Default Connecting laptop to HDTV - wanting best quality HDMI to DVI conn

[mr-scarface]

I have a laptop which I believe runs a max res of 1280x800.
HDTV runs 1080i.
Laptop has an HDMI output but TV has only DVI input.
Now the movies I have on my laptop - some of them are 720p .mkv format movies, some might even be higher.
I need an HDMI to DVI cable or HDMI to DVI splitter. What should I go for to get the best quality available?

On a side note - does the max res of the laptop not allow me to play a 1920 res movie at full quality? Would I be able to get that res if I use the HDMI to DVI connector and get 1920 res output on the TV?

[jagabo]

I have a laptop which I believe runs a max res of 1280x800.
HDTV runs 1080i.
Laptop has an HDMI output but TV has only DVI input.
Now the movies I have on my laptop - some of them are 720p .mkv format movies, some might even be higher.
I need an HDMI to DVI cable or HDMI to DVI splitter. What should I go for to get the best quality available?

Any decent (~US$10) HDMI -> DVI cable should do. Unless you need to run a long distance (much over 10 feet). Then you'll need a higher quality cable.

On a side note - does the max res of the laptop not allow me to play a 1920 res movie at full quality? Would I be able to get that res if I use the HDMI to DVI connector and get 1920 res output on the TV?

Maybe. It depends on what configurations your laptop supports. You may be able to set the desktop to 1920x1080 for the HDMI port and have your laptops 1280x800 display act as a window onto that bigger desktop (I do this with my desktop, 1920x1080 to HDTV, 1680x1050 to the monitor. The window follows the mouse cursor around.) Or you may be able to set your laptop up as two independent displays, one at 1280x800, the other at 1920x1080.

[edDV]

I have a laptop which I believe runs a max res of 1280x800.
HDTV runs 1080i.
Laptop has an HDMI output but TV has only DVI input.
Now the movies I have on my laptop - some of them are 720p .mkv format movies, some might even be higher.
I need an HDMI to DVI cable or HDMI to DVI splitter. What should I go for to get the best quality available?

On a side note - does the max res of the laptop not allow me to play a 1920 res movie at full quality? Would I be able to get that res if I use the HDMI to DVI connector and get 1920 res output on the TV?

It would help if you posted the model numbers of the laptop and the HDTV. Specs rule.

1280x800 refers to the LCD panel on the laptop and should have little to do with the "HDMI" port which by definition should output 1920x1080i or 1280x720p plus maybe more. You have the manual don't you?

An HDTV with only DVI-D in is likely an older model from ~2003-2004. Most likely it accepts only 1080i or 720p. The native display resolution is most likely below 1920x1080 from those years unless it was cutting edge.

[mr-scarface]

I can't get my desktop any higher than 1280 x 800 it seems, unless I upgrade the video drivers perhaps.

My TV is a Panasonic PT-47WX53G. I found a pdf of the user manual for it here:
http://service.us.panasonic.com/OPERMANPDF/PT56TW53G.PDF
Laptop is a compaq CQ50-106CA- the video card on it is an nvidia 8200m g.

edDV, you are right, it is a 1080i, according to page 9 of the manual. And the input on the back says "Digital In", not DVI. I presume they are the same thing, no?

[edDV]

I'm having a difficult time finding specs for the PT-47WX53G rear projection TV but some people are talking about convergence adjustments so this indicates CRT technology which is likely to accept 1080i only and have a display resolution under 960x540p. If it does accept 720p, maybe it reaches 960x720p. Regardless, it should also accept square pixel 640x480p.

Your "Compaq CQ50-106CA with Nvidia 8200m" will max 1280x800 for the laptop screen but can operate in dual monitor mode feeding 1920x1080i or 1280x720p to the TV over HDMI. The TV will convert those inputs to whatever it can display.

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/321957-321957-3329742-89318-89318-3739787-3761104.html

[mr-scarface]

Can you please be more specific? I don't quite understand how I can make it operate in dual monitor mode, nor what dual monitor mode is.

In the display settings, I have 2 items in the pulldown menu:

Generic PnP monitor on NVIDIA Geforce 8200M - This one is currently selected.
(Default Monitor) on NVIDIA Geforce 8200M

Then in the NVIDIA control panel I have more options for video and television. Control panel version is 1.5

[edDV]

You start with the TV on, PC off, then connect HDMI. Boot PC.

Menus differ by chipset and connection but you start in Vista with "Personalize" (Right click desktop), then "Display Settings" where you set the second monitor and choose a resolution. Something like this...



Then click "Advanced Settings" and follow the NVidia menus.

Here is a sample procedure but for analog component instead of HDMI.
https://forum.videohelp.com/topic344750.html?highlight=geforce%206100

[mr-scarface]

Thanks for the explanation that is very helpful. I will give this a try as soon as I get an HDMI to DVI connector or cable.

[edDV]

The menu settings won't appear until you boot with a HDMI->DVI-D cable connected to the HDTV. Make sure that the DVI-D port is selected at the HDTV.