i think most people just put a widescreen resolution on the TV, and let the internal scaler handle it. otherwise, things would be distorted.
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Using a HTPC, Plasma or LCD?
I'm looking into getting either a Plasma or LCD TV 37" or larger. I have a HTPC I will be hooking up to it, as well as a HDTV cable box, and probably an xbox 360 in the future.
From what I have seen I have found that plasmas tend to offer much better colors, contrast, etc. I have been very impressed with the pictures I have seen off 42" plasma. The only concern I have is that most of them seem to have 1024x768 resolution on the panel, and I'm not sure how that will affect my use with the HTPC. The LCDs all seem to have something like 1366x768, which is a widescreen resolution and I'm sure will work much better with the PC. I am EXTREMELY worried about putting 1024x768 to the plasma and having it be distorted. I was hoping to do a little bit of web surfing from my couch (about 8 feet from the TV), and I really wanted to avoid having distortion. Does anyone here use 1024x768 on a plasma hooked up to a PC? Do you have any pictures of it?
For those of you that had to make this choice between LCD or Plasma..which did you pick, and why? Also, does anyone know any 42" plasmas that do 1366x768, it seems like if I could find one like that it would probably be my best choice, right?
Thanks for any help you can give me, guys.
From what I have seen I have found that plasmas tend to offer much better colors, contrast, etc. I have been very impressed with the pictures I have seen off 42" plasma. The only concern I have is that most of them seem to have 1024x768 resolution on the panel, and I'm not sure how that will affect my use with the HTPC. The LCDs all seem to have something like 1366x768, which is a widescreen resolution and I'm sure will work much better with the PC. I am EXTREMELY worried about putting 1024x768 to the plasma and having it be distorted. I was hoping to do a little bit of web surfing from my couch (about 8 feet from the TV), and I really wanted to avoid having distortion. Does anyone here use 1024x768 on a plasma hooked up to a PC? Do you have any pictures of it?
For those of you that had to make this choice between LCD or Plasma..which did you pick, and why? Also, does anyone know any 42" plasmas that do 1366x768, it seems like if I could find one like that it would probably be my best choice, right?
Thanks for any help you can give me, guys.
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I chose plasma, primarily for picture quality, but also because there are no LCDs greater than 46". Although that latter fact is about to change with the new Sharps coming soon. Since I went with a 50" plasma, I did get the 1366x768 resolution and did not have to worry about the non-square pixel issue.
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The reason they are all 1024 columns is because the techonology does not allow for small enough pixels (in the hoizontal direction) to fit 1280 or 1366 columns. That is all about to change with 50" 1920x1080 plasmas starting to show up next year (Pioneer, Panasonic), and 42" probably coming in 2007 (Hitachi).
I have seen pictures posted here of 42" 1024x768 plasmas running windows at native resolution (sorry I don't have a link to any thread). It does look distorted (streched). If you were willing to sacrifice some vertical resolution, you could probably get it to sync at 1024x576 (which is 16:9) depending on brand. Alternatively, you could run 1024x768 ZOOMed which would again give you a visible area of 1024x576, but you'd be chopping the top off of your mazximized windows and lose your windows toolbar. Another option would oviously be 1366x768 but you will get scaling artifacts in the horizontal direction. It might look okay though.
| Originally Posted by cafara For those of you that had to make this choice between LCD or Plasma..which did you pick, and why? |
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| Also, does anyone know any 42" plasmas that do 1366x768, it seems like if I could find one like that it would probably be my best choice, right? |
I have seen pictures posted here of 42" 1024x768 plasmas running windows at native resolution (sorry I don't have a link to any thread). It does look distorted (streched). If you were willing to sacrifice some vertical resolution, you could probably get it to sync at 1024x576 (which is 16:9) depending on brand. Alternatively, you could run 1024x768 ZOOMed which would again give you a visible area of 1024x576, but you'd be chopping the top off of your mazximized windows and lose your windows toolbar. Another option would oviously be 1366x768 but you will get scaling artifacts in the horizontal direction. It might look okay though.
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Wide screen sets with a native resolution of 1024 x 768 use rectangular pixels. those sets with native resolution of 1366 x 768 use square pixels, same as your HTPC. By using a program like Powerstrip you can get your video card to generate custom resolutions in order to get 1:1 pixel mapping.
Some panels don’t seem to accept their own native resolution. Consequently, some people have had more success with this than others!
| Originally Posted by cafara I'm looking into getting either a Plasma or LCD TV 37" or larger. I have a HTPC I will be hooking up to it, as well as a HDTV cable box, and probably an xbox 360 in the future. From what I have seen I have found that plasmas tend to offer much better colors, contrast, etc. I have been very impressed with the pictures I have seen off 42" plasma. The only concern I have is that most of them seem to have 1024x768 resolution on the panel, and I'm not sure how that will affect my use with the HTPC. The LCDs all seem to have something like 1366x768, which is a widescreen resolution and I'm sure will work much better with the PC. I am EXTREMELY worried about putting 1024x768 to the plasma. |
Some panels don’t seem to accept their own native resolution. Consequently, some people have had more success with this than others!
So would I basically be better off with an LCD TV?
