Which HDTV/screen connected to a PC?

[agentkay]

I´m looking for a new (and bigger) screen and want to primarly use it with my PC preferable for both work (office, internet, Photoshop) and entertainment (games, HD content). Max. distance from the screen would be around 3-4ft for work, and 5-6ft for games.

Here are the some of my choices with my current favorite:

1. Dell 2707 / 27", 400cd/m, 1000:1, 6ms
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=222-7315

2. Sharp LC37XD1E / 37", 450cd/m, 1200:1, 6ms http://www.sharp.co.uk/invt/lc37xd1e&bklist=

3. LG 42LF66 / 42" , 450cd/m, 5000:1 (dynamic), 8ms http://uk.lge.com/prodmodeldetail.do?actType=search&page=1&modelCategoryId=0102&categoryId=0102&parentId=01&modelCodeDisplay=42LF66&model=NOTHING

The Dell is the only "true" PC monitor and has the largest native resolution (1920x1200) and due to its size the lowest pixel-pitch. The HDTVs are both 1080p and all three cost around the same where I live.

Since it´s probably impossible to find the necessary close-distance PQ that I do need for work AND a bigger screen for entertainment all in one screen I´m consindering an alternative and keep my old 17" LCD for work-duty and use a HDTV for entertaiment.

Thanks in advance and I´m looking forward to your opinions and/or possible alternatives. :)

[AthlonXP1800]

Go get LG 42" HDTV :D

I am not sure if it have DVI port, if it dont then you will need DVI to HDMI cable for the PC. :)

[agentkay]

No the LG doesn´t have a DVI port but I do have a HDMI/DVI cable already. :)

LG spec details:
HDMI/HDCP Input
2(480i/480p/576i/576p/720p/1080i/1080p)- HDMI 1 Port PC Mode - 1080p : 24/30/50/60p

I´m having problems finding the spec details of the Sharp HDTV. :(

[Ancient]

I looked at the specs of those two TVs. You can find the specs and manual on the Sharp set here:

http://www.sharp.co.uk/invt/lc37xd1e (product page)

http://www.tradenet.sharp.co.uk/tech/fromcorp.asp?ID=97623 (manual)

For the LG set:

http://uk.lge.com/prodmodeldetail.do?actType=search&page=1&modelCategoryId=0102&categoryId=0102&parentId=01&modelCodeDisplay=42LF66&model=23#

imo, the LG set is the one you want. Not only because the screen is larger but because, unlike the Sharp, it does 1:1 pixel mapping via HDMI and that's very important so you can avoid having to adjust for overscan (which doesn't work very well in the NVIDIA drivers).

Just my 2 cents.

[agentkay]

Thanks for the info. Yes the Sharp isn´t a good option anymore. I was in a store an hour ago and saw a Sony KDL-40X2000 connected to a HTPC (at 1080p) and the PQ was impressive, sharp, clear even at just 2ft (min. distance) and definitly good enough for work.

http://www.sony.co.uk/view/ShowProduct.action?product=KDL-40X2000&site=odw_en_GB&pageType=TechnicalSpecs&category=TVP+LCD+TV

The only downside is the price which is around $2400. I´m wondering if another manufacturer is using the same quality (or even better) panel at a lower price or if the Sony is best on the market regarding the size/specs. :confused:

[Ancient]

iirc, Sony and Samsung have their LCD panels made by the same manufacturer. I have no idea if Samsung products are sold where you are though.

It's a shame the Westinghouse LCDs aren't sold in the UK anymore.

[agentkay]

Yes, Samsung is sold here. Both the Samsung LE-40M86 and LE-40M87 are more than $600 cheaper than the Sony.

http://www.samsung.com/uk/products/television/tftlcd/le37m87bdxxeu.asp?page=Specifications

[Ancient]

Those Samsung models support 1:1 pixel mapping so you won't have to mess with overscan, which is a primary consideration for a TV connected to an HTPC. You'll probably want to check one out in person at a local store just to make sure the picture fits your eye. If it does that may be the TV for you.

[agentkay]

Thank you! I´ll see if I can find them in a local store. :)

[OWA]

I was going to suggest that you buy it locally even if it's more expensive just so it'll be easier to return if it doesn't work out. Sounds like you're going to do that already.

[agentkay]

Next month new high end models from Sharp (XL1E) and Toshiba will be released so I´ll probably wait for them but the Samsung should already be a pretty good choice. I agree, checking out the TVs locally is definitly important. :)

[OWA]

Do you have specs on the new sets? Edit: Hmm, searching for it, I haven't found a link in english yet.

[agentkay]

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharp.de%2Fpresse%2Fp ressedetails.php%3Fpid%3D1168%26groupid%3D0%26pres seart%3D1&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharp.de%2Fphp%2Ftd.p hp%3Fpar%3D18_no_no_1355&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

Here are the specs but they are automatically translated from the german Sharp site.

The XL1E will be available only in 46" and 52", response time will be an impressive 4ms. IIRC that due to the 100/120hz feature at 1080p which basically cuts the response time in half. Hopefully you will be able to disable all the picture processing filters, just like with the Samsung (M86). I think thats a very useful feature because some filters can decrease picture quality and being able to switch them off is a good thing. :)

And here is an English article on the new C and X series from Toshiba:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2007/04/03/Toshiba-2007-Product-Showcase/p1

[Ancient]

http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharp.de%2Fpresse%2Fp ressedetails.php%3Fpid%3D1168%26groupid%3D0%26pres seart%3D1&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sharp.de%2Fphp%2Ftd.p hp%3Fpar%3D18_no_no_1355&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools

Here are the specs but they are automatically translated from the german Sharp site.

The XL1E will be available only in 46" and 52", response time will be an impressive 4ms. IIRC that due to the 100/120hz feature at 1080p which basically cuts the response time in half. Hopefully you will be able to disable all the picture processing filters, just like with the Samsung (M86). I think thats a very useful feature because some filters can decrease picture quality and being able to switch them off is a good thing. :)

And here is an English article on the new C and X series from Toshiba:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/tvs/review/2007/04/03/Toshiba-2007-Product-Showcase/p1
The Sharp TVs sound great. I'm not familiar with the Toshiba LCDs though. Don't remember ever seeing one.

As to their refresh rate, you kind of have it reversed. The higher refresh rates are made possible by having a fast response time. If you pumped up the refresh on a TV with slower pixel response times you'd get all kinds of nasty artifacts since the pixel transitions couldn't keep up with the screen refreshes.

[Rakeesh]

I paid $1,420 for my 47" westy that I use as a monitor.

1920x1080
6.5ms
1200:1

What is nice is that it supports PIP so I can watch TV while I work.

[faraday]

The Samsung M86 series look great. I'm considering a 40" 1080p myself. Still have to do some research ...