Recommendations on new monitor/tv

[IDRick]

Hello,

I will soon be purchasing a new monitor for my computer. I'd like it to be a combo monitor/HD ready tv. My ultimate goal is to switch from cable to Dish, have a HD receiver output to tv monitor, and output to computer for encoding using Beyond TV.

Any recommendations on good combo units? Wife set the budget at $500 but can probably go a little higher... I found a pretty good 19" Samsung monitor, (Wide screen, 720p) at Circuit City. But there's probably better ones out there... I found a really nice Panasonic 26" wide screen, 720p but it unfortunately is double the wife's budget.

Thanks for any assistance and advice!

Best,

Rick

[whalemangler]

I bought my Olevia 332 (32" 1366x768) for $540 around xmas. Running native HDMI and it looks great. Here it is for under $500 now - http://www.shop.com/op/~Olevia_332H_...254?sourceid=3

Westinghouse is good as well for low end stuff.

If you are going to use it up close as a computer monitor, you can get a 22" dell (1680x1050) for $298 - http://accessories.dell.com/sna/prod...4&sku=320-5205

The 24" is $600+, you are probably better off getting 2 of the 22s (TV will only be on one though).

It really depends on how you are going to use it. If you want to sit on the couch and run it with a wireless keyboard with trackball, then get a bigger TV. For up close computer use, you probably want a regular monitor. I hardly ever see the desktop on mine.

FYI Anything with 1280x720 or more is HD.

Also note, you dont need to hook the dish up to the TV, just watch live tv thru BTV (via DVI->HDMI cable). You get the pausing/rewinding of live tv. Though, in reality, I never watch live TV anymore. I watch shows at least 1 hour behind, most of the time the next day.

[GeorgeH]

32" HDTVs are going for mot much over $500.

I have a 19" wide screen (10x16) HannsG monitor but the 20" 3x4 monitors have the same width and same horizontal resolution. (I use this monitor for watching TV and computer work.)

[hoglander]

Once you go above a 22in widescreen LCD the price really goes up for some reason. If 22 will work I'd get that and tell you wife it cost 500. That way you could sneak in a tv tuner or whatever.

[IDRick]

Thanks for the replies!

I can see that I needed to provide more information. First, I don't presently own a copy of BTV, it's a future purchase. Second, we only have three OTA HD channels (a PBS and two networks). I'm about 30 miles away from the towers so OTA HD is probably not going to work for me. Third, I don't have dish network either but it will be installed within the next few weeks. Fourth, I have a very nice office chair and would sitting just a few feet away from the monitor/tv. With that in mind, I have some questions:

1) How does one use a computer monitor as a tv? Ok, thinking about it, I can get a HDMI to DVI conversion cable to connect the Dish receiver to the monitor. As I understand it, HDMI carries both audio and video signal. DVI is only video, correct? How do I get audio to my computer surround sound speakers from the dish receiver?

2) George, thanks for the tip on the HannsG! Wow, great reviews on newegg!!! 5 eggs out of 5 with 775 reviewers! The picture on new egg shows an audio cable for the monitor but it has a different plug than what is required by the dish receiver. The reviews suggest that the monitor has it's own speakers. How would I get the audio signal to a HannsG?

3) Whalemangler, thanks for the links! That Oleiva looks intriguing! I have mixed emotions, get a tv that can also be used as a monitor or work a new monitor into my pc system. A separate tv has advantages, including ability to use as standalone tv when I upgrade my computer. My current computer is rather long in the tooth (p4, 2.4 Ghz, 768 MB RDRAM, 120 GB HD, XP pro, SP2). However, the monitor option is significantly cheaper and I could easily purchase the monitor, beyond TV, and a tuner card for the budgeted HD TV price. That would make the wife smile... ;-) Can you explain what you meant by "ou dont need to hook the dish up to the TV, just watch live tv thru BTV (via DVI->HDMI cable). You get the pausing/rewinding of live tv"? This connection brings my video card into play (ATI radeon 9800 pro with 128 mb RAM). Can this card handle a hi def signal?

