Time for HD? Advice needed please. - Page 3 - Techwatch: Satellite TV forums, FTA, Cable, Hardware, & Tech forums

woodlouse · 10-09-07, 07:37 PM

I managed to get full width by changing the receiver output to 576p.

Jimdefruit · 11-09-07, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlouse

I managed to get full width by changing the receiver output to 576p.

That's a normal SD output except that it is progressive rather than interlaced.

woodlouse · 12-09-07, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimdefruit

That's a normal SD output except that it is progressive rather than interlaced.

Does that mean its somewhere between SD and HD?
The HD picture is definitely better than the SD but not stunning.

I've been looking at a widescreen monitor with HDMI input such as this one -
http://www.ciao.co.uk/HANNS_G_HG216DP__6730061
I really want to keep PC monitor and TV in the same box.
Could I could plug the Fortec straight into this via HDMI?

BGonaSTICK · 12-09-07, 01:04 PM

I think so, yes.

I'm just about to build my HD PC but can't afford the new LCD monitor right now, so I'm going with a VGA converter too. The monitor may follow at Xmas

Been doing a little research in advance. My current plan is to get something 22"+ widescreen with HDMI for future use, but DVI==>VGA will do fine for now, direct from the PC graphics card.

You must be able to get HDMI==>DVI adaptors - it's basically the same HD video, but without the sound.

hybug · 15-09-07, 08:25 PM

Stick, cables or adapters? knock yourself out with these:

http://www.cable-trader.co.uk/category.php?cat=180

http://www.cable-trader.co.uk/category.php?cat=178

best of luck

hybug

RocketMBA · 15-09-07, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodlouse

Does that mean its somewhere between SD and HD?

It does indeed! 576p and 720p aren't all that far apart, really... But I'm sure it's easier watching a full screen with less detail than it is watching a small screen with a bit more

BGonaSTICK · 15-09-07, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hybug

Stick, cables or adapters? knock yourself out with these:

http://www.c@ble-trader.co.uk/category.php?cat=180

http://www.c@ble-trader.co.uk/category.php?cat=178

best of luck

hybug

Cheers hybug. I thought that must be the case

woodlouse · 30-09-07, 06:59 PM

I'm now looking at widescreen displays, something in the 22" - 26" range, but not sure whether to go for a monitor which I can also use as a tv; or a tv that I can also use as a monitor.
I will probably be using the monitor function a bit more than the tv.
It looks like there will be compromises either way - tv's seem to have a max 1360x768 resolution when used as a monitor but have all sorts of picture processing technologies built in to improve the tv pic.
Monitors have better pc resolution but no tv processing technologies. Also they ALL seem to be 16:10 ratio whereas widescreen tv broadcasts are 16:9 (I think) - so images will be distorted at full screen resolution?
My front runner at the moment is the BenQ FP242WZ http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MO-022-BQ
- which has 1:1 pixel matching, but is still 16:10, and I don't know how a 1080p tv image will appear.
Anyone got any experience, advice, sugggestions, ideas or ramblings on this subject?

BGonaSTICK · 01-10-07, 11:22 AM

I don't really know what you can expect on the 16:9 - 16:10 front.

TBH I'm getting a bit fed up with the TV/monitor industry screwing us around. Not sure whether the 16:9 will be stretched or you'll get bands top and/or bottom.

My gut feel says that a monitor that can do TV would be the better choice, just because the standards are probably much better for this type of display equipment.

1360x768 sounds quite good on paper for the TV using a PC input, but I bet it wouldn't look so hot on a 26" screen.

Is nobody else using this type of setup?

woodlouse · 25-10-07, 09:52 PM

After a few weeks of searching, not to mention working overtime to pay for it - I finally bought 24" monitor which seems to do everything I want.
Benq fp241w (not the wz which is even more expensive).
It has HDMI, HDCP compliant and 1:1 pixel matching, so TV is diplayed in correct format without any stretching or overscan.
Works great with Fortec Passion HD sat box.
Native resolution is 1920x1200.
It has an S-PVA panel which gives full colour gamut and wide field of view, unlike the cheaper TN panels.
If anyone else is tempted make sure you get one with the latest firmware which does the 1:1 stuff.
I got mine from More Computers cost £450 with carriage, and they guarantee latest firmware on all their stock.

