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TV ---> PC monitor

Discussion in 'Techno-Magic' started by Apeman, Apr 28, 2004.

  1. Apeman Gems: 25/31
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    Remove all ads!
    In a few days I'm going to have a brand new (read:BIG) room and I've been thinking about using my TV as a monitor for my PC.

    I however have no idea if it is even possible and/or practical.

    Anyone any experience or tips, anything would be welcome, especially when dealing with cords/cables to connect.
     
    Apeman, Apr 28, 2004
    #1
  2. Death Rabbit

    Death Rabbit Straight, no chaser Adored Veteran Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    As I'm sure you're aware, regular TV screens aren't capable of displaying nearly as high of resolution (pixels per inch) as your average monitor. Unless you have a digital HDTV, I wouldn't do it personally. The picture quality just won't be too great. I had a friend who tried that, and he was so annoyed he only kept the set-up for a week.

    What kind of a TV do you have? How big?
     
    Death Rabbit, Apr 28, 2004
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  3. Djieff Gems: 7/31
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    A friend of mine has his computer hooked up on his living room TV and the picture quality is just horrible. I wouldn't recommend it, but you can always try and see for yourself. It'll probably be more trouble than it's worth.
     
    Djieff, Apr 28, 2004
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  4. Wordplay Gems: 29/31
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    Yeah, if you just use your GeForce for it, the quality is BAD. What you really need is:

    1) Some good TV-Card with all the hoccus poccus.
    2) Good cables with all kinds of odds and ends.
    3) Fresh drivers for them all.

    ...And that will cost about ~300€.

    If, nevertheless, you use your GeForce's TV-OUT, you will need just the cables (50€) and a program called TVTool. Plug-in, install, and watch some garbage. :D I know, for I went through it just some months ago.
     
    Wordplay, Apr 28, 2004
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  5. Rastor Gems: 30/31
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    If you do any sort of productivity or have still images on your screen (such as when browsing the web), you may burn out your TV quickly. They don't handle static images as well as a CRT or LCD monitor. Even with the described equipment here, you'll still be handicapped with the low resolution. IIRC, even high end HDTVs can't compete with modern monitors.

    If you really want to take advantage of your large room for gaming, you may want to get a good LCD projector and use that against a big wall.
     
    Rastor, Apr 29, 2004
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  6. Death Rabbit

    Death Rabbit Straight, no chaser Adored Veteran Torment: Tides of Numenera SP Immortalizer (for helping immortalize Sorcerer's Place in the game!)

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    Those kick total ass, especially for 1st-person shooters. If anything, I'd invest in one of those (about $300 US), and even a modest surround-sound system (Creative Labs makes a great one for about $100 US), and you'll have a gaming paradise. The only other thing you need is a white, blank wall.
     
    Death Rabbit, Apr 29, 2004
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  7. Apeman Gems: 25/31
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    An LCD projecter, like a beamer (SP)?? cause those thing cost like a few thousend Euros here.

    White walls enough though
     
    Apeman, Apr 29, 2004
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  8. Rastor Gems: 30/31
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    You won't get a good LCD projector for much less than $10,000 U.S. There are some cheaper ones, but they usually can't support the highest resolutions.
     
    Rastor, Apr 29, 2004
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  9. Kitrax

    Kitrax Pantaloons are supposed to go where!?!?

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    Instead of spending several thousands dollars on projector, why don't you go out and buy a 21" or bigger plasma or LCD display monitor.

    The only time I would ever buy a projector is if it was to be mounted on a platform that dropped out of the ceiling at the same time screen was coming down. :rolling:
     
    Kitrax, Apr 29, 2004
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  10. Shell

    Shell Awww, come and give me a big hug!

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    A friend ran their PC through their tv and then tried to play NWN. He couldn't read any of the text as it wasn't clear enough so I wouldn't recommend it :(
     
    Shell, May 1, 2004
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  11. Apeman Gems: 25/31
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    I'll try something else, anyway thanks for the replies, it has gotten me out of a lot of needless work.
     
    Apeman, May 1, 2004
    #11
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