Using LCD monitors as HDTV's

The same threads come up week after week asking about how to go about using a LCD monitor with a console, so I figured that I might as well write a quick guide to how to get everything working. If you find any typos or what you think is wrong info, then let me know and I'll take a look.

1. Why would I want to use a LCD monitor as a HDTV?
2. Can I get 1080p/1080i/720p on my monitor?
3. What's this 16:10 and 16:9 business?
4. What connections do I need for my console?
5. Wait a minute, my monitor doesn't have speakers!

1. Why would I want to use a LCD monitor as a HDTV?

The main reason is cost. It's much more affordable, for students especially, and can cost as little as $250 or even less to get the HD experience out of your console. Another reason is that maybe you already have a decent monitor with your computer, so why not get more out of it? A few months ago, I picked up a 24" monitor to use for my computer and 360. I get a much bigger workspace on my computer and I get to have full 1080p gaming, two birds with one stone.

The compromise you have to make with using a monitor instead of a HDTV is that you probably want to put it on your desk instead of in a living room situation. LCD monitors have smaller pixels than HDTV, so to see the details, it's best to sit at your desk and view it from a regular monitor viewing distance. From this distance, your eyes see a relatively large image, so it's almost comparable to viewing a HDTV in a living room situation.

2. Can I get 1080p/1080i/720p on my monitor?

The main widescreen resolutions available in LCD monitors right now are 1440x900, 1680x1050, 1920x1200, and 2560x1600. 1440x900 is primarily used in 19" widescreen monitors and rarely in 17"s. 1680x1050 is used in 20"s and 22"s. 1920x1200 is used in 24"s primarily and some 26"s and 27"s. Lastly 2560x1600 is used in 30"s and insanely large monitors that we'll ignore in this thread, simply because they're so expensive that you might as well buy a HDTV.

1080p and 720p use 1920x1080 and 1280x720 resolutions, respectively. In the case of 1080i, it's converted to 1920x1080 or 1280x720 in fixed resolution HDTV's anyways, so I'll just skip over it. As you can see, 1080p and 720p resolutions don't exactly match up with the LCD monitor resolutions. This is due to the difference in aspect ratios (16:10 vs 16:9).

Essentially, all of the monitors can display at least 720p. With most monitors, the 720p signal will be stretched to fit the screen. Some more expensive monitors have the option to not stretch the the signal to fit the screen. The option is called 1:1 pixel mapping. The monitor displays exactly 1280x720 pixels in the middle of the screen and all the extra pixels on the side are blacked out. This ensures a pixel perfect image.

1080p is a little harder to get. There are some 22" monitors that will "accept" 1080p signals and fit the image to the 1680x1050 resolution. This gives you a better image than 720p, but you're still not getting a pixel perfect 1080p image. 24"s and larger displays have the resolution needed for full 1080p, but not all 24"s will accept 1080p signals, this will be covered in a later section.

Update: For non-widescreen monitors, the 360 can output 1280x1024 and 1024x768 over VGA. While I can't remember for sure, some scenes/games will be widescreen with black bars above and below the image, and others will use a non-wide image upscaled to fit your non-widescreen monitor. Either way, 1280x1024 and 1024x768 are still better than standard definition television in terms of resolution, but they're not a "standard" HD resolution such as 720p, 1080i, or 1080p.

3. What's this 16:10 and 16:9 business?

16:9 is the aspect ratio of high definition video signals. It means that for every 9 units tall, the signal is 16 units wide. LCD monitors are a bit different, they are 16:10. This means that LCD monitors are a bit bigger in height than HD signals.

With most monitors, the HD video signal will just be stretched to fit the full screen, so your image will be slightly stretched vertically. How bad is it? Well in numbers, it's 11% taller than it should be. Some people do not mind it that much considering the amount of money they're saving with a monitor setup.

Some monitors have 1:1 pixel mapping and aspect display options. 1:1 pixel mapping is explained in the above section. It allows a video signal to be displayed pixel by pixel in the middle of the screen with black bars all around to fill the extra space. Another display option is "aspect", it stretches the video signal to fit the screen as much as possible while keeping the aspect ratio. In the case of HD video signals, there will be black bars above and below the image, so that there's no vertical stretching. These two options often come together, it's hard to find a monitor with one but not the other. They're found more often in more expensive monitors.