10-09-07, 07:37 PM	#21 (permalink)
woodlouse Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time for HD? Advice needed please. I managed to get full width by changing the receiver output to 576p.

12-09-07, 01:04 PM	#24 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Time for HD? Advice needed please. I think so, yes. I'm just about to build my HD PC but can't afford the new LCD monitor right now, so I'm going with a VGA converter too. The monitor may follow at Xmas Been doing a little research in advance. My current plan is to get something 22"+ widescreen with HDMI for future use, but DVI==>VGA will do fine for now, direct from the PC graphics card. You must be able to get HDMI==>DVI adaptors - it's basically the same HD video, but without the sound. __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W

15-09-07, 08:25 PM	#25 (permalink)
hybug Junior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 20 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time for HD? Advice needed please. Stick, cables or adapters? knock yourself out with these: http://www.cable-trader.co.uk/category.php?cat=180 http://www.cable-trader.co.uk/category.php?cat=178 best of luck hybug

30-09-07, 06:59 PM	#28 (permalink)
woodlouse Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time for HD? Advice needed please. I'm now looking at widescreen displays, something in the 22" - 26" range, but not sure whether to go for a monitor which I can also use as a tv; or a tv that I can also use as a monitor. I will probably be using the monitor function a bit more than the tv. It looks like there will be compromises either way - tv's seem to have a max 1360x768 resolution when used as a monitor but have all sorts of picture processing technologies built in to improve the tv pic. Monitors have better pc resolution but no tv processing technologies. Also they ALL seem to be 16:10 ratio whereas widescreen tv broadcasts are 16:9 (I think) - so images will be distorted at full screen resolution? My front runner at the moment is the BenQ FP242WZ http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=MO-022-BQ - which has 1:1 pixel matching, but is still 16:10, and I don't know how a 1080p tv image will appear. Anyone got any experience, advice, sugggestions, ideas or ramblings on this subject?

01-10-07, 11:22 AM	#29 (permalink)
BGonaSTICK Super Murderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 10,633 Thanks: 3 Thanked 64 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Time for HD? Advice needed please. I don't really know what you can expect on the 16:9 - 16:10 front. TBH I'm getting a bit fed up with the TV/monitor industry screwing us around. Not sure whether the 16:9 will be stretched or you'll get bands top and/or bottom. My gut feel says that a monitor that can do TV would be the better choice, just because the standards are probably much better for this type of display equipment. 1360x768 sounds quite good on paper for the TV using a PC input, but I bet it wouldn't look so hot on a 26" screen. Is nobody else using this type of setup? __________________ Dreambox 7000, Skystar2 PCI, Skystar USB, Fibo 90cm on Moteck SG2100, Triax TD110 multi-LNB. Sky + ART cards. 45.0°E - 58.0°W


Technology Forums: FTA, Satellite, Cable, Home Media, Hardware & Computers \| Home \| Forums \| News \| Blog \|

25-10-07, 09:52 PM	#30 (permalink)
woodlouse Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 13 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Time for HD? Advice needed please. After a few weeks of searching, not to mention working overtime to pay for it - I finally bought 24" monitor which seems to do everything I want. Benq fp241w (not the wz which is even more expensive). It has HDMI, HDCP compliant and 1:1 pixel matching, so TV is diplayed in correct format without any stretching or overscan. Works great with Fortec Passion HD sat box. Native resolution is 1920x1200. It has an S-PVA panel which gives full colour gamut and wide field of view, unlike the cheaper TN panels. If anyone else is tempted make sure you get one with the latest firmware which does the 1:1 stuff. I got mine from More Computers cost £450 with carriage, and they guarantee latest firmware on all their stock.