How to Buy an HDTV for Your PC
But hooking up a computer to your TV isn't always easy, and the results aren't always pleasing to the eye. So, with a little help from some Engadget readers, we're going to help you pick out the best television for use with your PC or laptop. Only the results aren't quite in yet, so, for now, we'll provide you with a few tips if you're shopping for a TV in the next few weeks.
First thing you'll want to do is make sure the TV you're considering has the right ports for hooking up a computer. Not all PCs have HDMI yet so look for TVs with a DVI, or at least a VGA port for easily connecting even older PCs.
The next part is trickier. You'll need to find a television that can disable a feature called overscan. Overscan was a necessity on older televisions due to the inconsistent framing of standard definition broadcasts. The problem with overscan is that it causes text to blur, which anyone who has ever played a Super Nintendo role playing game will be very familiar with. This makes basic computing tasks stressful on the eyes. Add to that the tiny icon and font sizes that accompany HD resolutions and you'll need glasses in a week.
Only new 1080p capable sets have this feature, but its' not always advertised, and each company has a different name for it. Newer Sony sets have overscan disabled by default on its PC (VGA) inputs. New Samsung TVs have a 'just scan' mode, and Sharp calls it 'dot-by-dot.' Surprisingly bargain brand Westinghouse HD sets are great for text because they don't perform overscan at all. The downside is poor picture quality on standard definition broadcasts. [Source: Engadget]
Filed under: Audio/Video, Computers, Advice, TV
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