TV or Monitor for HTPC?

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Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#16077 23-Sep-2007 21:17

I,m currently running my htpc thru my sony 29" crt tv. Movies etc are fine, but trying to read any text is terrible. I'm thinking of upgrading soon, and I'm wondering what people would suggest, an LCD TV or a widescreen monitor? All my TV is run thru the pc (freeview), and I am limited in size to 32" maximum. I sit approx 2-2.5m away from the screen.
My thoughts were either a Sony D series 32" lcd (1366x768, 125hz, $1974) or a dell 27" monitor (1920x1200, 60hz, $1599)

What would people suggest? I would be using a DVI connector for either, but I only have a 7600gs 512mb GPU, so not sure how well it will run the higher res, but this will be upgraded in time anyway. Also, I play the occasional game (Race 07, CS:Source), but it is mainly used for TV, DVD, photos. It would be nice if could also do the odd bit of web on it and actually read the text.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

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Fossie

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#87814 23-Sep-2007 22:20

It depends really, that dell screen would be nice, depending on its inputs. But how easy would it be to turn it on and off and change inputs without a remote?

openmedia

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#87829 23-Sep-2007 23:58

Fossie: It depends really, that dell screen would be nice, depending on its inputs. But how easy would it be to turn it on and off and change inputs without a remote?

The biggest problem with the Dell screen is it is 60Hz only. Doesn't look so good playing back TV material.

Steve

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#87840 24-Sep-2007 08:58

Fossie: It depends really, that dell screen would be nice, depending on its inputs. But how easy would it be to turn it on and off and change inputs without a remote?

Only have one input source, the pc. My PS2 runs thru the pc then the screen

sbiddle

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#87844 24-Sep-2007 09:17

openmedia:
Fossie: It depends really, that dell screen would be nice, depending on its inputs. But how easy would it be to turn it on and off and change inputs without a remote?

The biggest problem with the Dell screen is it is 60Hz only. Doesn't look so good playing back TV material.

Steve

This is a problem affecting any LCD or Plasma though if you want to use a VGA input. How hard can it really be for TV manufacturers to create a 50Hz display setting?

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#87851 24-Sep-2007 10:00

So thus far the suggestion is buy the Sony?

mcraenz

1140 posts

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#87860 24-Sep-2007 10:50

sbiddle:
openmedia:
Fossie: It depends really, that dell screen would be nice, depending on its inputs. But how easy would it be to turn it on and off and change inputs without a remote?

The biggest problem with the Dell screen is it is 60Hz only. Doesn't look so good playing back TV material.

Steve

This is a problem affecting any LCD or Plasma though if you want to use a VGA input. How hard can it really be for TV manufacturers to create a 50Hz display setting?

What about with DVI? I was under the impression that refresh rate wasn't so important with an LCD vs CRT, with flicker and eyestrain etc. Whats better about 50hz??? Is this something to do with fps?

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sbiddle

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#87861 24-Sep-2007 10:56

mcraenz:

What about with DVI? I was under the impression that refresh rate wasn't so important with an LCD vs CRT, with flicker and eyestrain etc. Whats better about 50hz??? Is this something to do with fps?

Yes. A PAL signal is 50Hz which is being fed into a 60Hz screen so you get video tearing among other things as a result. Using HDMI at 720p/50 or component can solve this issue.

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Regs

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Snowflake

#87875 24-Sep-2007 12:19

Rollux:
What would people suggest? I would be using a DVI connector for either, but I only have a 7600gs 512mb GPU, so not sure how well it will run the higher res, but this will be upgraded in time anyway.

I use onboard graphics (nVidia 6150) with shared memory outputting via the DVI connector to my 42" plasma and I have no problems. I expect your 7600gs should be fine for TV stuff - its games that would be more of a concern.

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sbiddle

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#87893 24-Sep-2007 13:40

There seem to be plenty of people using low ene GFX cards like FX5200's for PVR's without any trouble. The main benefits of something a bit more high end of more onboard hardware processing which along with a fast CPU is almost essential if you want to start playing HD content.

Canterbury

177 posts

Master Geek

#88023 25-Sep-2007 09:04

I have had a dell 24" lcd for the last 2 years now and still have no issues with highly recommending them. I haven't tried running thru a tv card but never had the desire. just checked dell.co.nz and they have 400 off the 27". i looks like they've upgraded the specs on the current unit also so at 1200$ i think its a steal.
i have used the dell as primary movie screen until recently and have been very impressed with it. awesome picture playing dvds and hd-dvd. - connected thru dvi originally to 6800GT and now 8800gts

On the other hand- i have added a sony 60inch bravia 1080p as secondary monitor to PC via dvi to hdmi connector.
At the end of the day size matters.