View Full Version : Projection vs. plasma
gtodd01
03-30-2003, 04:16 PM
This is my situation.... I am moving into a house and want to convert a room into a media room, in which I can use a plasma or projection TV to watch programs and/or use as a monitor for the PC. I am trying to decide whether or not to go with projection vs. plasma TV. I currently have a Sony 57 widescreen that has a DVI connector in the back... so my questions are as follows
1. Is a plasma safe to use with a computer due to issues with burnout of the screens, or is that not a good idea?
2. Can you hookup a PC to a projection monitor if it has a DVI connection?
3. Is this just completely a bad idea??? In other words, a projection or plasma screen should not be hooked up to a PC, because it wears down the screen life of the TV much quicker....
I would appreciate your feedback.
Lots of people hook their HDTVs to computers, but it takes some figuring out and the connections are not easy - depends on computer, video card, software, etc.
Plasmas are very susceptible to burn lines. Hooking one to a PC for long periods is probably not a good idea.
If you want to have static images on a large HDTV, DLP is the best choice because it is not susceptible to burn lines.
gtodd01
03-30-2003, 05:21 PM
What is DLP????
Digital Light Processing (DLP) was invented by Texas instruments. It's a different way of getting the image to a screen, whether it be via a front projector, or a rear projector. The DLP "engine" is a micromirror device that is unlike the CRTs (cathode ray tubes) used in RPTVs or Direct view sets.
Type DLP into your favourite search engine and read all about it. There are a few DLP rear projectors (they are light and have narrow cabinets) and there are some front projectors as well.
aj327
03-31-2003, 01:32 AM
If you want to hook your tv up to a computer I would strongly recommend NOT hooking it up to either a plasma or a rpCRT.
As 57U said, DLPs are a good way to go. Right now the DLPs are currently the simplest to hook up to a pc - because they require very little tweaking. Another alternative would be to go with a rear projection LCD. The Grand Wega II isn't a bad choice for this, but it requires A LOT of tweaking and you NEED to use Powerstrip to get it right. But there are people who have gotten it right, so if you're a tweaker, then the GWII might be a good fit. The Panasonic rpLCDs are also good for this and actually have a vga port dedicated precisely for this reason. It requires far less tweaking, however, many would say that the Panasonic overall is inferior to the GWII. The PQ apparently isn't as good, and many people report that the fan is quite loud.
DLP is a good choice for the points mentioned, but it has its own set of hangups. Some people report seeing "rainbows" with DLPs and I've also heard of people actually getting queasy after watching a DLP for an extended period. This wears off after a while, but this doesn't help your unsuspecting guests very much. This doesn't happen to everyone, but it's something to be aware of.
My advice is to buy from a brick and mortar store so that if you do experience something that's a deal breaker for you, you have the option of returning it.
And by the way, you can get a converter so that even if your tv only has component ins - it can connect to your pc (though DVI is better, and is capable of delivering higher resolutions)...but like I said, if your tv isn't burn-in proof, I wouldn't recommend it. DLP, rpLCD, and if you've got around 7 grand to burn - LCoS.
Good luck.
