Gaming on 26" LCDTV

D

DarkStranger

Geek Trainee
So here's the idea.
I'm going to build a new PC with an 8800 GTX.
I have a 26" Panasonic TX-26LXD500 HD Ready LCDTV which I'm going to connect it to using a DVI cable and an DVI/HDMI convertor.

Now here's the question.
Will I be able to play games at a higher resolution than I can do using the VGA cable? What resolutions might I be able to use?

The best I can do at the moment using my ATi Radeon 9800 Pro over a VGA cable is either 1280x1024 or 1360x768 which does look good. I see the Catalyst Control Centre has HD resolution options but at the moment they don't work (VGA cable limitation I guess).

The LCD will do 720p @ 60Hz but can games output this resolution and do they look better than VGA?

Also if the LCD is capable of 1080i, would the PC display be interlaced also?

Any suggestions on DVI/HDMI convertors? I already have a DVI cable so just need a small convertor. I think I can get an unknown brand one for £15-£20 but have seen one by QED for £25.
 
ok well this is going to be a long one.
First off, using a TV as a computer display doesn't always work as you want it to, i mean it might it might not, hard to tell. That said, TV's have a different aspect ratio and set of resolutions than computers do. 1080 = 1920x1080 720 = 1280x720. the i after each resolution is for interlaced and the p is for progressive. The only noticable difference between and interlaced and progressively scanned image are going to the the edges of what ever is being displayed will be jagged with an interlaced resolution, but the higher the resolution the less apparent that is, that is also a really short and simple explanation, no one attack me. Ok, that said, VGA cable can output just as high of resolutions as DVI, or maybe a little less, so no worries there, but you can't run a VGA (analog) signal to a HDMI (digital) receiver/display, that a whole other issue. No games don't support 16:9 aspect ratio, they support 16x10 which what computers use. It should work however, you'd just have some small black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. Also, you wouldn't need a converter to go from DVI to HDMI just an adapter, both signals are already digital. Granted you will loose the capability to run audio along your HDMI as DVI doesn't transmit audio, but thats not a big deal.

Monster Cable HDMI-DVI Adapter Male HDMI to female DVI at Crutchfield.com

Gefen Copper DVI to HDMI Cable 50ft (M-M): $222.95
 
Swansen said:
ok well this is going to be a long one.
First off, using a TV as a computer display doesn't always work as you want it to, i mean it might it might not, hard to tell. That said, TV's have a different aspect ratio and set of resolutions than computers do. 1080 = 1920x1080 720 = 1280x720. the i after each resolution is for interlaced and the p is for progressive. The only noticable difference between and interlaced and progressively scanned image are going to the the edges of what ever is being displayed will be jagged with an interlaced resolution, but the higher the resolution the less apparent that is, that is also a really short and simple explanation, no one attack me. Ok, that said, VGA cable can output just as high of resolutions as DVI, or maybe a little less, so no worries there, but you can't run a VGA (analog) signal to a HDMI (digital) receiver/display, that a whole other issue. No games don't support 16:9 aspect ratio, they support 16x10 which what computers use. It should work however, you'd just have some small black bars at the top and bottom of the screen. Also, you wouldn't need a converter to go from DVI to HDMI just an adapter, both signals are already digital. Granted you will loose the capability to run audio along your HDMI as DVI doesn't transmit audio, but thats not a big deal.

Monster Cable HDMI-DVI Adapter Male HDMI to female DVI at Crutchfield.com

Gefen Copper DVI to HDMI Cable 50ft (M-M): $222.95
Click to expand...

Sure, I'm aware the TV has different resolutions. I also know I can't convert VGA to the HDMI socket which is why I want to get a DVI/HDMI adapter (meant to say adapter not convertor before, poor English by me!).

The main question is, is it worth it? Is there any benefit or should I just stick with my VGA cable? Also, will that output 720p/1080i if the graphics driver can do it and will it improve gaming quality?
 
no, theres no way it will do those resolutions because they are not supported by the computer world, it will however do things like 1280x1024 or 1680x1050, which are both HD resolutions. Um well i guess the VGA DVI thing is debatable, its really comes down to the display, your ether going to be able to notice that you are using a analog signal, or it might not look any worse that any digital signal would, it really depends on the display. Like with my monitor, i can really tell between DVI and VGA, but most TVs or built for an analog signal, so they look fine. But given that it is an LCD, i would think you'd be able to tell the difference between DVI and VGA. That said, it would be about 100 times easier to run DVI to HDMI than VGA to HDMI
 
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