4) Hoglander, LOL! She'd find out, she has ways of making me talk... ;-) I've been using a 17' CRT at work and home for years. A 22 inch wide screen would seem like a monster.

Thanks guys! Depending on your answers, I may be able meet all of my goals within the wife's budget. Cool!

Best,

Rick

[hoglander]

http://store.snapstream.com/btv-pvr150.html

That above plus that 22in monitor and you would be good to go under $500. The tv card, your computer, your computers sound card and BTV gets your tv on your monitor and speakers and then some. "and then some"..... timeshifting, vcr, search, program guide, remote(controls other stuff on pc too) etc...

[NickHark]

Originally Posted by GeorgeH

32" HDTVs are going for mot much over $500.

I have a 19" wide screen (10x16) HannsG monitor but the 20" 3x4 monitors have the same width and same horizontal resolution. (I use this monitor for watching TV and computer work.)

I am also considering a new monitor, and I am impressed by the HannsG. However I want to hook up the new montor to a Media MVP which has only an analog out, and the HannsG has DVI and VGA inputs. Is there a workaround?

[tscales]

I have everything from a 15" LCD to a 63" Plasma. For a combo TV/monitor, the best of the bunch is the Dell 240xFPW (x because I have the 5 but now there is a 7). 1920x1200.

I also have 32, 37. 42, 46 and 63" panels though and it really depends on what you want to do. If you want it primarily as a monitor, get a high res one, as 1280x720 isn't enought real estate. If it is going to be primarily TV, than 720p is fine and the difference in cost isn't justified.

I just bought the Vizio 32" from Sams Club and for $700, it is a little more than the low-end, but includes NTSC/ATSC AND QAM tuners. 1360x768 through VGA and I have to say for a lower-end monitor it is simply stunning.

[NickHark]

Originally Posted by tscales

I have everything from a 15" LCD to a 63" Plasma. For a combo TV/monitor, the best of the bunch is the Dell 240xFPW (x because I have the 5 but now there is a 7). 1920x1200.

I also have 32, 37. 42, 46 and 63" panels though and it really depends on what you want to do. If you want it primarily as a monitor, get a high res one, as 1280x720 isn't enought real estate. If it is going to be primarily TV, than 720p is fine and the difference in cost isn't justified.

I just bought the Vizio 32" from Sams Club and for $700, it is a little more than the low-end, but includes NTSC/ATSC AND QAM tuners. 1360x768 through VGA and I have to say for a lower-end monitor it is simply stunning.

Thanks for the reply. I am unsure what I need.

I want to replace a 32" Sony tube TV with a wall mounted panel for the bedroom, using DishTV and a Media MVP so I don't need a tuner.

I want to replace a 22" tube TV in the kitchen with the same connectivity but probably not wall mounted.

And I want to replace my conventional PC monitor with a panel that would be good for video editing of BTV programs.

Your advice will be much appreciated.

I don't need tuners, Yes?

I don't need HD?

Its a Brave New World out there.

[whalemangler]

Originally Posted by IDRick

Can you explain what you meant by "ou dont need to hook the dish up to the TV, just watch live tv thru BTV (via DVI->HDMI cable). You get the pausing/rewinding of live tv"? This connection brings my video card into play (ATI radeon 9800 pro with 128 mb RAM). Can this card handle a hi def signal?

WHat I mean is, you output your dish signal to the capture card and the computer controls the set top box via what is called an IR blaster. It tells the set top box to switch to whatever channel BTV wants. So if you tell BTV to watch live TV channel 5, it "blasts" a set of commands (005enter most liklely) to the set top box. THe box then starts outputting channel 5 via composite video and red/white composite video, which BTV then captures, scales to 1360x768 and displays full screen.

