///3oris said:
Yes, I think you're describing what I was saying.
don't "mix" and stick out, etc. Now, my point is: the reason for such crappy pictures, is that the signal is digitized/processed through various filters, etc*. With a PC source, the PC outputs the exact resolution of the TV (or usually a few pixels off, which can be fixed) and due to this, the TV doesn't try to "fix/filter/scale" this image.. it just takes it as a raw signal. Which is why everything looks crisp/clear from a PC source, and thus would be the case when streaming video from the PC.
Actually it's a whole lot more complicated, here's a list of places where image quality can be compromised (in order of the production process)
1. When mastering the content for broadcast or DVD use. (Compression)
2. When decoding the source:
PAL/NTSC conversion
interlaced to non-interlaced conversion,
frame rate conversion (source fps -> output fps)
scaling to your decoding device (DVD, PC) output resolution
3. scaling from TV input resolution to TV output resolution
4. Image processing on the TV to 'improve' quality (XD, Wega, PixelPlus, etc)
5. Display properties of your screen. (Black levels, viewing angles)
6. Your room setup (Darkness, contrast with surroundings)
Also, at any stage of transmission (broadcast, cables to TV) interference can stuff things up.
Stage 1 is probably the most imporant stage - stuff up the original broadcast/DVD release - there's not much that can improve it, the information just isn't there... This is why HD is so much better
Why is the PC quite good at giving decent image quality, because you can roll up steps 2-4 into one, if you set everything up right, and make your TV 'dumb' -> no scaling, no image processing. Also, a powerful PC has a lot more processing power available to do this work and the decoding/filters/transforms can be updated to be beter or faster - something which most consumer box thingies won't let you.
I only watch content via PC - it rocks!