HDTV capture and Benq 22in LCD.

[Tockley002]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

If you are looking for the best image quality for your HDTV video,
Your other option for full 1080 video support with a computer monitor is to get a 24" widescreen LCD that supports 1:1 pixel mapping.
What is your primary use with this computer and monitor? How about secondary uses?

What do I use my PC for gvblake, well, these days, almost everything....ie, games, HDTV, video encoding, net, music, the works....and I've generally found that if your PC plays games well, it usually does everything else fairly well.

My current PC is about 18months old{monitor 4yrs}, so I'll be looking to get a Vista, DX10 2nd generation, Qcore system later this yr.....but I could arguably buy another monitor right now{or thereabouts}, and use it for the HDTV broadcasts.

My basic problem is this, first, I also have a TV/DVD set up for my pay TV service, and I need to upgrade the TV on that....but, my pay TV service is SDTV, not HDTV,.....so otherwise I'd just plug the whole show into the back of my PC, and just get one expensive monitor and be done with it.

Leaving my SDTV woes aside for now, the other thing is that Benq have a 22in for $470AUD, or $1300 for the 24in....and that just seems out of whack to me, IOW, I'd feel ripped off getting the 24, especially if the 22 was a decent improvement over my 4 yr old CRT.

So ideally, I'd like to get either a 22in Benq PC LCD or a 32in LCD TV with PC input, of course, the 32in is more expensive than the 24@1900x1200, but at least it's a 32incher, IOW, I don't mind spending the extra money, it's just that I want value for it, and the 24inchers don't seem to represent that.

It was much simpler in the old days wasn't it, LOL

Thanks for your help,....... I'll now run off and read that article you supplied.

[gvblake22]

Yes I agree, this whole resolution thing is seriously out of control. I'm also in the process of finding a new monitor for myself and am considering a 24" widescreen LCD but the prices are just crazy.

Since you are also a gamer, my only word of caution is to see if your games will look ok on an HDTV resolution because some games don't even support widescreen aspect ratios while others play great at lots of different resolutions. I've never used any HDTV stuff yet, so I'll wait for someone else to hop in this conversation with their thoughts on the whole thing. But in the mean time, continue to read up on some of the things to remember when using an HDTV for a computer monitor. For widescreen gaming information, try checking out the Widescreen Gaming Forum.

[Tockley002]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Yes I agree, this whole resolution thing is seriously out of control. I'm also in the process of finding a new monitor for myself and am considering a 24" widescreen LCD but the prices are just crazy.

Just curious....why would you buy a 24 over a 22 considering the value of the 22..?
To my way of thinking, if one buys a 22, they could keep it for 2-3yrs and then buy a 24-27 with 1900x1200 at a cost saving of the 22inch, ie, 24-27 will drop in price by $400+ over 3 yrs.

The only reason I'm considering a 32in for my PC is because of HDTV, otherwise the 22 is a no brainer.....but you may have specific reasons.

I've also heard on the grapevine that Samsung are aiming to get Plasma prices down to $20/inch by 2008...IOW, a 50in plasma for approx $1000US

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

For widescreen gaming information, try checking out the Widescreen Gaming Forum.

I would like to Reiterate Blakes suggestion. WSGF has some great info about adjusting almost any game to fit widescreens. I use that website regularly.

As far as chosing the 24" over the 22", the 24" has a higher native resolution.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Hitman

As far as chosing the 24" over the 22", the 24" has a higher native resolution.

Exactly...
22" widescreen LCD = 1680x1050 = 1764000 total pixels
24" widescreen LCD = 1920x1280 = 2304000 total pixels (76.6% more screen real estate)

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Exactly...
22" widescreen LCD = 1680x1050 = 1764000 total pixels
24" widescreen LCD = 1920x1280 = 2304000 total pixels (76.6% more screen real estate)

You really have to see it in real life to really appreciate what a huge difference it makes.

Also running at Higher resolutions is what justifies running dual video cards in either SLI or Crossfire. Or even one of those new 8800GTX.

[gvblake22]

Originally Posted by Hitman

Also running at Higher resolutions is what justifies running dual video cards in either SLI or Crossfire. Or even one of those new 8800GTX.

Good point, I forgot about that. Such a high resolution is gonna require a very powerful video card to run the games you are used to running at 1600x1200 and could mean you have to upgrade your video card to keep playing the same games at 1920x1200.

What video card do you have? Please make a signature so we can better address your specific issues.

[Tockley002]

Originally Posted by gvblake22

Exactly...
22" widescreen LCD = 1680x1050 = 1764000 total pixels
24" widescreen LCD = 1920x1280 = 2304000 total pixels (76.6% more screen real estate)

Ok some silly questions.
If I had a hypothetical monitor with a native res of 720x400, then a video file of 720x400 would fill the entire screen....if I had a monitor with a native res of 1440x800 and played a video file of 720x400, then presumably it would fill exactly half the screen......is that right?

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by Tockley002

Ok some silly questions.
If I had a hypothetical monitor with a native res of 720x400, then a video file of 720x400 would fill the entire screen....if I had a monitor with a native res of 1440x800 and played a video file of 720x400, then presumably it would fill exactly half the screen......is that right?

It will look like this

[Tockley002]

Ok, thanks Hitman.
So what does a 1900x1200, or a 1680x1050 do to a DVD or 720x576p HD signal....upscale it to native res..?
Does that work properly...or will the image suck?