Resolution Confusion?? (1 Viewer)

[Bilbo1161]

Before you all start laughing, please forgive my ignorance!!

I have just built my first HTPC and am running MediaPortal for TV and movies etc.

My HTPC is coupled to my Samsung 42" Plasma with a HDMI cable, which gives 1920 x 1080i, according to the TV info page.
This always shows the same regardless of what I set my PC desktop resolution to.

My questions are these :-

What should I have my PC resolution set at?
Does it actually make a difference?
Should it be set at different resolutions for SD and HD content?

If it shouldbe set at 1920 x 1080i to match my TV, then how in the world are you supposed to see anything on the desktop or on web pages. Everything is miniscule.

Just a little confused.

Please educate me.

 

[kiwijunglist]

So you have a 1080P TV? what is the resolution of your TV?
you should set your PC resolution to match the native resolution of your TV
your question regarding web browsing / desktop hardly relates to mediaportal
have you tried google, start with this thread -> Let me google that for you

 

[Spragleknas]

If you give us the TV model, I think it might be easier to help you. A link to manual is nice as well.

My guess is that this is a HD-ready plasma (that accepts 1080i) with non-square pixels, meaning a real PITA for HTPC usage.
If you want to educate yourself, read this + browse the left menu -> pixelmapping - 42-inch Plasma Info

 

[lordie]

If you really have HD-ready plasma (which I have too and I am very satisfy with it comparing to any full hd lcd ), it is better to use 720p resolution (1280x720). You won't see any difference while playing video and you won't have any problem with reading texts while browsing and sitting on couch

 

[Bilbo1161]

I'm even more confused now.

My TV is a Samsung PS42Q7HDX/XEU there is no specs in the user manual, so will have to see if there is any other manual around.
Reviews on the net state either 1024x768 or I've seen 1366x768. But I'm under the impression that is when using VGA input. Or I'm I completely off the mark.

Main characteristics
Flat Panel Type: Plasma Television
Screen Size: 42 inch
Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1
Digital TV Standard: HDTV-Ready Television
Display Resolution: 1024 x 768 pixels
Display Capabilities
Digital TV Standard: HDTV-Ready - Requires separate receiver to view HDTV signals.
Broadcast Format Displayed: 720p (HDTV) 480p (EDTV) 480i (SDTV)
Broadcast Format Supported: 1080i (HDTV) 720p (HDTV) 480p (EDTV) 480i (SDTV) 576p 576i
Built-in Tuner: NTSC PAL SECAM
Native Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Image Quality
Comb Filter: 3DYC / 3D Digital
Display Resolution: 1024 x 768 pixels
Brightness: 1300 cd/m²
Viewing Angle: 175


What do you mean, you can use anything for your desktop??
If I set my desktop at say 1024x768and then play a bluray disc what will be the outputted signal to my TV?

 

[kiwijunglist]

Your TV's native resolution is 1024x768, best results will be if you set desktop resolution to 1024x768 and you use a DVI/HDMI cable.
You need to turn off "overscan" in the video card settings on your computer.
You need to use "Just Scan" as the 'pic mode' on the Plasma TV.
Your 16:9 plasmas uses 1024x768 which is a really a 4:3 ratio/resolution, but since each pixel is "stretched" by 1.33 the panels 16:9 ratio i maintained. In this case you have to set the "Pixel Ratio Adjustment" under Settings, Screen-setup, Screen Calib so MP can handle its own aspect ratios correct.

PS - If you use the above settings you will notice picture is a lot sharper than running 720P/1080i resolutions, txt will also be a lot easier to read.

 

[Owlsroost]

According to the manual from the Samsung website, the PS42Q7HD via DVI/HDMI/component inputs supports 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080i at 50Hz and 60Hz.....so the 720p resolution at 50Hz is probably the best one to go for.

You can get 1024 x 768 on the VGA connector, but it won't do 50Hz on VGA so it's not much use.

Tony

 

[kiwijunglist]

Doesn't matter what the manual states, the fact is the display's native resolution is 1024x768, if you feed any other resolution then the TV is doing scaling, howevery if your not happy with 1024x768, the next best res would be 1280x720 (ie 720p), there is no point using 1080i as it is just scaled down.

If I set my desktop at say 1024x768and then play a bluray disc what will be the outputted signal to my TV?

The signal outputted to the TV will be 1024x768 (same as desktop resolution)
The signal outputted to the TV is always the desktop resolution no matter what kind of video you play.

ie if desktop resolution is 800x600 and you play a 1080p movie then the following happens.
Movie (1920x0180) -> Computer scales to 800 x 600 -> Computer outputs 800 x 600 to TV -> TV scales to 1024 x 768 -> You view movie @ 1024 x 768.

ie if desktop resolution is 1024x768 and you play a 1080P movie
1920 x 1080 Movie -> Computer scales down to 1024x768 -> Computer outputs 1024x768 to TV -> TV doesn't need to scale -> You view movie @ 1024 x 768

ie if desktop resolution is 1280x720 (ie 720P) and you play a 1080P movie
1920x1080 Movie -> Computer scales down to 1280x720 -> Computer outputs 1280x720 -> TV scales down to 1024x768 -> You view the movie @ 1024 x 768

Important points...

1. Least number of scaling steps occur if you set the computer resolution to match the tv's native pixel resolution
2. Computer typically does a better job of scaling than a tv

 

[Owlsroost]

I agree that if the TV will accept 1024 x 768 @ 50Hz over HDMI then that is the best signal to feed it, but according to the manual it won't accept this, so 720p is the next best thing.

You also need to be careful with the video card settings e.g. the nVidia control panel will allow all sorts of desktop resolutions, but the video card will re-scale the output to fit in with what the TV will accept - like converting a 640 x 480 desktop to 1920 x 1080i output...I suspect that is what is happening since you say in the first post that the TV is always reporting a 1080i signal - check the desktop scaling settings in the Ati or nVidia control panel. Attach some screen captures of the control panel pages if you are unsure what the settings mean (use Alt+PrtScrn to capture).

More info on your system would be good - are you running XP/Vista/Win 7, Ati/nVidia video card ?

Tony

 

[Bilbo1161]

I'll post some more system info later, not on system at moment.

Would I see a massive difference in quality if I was to buy a FULL HD tv like the one below?

VIERA Flat Screen Televisions - NeoPDP TVs - TX-P50G10 - Specification - UK & Ireland