Computer help forum: Connecting computer to TV

Try setting your Windows resolution to 800x600 or 640x480 for a test.

This isn't a good idea, and you're not likely to be happy with the results, but since most people seem to need to figure this out for themselves...

Computer monitors and TVs may look the same, and operate on a number of the same basic principles, but they are NOT the same. TVs have fixed resolutions they can display. Non-HDTV sets had a single fixed resolution they could display. HDTVs may have as many as 3 basic resolutions they can display. If your computer is not configured to output a signal on one of these specific resolutions, then you will be very unlikely to get a signal on your TV.

Also, it should be noted that TVs tend to have much lower response rates compared to monitors, and they are NOT designed to hold static images like a computer monitor. They are designed for a steady stream of images at either 30 or 60fps depending on if we're talking interlaced or progressive scanning. An HDTV set will function better than an older non-HDTV set, but the results will still be considerably less than the fantasy you've created in your mind.

I know it sounds like a great idea to use this big screen TV you just got as a computer monitor, and it looks great on paper, but when you actually go and try to do it, it doesn't work so well. Anyone who's ever tried it will tell you pretty much the same thing. Your TV is NOT a good substitute for a proper monitor. If you want to watch movies on the new TV, get a DVD player to connect to it, or use some sort of device like the slingbox or an Xbox 360 as an intermediary between your computer and the TV.

The best advice I can give you, is to just stop now while all you've lost is some time and the cost of that cable. Take the time to really think about what it is you want to do by connecting your TV to the computer, and then do some proper research into that.

I have a question. I have 8 monitors, all 17", 4 in a row on top of 4 in a row.
I'd like to replace 4 of them with one large screen, like a 46" LCD or plasma TV. But, I don't know if the resolution of the 46" will be sufficient. I sit 24" from the screens.

I know how to attach a bigscreen to a computer through a DVI. I have a 60" Samsung HDTV in my family room. It is hooked up both to the cable/tv, and also to a PC. I can use the PC with the 60" as the monitor. That works fine, but I'm sitting 15' away, and am using the whole 60" for one window.

That's different than what I want to do at my desk. Here at my desk, I'm sitting 24" away. If I put a 46" monitor to replace 4 of the 17" monitors, I'll still have two or 3 windows open on the 46". It will be the same as with the 4 17" monitors, but I'll have a bit more screen real estate and no bezels breaking up the screens. Right now, I have Word docs which go up and down across 2 screens, so there are two bezels (monitor frames) in the middle of the document. The 46" wouldn't have that problem.

My question is whether the 46" will be high enough resolution, assuming it is 1080 (which is 1920x1080 resolution, I understand).

If so, then I will put a 46" in the middle to replace the 4 center monitors. Then, the 4 side monitors, I'll replace with four vertical 30" monitors, two on each side of the 46". Each set of two 30" monitors will be at a 45 degree angle to the 46" so they surround me.

If you have a chance to respond, I'd sure appreciate it.

I have connected a Vizsio tv to a computer and was very pleased. The problem you are describing actually seems to be that the second monitor is not enable or you have not extended your desktop to the second monitor. open your display properties and verify that you see two displays click on the second one and check the box thats says extend my windows desktop onto this monitor. I am assuming you are using it as a second monitor and not the primary since you are able to log on and you have to be able to see that to login. This process may be different depending on the video card you are using and the driver version. i would refer you to their website for more information. If this is a laptop there is usually a hot key for this process also mine is fn + F3 but you would need to refer to your specific model to verify that also.

Read http://winhlp.com/node/10

Sorry if this does not apply but your post is light. No word on the DVD title, the player, DVD drive connection, etc.

-> The GX260 however is a poor choice for over standard DVD NTSC output due to that horrible i845 chipset. I don't hold much hope for over SD playback.

Bob

I want to use a Win7 Pro x64 notebook (mostly for Windows Media Center) with my new 47" Vizio HDTV. The notebook has a VGA port, but not a HDMI port. The TV has a like port (called RGB)for attaching a computer. The notebook automatically detects the native resolution of almost any flat panel monitor - however it will NOT automatically detect the native resolution of my Vizio TV. I see this as a shortcoming with the TV.

My video card won't let me manually assign a resolution unless a monitor is plugged in. When I plug in the TV via the VGA port, all I get is "Invalid Format" ... it means the TV is telling the notebook that it's native resolution is a format it actually cannot support.

My notebook's built-in panel only supports up to 1280X800, and the TV supports 1920X1080 (1080p), but the next lowest commonly supported value is 1024X768 (60Hz used for all resolutions). So this is my only solution so far...

I set the notebook display to 1024X768, then enable screen cloning. The same image then shows on the TV. Next I EXTEND the desktop across both screens, and make the TV my primary monitor. I can then independently set the resolution for each screen - my notebook to its native 1280X800, and the TV to its native 1920X1080.

This works fine so long as both screens are in use. But if I close the notebook (it is set to NOT sleep because of this) so I only have the Vizio TV, the notebook again tries to read the native resolution (forgetting the resolution I just set) and again I get "Invalid Format". Vizio needs to do a firmware upgrade.