4. What connections do I need for my console?

For the Xbox 360 (non-elite), you have the option for using VGA or component. VGA is simple enough to find on all monitors, so that's not a big deal. The VGA resolutions currently offered by the 360 are 640x480, 848x480, 1024x768, 1280x720, 1280x768, 1280x1024, 1360x768, and 1920x1080. 1360x768 is the best option if you have a 16:10 aspect ratio monitor that does not have 1:1 pixel mapping or aspect display mode. It is very close to being 16:10. Another option you can use is 1280x1024 and set it to widescreen, only use this if your monitor can accept 1280x1024. This option outputs a 1280x1024 image, but it is a widescreen image squished into this 1280x1024 resolution. What your monitor will do is take this image and stretched it out to fit the screen. The result is pretty good, and it actually contains more pixels than 1360x768, so it -should- give a better image.

For the PS3 or a HDMI equipped Xbox 360, you need a DVI-D or HDMI input. These two are pretty much the same signal, but HDMI also has audio built in. DVI-D is quite common on monitors now, so if the monitor doesn't have HDMI, just use a HDMI to DVI-D adapter that can be found for a few dollars at Radioshack or computer stores. The DVI-D or HDMI input you use must also be HDCP compliant. If a monitor doesn't say it's HDCP compliant, then it's probably not.

If you need to use component cables (Wii, PS2, Xbox, etc), there are some monitors that offer component inputs, but there is only a handful of them, and they're generally more expensive. You can buy a component to VGA converter. You can find really cheap ones on the internet, but they're generally of horrible quality. The most popular one right now seems to be the X2VGA, it's designed to use with consoles. It will work with 1080p, 1080i, 720p, and 480p resolutions from your component cable. As a side note, not all component inputs will accept up to 1080p. Do some research on your monitor if you want to use component up to 1080p.

If you want to use composite cables or s-video, you'll have to find a monitor that has these inputs. There aren't many with these inputs. To be honest, I think you're better off using these consoles on your regular television instead. You'll probably get a better picture that way.

5. Wait a minute, my monitor doesn't have speakers!

There are quite a few options you have for sound. You can run it through an av receiver, run it to standalone computer speakers, or run it through your computer

If you have an av receiver near your console, you can actually run an optical cable or the red and white composite audio cables to it. Simple enough!

You can also buy cheap (or more expensive) standalone computer speakers. Make sure they have an aux input. These can be had for $20-$30. The Logitech X-140 is one of the cheap options. Some monitors also have built in speakers or speaker addons that you can purchase separately, but they would all have the same input.

What you need to complete the connection is a RCA to 1/8" stereo cable/adapter. It converts the red and white audio signals into a 1/8" miniplug. If the only cable you can find has two male plugs on the RCA end, then you can simply find two RCA gender changers or couplers or whatever they're called. Both the cable/adapter and the gender changers/couplers if you need them should total to less than $15 and can be found at stores like Radioshack. The Microsoft 360 VGA cables come with this exact cable, so that'll save you some money/time.

If you want to get surround sound, you need to find a 5.1 set of speakers that offers optical input (your console must offer optical output also, eg 360, PS3). Red/white composite audio cables only offer stereo sound.

If you already have speakers but they don't have aux input, then you can run the audio signal through your computer's sound card. You still need the RCA to 1/8" cable/adapter and possibly the gender changers/couplers described above. You run this cable into your computer's sound card, make sure the volume for your line-in signal is turned up, and you should be getting audio out of your computer's speakers. The downside to this is that you have to leave your computer on when you want sound.

And I think that's everything you need to know about setting up a LCD monitor to use with your consoles. This does not only apply to consoles, the same ideas can be used for cable boxes and HD programming as well. If you have any more questions, go ahead and ask, but I don't really want to rate your particular monitor. Hope it helps!

