Bought a 32 inch Panasonic HDTV

Silentmurderx · October 3rd, 2009, 17:53

I just bought this TV and am currently using it as my computer monitor. Can only go up to a smaller resolution but I dont mind it too much.

Just have a few questions about how to get the most out of it. I have it connected with a regular VGA cable, does it make a difference getting an HDMI or whatever cable? Not really sure how that works.

Also, how do i get games to play at the full wide screen display? Atm it just comes up as a square and not widescreened.

If you have any advice or anything I should know when using this it would help a lot. thanks

Princess Garnet · October 3rd, 2009, 18:27

I have such a television, but it's a Sony Bravia. Otherwise, it's the same for all intents and purposes as this goes. It's 32", 720p or 1360x768 when connected to a PC (1024x768 widescreen, wow, that's low), etc.

Here's my experience. I've tried it, and these things just don't have a good enough dot pitch (or whatever the equivalent is for LCDs if it's called something else) for heavy PC use. Basically, the screen is too large a size for too low a resolution, so it's not sharp. Text, namely, is going to look terrible (smudged and blurry) compared to any, and I mean any, PC monitor. It will be tiring to read after long use. Games and movies may look fine though. They're fine to use this way, but I wouldn't use it to replace a PC monitor. After using it for a while, and then going back to an actual PC monitor, you'll be surprised at the sharpness you were missing. Just be aware of this.

As for your questions, a DVI connection may help a bit (HDMI is DVI plus sound, nothing more), but it will not be a world's difference that eliminates the issue I mentioned above.

You'll need to make sure your PC has an HDMI out, unless that television has a DVI port (some newer ones seem to be going the trend of having HDMI and VGA only, or at least most of the 32" ones when I was getting mine did).

As for the aspect ratio, if the game isn't taking up the whole screen, make sure you have a widescreen ratio selected.

__________________
"The heart has it's reasons that reason knows nothing of."

October 3rd, 2009, 17:53	#1
Silentmurderx Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: USA Arizona Posts: 51	Bought a 32 inch Panasonic HDTV I just bought this TV and am currently using it as my computer monitor. Can only go up to a smaller resolution but I dont mind it too much. Just have a few questions about how to get the most out of it. I have it connected with a regular VGA cable, does it make a difference getting an HDMI or whatever cable? Not really sure how that works. Also, how do i get games to play at the full wide screen display? Atm it just comes up as a square and not widescreened. If you have any advice or anything I should know when using this it would help a lot. thanks

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October 3rd, 2009, 18:27	#2
Princess Garnet From Love and Limerence Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,557	I have such a television, but it's a Sony Bravia. Otherwise, it's the same for all intents and purposes as this goes. It's 32", 720p or 1360x768 when connected to a PC (1024x768 widescreen, wow, that's low), etc. Here's my experience. I've tried it, and these things just don't have a good enough dot pitch (or whatever the equivalent is for LCDs if it's called something else) for heavy PC use. Basically, the screen is too large a size for too low a resolution, so it's not sharp. Text, namely, is going to look terrible (smudged and blurry) compared to any, and I mean any, PC monitor. It will be tiring to read after long use. Games and movies may look fine though. They're fine to use this way, but I wouldn't use it to replace a PC monitor. After using it for a while, and then going back to an actual PC monitor, you'll be surprised at the sharpness you were missing. Just be aware of this. As for your questions, a DVI connection may help a bit (HDMI is DVI plus sound, nothing more), but it will not be a world's difference that eliminates the issue I mentioned above. You'll need to make sure your PC has an HDMI out, unless that television has a DVI port (some newer ones seem to be going the trend of having HDMI and VGA only, or at least most of the 32" ones when I was getting mine did). As for the aspect ratio, if the game isn't taking up the whole screen, make sure you have a widescreen ratio selected. __________________ "The heart has it's reasons that reason knows nothing of."