HUGE NOTE: THIS IS NOT HIGH DEF. Currently there is no way to get high def into BTV other than OTA. This is not BTVs fault, blame the cable co's and the MPAA.

To understand the situation fully you need to read up on cablecard.

Vista media center can pick up high def from cable via cablecard, but you need a brand new machine with an OCUR device (google that too). These machines are brand new and cost around 3000 currently and you do not have the option to build your own. Regardless, shows recorded this way are HEAVILY DRM'd and do not allow you to copy or stream them.

Note that dish has its own card in the works http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archi...03/541493.aspx.

My current setup is a huge OTA antenna inside my attic and cable tv for sd shows. I have a dual SD tuner and one OTA tuner. I cannot get ESPNHD or DiscoveryHD or the like. It kinda blows but there really are no good options right now so I am on a waiting game.

[tscales]

Well, as a general rule, I recommend and use Samsungs. They work very well with PCs, at their full resolution, and their VGA support is outstanding. You can go the DVI to HDMI route, but that overscans. VGA does not and Samsung is one of the few that does a nice VGA job.

For your computer, I highly recommend the Dell widescreens. Find a used 2405FPW. I paid less than $500 for mine.

[whalemangler]

FYI, I have no overscan issues. My computer outputs 1360x768 and it is pixelmapped. The capture card would be the source of any overscan. I don't use any other inputs (dvd player is computer also) so I wouldnt know about any thing but DVI/HDMI.

[tscales]

The capture card has absolutely nothing to do with overscan. I have overscan on some computer output on machines that don't have tuner cards. Depends on the TV. Some overscan HDMI, some don't. Samsungs don't. LGs do.

[whalemangler]

Well avoid that brand. Why in the world would a tv overscan a progressive 786p signal? Lame

[IDRick]

Originally Posted by whalemangler

WHat I mean is, you output your dish signal to the capture card and the computer controls the set top box via what is called an IR blaster. It tells the set top box to switch to whatever channel BTV wants. So if you tell BTV to watch live TV channel 5, it "blasts" a set of commands (005enter most liklely) to the set top box. THe box then starts outputting channel 5 via composite video and red/white composite video, which BTV then captures, scales to 1360x768 and displays full screen.

HUGE NOTE: THIS IS NOT HIGH DEF. Currently there is no way to get high def into BTV other than OTA. This is not BTVs fault, blame the cable co's and the MPAA.

To understand the situation fully you need to read up on cablecard.

Vista media center can pick up high def from cable via cablecard, but you need a brand new machine with an OCUR device (google that too). These machines are brand new and cost around 3000 currently and you do not have the option to build your own. Regardless, shows recorded this way are HEAVILY DRM'd and do not allow you to copy or stream them.

Note that dish has its own card in the works http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archi...03/541493.aspx.

My current setup is a huge OTA antenna inside my attic and cable tv for sd shows. I have a dual SD tuner and one OTA tuner. I cannot get ESPNHD or DiscoveryHD or the like. It kinda blows but there really are no good options right now so I am on a waiting game.

Whalemangler, thanks for the detailed answer! Just the info I needed! I was hoping that it was possible to:

a) connect the dish receiver to directly a computer monitor with an HDMI
>>> DVI cable for display of HD programming

b) connect s-video and analog sound from dish HD receiver to the
computer for saving programs with BTV

Not being able to do option A is a real deal breaker for me. If there's a good HD movie on in the evening, I want to watch it in HD. If it's on at 2 AM, I am willing to watch it at a lower resolution by timeshifting with BTV. I've investigated BTV in the past. A major question mark for me is video quality? There is no place that I can go and a get first hand impression. I haven't been willing to purchase sight unseen...

Purchasing a HD ready tv monitor appears to be the better way for me to go. This tv can always be moved to another room when I upgrade the computer. Thanks for the info on cablecards! It appears that I may revisit tv on the PC some time down the road.

Best,

Rick