EDIT: I decided to add to this a little and put in a comparison shot of GRAW 2 in 16:9 and 16:10. For the sake of the dial-up users I'll just post the links.

GRAW 2 in 16:9- http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/00dpro/graw9.jpg

GRAW 2 in 16:10- http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/00dpro/graw10.jpg

Off the top of my head, Dell 2007WFP (20"), Gateway FPD2275W (22"), Dell 2407WFP (24"), and BenQ FP241W (24"). There might be a Sceptre 22" that does have 1:1 also, but I can't be sure.

There's no easy way to spot which ones do have 1:1. I learned by reading reviews of others and on forums. One way you can check for a particular model is to find its manual on the manufacturer's website, and flip through it to find the different options the OSD menu has. If the OSD menu doen't seem to have a way for you to change the display mode, then you're out of luck for that model.

Off the top of my head, Dell 2007WFP (20"), Gateway FPD2275W (22"), Dell 2407WFP (24"), and BenQ FP241W (24"). There might be a Sceptre 22" that does have 1:1 also, but I can't be sure.

There's no easy way to spot which ones do have 1:1. I learned by reading reviews of others and on forums. One way you can check for a particular model is to find its manual on the manufacturer's website, and flip through it to find the different options the OSD menu has. If the OSD menu doen't seem to have a way for you to change the display mode, then you're out of luck for that model.

dmanrevived

dang, those are all JUST A TAD out of my budget, so i think im gonna force myself to go with the stretched image if i cant find a cheap HDTV...

I don't know too much about soundcards, but you need a soundcard with optical in and also be able to decode Dolby Digital or whatever 7.1 standard it is that the PS3 uses.dmanrevived

The PS3 ueses DTS. DTS:Connect is a software thing that my pc already has. Does anyone know if this will work for PS3 sound coming in via optical cable?

I don't think any soundcards have hardware decoders built in. It's either use an external decoder (there is only one I can find - the Creative DDTS-100 - which is too expensive for me and isn't on sale anyway anymore), or use an amp/receiver, which is way out of my price range.

[QUOTE="dmanrevived"]I don't know too much about soundcards, but you need a soundcard with optical in and also be able to decode Dolby Digital or whatever 7.1 standard it is that the PS3 uses.slimjim316

The PS3 ueses DTS. DTS:Connect is a software thing that my pc already has. Does anyone know if this will work for PS3 sound coming in via optical cable?

I don't think any soundcards have hardware decoders built in. It's either use an external decoder (there is only one I can find - the Creative DDTS-100 - which is too expensive for me and isn't on sale anyway anymore), or use an amp/receiver, which is way out of my price range.

as you mentioned, you can get the creative decoder I think that you can find one somewhere on the net, and it's not that expensive ( about $150 I guess).

the other option is to get a new set of speakers instead of buying a new sound card, speakers like Logitech Z5400 or Z5500. I know these might be a bit more expensive but they come with a receiver with built-in Dolby decoders. and you can easily hook up the PS3 to it via optical cable. they are also THX certified so make sure you'll have some decent quality.

I hope that I answered your question...

So if it doesn't have HDCP, it's a no go? I've had my Viewsonic VP912b forever and it's always boasted that it's HDTV-720p ready but I've never investigated how. http://www.viewsonic.com/support/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/proseries/vp912b/

Is there any chance I can still use a hdmi to dvi-d for a playstation 3 I just bought? Or anyone possibly know just how I could utilize it's 720p capability with the ps3?

Appreciate any info, haven't found any yet online.

Displaying 16:9 on a 16:10 monitordoesn't have to distort it. If you change the hight of your monitor screen so that the screen is "crushed" on the top and bottom, it will look like letterbox on a TV - kind of. Just use a tape measure to mark the hieght of a 16:9 screen on the sides of your monitor. Then, before you play a game, crush your monitor until the top and bottom reach those marks and stretch it back when you are done. To find out where to put the "marks" you multiplay thewidth of your screen (in inches) by 9/16. That is how high your screen will be in the center of your moniter.

