HDTV & PC resolution/quality questions

[Homer]

Bit of background before the questions.. The TV is a cheap Lexsor 32in TV that's capable of 720p and 1080i resolutions. It's connected to a high spec PC via HDMI cable.

 

1) When Using either 1280x720 (720p) or 1920x1080 (1080i) at 60hz (the only refresh rate possible), the outer edges of the desktop are not visible. The TV menu settings disable screen size adjustment when connected through HDMI or VGA, is this an inherent problem when using a PC with a HD TV or is something else the cause (i.e. PC config?)

 

2) When using at 720p the desktop is decent quality but text doesn't display well (i.e. when viewing through windows explorer), though it works superbly when playing games. When moving to 1080i the text is a little better, but there is some motion blur (presumably a response rate issue since it's only 16ms on this TV). I'm using Fallout 3 with all settings at 'Ultra' as a base for comparison.

Is it worth changing the TV to a 1080p one capable of faster response times in order to make the text easier to view? Is the response time even an issue?

Also will I notice any real difference moving from 720p or 1080i to 1080p considering the screen is 2 meters away? I don't want a larger screen than 36in so not sure if it's worth the expense...

 

 

PS: I have checked on google and AV forums but the responses just confused me further, they all seemed to contradict each other without giving a good answer.

[Jake]

1, Sounds like and Overscan issue. Does your TV have any Overscan settings (just on/off) you can alter?

 

When I was buying a new PC monitor yesterday, the guy in Novatech was trying to tell me that a plasma TV won't make a decent PC screen, but FWIW I run a 50" Panny Viera through HDMI at 1080p and the PC picture is fantastic, you could easily use it as a giant monitor - so it can be done.

[AlexM]

Try running 1360x768, usually the best resolution for the '720p' LCD panels.

[Thorin]

I run a 50" Panny Viera through HDMI at 1080p and the PC picture is fantastic

 

Same here (G10?), I'm not sure if I've mentioned before that I have one.

 

It does sound like overscan to me too, I've found leaving the aspect ratio setting on Auto sometimes gets it a bit wrong and ends up being zoomed in a bit more.

[Scott]

I'm having the same overscanning issue when connecting my laptop to the HDMI. Its a bit annoying but liveable.

 

Not sure of the issue with the text. 1080p would probably help a little bit when using the PC through the TV but you won't notice any difference with anything else (Sky HD or Bluray etc). 720p is more than enough for general applications on a 32" TV.

 

If i'm thinking correctly your refresh rate will be halved when running the screen in 1080i mode as the refreshing lines alternate. 720p is a better resolution than 1080i. If you are changing your desktop to 1920x1080p your TV is having to convert the signal. In 720p mode its direct, so i would stick with it.

 

Not much help but i'm in on the thread for a solution to the overscanning.

[Wez]

When I was buying a new PC monitor yesterday, the guy in Novatech was trying to tell me that a plasma TV won't make a decent PC screen, but FWIW I run a 50" Panny Viera through HDMI at 1080p and the PC picture is fantastic, you could easily use it as a giant monitor - so it can be done.

 

The guy sounds like a tool, we have nine plasmas in our operations centre displaying various application and network information at decent resolutions, we have done for years as do many companies with these setups

[kill1308]

Try running 1360x768, usually the best resolution for the '720p' LCD panels.

 

Exactly what I run

[MrRalphMan]

You'll need to check the TV specs, but it should take the full HD resolutions through HDMI, VGA etc you most prob need to use the 1360x768 resolution.

[Homer]

Great feedback guys, much appreciated and spot on as always Had a look at overscan and that is certainly the problem

 

I had tried setting the resolution to 1360x768 but for some reason the OS (or driver?) automatically overides this and resets it to 1280x720 despite the selection made through the desktop. Will have another play and see if it can be forced. I guess this is a monitor driver issue as the resolution options I *want* are not available once the LCD is plugged in.

[Scott]

Forgot all about this Darryl sorry for not getting back to you.

 

I found the "overscan" settings under "menu" then "setup".

 

I was going wrong by looking in "picture" (who would look there afterall). Set the overscan to off and that sorted out the resolution for me.

 

Your TV will tell your laptop which settings it can handle. I'm guessing 1360x768 just isn't one of them. 1280x720 should be fine though

[Willson]

What's the native resolution of the display?

I had a recent resolutions problem where I couldnt select the native resolution of my dell monitor when I had the signal going through a vga monitor selector (to switch output between monitor and projector). Apparently they send their resolutions capabilities down the vga cable to the computer (often incorrectly or missing) and I guess that was not being passed through the switch box.

After trying a few things (have you heard of PowerStrip - might be worth looking at) the solution for me was simply upgrading my graphics card driver, it then gave me many more default resolutions to choose from including the one I required.

[Homer]

Thanks for the feedback guys Sorry for the late reply, haven't been online much lately so sorry for the late response.

 

I cannot seem to solve this overscan issue, the TV doesn't allow any adjustment to the screen size or any setup at all. The graphics drivers are bang up to date (do this every week). Whenver the LCD screen is plugged in the options only allow *x720 and *x1080, but the outer edges are still missing from the display.

 

The quality is not great though so think I'll just give up on this and get a proper LCD for gaming.. spotted a 24in screen with 2ms response that can do true HD so might just buy that instead. It's only £180 so seems like good value, but would still like a larger screen if anyone can recommend one.

[Scott]

Thanks for the feedback guys Sorry for the late reply, haven't been online much lately so sorry for the late response.

 

I cannot seem to solve this overscan issue, the TV doesn't allow any adjustment to the screen size or any setup at all. The graphics drivers are bang up to date (do this every week). Whenver the LCD screen is plugged in the options only allow *x720 and *x1080, but the outer edges are still missing from the display.

 

The quality is not great though so think I'll just give up on this and get a proper LCD for gaming.. spotted a 24in screen with 2ms response that can do true HD so might just buy that instead. It's only £180 so seems like good value, but would still like a larger screen if anyone can recommend one.

 

 

I take it yours is not this one

 

http://www.lexsor.com/manuals/32inch_lx068.pdf

 

Had a look for a manual and it mentions the above as the 32" model but it doesn't have HDMI?

 

Samsung are the best on a budget IMO. Panasonic are good for middle of the road and the pioneer's the daddy's IMO.

[Homer]

It's similar to that but has a lot more inputs, including HDMI, thanks for the effort though

 

I've not managed to find the exact model anywhere yet, but know that it's very much a budget one (though the picture is pretty good).

[Glosphil]

Have you looked at overscan/underscan in the driver control panel? I have the same issue and use that on my Nvidia and ATI Cards. Solved it no probs on my 50" Plasma.

[AlexM]

What graphics card do you have Darryl? I had no problem overriding the settings with the nVIDIA control panel, you should be able to do it with ATi too..