LCD HDTV - Video Gaming & Computer Tips

Video gaming and computer tips

DVD and Blu-ray movies aren't the only non-TV content that's likely to be shown on the television. Here are a few other pointers on what to look for in a set that'll do multimedia duty.

Game consoles
The sweet graphics of the Xbox, the PlayStation, and the GameCube, not to mention  the , and the, can take full advantage of high-end televisions, but even inexpensive sets do best with a few added features in the mix.

Front-panel inputs. A set of A/V inputs on the front or side panel of a TV makes hooking up and disconnecting a game console--or a camcorder--much easier.

Picture preset. Many TVs come with picture presets that affect the contrast, brightness, and other controls. Some presets crank those values sky-high to provide a more intense picture. If you like that bright image, check out sets with Game, Vivid, or Sports presets.

Component video inputs. For a big improvement in gaming video quality, step up to a TV with component video inputs. The downside is that you might have to buy a special adapter for your game console. Some of these adapters also include connections for digital sound, but you'll need a home-theater system or a surround-sound setup with an optical digital connection and support for Dolby Digital sound to take advantage of the superior sonics.

HDMI inputs: All PlayStation 3s and newer Xbox 360s have HDMI outputs, providing the best-quality video connection to compatible HDTVs. In reality though, most people have a difficult time telling the difference between a picture delivered over component video and one that comes via HDMI.

Burn-in. Some high-end TVs, namely plasmas, can become permanently scarred by very bright, stationary images that remain on the screen for a long time; think of a paused game or that constant score/life-bar/ammo-count graphic. However, we consider the danger of burn-in to be greatly exaggerated and plasmas and the like can be fine candidates for all but the heaviest gaming situations. Check out Plasma burn-in: Seven things you need to know for more information.

Computers
Today's televisions have plenty of connections and capabilities, and plasma, LCD, and most rear-projection HDTVs usually make excellent big-screen computer monitors. If you want to use your TV as a monitor for games, Web surfing, and other tasks, here are a few tips:


Don't bother with standard-def TVs. CRT-based direct-view and rear-projection televisions, as well as smaller 640x480 LCDs, don't make very good computer monitors. They display only low resolution, and often lack the proper inputs.

VGA input = good for computers. If you're serious about using your set as a big monitor for standard software, look for a VGA-style RGB input, just like the kind your computer monitor uses (see Inputs and outputs for more).

HDMI or DVI input = best for computers. The best types of inputs are digital, so if your TV has a spare HDMI or DVI input, you'll usually get the best performance by matching it to your PC's digital output. Often the PC has a DVI output and the TV has only HDMI, so you'll need an adapter cable to make the connection.

Match the native resolution. As with LCD computer monitors, you'll usually get the best PC picture by matching the native resolution of the TV to the output resolution of your PC. Some HDTVs can't accept PC sources, especially via VGA, at their native resolutions however, which makes them less -than- ideal for use as monitors.

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Amazon Hot Deal - HDMI Cable !

Mediabridge - 6ft Ultra-High Speed HDMI Cable

Amazon offers the hot deal of Mediabridge - 6ft Ultra-High Speed HDMI Cable - 120 Hz - Version 1.3 Category 2 - 1080p - PS3 - Blu-Ray







Product Description

Mediabridge HDMI Cables are high quality cables that will do exactly what you need an HDMI cable to do. Simply put, they will cleanly transport the signal from your Blu-Ray player, PS3 or X-Box to your  without degrading the picture. And if your Blu-Ray player or game console happens to transmit 120hz, they will not get in the way of that either.

Mediabridge HDMI cables are CERTIFIED Category 2 by HDMI testing labs to meet or exceed todays most advanced HDMI standard. Unlike category 1 cables, which are only guaranteed to throughput 1080i resolution, Mediabridge HDMI cables are certified category 2, which means they are guaranteed to throughput

Please visit the HDMI.org website to learn more about the advantages of high speed category 2 cables. Category 2 cables offer the most advanced performance to date and are a technological step up from Category 1 cables. Offering support for 120Hz refresh rates, 48-bit Deep Color, and Ultra-High Speed 10.2gbps transfer rates, Version 1.3b Category 2 cables will support the most advanced features of todays equipment. Perfect for Playstation 3 and Blu-Ray equipment. Mediabridge utilizes 28 gauge premium cable and 24K gold plated connectors. This premium HDMI cable will enable and gaming equipment to perform at its highest level possible.

Credit

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Samsung LN46B650 or LN46B750

Samsung LN46B650 or Samsung LN46B750


The B750 is a hands down choice over the B650. I just wanted to note that the B750 probably is a superior model to this one, but it comes at a higher price.


There are three key changes to the B750 model: 240hz refresh rate, a matte screen, 150,000:1 contrast ratio. This all costs about an additional $250-$300 depending on when/where you buy. For some people, that isn't much of a difference when you're already spending nearly $2000 on a TV, and if that's the case, I see no reason not to buy the b750 model.


I think it's also worth note, however, that cnet and other reviewers have argued that the benefits of 240hz refresh rates over 120hz is fairly insignificant and difficult to notice (see their reviews for the Sony XBR9 series and last year's Sony KDL-52XBR7). Their chief TV critic argues in separate article in 2008 that 240hz was not worth waiting for. But, I still think it's worth going into a store and taking a look at the differences between 240hz and 120hz before making a final decision.


The matte screen is really a matter of preference and your room. I've already noted in this review that the B650 screen is very glossy and, in dark scenes, may reflect ambient light in the room. A matte screen should reduce these problems (though it's unlikely it will completely eliminate them). At the same time, a glossy screen can make colors "pop" more and sometimes make blacks look even deeper.


As far as dynamic contrast ratio is concerned, there is a lot of debate in the A/V community about how these measurements are taken and how well they can be used to judge actual quality. The dynamic contrast ratio is a measure of the difference between the screen's whitest white and blackest black. That means they measure the white with the TV screen brightness at maximum and the black with the brightness at its darkest. These measurements can further be thwarted by the coating on the screen (a matte screen vs a glossy screen on top of the same panel will yield different results). Also, there are absolutely no standards in how these measurements are taken. That means that Samsung can use different methods to measure the contrast ratio on different models. Likewise, Sony likely uses a very different measurement system than Samsung. That's not to say the B750 contrast ratio is the same (or worse) than the B650, I'm just saying that it may not be discernible to your eye. You need to judge it yourself.


As I've said, the best way to evaluate these differences are to see the models in person. If you do, make sure that you are watching an HD source (preferably a 1080p blu ray player) and that each TV is connected to the HD source in the same way and are showing the same movie. I bought this TV because I needed one before the b750 was scheduled to be released, otherwise I might have given the b750 much greater consideration.

M. Joachim "Matt"

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