Cheap way to get HD

[scott26985]

If like me you only have a PS3 and Xbox 360 (with Blu-ray and HD-DVDs).

Would it not be cheaper just to buy a PC monitor that can display HD level Resolutions?

Like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SM22...555757&sr=1-40

Is this right or am I way off?

Im only after a HD Display for my bedroom so doesn't need to be bigger then 26' (at the max)

[scott26985]

Or this one: http://www.dabs.com/productview.aspx...4MQY&InMerch=1

[hefonthefjords]

yep, that would work. but you can buy a 32" tv for only 300 - 340 (depending on whether you want digital freeview or not.

the only downside to using an lcd pc monitor is that you will pretty much limit yourself to ONLY using it for your ps3/computer.

[scott26985]

What about this one: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/133517...roduct_reviews

It says its FULL HD and you can run the 360 and PS3 on it

Is 1920x1200 Full HD then?

[NicolasB]

Originally Posted by scott26985

If like me you only have a PS3 and Xbox 360 (with Blu-ray and HD-DVDs).

Would it not be cheaper just to buy a PC monitor that can display HD level Resolutions?

Like this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SM22...555757&sr=1-40

Is this right or am I way off?

Im only after a HD Display for my bedroom so doesn't need to be bigger then 26' (at the max)

You're right, with a few provisos.

1) Computer monitors tend to be small. To get the full benefit of an HD image on a small screen, you have to sit very close to it, otherwise your eyes simply can't resolve enough detail for HD to make any difference. Computer monitors are designed to be viewed from a distance of not much more than 2 feet; certainly no more than 3. At that sort of range, you'll be okay. But at normal TV viewing distances (8 or 9 feet) you can barely even make out all the detail available in an SD image.

2) Computer monitors often don't have particularly good colour accuracy; in other words the difference between what the electrical signal says the red, green and blue intensities should be and what they actually are can be quite large. No TV ever gets it perfectly correct, but PC monitors are not designed to make video look good. They often have very poor black level, for example - blacks look grey - and, as you go up the greyscale from black to white they may swing into shades of pink or blue or green and back again.

3) A PC monitor may not have the necessary connectors for some types of device, e.g. it will probably will not have a SCART socket. It may also not accept HDMI input. (One can convert from HDMI to DVI using an adapter, but that won't help if the HDMI sourse uses HDCP encryption, which almost all do). You may be able to use VGA.

4) Monitors may not be able to accept 50Hz signals (e.g. from Sky HD) only 60Hz or higher.

5) Monitors tend to look good only at their native resolution and when fed a progressive signal: the scaling and deinterlacing capablities tend to be very poor or even non-existent.

Having said all that, if you can find a monitor with a resolution of at least 1920x1080, it may well work. But I suggest you audition it first.

[scott26985]

Thanks,

Just stick with my ordered R88 26' then, its only £50 more.