HDTV as computer monitor: feasiblity?

[J. Clarke]

You watch more than one channel at a time? And why can't it recieve
HDTV? It does 16:9 ratio and 4:3.


Noise.

Then rig it for silent running.

 

[maggot]

Then rig it for silent running.

No, I like using my Viewsonic N6 just fine, thx. It also upscales the
image as high as 1280x1024. I tired the internal TV Tuner method
already and it is inferior to the N6 method. And as someone else
pointed out already I can connect an X-Box or PS2 and play it on my
computer monitor. But I doubt I'll do that as console games are not my
bag.

 

[maggot]

Yup, and they are excellent for feeding your PS2 or XBOX game systems thru
to your 21" monitor!!!!!

Yea, I've considered doing that but most of the games I am into are PC
games so see no need for a console too.

 

[J. Clarke]

I'm not trying to be argumentative but I've never understood the appeal of
such devices as the N6.

No, I like using my Viewsonic N6 just fine, thx. It also upscales the
image as high as 1280x1024.

Is that just a comment or are you saying that that's somehow an advantage?
If an advantage I have no trouble upscaling to the maximum resolution of
any monitor I attach.

I tired the internal TV Tuner method
already and it is inferior to the N6 method.

Inferior in what way? And what were you using for a capture board? I doubt
that Viewsonic makes their own chips for the thing, which means that they
use the same Conexant or Brooktree or Phillips chip as everybody else.

And as someone else
pointed out already I can connect an X-Box or PS2 and play it on my
computer monitor.

What prevents you from doing this with any capture board that has composite
or S-video inputs? Heck, you don't need a tuner, all you need is a VIVO
board for that.

 

[Wblane]

If the HDTV is CRT based what kind of refresh rates are we talking here? 60Hz?
For text doesn't 60Hz introduce an annoying flicker? If not 60Hz what are the
refresh rates for all the native resolutions of HDTV? Do ATI drivers (and/or
games) support HDTV resolutions?
-Bill (remove "botizer" to reply via email)

 

[maggot]

I'm not trying to be argumentative but I've never understood the appeal of
such devices as the N6.

Features

Experience high-definition video or TV on an LCD, CRT or projection
display
Enjoy up to 181 channels of high-resolution TV (1280x1024) at full
screen in 24-bit color. Simply connect the NextVision N6 to your
antenna or cable feed; or connect to your satellite, cable box or HDTV
set-top-box and enjoy precision scaled HDTV on your display or
projector.

Create and view digital content on your high-resolution display
The NextVision N6 is compatible with industry-standard digital cameras
and camcorders through its multiple video input connections. You can
view your own video content in multiple resolutions up to 1280x1024.

Enjoy full-screen, high-definition video entertainment with or without
your PC
Simply connect your DVD, VCR or gaming console to the NextVision N6
and enjoy your favorite movies on your high-resolution display or
projector. The NextVision N6 provides component video (YPbPr),
S-video, composite (RCA) video connectors, audio pass-through and
front-panel headphone support with or without your PC.

Advanced scaling technology, reverse 3:2 pull down and digital 3-D
comb filter
The NextVision N6 provides reverse 3:2 pull down correction that
eliminates jitter from DVD movies that originated from motion picture
film. A digital 3-D comb filter, motion and adaptive de-interlacing
improves the clarity and sharpness of the video image.

TV/Video input compatibility
480i, 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i

RGB output capability
640x480, 800x600, 852x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1280x1024

Picture-in-picture viewing
When connected to a PC you can view a video or TV window over your
data screen.

Closed caption technology*
Displays text overlay of spoken audio over video.

SAP/MTS Stereo*
Allows the reception of audio other than main programming audio.

Parental control*
Built-in V chip allows controlled programming based on a selected
rating system.

RGB computer pass-through
Watch TV or enjoy your DVD movie without turning on your computer.

Auto tuning
Auto tuning of TV broadcast and cable TV channels.

Sleep timer
Built-in sleep timer automatically shuts off display at pre-determined
times.

Easy connection and control
The NextVision N6 is an external plug-and-play table-top configuration
requiring no software drivers or internal computer installation.

Convenient 28-key remote control

 

[J. Clarke]

If the HDTV is CRT based what kind of refresh rates are we talking here?
60Hz? For text doesn't 60Hz introduce an annoying flicker? If not 60Hz
what are the refresh rates for all the native resolutions of HDTV? Do ATI
drivers (and/or games) support HDTV resolutions?

The ATI boards can output HDTV resolutions using component or DVI outputs,
but you may need a third party utility called "Powerstrip" to set them.

Using DVI the refresh rate set in the video board is pretty much irrelevant
as the signal goes through a DAC in the set.

Further, TV sets tend to have higher persistence phosphors than CRT
monitors.

The bottom line is that I've not noticed any flicker using a TV for computer
output--the resolution has always been the issue and HD resolves that.

 

[J. Clarke]

Features

<cut and paste from ad copy snipped>

Still don't understand the appeal. Take the price of the N6 plus the price
of a computer monitor and you can get an HDTV set that does the same thing
and displays 1920x1080 insted of 1280x1024. If you want a TV that's a
better choice.

 

[GMAN]

I'm not trying to be argumentative but I've never understood the appeal of
such devices as the N6.


Is that just a comment or are you saying that that's somehow an advantage?
If an advantage I have no trouble upscaling to the maximum resolution of
any monitor I attach.


