Would a HDMI connection be better? (2 Viewers)

[AlienAndy]

I've been enjoying my htpc through Media Portal for some time now, superb software!
But I have often wondered if picture quality would be improved much if I was to buy a graphics card with a hdmi out socket on it? At the moment I am playing videos from Media Portal through a pc vga connection with sound on a seperate audio cable into the tv. The tv is a Samsung 32" LCD-HD. The graphics are 'onboard' the motherboard.

TIA.

 

[Spragleknas]

Short answer:
DVI and HDMI (digital) is better than VGA (general opinion ).
Since Samsung suck when it comes to LCD's for PC usage (ref. pixelmapping w/o over/underscan), you are probably way better of with the VGA.

 

[AlienAndy]

Short answer:
DVI and HDMI (digital) is better than VGA (general opinion ).
Since Samsung suck when it comes to LCD's for PC usage (ref. pixelmapping w/o over/underscan), you are probably way better of with the VGA.

Sumsung suck??? What??

A bit harsh considering this TV has been outstanding in every department for me! Not only that, it was this model along with the Panasonics that were the best in the store at the time of buying, and there was atleast 20-30 on display!

I do not have any picture problems with this TV, the question I asked was due to the fact that my Cable Receiver that connects via hdmi gives a superior picture to the one that connects through a scart. I actually assume that there might be some slight improvement in using hdmi for my htpc, but I don't know.

Sumsung suck? Yeh right!

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Sumsung suck? Yeh right

Do a search on connecting Samsung HDTV HDMI to PC DVI or Dsub, answers are not great.

ps. there are a lot of HDTV's with similar problems including my Philips HDTV althought it is designed to connect to a pc it will not work 1 to 1 pixel mapping to get it real resolution.

Read your TV manual, it should tell you what to expect from a pc input.

 

[Spragleknas]

Sumsung suck? Yeh right!

I am sorry - and surprised - if I offended you.

Please do read everything before you jump out howling. I wrote this to help - not to piss you off. (I really have better ways to spend my time).

Since Samsung suck when it comes to LCD's for PC usage (ref. pixelmapping w/o over/underscan), you are probably way better of with the VGA.

In general, most Samsung LCDs does not support 1:1 pixelmapping without scanning.

Read:
http://pixelmapping.wikispaces.com/
http://pixelmapping.wikispaces.com/Samsung+TVs

 

[AlienAndy]

You didn't piss me off! You just surprised me!!

Obviously I am not that bigger nerd than I thought!

I am certainly not in the market for another tv for a while yet that's for sure. I am really pleased with my Samsung, especially when my V+ box is playing on it. Great quality.

Judging by your responses then, there is a great difference then between my tv and others when it comes to playing my avi files on media portal? Surely not that bigger difference??

I must admit, I like the look of the new Panasonic LXD700... naaa.. the Mrs would kill me!

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Not saying anything about possible picture quality, just saying do not go for the HOLY GRAIL of HDMI for pc connection, unless your manual states its supported, as for the connection you have it should give you a pretty much perfect picture anyway, if not then try FFDShow postprocessing.

Always liked the shape of the Samsungs, thats why Foofaraw skin is one of my favourites.

 

[AlienAndy]

Not saying anything about possible picture quality, just saying do not go for the HOLY GRAIL of HDMI for pc connection, unless your manual states its supported, as for the connection you have it should give you a pretty much perfect picture anyway, if not then try FFDShow postprocessing.

Always liked the shape of the Samsungs, thats why Foofaraw skin is one of my favourites.

I was using that skin until recently, when I came across XFace!
I have just spent all day sorting out the DVD cover thumbnail images for my movies on my media portal. This skin with RC2 and the latest SVN build is superb!!

To be honest, I don't think I can improve on much else really. It's the dogs bits with Media Portal!

 

[Spragleknas]

Back to your question:
If you Samsung does not support 1:1 via DVI/HDMI (see link and google your model number), you are most probably better off with VGA. (HDMI/DVI is preferred if 1:1 is supported).

I had to read and google a lot before making my mind up myself.

 

[mrkrad]

honestly at 5 feet from a 42 westy @ 1920x1080@60hz i can't tell the difference between dvi and vga playing blu-ray material. i've got a dvi to hdmi cable too didn't notice much difference if any.