  __________________ 
 | ________________ | 
 ||                || 
 ||                || 
 ||     16x10      || 
 ||                || 
 ||________________|| 
 |__________________| 
  __________________ 
 |                  | 
 ||////////////////|| 
 ||                ||  Notice the black on the top and bottom. 
 ||     16x9       || 
 ||                || 
 ||////////////////|| 
 |__________________|

Your question is hard to understand without punctuation. Are you just asking what 16ms means? It can mean grey-to-grey or black-to-black. 16ms would mean it takes a pixel 16 milliseconds to go from grey (or black) to inactive and back to grey (or black). Obviously, the lower the value, the faster the monitor is. Two monitors can have the same response time and one can still have less ghosting than the other. Some monitors can have a higher response time but still look better than monitors with lower response times.

The Dell 2007WFP is a great monitor. It's my favourite in the 20" size.

thanks for explaintion, but do u think this would be good for a ps3 though.

thank u

need opinions on this montior http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/HP-20-1-Widescreen-Monitor-W2007/sem/rpsm/oid/176650/catOid/-12965/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Please read the second last sentence of the original post. :(

There are lots of customer reviews posted online on various monitors if you just google the monitor model with the word reviews.

Great topic :)

My question is, i'm looking for a 22' widscreenmonitor beetwen the price of say $300 and $500AU, purely for my 360, What r some really great monitores that u know of? And is the VGA cable that is sold by microsoft or 3rd party company's purley for 360'sany good? Thanks.

Yahoo tells me $500AU is about $446USD, which is quite a lot for a 22" monitor, as all are made with TN type panel, which is the least expensive to manufacture. I'd go for the Samsung 226BW. I've heard lots of good things about it, and it's not a budget brand.

There're quite a few 360 VGA cables being sold by different companies. I'd stick with the Microsoft brand one because its quality seems to be good, and it includes the useful RCA to 1/8" stereo audio adapter for getting sound out of your pc speakers.

I have the gateway Gateway 22" Widescreen HD LCD 2275, and It doesent come with any speakers.

Everything else you explained to me somewhat confuses me, since im not big into audio cards and such. Anyway, If i purchase that moniter with the optional speakerbar, and connect my PS2 with component wires for the moniter, will i be able to get audio out of the speaker bar?

Otherwise im going to see if there is such a thing as speakers that come directly with the ps2, so I can switch it on and off

Yahoo tells me $500AU is about $446USD, which is quite a lot for a 22" monitor, as all are made with TN type panel, which is the least expensive to manufacture. I'd go for the Samsung 226BW. I've heard lots of good things about it, and it's not a budget brand.

dmanrevived

The only reason i ask'd about 22' is because i'm not really sure if u could get adecent 23' or 24' for under $500, do u think anything that size under $500 would be worth my money or is 22' the best opton for that price range?

Thanks again.

If i purchase that moniter with the optional speakerbar, and connect my PS2 with component wires for the moniter, will i be able to get audio out of the speaker bar?

justinisloco

Component cables do not carry audio. Component cables almost always accompany the two red/white composite audio signals, so those will have to carry audio for you. Speaker attachments for monitors almost always require a 1/8" stereo input (looks like the little plug for headphones). What you need to do is buy an adapter/cable from Radioshack that converts the red/white RCA signal to 1/8" stereo.

Do u think anything that size under $500 would be worth my money or is 22' the best opton for that price range?

123kaney

There are maybe one or two 24" models that are in your price range. If I had to go for one, it'd probably be the Westinghouse L2410NM. It has a good number of inputs: VGA, HDMI, component, composite, s-video. On top of that, it has built in speakers, so you can simply plug in red/white composite cables or 1/8" stereo. However, Westinghouse products can be hit or miss, so I'd probably still go for a quality 22" than a budget 24".

After browsing for a bit i think i'm going to go with the Dell ultrasharp 2407WFP there's a reveiw of it at etremetech.com

i would just give u the link but my computers wiging out and i cant copy paste for some reason. It has reveiws for thewestinghouse as well. Hey what sort of tv/monitor do u have?

