Plasma Resolution for HTPC

[Inkling]

I'm looking to buy my first HDTV (probably a 42" plasma), and will use it occasionally for PC gaming. But I'm confused about how flat panel HDTVs handle computer resolution.

For instance, in my experience with LCD computer monitors, the video card's output must match the display's native resolution (or you get a crappy-looking image). But most 42" plasmas have a native resolution of 1024x768, which is not widescreen, despite the fact that the display IS widescreen.

So I plug my computer into the VGA port on my new TV- now what? Must I set my computer to a res of 1024x768? That would be ridiculously small for gaming, especially on a large monitor. And if I did that, what would the image look like at native res? Streched horizontally?

Or is this a non-issue? Since 1024x768 plasmas must scale all sources anyway, maybe the set's image processing is sufficient to scale a widescreen output from my video card? And if so, what would be the correct resolution?

Thanks!

[darklordjames]

for games that automaticly switch to widescreen modes the preferred output resolutions would be 1360x768 or 1024x576 to maintain proper ratios and minimize scaling. for games that just have a widescreen toggle, then the target should be the native 1024x768 of the panel.

for regular windows desktop, either run 1024x768 and put up with the horizontal stretching, or run 1024x600. at 7 feet, 1024x600 feels about right for general windows use on my 42" plasma.

there are of course alot of "if" and "but"s that would go along with the above, but those numbers are the goal.