What should i get

[Taxation]

Later on in the next couple of months i am going to have enough money to buy either a HD TV or a really good monitor.

My budget is 300 pounds.
For that i can either get a 27 inch HDTV with a res of 1366*768
or for that price i can get a 20 inch flat screen with a res of 1600*1200 dell thingy

i will be playing games on this, and watching tv.
TV specs are
- HD ready (480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p and 1080i supported) (Sky HD Approved + Xbox HD Ready)
- 1366 x 768 Optimum Resolution
- 1200:1 Contrast Ratio
- Viewing Angle 176° horizontal, 176° vertical
- 8ms Response Time
- 500 cd/m2 Brightness
- One HDMI
- One Composite
- One S-Video
- One Component (Y/Pb/Pr)

This will be in my room, mainly for TV watching, but occasional/every night gaming and the occasional word doccument.

If i went for the TV, would games from my computer still look as good as they do on 1280*1024, or will the games look worse.
Then i can sell my old monitor to my dad or someone who needs it.

Tv plus side is that it is a TV, can connect sky HD, the 360 and my computer to it, along with other things.
I say TV, but i know jack about these things

Sry for long post. any comments on what i should get
Either tv or monitor

[ad1974]

Personally I'd go for the TV option as it allows you to do so much more. I suppose it all depends on how important graphics are when gaming. I have a 32" LCD Tv that I use on pc as well. I haven't found any problems using 1360*768 - it all depends on how fussy you are. Also 27" so much bigger and everything can stay plugged in.

All I would say is check out any reviews available for the tv when used as a pc display - there are some dodgy ones that aren't too hot (either thru HDMI or VGA). Some of them don't always support all resolutions either, which can be an issue.

I do know there are 22" monitors about that have component, VGA and DVI input for about £300, but I dont think Sky hd would work directly.

I know some people who have to have a display that supports the max resolution of their video card - I just can't afford to do that!!

[Taxation]

I hear you loud and clear.
I will get the TV instead.
Will my 1950XT be able to connect to it though. sry, i am a n00b when it comes to tv's

The only cable i can find is a "vivo cable"
would this be able to go into a hdtv

just a quick comment, i just switched the TV on and i saw eastenders Dot sniffing something and falling over, looked really funny

[JDowdall]

ur card should have come with a s video thingy 2 plug in2 the card between the 2 dvi ports 2 get s video or u cud just get a dvi to hdmi converter and a hdmi cable and do it that way but i dno wat u wud do about sound unless u have an external 1 u wud have 2 use 2 different sound systems pc speakers and the tv speakers

[Taxation]

well i got this,
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.b02303c7f9.jpg (http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?b02303c7f9.jpg)

one of the left fits in the hole between the DVI ports.
Middle one is for sound in, isnt it?
and the one on the right goes into the telly, i would presume

another pic of all the stuff i got, middle is what goes into back of gfx card.
top, goes and extends the black wire, bottom extends the yellow cable
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.ed21bb232c.jpg (http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?ed21bb232c.jpg)

all of them connected
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/th.e29c23a754.jpg (http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image.php?e29c23a754.jpg)

[teknokid]

errr, i know on my card, for HD theres a dongle and there 4 component plugs- green,red,blue and the yellow.
maybe different to yours though.
may i ask what/where this tele is, i was looking at £300 monitors (22") but now i may go the same way as you..

[Taxation]

ocuk
cheapest 27" i could find tbh

[teknokid]

oh right. ill stick with 22" pc screen.
can i do dual screen with sli?
cherrs.

[Taxation]

dual screen with sli.
im not too sure about that
but a single 88gtx would be fine for dual screen set-up, and still have enough power to cook several eggs :wink:

[teknokid]

yeah, but seen as its my birthday in a few months, and im getting a new screen i figured why not get another 8800gtx. seen as i know crysis will run maxed @ 1600x1200 (my res) but at 30fps max and jerks on some areas, so another 8800gtx will booost this :)

[Taxation]

crysis will run maxed out on a single 8800gtx, the only thing that would be holding you back is either your cpu or your hard drive

[teknokid]

doesnt... i dont have the link but with a x6800 system it stuttered slightly.
well ill get a 2nd anyway, and if the intel price cuts come ill drop in a q6600.
can i use a third gfx card for the extra display (thats what it shows on 680i diagrams)?
cheers.

[Jonny2Bad]

I run on a 32" lcd tv at those res and love it gaming is amazing so you dont really worry about the slightly lower res, my accuracy on bf2142 is alot better now than on my 19" so go for the tv you'll love it!!!

[ad1974]

I either use vga or a dvi-hdmi adapter. My pc actually looks better through VGA than hdmi, but that could just be my tv (ATEC 32"). I've never had any need to use the HD/ s-video sockets in video cards, so have always just looked strangely at the plugs and leads that video card companies bundle together, then chuck them in a box full of cables - someone always wants something!

I have my tv and equipment connected like this.

Sky HD - HDMI
Samsung Upscaling DVD player - HDMI
(using an hdmi switch box)

PC - RGB(VGA)

Then run optical cables from all 3 to a surround sound amplifier.

On the rare occasion my brother brings his 360 round, it goes in thru component, then use an adapter for audio to run it thru amplifier

[Taxation]

with the TV, do you notice any jagged lines, or does that not show.
Would it look good on my system, fully maxed out on 1024*768, full AA and full AF

sys
X2 3800@2ghz
1950XT 256mb, stock
3gb RAM

[ad1974]

I don't notice jagged lines with my panel. Sounds like it will be great.

Are you purchasing the Tv from a shop where you could possibly ask to see it running as a PC monitor? What is the actual model number/ brand of tv? - someone out there may have one already who can tell you how it performs.

[Taxation]

nah, its from online, all the shops round my area are way too expensive.
its this one
http://www.aoc-europe.com/lcdtv_L27W551T.html

all the reviews i have found say that it is an excellent monitor aswell as a great tv

[Jonny2Bad]

with the TV, do you notice any jagged lines, or does that not show.
Would it look good on my system, fully maxed out on 1024*768, full AA and full AF

sys
X2 3800@2ghz
1950XT 256mb, stock
3gb RAM
No you really dont notice any jagged lines at all, just how big your gaming area is and how big the people you are shooting are lol

[Taxation]

well, looks like i am getting a tv then.
I get paid next week, so i am on a huge money saving week this week, so i will have plenty spare for snacks :wink:

i have also convinced everyone at my college to get a HDTV and everyone is gonna order theirs next friday when they get paid aswell.
Its a race to see who's gets delivered first :D

[Taxation]

ive taken the plunge, ive just ordered it, and it should be with me on tuesday.
so that will be 2 good things in 2 days, thorpe park monday, tv tuesday.



now to just find a place to put it
and a place to put my computer near it, looks like some drawers will have to go :wink:

[ad1974]

Did it come on time mate? Suitably impressed?

[Taxation]

Well, it arrived monday, but i was at thorpe park and no one was home to collect it
Then i stayed home on tuesday and it arrived :D
Ive only been playing DOD source at the moment, and it does indeed look good.
Even though it is running at 1024*768 in games.
But that means that i can run games at more detail at a lower res and still get amazing visuals.


Thanks for your concern :wink:
I might upload some pics of it when i have time away from games 8)

[ad1974]

Glad it's all great. Have fun replaying all your games to see what it looks like supersized. 8)