Should I use Component or VGA for HDTV?

[jdmbo1]

I recently purchased a 37 inch Samsung LCD TV. It has a vga port for the pc and 2 component video ports. I'm running a X850 XT graphics card which has a DVI out, which I'm using with my monitor, this frees up my VGA port, and a VIVO adapter for component video on the back of my graphics card. My LCD TV I purchased is HDTV ready, and I was wondering which set up would be the best way to connect my PC to my TV. Should I use VGA or Component? What are the pros and cons of each. Again, if this is in the wrong section, can someone point me into the right direction.

[edDV]

A 37 inch Samsung LCD TV probably has native 1366x768 square pixel resolution. You can drive at that resolution with the VGA port (hence named PC port) without overscan.

VGA disadvantage? VGA is always progressive so the display card or software player must do the deinterlace for 480i or 1080i. I don't think the x800 includes the advanced AVIVO deinterlacing modes.

YPbPr can be used @480i/1080i to force the TV to deinterlace and scale. Problem is most cards deinterlace anyway and then reinterlace for YPbPr. If that is the case there is no advantage.

YPbPr and DVI-D disadvantage is usually overscan.

Use YPbPr for tuners and DVD players but VGA usually works best for PC display cards and game consoles.

[jdmbo1]

The native resolution on the TV is 1366x768 with 720p. I noticed that my card supported resolutions up to 1280x720 with 720p when connected to a HDTV through component video. Will the quality between the 1360x768 VGA resolution and the 1280x720 with 720p resolution(can't get 1360x768 when using component video) be any different?

[edDV]

The native resolution on the TV is 1366x768 with 720p. I noticed that my card supported resolutions up to 1280x720 with 720p when connected to a HDTV through component video. Will the quality between the 1360x768 VGA resolution and the 1280x720 with 720p resolution(can't get 1360x768 when using component video) be any different?

If you feed the TV with 1280x720p, the TV will then finish the upscale from 1280x720 to 1366x768. If the display card does the upscale to 1360-1366x768, it does it in one step. The computer desktop and apps will look better using the display card. Video could be a little better. Try it both ways.

[jdmbo1]

I tried it with the VGA at 1360x768, the colors look washed out, my blacks didn't really look black but the text looked pretty good clear and crisp. I then tried it with the component video at 1216x668, yea weird resolution size, I had to adjust it to fit my TV. The color looks extremely better, black was actually black, the text also looked great, although I'm not sure if the reason the text looked better was because of the smaller resolution. I used a stock photo to compare colors, the color of the composite matched what it would normally look like on my computer, while the VGA looked washed out, the imaged look very bright. I guess in the end, I prefer the composite video the VGA video

[edDV]

I tried it with the VGA at 1360x768, the colors look washed out, my blacks didn't really look black but the text looked pretty good clear and crisp. I then tried it with the component video at 1216x668, yea weird resolution size, I had to adjust it to fit my TV. The color looks extremely better, black was actually black, the text also looked great, although I'm not sure if the reason the text looked better was because of the smaller resolution. I used a stock photo to compare colors, the color of the composite matched what it would normally look like on my computer, while the VGA looked washed out, the imaged look very bright. I guess in the end, I prefer the composite video the VGA video

You mean component. The contrast, brightness, gamma and saturation are adjusted in the Catalyst control panel for either output. This picture is for the first output.



Set black level with "brightness" then white peak with "contrast" and color saturation to personal choice. "Gamma" weights gray scale to dark or light. TV displays emphasize dark grays.

[jdmbo1]

I tried to mess around with the settings, but for some reason it didnt effect the TV after i pressed apply. I would like your opinion on what you would do in my situation. I spent $35 on the component video, which I wouldnt mind having back in my pocket. Although the component looks better, I have a feeling its because of the lower resolution compared to the VGA. I'm not even sure if the 720p is working with the component video hook up, is there a way for me to check? I guess it goes down to VGA with a resolutoin of 1360x768 compared to component video with 1216x668 with 720p, which I dont even know how to figure out with the 720p is working. If it helps any, this is the monitor I purchased, http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/features.do?group=televisions&type=televisio...=LNT375HAX/XAA

[jdmbo1]

Would my HDTV picture look better if I got a DVI to HDMI cord and hooked it up directly to the TV, I guess I can use the VGA for my computer monitor.

[edDV]

Would my HDTV picture look better if I got a DVI to HDMI cord and hooked it up directly to the TV, I guess I can use the VGA for my computer monitor.

