Using your HDTV as a Computer Monitor

[BleedBurgundy]

I think it depends on your Tv and your video card. CNET has some pretty good reviews for each tv model with different inputs. I have used mine once before (Aquos 52" from a ATI FireGL V7200 card with a DVI to Component converter) and it looked great. I am actually considering building a pc specifically for that purpose...

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

I think it depends on your Tv and your video card. CNET has some pretty good reviews for each tv model with different inputs. I have used mine once before (Aquos 52" from a ATI FireGL V7200 card with a DVI to Component converter) and it looked great. I am actually considering building a pc specifically for that purpose...

I don't have the latest and greatest video card in my laptop. My laptop is two years old (I know, ancient.) It's a Dell 9300 with a 128MB Radeon Video card. It does have a DVI out.

I guess my next question (or comment) is, I'd probably only be able to send the video siginal to my TV (since it's only connecting to the DVI video,) and I'd have to hook the sound up seperately. That is one thing I do like about HDMI cables, and that's the fact that you send both video and audio through the same cable.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

I don't have the latest and greatest video card in my laptop. My laptop is two years old (I know, ancient.) It's a Dell 9300 with a 128MB Radeon Video card. It does have a DVI out.

I guess my next question (or comment) is, I'd probably only be able to send the video siginal to my TV (since it's only connecting to the DVI video,) and I'd have to hook the sound up seperately. That is one thing I do like about HDMI cables, and that's the fact that you send both video and audio through the same cable.

Yeah, you would have to send a separate audio signal to the TV. That is one of the coolest things about HDMI, it's so much neater. When I decided to get the flat screen, I actually went and bought six female to female HDMI connectors. I then made and put 6 HDMI jacks directly into the wall, 3 along the baseboard, 3 behind the tv's mounting bracket. That way I can just plug the 360, DVD player and whatever else I end up buying directly into the wall without running cable in plain view. I also saved a little money on the DVI cables that way since I was able to buy them in shorter lengths. It does kind of suck that the TV only has hdmi inputs though. Seems like everytime you go out and buy something there's a new standard 2-3 yrs later.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

Yeah, you would have to send a separate audio signal to the TV. That is one of the coolest things about HDMI, it's so much neater. When I decided to get the flat screen, I actually went and bought six female to female HDMI connectors. I then made and put 6 HDMI jacks directly into the wall, 3 along the baseboard, 3 behind the tv's mounting bracket. That way I can just plug the 360, DVD player and whatever else I end up buying directly into the wall without running cable in plain view. I also saved a little money on the DVI cables that way since I was able to buy them in shorter lengths. It does kind of suck that the TV only has hdmi inputs though. Seems like everytime you go out and buy something there's a new standard 2-3 yrs later.

That sounds like a neat setup. I've just moved into my house and have just recently bought my HDTV (it's just a 32" 720p for now,) but I like the fact that that TV has three HDMI inputs. Going back to your earlier comment/question, I think you're onto something with building the computer system rather than to purchase the standalone units. I mean, if I could build a computer within the range that you said, with both drives, then I not only would have a blu-ray player and HD-player, but I would also have a computer as well. Heck, if Microsoft would allow for XBox 360 drives to be added to your system, I'd be in hog heaven (no pun intended to our great Redskins hogs!)

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by skinsguy

That sounds like a neat setup. I've just moved into my house and have just recently bought my HDTV (it's just a 32" 720p for now,) but I like the fact that that TV has three HDMI inputs. Going back to your earlier comment/question, I think you're onto something with building the computer system rather than to purchase the standalone units. I mean, if I could build a computer within the range that you said, with both drives, then I not only would have a blu-ray player and HD-player, but I would also have a computer as well. Heck, if Microsoft would allow for XBox 360 drives to be added to your system, I'd be in hog heaven (no pun intended to our great Redskins hogs!)

They may not *support* this, but it can be done.

[skinsguy]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

They may not *support* this, but it can be done.

Hhhhmmmmm......me thinks I'd like to know about this "unsupported" process for purely personal reasons.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

I think it depends on your Tv and your video card. CNET has some pretty good reviews for each tv model with different inputs. I have used mine once before (Aquos 52" from a ATI FireGL V7200 card with a DVI to Component converter) and it looked great. I am actually considering building a pc specifically for that purpose...

I take it you either work in the video industry or you just have massive amounts of cash laying around?

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by mheisig

I take it you either work in the video industry or you just have massive amounts of cash laying around?

lol. Neither. Used to work in Video Editing, now I'm just a local net admin.