Can I use my LCD computer monitor for HDTV?

[papool]

Here is the deal:

I am going to get a new front projector soon, but I am desperate to view HDTV material before that. I have a Mag Innovision (?) 15" flat screen LCD monitor for my computer.

Let me ask you all this:

I have Time Warner Cable, and they now have a good selection of HD channels.

Can I get their HD BOX, run a "component video to vga" cable connecting the HD box to the LCD monitor, and enjoy HDTV on my LCD monitor?

My monitor is a 4:3 monitor, but I can live with the blackbars, I just want to enjoy HD programming right this second!

I need a response ASAP. Thanks!

[papool]

I am dying to see a response, but I figure:

1.) Since my LCD monitor does not have native HD resolution, it will not look as good as those LCD tv's you see at Best Buy. But, since I am planning on getting a front projector that also does not have native HD resolution, it's all good.

2.) I also figure it will work, as in I will see something that will still blow away watching the normal broadcast of the same show (i.e., Monday Night Football, CSI, anything Discovery etc, in HD will look better on that LCD screen than watching the programs with my regular non-HD 27" TV taking in the standard signal from cable...

Can anyone please confirm? Thanks! I'd like to bring home the HD box from Time Warner AND a component to VGA cable today.

[Lowpro]

It will work dude. Just use a breakout cable to go from component to vga and it's all good. Should look pretty awesome. I'm running my HD feed to a front projector in my home theatre as well as to a Sony 21" Trinitron computer monitor in my work area. No problems here. Looks outstanding!

[papool69]

Awesome!!!!

Anyone know any "national" stores that sell this breakout cable??

I went to BestBuy today and WalMart, neither have it.

I did pick up the new Pioneer HDTV box for cable and I am watching HDTV downconverted to 480i and it's AWESOME...I can't even imagine it getting better than that (but I want it)

Does Radio Shack carry this breakout cable? I've seen the cable on EBay and other online stores but I want to be able to buy it now (I am in KC)...

[ApolloCreed21]

papool:

Check out this link for the cable:

http://www.national-tech.com/catalog/componentvideo.htm

Also, I have a few questions for anyone:

1) Can you watch HDTV on any monitor - I have a 19" Viewsonic and would like to do this also if possible ?

2) Don't you need software to view stuff and to change channels, minimize windows, etc... ? What software do you use ?

3) If you connect directly to the VGA on the computer/video card, doens't that tie up that card for other computer use... ?

Just a little clarification on the exact setup would be great. I thought the only way you could really do this was with an HDTV Tuner Card (AccessDTV or myHD, etc...).

[papool]

Thanks, I just decided to buy it off E-Bay...I am not sure which picture I will enjoy better: HDTV downconverted to 480i on a 27" inch flat screen or HDTV, close to native resolution, on a 15" LCD

1.) Is that viewsonic an LCD? If not, I would say no...regular computer monitors take RGBHV, not Y/Pb/Pr or Y/Cb/Cr, so you can't just do that.

2.) On an lcd, you don't need software...not for the set up I am talking about...the cable HD box is the tuner, and the LCD monitor is simply a monitor receiving and displaying a signal.

3.) You cannot connect directly to a computer as you say. It will not work. If you are planning to use your computer for HDTV, then you will need an HDTV tuner card.

However, if you have a monitor that can do HDTV (like an LCD monitor), you can take a STB (or cable HD box) and connect that directly to the LCD monitor. No computer involved at all.

[Lowpro]

Q: Can you watch HDTV on any monitor - I have a 19" Viewsonic and would like to do this also if possible?
A: Yes.

Q: Don't you need software to view stuff and to change channels, minimize windows, etc... ?
A: No. I am not watching HDTV through my computer. Only my monitor.

Q: What software do you use?
A: No software is required.

Q: If you connect directly to the VGA on the computer/video card, doens't that tie up that card for other computer use... ?
A: I don't. I run my HD feed directly to my monitor, not my computers video card. I have a HD DIRECTV Receiver and run the vga output set to 1080i directly to my computer monitor.

[papool]

Just curious as I wait for my "breakout" cable

How would you compare the quality of what you view with your monitor to an HDTV set?

Although at home I am blown away simply by watching HDTV downconverted to 480i, I am assuming that on my 15" LCD monitor the quality of the picture would be much better than on my non-HDTV TV set, BUT that an LCD monitor with true HDTV capability or an HDTV set would have even a BETTER quality picture than my LCD monitor...

Anyone able to notice the difference? Just curious...thanks!

[57U]

Notice the difference? Hell 1080i/720P on most HDTVs has 4+ times the resolution of 480i on a regular TV and more resolution than the "480P" you're seeing on your 15" LCD. You can't help but be "blown away" on a proper setup, especially if the TV is large (say 40"+). Smaller TVs don't show the difference as much.

Watching 480i on a 60"+ HDTV is almost painful after watching true HDTV.

[mikehbkwm]

Preach it my brotha its totally true what 57 just said....

[papool69]

Originally posted by 57U
Notice the difference? Hell 1080i/720P on most HDTVs has 4+ times the resolution of 480i on a regular TV and more resolution than the "480P" you're seeing on your 15" LCD. You can't help but be "blown away" on a proper setup, especially if the TV is large (say 40"+). Smaller TVs don't show the difference as much.

Watching 480i on a 60"+ HDTV is almost painful after watching true HDTV.

I am well aware of how great HDTV is. I love it. But I was referring to how good it will look on a 15" LCD. As you say, "smaller TV's don't show the difference as much." That's all I was looking for, thanks.

Plus my question was going to people with smaller TV's who actually have watched downconverted HDTV. Have you watched HDTV in 480i? Just curious if you have, and then switched back to 720p or 1080i. Did you notice a difference? I was just making a point that it is hard for me (although I have seen HDTV's at best buy, etc, etc) to imagine it better and I cannot wait to see it better. That's all.

[Lowpro]

I watched HDTV programming at 480i on an analog RPTV for many months before upgrading my display. It was a DVD like experience, but nothing more than that really. I was thrilled at the time to at least be getting the content, especially with regards to the sports coverage. Stepping up to a HD display will definately raise the bar for you. There is no comparison between 480i and the HD resolution formats, 720p/1080i. Once you get the HD bug no doctor will be able to cure you. It's an illness many of us have learned to live with. We manage somehow. :-P

[papool]

Thank you...as it is I watch too much Discovery HD and InHD programming, I can only imagine that once I have true HDTV, I will have had an aerial tour of the Western Hemisphere after one month, perhaps the World in 6 months!

My wife is already getting annoyed at how much I watch, but then again, she is eagerly waiting to see how CSI and Without a Trace look in 480i...once she sees that it's on, and once she sees those shows in native 1080i, maybe I can get her to watch those aerial tours with me too!

LowPro: I think you say in your sigs that you use an InFocus X1...how do you like it (for HDTV programming and DVD's)? I am totally into projectors and that is my goal in terms of what to buy for HDTV (yes, even if it's not true HDTV resolution)...

[papool69]

After a long ordeal with UPS, I finally got my breakout cable a few weeks ago, and tried it, and got NOTHING.

The LCD monitor just continues to say "No Signal"...can anyone explain? I was told here that simply connecting my LCD montior to an HDTV box/DVD player with a breakout (component video to VGA cable I got off ebay) would allow me to watch DVD/HDTV in 480p, but it's not working....

Again, I have a 15" LCD made by Mag Innovision...the model number is LT-565...