It's very good monitor. One of the best 24"s, along with the BenQ FP241W, which I have. You can't go wrong with either one.dmanrevived

What console do u use with your Benq? And how good does it look, is there any negative things u can think of? And also what did u pay?

Hey man i was just wondering what do u think would look better, using the component cables that come with the 360 or using VGA cables?123kaney

OR DVI?

I play 360, use my computer, and watch HDTV on my BenQ. It's about $600-700 right now I believe. Here's a comparison of the BenQ FP241WZ and the Dell 2407WFP:

http://www.bexox.com/showdown.htm

The only difference between the FP241WZ and FP241W is the Z model has "Perfect Motion" or something, which most people found to be weird and turned off anyways.

I don't have the Elite or newer Premiums, so I use component. I find VGA colours to be very washed out. The DVI on monitors is DVI-D, so unless you have HDMI on your 360, don't bother with DVI since it's expensive to convert VGA or component to it.

Hey thanks for all your help man appretiate it.

By the way have u heard about a site called graysonline.com.au, thats where i'm thinking about getting my monitor they sell things that have been returned, use'd as display models in stores, have scraches on them etc... They seem to be going forcrazy low prices.

But i'm not 100% sure i want to take the chance of getting a monitor of them that looks like crap or has more damage than specified.

Maybe i'llsave up and get it at full price with a garanted product, i'll definatly be pondering this for a bit.

Is there any way I can connect both my pc and 360 to my speakers that use a 3.5mm malejack? I have a cable that converts my 360s vga cables red/white connection to 3.5mm female. So basically, I need something that will let me switch the audio through my speakers between my xbox 360 and pc without having to disconnect anything or let me use both at once.

also, is there a good, cheap way of getting 2 vga cables into oneport so I can just hit a switch to change them without loss of quality?

They sell things that have been returned, use'd as display models in stores, have scraches on them etc...

123kaney

I'd say don't go for it. One of the biggest reasons monitors get returned is because of dead pixels, and you don't want that. When I bought my BenQ, I paid extra for no dead-pixel policy. It'd be annoying to have paid hundreds for a unit with one dead pixel and the store has an annoying return policy for dead pixels.

Is there any way I can connect both my pc and 360 to my speakers that use a 3.5mm malejack? I have a cable that converts my 360s vga cables red/white connection to 3.5mm female. So basically, I need something that will let me switch the audio through my speakers between my xbox 360 and pc without having to disconnect anything or let me use both at once.

also, is there a good, cheap way of getting 2 vga cables into oneport so I can just hit a switch to change them without loss of quality?

comeonthehoops

Hmm, I'm sure an audio switch would not be expensive. If you usually keep your computer on while you play your 360, why not have the 360 audio go through your computer's sound card? This way, your computer's speakers will always be connected to your computer, and will play any sound that your 360 sends them. The downside to this is if you're in the middle of some crazy gaming action, and suddenly you hear a msn message alert because someone messaged you. Simply get an adapter to convert your 3.5mm female to male, and have it go into your sound card's line-in, and adjust your output volume on your computer so that the line-in volume is not muted.

For VGA, the quality of switches depends greatly on the price usually. Monoprice.com has a VGA switch, and they usually sell fairly well made products at affordable prices, but even the customer reviews for their switch is so-so. There's no cheap VGA switch that I know of.

I play 360, use my computer, and watch HDTV on my BenQ. It's about $600-700 right now I believe. Here's a comparison of the BenQ FP241WZ and the Dell 2407WFP:

dmanrevived

Where abouts did u get your Benq 24"? When u say $600-$700 you obviosly mean US$ don't u?

Do u know of any good places that i could get benq 24" online (retail is always over priced) , I live in NSW Australia by the way.

Thanks.

Excellent board...

I have a question and I hope it isn't too late...

My LCD monitor has a native resolution of 1680X1050. I noticed you said the Microsoft VGA adapter doesn't support that resolution, so what would happen? Would it downgrade the quality of the picture, or what? I wouldn't be able to run on native, so yeah. I plan on getting a 360 soon, but don't want to buy a HDTV so that's why I would really love to be able to use my monitor instead.