To those using their TV as their computer monitor...advice, please?

[ErinH]

I've been considering moving my desktop into the living room and connecting it to the tv via the VGA input (or DVI-->HDMI?). A couple reasons why I want to do this:
1. Cool
2. Get a new soundcard w/digital out and play my computer's music through the setup in my living room. No more making CDs just to play in the living room.
3. I have some movies backed up on my HDD and could watch them off the tv directly from my computer
4. I could play my emulated NES & SNES games without having to hook up my wife's laptop everytime

My only real "issue" is getting strained eyes.

Any thoughts? The old "try it out" method would be a huge PITA. Is it possible to get clear picture? My graphics card is capable of 1900x1600 or something like that.

Also, my TV is only capable of 1280x720 via the VGA port. However, if I used the DVI out of the computer and found a DVI/HDMI converter to plug into an available HDMI port, would I get higher resolution? I don't imagine it makes a difference, but thought I'd ask.

 

[majorloser]

Your best picture will always come when sending the display it's native resolution and at it's native refresh rate.

I'm quite sure the DVI input to your set is probably DVI-D or digital. The VGA D-sub15 output from a computer is analog. Unless your set has DVI-I or integrated (both analog DVI-A and digital DVI-D) then a DVI-A to D-sub15 VGA plug won't work.

You also may not be able to use a DVI-D to HDMI converter with your set if it has HDCP. But some sets have a DVI-D port that's labeled for computer usage, too.

http://www.datapro.net/techinfo/dvi_info.html

 

[ErinH]

Never realized there were so many forms of DVI.

I checked my TV and the only inputs other than the usual are PC In, and HDMI's.

Here's my TV:
http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=televisions&type=televisions&subtype=dlptv&model_cd=HLT5075SX/XAA


Apparently its native resolution is 1280x720, which is the resolution of the VGA in. So, I guess I'm stuck with no higher resolution.

I've hooked my wife's laptop up via VGA and it wasn't half bad, though after a while it was an eyesore. Hmmm...

 

[the grunt]

I am using my Samsung HDTV as a computer monitor though it’s a different model than yours. I tried each available type of input including going through my receiver and didn’t notice any difference in picture quality between them. I settled on using a direct VGA connection to the TV since it had the least over/under scan issues.

I have noticed a couple things using the TV as a monitor. I had eye strain issues at first. I toned down the video card brightness, contrast and other settings which were fine on the desktop LCD but far to intense for the TV. I also backlit the wall behind the TV with a lamp. No more eyestrain issues for me after doing these. It’s now actually easier for me to use the TV as a monitor since it’s far enough away I don’t need to use glasses.

Your right that your stuck with your TV”s native resolution. It should automatically scale most resolutions you send it to it’s native resolution, but as majorloser said you will get the best picture by sending the display a signal at it’s native resolution and refresh rate.

One other issue I found was maintaining good posture. Sitting on the couch or an easy chair makes it much easier to slouch causing muscle tension.

I found it’s advantageous to have dual outputs on my video card so I can use the old desktop LDC to monitor things like ripping CDs while using the HDTV for other things.

Those growing pains aside I love using the HDTV as a monitor and will never go back to a smaller desktop monitor as my primary display.

Dean