is annoying me and the resolution problems with PGR3 irritates beyond belief. So as far as i know, i could replace my TFT and normal tele with an LCD HDTV.. save desk space and have improved picture.

However what are the LCD HDTVs like with the computer, for web browsing etc? Also, are they bad on the eyes? Because i will have to work at my computer.

I really like the price and look of the Samsung HDTVs. But if theres other opinions/advice it will definitely be considered. Currently looking at Samsung LE-23R51 (HD-Ready) but not sure on the connectors (Dsub is that VGA, and Video in/out my aerial?). Its a bit irritating we cant link out, but if you advise on the type/model of product i will find it online.

Any advise is much appreciated.

 

[gord]

Im also considering maybe just getting a widescreen TFT. Continue using my tele for normal tv.

I believe the widescreen TFT would solve my letterbox on the 360 and still be fine for gaming and pc.

 

[Windle]

LG 32LX2R is where it's at

Component/DVI and HDMI.

 

[GordyR]

Like Windle I'm a huge fan of the LG screens. I too would personally go for the LG 26LX2R or 32LX2R depending on what size you want. You can hook up your PC directly to the DVI port with 1:1 pixel mapping (believe me when I say it absolutely stunning when connected to a PC). Both the DVI and HDMI ports are HDCP compatible so the screen will work perfectly with video playback in Windows Vista when it is released. Connect your 360 to the component port, and have an HDMI port left over for something else like a PS3 or HDMI DVD player in the future. However having said that the LG is very slightly poorer than the Samsung with regards to standard TV viewing through an ariel.

The 23" Samsung you mentioned doesn't have an HDCP compatible DVI/HDMI port if I remember correctly (unless I am thinking of a different model). Therefore it is not 'truly' HD ready. The larger samsungs (26" and above) are overall just as good TV's as the LG's, they just excell in different areas. You will be able to hook a Sammy up to your PC no problem through the VGA port but not through the HDMI/DVI, however bare in mind that when Windows Vista is released you wouldn't be able to view video on it due to lack of HDCP compatibility through VGA. Though I'm sure there will be some sort of hack available at some point.

There are plenty of other good TV's out there but I have real first-hand experience with the LG's and Samsungs so can only really tell you about those two.

 

[Caged]

Don't buy a TV to use as your primary computer display, you will murder your eyes.

Just hook up a 20" wide monitor to it.

 

[GordyR]

Don't buy a TV to use as your primary computer display, you will murder your eyes.

Just hook up a 20" wide monitor to it.

I disagree. My LG 26LX2R is simply awesome for web browsing etc. With 1:1 pixel mapping at 1366x768 resolution I have more than enough screen real estate for my needs. It looks as good as any computer monitor LCD I have ever seen albeit with a lower resolution. Browsing the web and using Word or whatever is a dream. Pinsharp and beautiful. Screens like the LG are designed for PC connectivity.

If you want a large screen but dont need/want the super high resolution of something like the Dell 2405 and plan on using your PC primarily for gaming then I think getting one of the new HDTV's is a fantastic option.

The point is he is after something that will do it all. In my opinion an HDTV is his best bet. If he wanted something purely for PC then obviously a monitor would be best but he wants to watch TV through it and connect an Xbox 360. Granted you can connect up a monitor like the Dell 2405 to a 360 but it doesn't look anywhere near as good in my opinion due to the exessive scaling that is going on. The same goes for viewing DVD's and TV through it.

It's all down to what is of primary concern to you.

 

[Orcish-Horde]

Don't buy a TV to use as your primary computer display, you will murder your eyes.

Just hook up a 20" wide monitor to it.

What a load of rubbish if anything it will be good for them. I have an LG32LX2R and everything is as clear as day like what Windle sayed " thats is where its at". Who in their right mind would want to play WOW or watch a film on a 20" when you could be watch on a 32".

 

[gord]

Interesting input from all. Thankyou for the responses. Muchos thanks to GordyR youve settled a lot of quibbles i was having.. especially about using the tv as a pc monitor. I will definitely take a look at those recommended panels you suggest.

Thanks again.

 

[Caged]

What a load of rubbish if anything it will be good for them. I have an LG32LX2R and everything is as clear as day like what Windle sayed " thats is where its at". Who in their right mind would want to play WOW or watch a film on a 20" when you could be watch on a 32".

Yes, a huge dot pitch is very good for your eyes. I guess if you're just watching video on it (games count), then it's great, but I've tried looking at text on an HDTV connected to a PC and it was just horrible. I need a decent resolution.

The OP said their room is quite small, how far away will you be sitting from this thing? I couldn't imagine sitting 2ft away from a 32" low-res LCD TV.

 

[GordyR]

Yes, a huge dot pitch is very good for your eyes. I guess if you're just watching video on it (games count), then it's great, but I've tried looking at text on an HDTV connected to a PC and it was just horrible. I need a decent resolution.

If you need a super high resolution then obviously you wouldn't be looking at HDTV's. As for text quality on HDTV's though, you have to remember that it varies massively from TV to TV. The LG that I have mentioned is awesome for text due to it's 1:1 pixel mapping. It is razor sharp and quite simply perfect. Before having my LG 26LX2R I had a Hyundai Imagequest L90D+ LCD monitor for PC use. The text is just as clear on the LG HDTV as on my Hyundai monitor.

However other HDTV's I have seen have been horrible to my eyes when used as a PC display. Ghosting or blurring around text amongst other issues.

So while you may be correct for a lot of HDTV's, there are certainly some out there which are quite simply beautiful for PC use. I would imagine that you just haven't seen any of the new HDTV's that are designed for PC use before, like the LG.

