HDTV as PC monitor

motionOne · Post by **motionOne** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 1:47 pm

yo guys, i know it's been a while, but i have a question.

in my apartment, i set my surround sound, pc, and ps3 to a 42" 1080i HDTV.
my resolution is currently set @ 1360x768, but i know it can go higher. how? i don't know...

i have the normal monitor cable plugged into the tv (vga?)

i know one option is to use a dvi cable (

)

but, the tv doesn't have dvi input. i heard an alternative would be a cable that uses dvi to plug into the video card, and hdmi to plug into the tv. someone i know tried, and resulted in lower resolution, so i'm kinda not considering that.

my real question is can i download a driver or any sort of program to increase or change the resolution? do i have any other options without spending a shitload of $?

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?c ... &sku=26956

maybe?

BobMarley! · Post by **BobMarley!** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:09 pm

Sup MO!

Hey man, to answer your question on the DVI-->HDMI I believe that both are able to produce very high resolutions with no loss of visual quality. The only reason I would suspect a loss of IQ would be that the original source of data, in this case being TV may have been streamed as analogue vice Digital, then again I'm speculating as I don't have the whole canvas. However, with regards to upping your resolution, I'm sure that your TV has a max resolution that it can handle, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, 1900x1020etc... To go any higher would either a:) Make the screen flicker, then go back to it's native resolution, b:) produce an image at the desired resolution but shrunken down (meaning that the image itself would be compressed and not be full screen). I will search around for any cables that produce lossless quality, and when i do I'll post up. Anyone have any similar or different ideas to help with?

BM!

BobMarley! · Post by **BobMarley!** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 2:13 pm

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812189056

This cable is highly rated, 7ft long and only $7.99. You won't spend a bundle like wiht Monster and these are gold plated. Great review as well.

motionOne · Post by **motionOne** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:29 pm

i may have been asking the wrong question. the max res i get in windows is 1360x768, but the max i get in a game such as CS is only 1024x768. is there a patch of some sort i have to download to get CS running 1600 resolution? or is it just that my 6800gt won't push it that high..?

BobMarley! · Post by **BobMarley!** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 2:38 pm

Well if you max in the OS is 1360x768 then that is your maximum allowable resolution. You cannot run 1600x1200 even with a patch. If for some reason CS:S. Now whether or not the system is set to that setting by default, e.g., 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, is uknown ot me as I don't play CS but there are config files that can be manipulated to have custom resolutions be utilized. Here is a great thread that expalains some of this form HardOCP.com

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1128494

As for your 6800GT, I had one and I can say that it will run any game at 1600x1200, considering that, your monitor can natively produce that resolution. If not, no dice.

BM!

motionOne · Post by **motionOne** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:06 pm

see, that's what confuses me. i feel like i should have the proper hardware to do it (tv should DEFINITELY be able to, and the PC seems powerful enough).

is anyone here actually running a resolution that high? if so, what tv/pc specs? what cable from tv to pc?

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:12 pm

I use a HDTV sometimes as a PC monitor. It's likely to be the video card, because what you're needing is something that is at least "HDCP CAPABLE"
Now, HDCP enabled doesn't matter, because that's just a copyrighting issue, but my card asks me when I connect a new display if it is HD capable, and when it's my 1280x1024 lcd I say no, when it's the 1920x1080 TV I say yes.

Try updating the display nvidia drivers to the latest whql. from nvidia.com

If you don't get that option, then it's the vid card. as far as I know, only 7950's and up support that

Oh yeah TV is CRT 1920x1080i, cable was a borrowed DVI to HDMI and pc is intel e6600 and vid is 7950GT 512

motionOne · Post by **motionOne** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 3:16 pm

that was my initial thought. i'll try it, and let you guys know. thanks a lot.

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:08 pm

How did it work out? I got inspired by your post and went and got my own HDMI to DVI cable, and man.... 37" 1920x1080 for the $#@*&#' WIN!!!!

Post by **eXg. CrUsH** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:59 pm

Well if its a 42 inch plasma then I would say 1360x768 is prolly your max res on that tv. What model is it?

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:22 am

eXg. CrUsH wrote:Well if its a 42 inch plasma then I would say 1360x768 is prolly your max res on that tv. What model is it?

yeah, most plasma HD screens are 1280x720, and some of the higher end plasmas are 1360x768.

It's quite possible you're already maxing out with what you've got. it's still a helluva lot higher than 640x480

Post by **eXg. CrUsH** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:26 am

Im actually considering getting a 37 inch LCD tv instead of a cheap 42 inch plasma. I can get one for $650 after taxes etc, out the door. 1337!

Post by **eXg. Pun1sher** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 3:01 pm

Wow, completely missed this thread. :O

Motion, without the specs on your card, and tv, I don't know which is holding you back from the reso, you want to play at. I love the 68's but they are probably what's holding you back. As others have said, Plasma's are lagging behind LCD's in terms of the higher resolutions.

PuN

eXg. focus · Post by **eXg. focus** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:32 pm

LOL! I feel like a dumbass now.

NOW I see what you were talking about. The issue is when you go into the game, 1024x768 is your max available gaming res.

I'm getting the same thing. The only game I have that's working in full res is Bioshock. Halflife 2, (and therefor presumably CS:S) is not allowing higher than 1024x768.

And YOU want it in full hi def 1360x768.

I'm a dumbass, and unfortunately, I'm having the same issue.
If you find anything let me know, and I'll be looking too.