HDTV on an LCD monitor?

[aresprophet]

I need to upgrade my monitor, and I need a new TV, primarily for my XBox 360 (arriving shortly).

What I'd like to do is get the HDTV output from the XBox 360 (and other HD stuff optionally) on to a brand new LCD monitor. What would I need to do this?

I'm looking at one of two monitors currently, and both have DVI input. They are the ViewSonic VX924 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116355) and the SAMSUNG 940b (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001067). Both have a native resolution of 1280x1024. They're comparably priced, and have favorable reviews, so I don't immediately see any difference between the two. Then again, I'm an HD newbie so maybe I missed something.

I currently have an old Radeon 9600XT as my video card, but I'm not sure what I need for this. Should it be possible to connect the XBox360 directly to the monitor, via DVI, without needing the PC? That'd be the most convenient, and by the looks of things the 360 does come with DVI capability.

Any help with getting this setup to work would be much appreciated.

[blue60007]

If the Xbox will come with (or a seperately purchased cable) DVI support you should be good to go. You could hook your computer up to a VGA port (my viewsonic has both digital and analog inputs) and switch between the two (mine has a button you press).

[aresprophet]

Well, now I'm confused. I distinctly remember reading that it comes with DVI support. Now all I can find is that it comes with this:

Xbox 360 Component HD-AV Cable. (http://www.gamersreports.com/hosted/images/360_HD_Adapter.jpg) [click for a picture of it]

The Xbox 360 Component HD AV Cable is an “all-in-one” solution for both Hi-Definition TVs that use component video input and Standard Definition TVs that use composite video input.


You can also purchase these:

S-Video AV Cable (http://www.gamersreports.com/hosted/images/360_S-Video_Adapter.jpg)

The S-Video AV Cable is versatile and works for both Hi-Definition and Standard Definition TVs that use S-Video or Composite video inputs.

VGA Video Cable (http://www.gamersreports.com/hosted/images/360_VGA_Adapter.jpg)

Experience Hi-Definition gaming on your flat panel TV or VGA monitors that have VGA video inputs. The VGA AV Cable provides optimal audio and video signal transfer, so you’ll experience true next-generation gaming.

That last one looks like what I need, but only if the monitor supports VGA. I have a couple DVI-VGA converter thingies (I think) that came with my video card, so should that work?

[blue60007]

Yeah, you'll have to use the VGA connector, and if there isn't a dual input, you might have to use an adapter

[aresprophet]

Excellent, that makes things easy on my end. Thanks for the help.

Will there be any appreciable difference in quality? Other than playing on a 19" screen instead of a 27" or whatever. Will it look the same on the monitor as on a TV?

[ESCAPEMAX]

I just got the Samsung 940B from NewEgg. It uses a Single Link DVI cable or a VGA cable. Picture quality is not too bad for the price. Wished I waited 2 more days. Now has a $40 Rebate.
Chris

[Hi Ho]

Will there be any appreciable difference in quality? Other than playing on a 19" screen instead of a 27" or whatever. Will it look the same on the monitor as on a TV?
If the TV is a standard definition TV then, YES, there would be a very noticeable difference. If the TV is HD then the difference wouldn't be as big.

[aresprophet]

So you're saying that an LCD monitor is an acceptable substitute for a high-def TV? If you're not looking for some monstrous 36"+ widescreen set anyway.

I went ahead and ordered the 940B because my crummy Dell CRT is on its way out. It starts getting wavy lines running up and down it when I have my subwoofer on, the stand is broken so it's always tilted about 5 degrees to the left, and it doesn't display any higher than 1024x768. Now just to wait for the 360 to ship, and I'll see if it's money well spent.

[Hi Ho]

The PC monitor is just like an LCD TV. The main difference is that there is no TV tuner built in. :)

[ESCAPEMAX]

Anyone Know if there is a HDTV tuner that would connect to the DVI input?
Thanks
Chris

[Hi Ho]

Most, if not all HDTV tuners have either a DVI or HDMI output. HDMI is easily adapted to DVI (it is the same thing). HERE (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PxNKjRHjhRv/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=193550&I=305SIRT451) is an example.

[blue60007]

Most, if not all HDTV tuners have either a DVI or HDMI output. HDMI is easily adapted to DVI (it is the same thing). HERE (http://www.crutchfield.com/S-PxNKjRHjhRv/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=193550&I=305SIRT451) is an example.

Or component output...I think there are some thingies (expensive thingies) that have a component input and a DVI/VGA output. Not sure how those work for games though since you can't have too much delay (like I have my PS2 hooked up to my monitor via a VIVO video card and I can't put it in full screen mode because there is too much lag (latency) in getting the image on the screen. I hit a button and I see the result a half second later on the screen.

[ESCAPEMAX]

I was thinking for when the TV broadcasts are changed to HDTV. So I wouldnt have to use the PC.
Think I saw the HDMI to DVI adapters at PartsExpress.
Chris

[Hi Ho]

Or component output...I think there are some thingies (expensive thingies) that have a component input and a DVI/VGA output.
Thingies? That's really descriptive. :D Most HDTV's have component inputs. That is the most basic HD input. Component is analog, DVI/HDMI is digital. PC monitors don't have component inputs.