The OP said their room is quite small, how far away will you be sitting from this thing? I couldn't imagine sitting 2ft away from a 32" low-res LCD TV.

I agree with you here. I think the 26" version might be a better bet for gord if he is going to be sitting reasonably close, but it really is down to personal preference.

 

[gord]

Aye, i wouldnt go 32" wouldnt fit... too much money...

and yeh, im at a desk so it will be about 2ft away when im writing essays etc.. although i might just get one to replace my normal tv anyway

...hmm id really like to see one running word then...

 

[GordyR]

...hmm id really like to see one running word then...

I would gladly take a photo of mine running word if you like. However I only have my Sony Ericsson w800i camera phone to take pics with and the results come out pretty blurry due to the light coming from the LCD. I have a really old digicam that should fare better but I cant seem to find it right now.

Let me know if you'd still like to see though.

 

[gord]

If you chance over your digi cam then yes please.. but phone camera resolutions.. hmm. Thanks very much for the offer. Ive added you to my msn, if you use it and i ever need a logical, well thought out response to something. I know where im coming.

 

[GordyR]

If you chance over your digi cam then yes please.. but phone camera resolutions.. hmm. Thanks very much for the offer. Ive added you to my msn, if you use it and i ever need a logical, well thought out response to something. I know where im coming.

I do use MSN occasionally but i'm normally a little too busy to sign in that often.

I posted some pics taken a while with my camera phone in this thread...

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17525954&page=1&pp=30

Pretty poor quality but it should give you an idea of desktop real estate etc. Also there's a few COD 2 pics in case your a gamer.

 

[gord]

Cheers for the link. COD2 looks fantastic. I imagine the widescreen gaming is quite nice?

The desktop looks a bit blurry, but its the whole photo so i imagine its camera quality. Thanks again.

 

[GordyR]

Cheers for the link. COD2 looks fantastic. I imagine the widescreen gaming is quite nice?

Widescreen gaiming has to be seen to be believed.

The desktop looks a bit blurry, but its the whole photo so i imagine its camera quality. Thanks again.

Yep thats purely down to the photo. Trust me it is absolutely perfect in person. I think it's down to my camera phone not handling the 'glow' that an LCD gives off, it seems to not be able to focus properly or something. It gave exactly the same blurry effect when I tried to take a photo of my Hyundai LCD monitor.

 

[Mr Latte]

With all due respect towards you guys and talk of dot pitch.

Its kinda silly, because with a HDTV you wont or certainly shouldnt be sitting anywhere as close to it as you do a typical PC monitor. If a person has been used to 1280x1024 then they arent going to feel cramped in a desktop enviroment with a HDTV. Coming down from a much higher PC res desktop is a lot harder though. (cough, cough i used to run dual 1280x1024 and a 1280x720 projection all at once)

If anything its handy to have a spare TFT available to connect as an additional display for times you want to multitask/ view conten but still surf etc. Als bear in mind many HDTVs not show a low res bios screen.

* Gordy please try out a 1920x1080i res desktop.
Make sure its interlaced though and you will prob need to underscan to not loose any image. This will give you the desktop area of 1920x1080i vs your 1:1 1366x768. Interested to see if it works.

 

[gord]

Its kinda silly, because with a HDTV you wont or certainly shouldnt be sitting anywhere as close to it as you do a typical PC monitor. If a person has been used to 1280x1024 then they arent going to feel cramped in a desktop enviroment with a HDTV. Coming down from a much higher PC res desktop is a lot harder though.

If anything its handy to have a spare TFT available to connect as an additional display for times you want to multitask/ view conten but still surf etc. Als bear in mind many HDTVs not show a low res bios screen.

Im not sure what your saying in the first paragraph. Ive been using 1280x1024 for some time... so are you saying i wont mind the HDTV resolution?

GordyR could you clear up the bios screen dilema, you have the exact LG im looking at so it would be a great help.. the old bios screen is quite important.

 

[Mr Latte]

Ok quick run down.

PC desktops 1280x1024 or 1600x1200 or higher.
If youve been used to a monitor @ 1200x1024 then having a much larger but simular resolution on a HDTV will seem little different.

However if someone has been used to 1600x1200 or even larger desktop resolutions well for them to come down to 1366x768 is going to be a lot more difficult to adjust with the lack of space.

Why 1080i then?
1080i video is made from pixels (clap clap) ok pay attention if a HDTV can scale a 1080i video then its not any different to running your PC with a 1920x1080 resolution, not its standard 1366x768 resolution eh eh.

Problems
As its a HDTV resolution it will have to be done over DVI or HDMI connection with your graphics set to HDTV 1080i mode. From their you can apply underscan to allow a full visible desktop. Also changing the refresh rate may help remove artifacts.

Its worth a try 1:1 may always be the best option but if the LG is good with 1:1 it may also be great with a 1080i sized desktop.

My V40 sufferes from some shimmering in 1080i desktop but 1920x1080 @ 40" is rather huge.

 

[GordyR]

Im not sure what your saying in the first paragraph. Ive been using 1280x1024 for some time... so are you saying i wont mind the HDTV resolution?

I went from 1280x1024 on a 19" TFT monitor to 1366x768 on my HDTV and I really don't feel as though I am losing any desktop at all. Obviously I am losing some vertically but I am also gianing some horizontally.

GordyR could you clear up the bios screen dilema, you have the exact LG im looking at so it would be a great help.. the old bios screen is quite important.

I can confirm that the LG 26LX2R displays the BIOS screen normally. When you switch the TV to "PC mode" it behaves exactly as a standard PC monitor. LG went all out on the PC connectivity in these TV's.


Mr. Latte - I'm going to install powerstrip and try out 1080i right now. Be back in a few minutes.