Samsung 245b 24" and lots of questions :(

[volatile]

Hi there guys, Sorry if I have posted this in the wrong place but I really need some of my questions answered.

Basically I have just bought a Samsung 245b 24" monitor and as well as using it as my monitor I will also want to sit back a little and watch my divx/avi/mpg etc media through this without having the PC on.

I dont want a multimedia player instead I was thinking of a DVD Divx player that has a USB connection where I can hook up my 500GB external HD and watch content straight off that without having my PC on.

Now the DVD player I have bought only upscales to 720p (not 1080p) I was wondering if:

1. Is it possible to watch my Divx/AVI/MPEG content at 720p, let alone 1080p? If so then I should send back my DVD player and consider one that upscales to 1080p?

2. Even if the upscalling of 1080p only applys to legitimate DVD disks do you think it would still be wise to purchase one for the occasional times I watch legitimate DVDs or is it better to just wait for blu ray disks to drop in price or perhaps get a PS3?

3. Is this monitor HD compatiable, and also compatible with when everything goes to digital next year (Sky, cable etc). Surely it is as it can display resolutions higher then 1080p, it only has a VGA and DVI output but I think this can be resolved.

If I were for example to plug in a Blu Ray player (with a HDMI - DVI converter so it plugs into the monitor) would my monitor display the Blu Ray content at true 1080p HD resolution?

4. Is it possible to connect a freeview box to my dvd player (HDMI - DVI again) (and no I dont want to use a freeview TV card in my PC as I want to watch TV out of my monitor without the PC on)

5. Finally, is digital optical output better sound quality than digital coaxial output, if so then I should look for a DVD player that supports digital optical out?

Many thanks really appreicate this, really hope you can help me with this.

Mark

DVD player I have purchased: http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/424180/art/sigmatek/xs-700-pro-dvd-player.html#

LCD monitor I have purchased:
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/573645/art/samsung/syncmaster-245b-24-wide-f.html

 

[marty2005]

U should really post in the computer section under monitors.

Not good as tv because of the viewing angle - they stuck a screw in the stand to stop portrait.

1. Dvd recorders/players support divx at 720p max - scales if 1080 output.
2. The sm245b stretches to fill the screen, no 1-1 pm.
3. 1080p, it has digital content protection
4. No, u can't input into a player.
5. The same, optical has no electrical interference.

Seems like a good dvd player, they have similar at Asda under £30 but no card inputs.

SM245B at Overclockers - £323

720P is fine, the monitor will scale it up.
it'll cost u to send it back to PixMania in France - Asda one is black and looks nice and no probs taking it back.

 

[volatile]

hey thanks for the quick reply, im still unsure about a couple of things

"1. Dvd recorders/players support divx at 720p max - scales if 1080 output."

Does this mean that it doesnt support 1080p, only stretchs/scales to 1080 if your player has upscaling, do you think I should worry about this if this is the case and get a different player?

"2. The sm245b stretches to fill the screen, no 1-1 pm."

Can you explain what 1-1pm is, and elaborate a little more?

"3. 1080p, it has digital content protection"

Does this mean I cannot use my monitor to play HD games on the PS3, watch HD content using a HD DVD player, and generally watch digital media (720p or 1080p)? Please elaborate more as this is my biggest question

Many thanks as always, have answered alot of questions,

Sorry again for posting in the wrong secton, please get back to me ASAP

Mark

 

[marty2005]

One 2 One pixel mapping - No up-scaling. Every pixel output is displayed as it is leaving blank parts on the screen. Allows you to output at 1920*1080.

1200-1080 is unused.

You need HDCP to display commersal hd-dvds.

PS3 should be ok, but I don't have a games machine.

There is a thread below on the 245b - look on there for people who own one as I don't.

I wouldn't change the dvd player, it'll still be good. You have the setup, try it. You won't see hidden details because you've up-scaled to 1080. Only the source would have to be 1080 to see the extra definition.