Which is better for something like xbox 360? I know the PC will look better on LCD, but wasn't sure about the xbox.....and I figure regular TV will look much better on the plasma
Which is better for something like xbox 360? I know the PC will look better on LCD, but wasn't sure about the xbox.....and I figure regular TV will look much better on the plasma
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Not a gamer so can't say. I've read several posts from gamers that use Plasmas. Plazzys as well as LCDs use both square and retangular pixels depending on model and screen size.
| Originally Posted by cafara So would I basically be better off with an LCD TV? Which is better for something like xbox 360? I know the PC will look better on LCD, but wasn't sure about the xbox.....and I figure regular TV will look much better on the plasma |
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Some people complain about ghosting issues when gaming with LCDs. You may want to try it yourself to decide. A fast response time is key. There threads on this forum where you can read about others impressions.
Also don't assume that the PC will always look better on the LCD. As I say, I use a plasma with my computer and it looks great. The only reason I would go to LCD would be to get more resolution, but I definitely would not sacrifice the blacks to get it.
| Originally Posted by cafara So would I basically be better off with an LCD TV? Which is better for something like xbox 360? I know the PC will look better on LCD, but wasn't sure about the xbox.....and I figure regular TV will look much better on the plasma |
Also don't assume that the PC will always look better on the LCD. As I say, I use a plasma with my computer and it looks great. The only reason I would go to LCD would be to get more resolution, but I definitely would not sacrifice the blacks to get it.
What resolution does your plasma run at? Is it a 4:3 resolution like 1024x768? How bad is the stretching with the rectangular pixels? Basically, as long as it is tolerable, I would gladly get a plasma over the LCD.
Thanks
Thanks
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Well, like I said, my plasma is 50" so its got square pixels (1366x768). What is your budget? If you are considering 42" HD plasmas, it must be over $2k, correct? If you can manage to stretch that up to around $3k, you could get a Panasonic 50" 8UK.
| Originally Posted by cafara What resolution does your plasma run at? Is it a 4:3 resolution like 1024x768? How bad is the stretching with the rectangular pixels? Basically, as long as it is tolerable, I would gladly get a plasma over the LCD. Thanks |
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So, if you are planning on incorporating your PC with a plasma the 50" will be much better than the lower rez 42"?
| Originally Posted by mkoesel Well, like I said, my plasma is 50" so its got square pixels (1366x768). What is your budget? If you are considering 42" HD plasmas, it must be over $2k, correct? If you can manage to stretch that up to around $3k, you could get a Panasonic 50" 8UK. |
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The goal here is to try to get a set with square pixels, regardless of the screen size. Problem is most 42" Plazzys use rectangular pixels. If the width in pixels / height in pixels is around 1.33, but the set's overall aspect ratio is 1.77, then the set is using rectangular pixels.
| Originally Posted by lipcrkr So, if you are planning on incorporating your PC with a plasma the 50" will be much better than the lower rez 42"? |
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I'm not sure I would say "much better". But it will give you the ability to run at native resolution without any distortion. Depending on what you plan to do on the PC and how particular you are, that could be a big deal or it could be completely unimportant to you. Heck there are some people out there using 852x480 ED plasmas with their HTPCs and loving it. I would not be able to stomach that, but what matters most is how it looks to your own eyes.
| Originally Posted by lipcrkr So, if you are planning on incorporating your PC with a plasma the 50" will be much better than the lower rez 42"? |
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My main use of the PC would be playing DVD's using WinDVD 7 on the plasma as well as an occasional PC game. The plasma will get extensive use of HD channels on Comcast. I have recently decided to upgrade to a 50" for other reasons but knowing that the bigger screen with the increased resolution is a plus for PC is good news.
| Originally Posted by mkoesel I'm not sure I would say "much better". But it will give you the ability to run at native resolution without any distortion. Depending on what you plan to do on the PC and how particular you are, that could be a big deal or it could be completely unimportant to you. Heck there are some people out there using 852x480 ED plasmas with their HTPCs and loving it. I would not be able to stomach that, but what matters most is how it looks to your own eyes. |
Couple of comments:
I've got a 37" 1920x1080 LCD(Sceptre) that I use for HTPC and surfing at a distance of about 8-9 feet. At 37" 1920x1080 is a bit too high resolution for comfortable web browsing. Even if you make the fonts extra-large, things still are a bit awkward. For web-browsing I usually drop down to the non-native resolution of 1024x768 which is just about perfect! On a larger 42", 1024x768 (or 1366x768) might be a bit large and 1920x1080 might be perfect? Maybe worth considering 1920x1080 if other factors permit?
I would definitely recommend a 1-1 pixel mapping if you can pull it off. Like I said above, I do use non-native 1024x768 for web-browsing, but it doesn't look nearly as sharp as the 1-1 mode. It makes a noticable difference for any application where you really care about visual quality. Digital photos (which these large TV/monitors are fantastic for BTW) look noticably sharper in 1-1 mode.
Regards - J
I've got a 37" 1920x1080 LCD(Sceptre) that I use for HTPC and surfing at a distance of about 8-9 feet. At 37" 1920x1080 is a bit too high resolution for comfortable web browsing. Even if you make the fonts extra-large, things still are a bit awkward. For web-browsing I usually drop down to the non-native resolution of 1024x768 which is just about perfect! On a larger 42", 1024x768 (or 1366x768) might be a bit large and 1920x1080 might be perfect? Maybe worth considering 1920x1080 if other factors permit?
I would definitely recommend a 1-1 pixel mapping if you can pull it off. Like I said above, I do use non-native 1024x768 for web-browsing, but it doesn't look nearly as sharp as the 1-1 mode. It makes a noticable difference for any application where you really care about visual quality. Digital photos (which these large TV/monitors are fantastic for BTW) look noticably sharper in 1-1 mode.
Regards - J
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