So I built a new computer rig for gaming and watching HD movies and such. Relevant specs include: 5870 ATI radeon graphics card (1GB memory) while using Windows 7 ultimate (legitimate version.)
I used an HDMI cable from my graphics card to my 26 inch Panasonic Viera LCD tv. Using it as a monitor has made most text look blurry especially from my browser (no matter the screen resolution or whether windows cleartext was on) but HD movies and such look fine. Now I've done some research and people are saying I should use the computer input on my TV and everything should be working fine (with the proper resolution... the manual says max resolution would be 1280 x 1024). My video card has two DVI inputs and my computer has a VGA input.
Before I make my purchase on monoprice, should I go for a DVI to VGA or DVI to SVGA? Is there any real difference?
Anyone else run into this problem using their LCD tv as a monitor and got it fixed by using the proper cables?
Run it via HDMI cable, and double check to make sure that you have the highest supported resolution selected. I had some issues with my computer output on the TV until I figured out I was outputting in 720p instead of 1080p, switching that made everything crystal clear.
After you make sure to set the resolution correctly, try adjusting the sharpness: most TVs have that set way too high, causing weird halos around sharp boundaries (like black text on a white background.
The reverse could be true as well: while some TVs have the sharpness setting on a "no enhancement to maximum enhancement" scale, others have it set so that no enhancement occurs when you set it at 50%, and setting it lower than that actually blurs the screen.
To summarize: play with the sharpness setting until things look their best, but in general, try setting it at zero, and then at 50%, and use whatever looks right.
I almost guarantee the issue is one of resolution.
Make your output resolution match the native resolution of your tv and life will be good.
Random pixel doubling or halving where the screen doesn't match up perfectly is ALWAYS ugly.
I did still gave me problems. I'm hoping a change of cables works. And there is no sharpness setting on my TV.
I'm betting the "Computer input" you use on the TV is a VGA one and that the TV is doing a bad job. Use a digital input HDMI/DVI with the right resolution and you should be set - no sharpness settings should be necesary. (VGA can be okay as it is on PC monitors but not many TV's do it okay).
you could also try the cleartype tuner, that can help with displaying on tv's, on win 7's it's included in the control panel. or try uping the font dpi to 120 or 144 that also helps.
I almost guarantee the issue is one of resolution.
Make your output resolution match the native resolution of your tv and life will be good.
Random pixel doubling or halving where the screen doesn't match up perfectly is ALWAYS ugly.
I did still gave me problems. I'm hoping a change of cables works. And there is no sharpness setting on my TV.
I'm betting the "Computer input" you use on the TV is a VGA one and that the TV is doing a bad job. Use a digital input HDMI/DVI with the right resolution and you should be set - no sharpness settings should be necesary. (VGA can be okay as it is on PC monitors but not many TV's do it okay).
It is the opposite. I am using a HDMI cable. I'm gonna try the to use the proper computer input as soon as the DVI to SVGA cable comes in from monoprice (about 2 days from now). I checked the TV manual and it looks like the computer input would do a better job with the resolution but I'll see. Also there is a whole menu that says "PC adjustments" but it is blanked out... FFFFFFF. Looks like I need the right input. Also finally found the sharpness setting and it seems to help a bit but it is still weird.
Posts
The reverse could be true as well: while some TVs have the sharpness setting on a "no enhancement to maximum enhancement" scale, others have it set so that no enhancement occurs when you set it at 50%, and setting it lower than that actually blurs the screen.
To summarize: play with the sharpness setting until things look their best, but in general, try setting it at zero, and then at 50%, and use whatever looks right.
Check out my new blog: http://50wordstories.ca
Also check out my old game design blog: http://stealmygamedesigns.blogspot.com
This was what fixed it for me once upon a time.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Make your output resolution match the native resolution of your tv and life will be good.
Random pixel doubling or halving where the screen doesn't match up perfectly is ALWAYS ugly.
I did still gave me problems. I'm hoping a change of cables works. And there is no sharpness setting on my TV.
I'm betting the "Computer input" you use on the TV is a VGA one and that the TV is doing a bad job. Use a digital input HDMI/DVI with the right resolution and you should be set - no sharpness settings should be necesary. (VGA can be okay as it is on PC monitors but not many TV's do it okay).
It is the opposite. I am using a HDMI cable. I'm gonna try the to use the proper computer input as soon as the DVI to SVGA cable comes in from monoprice (about 2 days from now). I checked the TV manual and it looks like the computer input would do a better job with the resolution but I'll see. Also there is a whole menu that says "PC adjustments" but it is blanked out... FFFFFFF. Looks like I need the right input. Also finally found the sharpness setting and it seems to help a bit but it is still weird.