That is a nice TV. I'm familiar with the Samsung LN4665. If your TV works like the 4665, brightness and contrast settings can be set individually per input. This is a great feature for a progressive TV.

These issues relate to your x800 display card and the trade-offs for that particular chipset. The higher end "AVIVO" 1000 series cards should work better. The x800 is in a similar category with the ATI9550 that I have but with a different method for analog component out. Mine uses the HD component adapter. With my card I find VGA works better for computer to HDTV interface and I can adjust settings individually for DVI-D to the computer monitor and VGA for the TV. Maybe the version of x800 you are using doesn't support dual displays or you don't have it set for dual display.

It is possible to use DVI to HDMI to the TV but the same issues exist for dual display. The TV analog component and HDMI inputs have overscan issues. The HDMI input may also have HDCP encryption issues.

Maybe someone with an x800 card could assist.

[jdmbo1]

I tried to use the catalyst controls again, but still no luck. I guess I'll just settle with this graphic card until I can get some money for a x1000 series. I leaning towards using the VGA for my computer, and getting a DVI-HDMI cable for my TV since the manual says its fine to connect a PC to HDTV that way. I been reading up on different DVI cable types, my AGP card has a DVI-I port, but all the DVI-HDMI cables that I found online are only DVI-D - HDMI, they don't have DVI-I. Will this cause a problem if I got the DVI-D - HDMI cable? Again, thanks for the help, I know my questions seem confusing.

[edDV]

I tried to use the catalyst controls again, but still no luck. I guess I'll just settle with this graphic card until I can get some money for a x1000 series. I leaning towards using the VGA for my computer, and getting a DVI-HDMI cable for my TV since the manual says its fine to connect a PC to HDTV that way. I been reading up on different DVI cable types, my AGP card has a DVI-I port, but all the DVI-HDMI cables that I found online are only DVI-D - HDMI, they don't have DVI-I. Will this cause a problem if I got the DVI-D - HDMI cable? Again, thanks for the help, I know my questions seem confusing.

What is the model number of your x800 card? I'd encourage you to get that working in dual monitor mode as the least expensive alternative. Dual monitor mode permits separate video adjustment for each monitor.

DVI-I connectors have pins for both DVI-D (digital) and VGA (analog). Your DVI-D to HDMI cable will work from that card but I think this is unnecessary.

[jdmbo1]

I have an ATI Radeon X850 XT. After I adjust the contrast and brightness under the Catalyst controller and click apply, theres no change to the picture.

[edDV]

I have an ATI Radeon X850 XT. After I adjust the contrast and brightness under the Catalyst controller and click apply, theres no change to the picture.

You should be seeing changes. Each monitor output should have independent settings.

[jdmbo1]

This seems hopeless, I already went ahead and purchased a DVI-HDMI cable, I'm thinking of building a new HTPC in the next couple of weeks since the price of the Q6600 is so tempting, so hopefully the cable will be put to good use. edDV, thanks for all the help yesterday and today, I posted my situation in 2 other forums, but no reply except this one.

[edDV]

This seems hopeless, I already went ahead and purchased a DVI-HDMI cable, I'm thinking of building a new HTPC in the next couple of weeks since the price of the Q6600 is so tempting, so hopefully the cable will be put to good use. edDV, thanks for all the help yesterday and today, I posted my situation in 2 other forums, but no reply except this one.

I can't stop what I'm doing to reconfigure to your problem. My advice is to fix the dual display issue. In my experience VGA works best for computer output and DVI-D is best for the computer monitor. HDMI is best from a tuner or upscale DVD player. Analog component is a contender with recent cards. If your card won't work in dual monitor mode, then you need to upgrade.

[TBoneit]

I'll go along with edDV go VGA to the TV. That is the most likely the only input that won't have part of your screen cut off on all sides due to overscan.

[dj4monie]

Listin to ED, use the VGA output and don't worry about the resolution so much...

My old 27" Magnavox LCD cause my ATI AIW 9600XT to default to 1280x768 cha-ching! 720p

I dropped that and went with a 24" Gateway FPD2485W, connected to the VGA, cha-ching! 1920x1200 1080p

There's an entire thread on the AVS Forums talking about custom resolution settings with ATI hardware because ATI hadn't caught up with the speed in which people were switching to HD ready systems and using ATI cards for video.

The latest drivers have all the resolution settings for most LCD's on the market currently, just make sure you have the latest video drivers installed at all times.

If you want a picture of how well 720p USC vs Washington State looks, just ask...