Large monitors HDTV Cards for HDCP
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[edit] Large monitors HDTV Cards for HDCP
Monitors are growing in size, and there are monitors up to (and past) 40 inches. These large monitors (from about 25 inches and up) are also TV sets to be used with HDTV.
CAUTION: That a TV set is called HD ready does not mean that you can use it for HDTV - this is unfortunately the case.
Most of these monitors also have a DVI connector so they can be used with a computer.
If you take this little wiki into consideration (especially before buying) you may save yourself some problems.
The intention is to add a bit more
[edit] Two resolutions are used
As with any LCD or TFT monitor there is one specific resolution that is standard (due to the number of pixels built into the screen)
This can either be:
1080P (or 1080i which is interlaced)
which is 1920 x 1080 nominal
The real resolution is at the moment unknown to the author
or 720P
which is 1280 x 720 nominal
Real resolution is 1366 x 768
These two are the standard resolutions for HDTV. You can also find 1080i, (i as in interlaced) which you should avoid! The resolutions are not what most video cards expects, and for 1080P you need some performance from your card. 720P is not so demanding, but the 16/9 format can be a problem for older cards (maybe rather the drivers)
A common resolution which may be the maximum for some cards is 1024 x 768. As you see the vertical resolution is the same as the real resolution for 720P. But the horizontal resolution is only 1024 compared to 1366. This means that 25% of the screen is left unused. Some drivers and some TV sets convert the signal so the entire screen is covered. This distorts the image to a degree. Many computer monitors use 1280 x 1024, and as you see the vertical resolution is higher here. To find a driver that can give a 16x9 output is essential
The pixels are large as the resolution is small compared to the size of the screen. These monitors are not suitable as Computer monitors - you have to sit further away.
[edit] Only seven suitable cards
There are (strangely enough) only seven video cards from ATI and nVidia with hardware acceleration for HDTV. These are entry/mid range level cards, more expensive cards have skipped that. This is per mid 2007
So if you want to use your computer for HDTV use one of these:
ATI: 2400Pro, 2400XT, 2600Pro, 2600XT
nVidia 8500GT, 8600GTS, 8600GT
Not all these support HDCP, check that out before buying (8500GT does not)
At least the nVidia cards have Linux drivers.
[edit] Three different cables are used
VGA
Some actually still use VGA - let's just hope these monitors have DVI or HDMI as well. In VGA the digital signal in the video card is converted to analog and in the monitor converted back to digital.
DVI
Most use DVI which is the standard cable for a LCD/TFT. The signal is digital all the way. You also have Dual Link DVI for high resolutions. The limit for one DVI cable is probably 1080P
HDMI
HDMI is DVI plus sound in one cable, an attempt to reduce the "snakes nest" you have behind the computer. To get sound with HDMI you need an adapter to connect to sound.
You can also use an adapter between HDMI and DVI.
If you do that you loose the possibility to show content with HDCP as it needs HDMI. HDCP means High Definition Content Protection and is probably not possible with Linux (yet).