Inferior in what way? And what were you using for a capture board? I doubt
that Viewsonic makes their own chips for the thing, which means that they
use the same Conexant or Brooktree or Phillips chip as everybody else.


What prevents you from doing this with any capture board that has composite
or S-video inputs? Heck, you don't need a tuner, all you need is a VIVO
board for that.

The main point here is that it allows one to eliminate having to have the
computer on and being used as a pass thru to do the above.

 

[GMAN]

<cut and paste from ad copy snipped>

Still don't understand the appeal. Take the price of the N6 plus the price
of a computer monitor and you can get an HDTV set that does the same thing
and displays 1920x1080 insted of 1280x1024. If you want a TV that's a
better choice.

The appeal being that if you own a projector it makes a very nice tuner to add
to the projector. I own a proxima projector and using a vcr for a tuner just
doesnt cut it. These N6 boxes have 3D comb filtering , video scaling, etc that
makes the 7 foot wide image shine.

 

[maggot]

Still don't understand the appeal. Take the price of the N6 plus the price
of a computer monitor and you can get an HDTV set that does the same thing
and displays 1920x1080 insted of 1280x1024. If you want a TV that's a
better choice.

But the whole point was that he wants a TV and a monitor that can
display text well. The N6 solves that problem. Buying an HDTV doesn't.
And using an Xbox through a TV Tuner card requires one to have the
computer on and use overlay mode. That's not the same as displaying
directly to the monitor without having to have the computer and the
console on at the same time.

 

[J. Clarke]

The appeal being that if you own a projector it makes a very nice tuner to
add to the projector. I own a proxima projector and using a vcr for a
tuner just doesnt cut it. These N6 boxes have 3D comb filtering , video
scaling, etc that makes the 7 foot wide image shine.

If you're using HD then you don't need 3D comb filtering, video scaling,
etc. However a decent projector already has those capabilities built in,
and if mine didn't, then dscaler gives better results than all but the
highest-end video processors.

 

[J. Clarke]

The main point here is that it allows one to eliminate having to have the
computer on and being used as a pass thru to do the above.

And my point being that I for one never turn the computer off and still
don't understand why people make such a huge deal about having it on. And
it's more than a "pass through". And I'd rather have the computer directly
connected to the monitor than passed through Viewsonic's box.

 

[J. Clarke]

But the whole point was that he wants a TV and a monitor that can
display text well. The N6 solves that problem. Buying an HDTV doesn't.

Now let's see. Displaying text at 1280x1024 is adequate but displaying it
at 1920x1080, which is a higher resolution than 1280x1024, is not? How do
you figure that?

And using an Xbox through a TV Tuner card requires one to have the
computer on and use overlay mode.

And having the computer on and using overlay mode is a problem because?

That's not the same as displaying
directly to the monitor without having to have the computer and the
console on at the same time.

No, it's not the same. This is a problem because?

 

[maggot]

then dscaler gives better results than all but the
highest-end video processors.

I've used Dscaler and you are talking crap if you think the quality is
better. Enough of this twaddle. I doubt you've ever even used the N6
so are just making it up as you go along.

 

[maggot]

Now let's see. Displaying text at 1280x1024 is adequate but displaying it
at 1920x1080, which is a higher resolution than 1280x1024, is not? How do
you figure that?

WTF are you talking about? Why would the text from his computer be
limited to 1280x1024 (unless using a 17" LCD)?

And having the computer on and using overlay mode is a problem because?

Noise, heat, waste of power and inferior quality.

No, it's not the same. This is a problem because?

Enough dillweed!

 

[maggot]

And my point being that I for one never turn the computer off and still
don't understand why people make such a huge deal about having it on.

People like you are the reason we are heading for an energy crisis.

And
it's more than a "pass through". And I'd rather have the computer directly
connected to the monitor than passed through Viewsonic's box.

Why? It doesn't degrade the image. You've never seen or used one so
why don't you just shut up and go back to sleep?

 

[J. Clarke]

People like you are the reason we are heading for an energy crisis.

Care to provide me some numbers to support that contention?

Why? It doesn't degrade the image.

It doesn't? Now let's see, I feed it 1600x1200 and out comes 1280x1024, and
that's not degredation? Not to mention that it won't pass DVI.

You've never seen or used one so
why don't you just shut up and go back to sleep?

Oh, now that is a _really_ impressive argument.

 

[J. Clarke]

WTF are you talking about? Why would the text from his computer be
limited to 1280x1024 (unless using a 17" LCD)?

The specs for your magic box say that the maximum output resolution is
1280x1024.

Noise, heat, waste of power and inferior quality.

Which tells me that you've never used a PC that was set up properly for home
theater. You're assuming that all PCs are mass-market Dells.

Enough dillweed!

I was wondering if you had any reasons for using the thing or if you were
just engaging in mindless advocacy. Now I know.

 

[J. Clarke]

I've used Dscaler and you are talking crap if you think the quality is
better.

Well, now, people who have experience with equipment far more sophisticated
and expensive than the N6 claim that they get equal results out of dscaler.
Forgive me if I take their opinion over yours, given that you have shown
that you don't even know how to build a quiet computer. Dscaler takes some
effort to set up properly-you don't just install it and go.

Enough of this twaddle. I doubt you've ever even used the N6
so are just making it up as you go along.

I'm looking for information that would convince me that it has something to
offer, and so far you've given me nothing and gotten abusive when pressed.