Lesson Learned - Plasma TV + Computer

[dealsnake]

Here is the lesson that I have learned the hard way.

My setup = Hacintosh (home built Mac PVR) + Samsung HP-S4233 PLasma
http://www.samsung.com/ca/products/tv/plasmatv/hps4233xxac.asp

First off - my TV is 1024x768 resolution
This is a 4:3 resolution and not a 16:9 resolution.
In a TV the pixels are not circles bit more like ovals in order to make a widescreen.
My computer identifies the TV as a Samsung PDP.
Unfortunately the image is stretched out so everything is "fat".

Because the computer thinks it is connected to a 4:3 monitor, 16:9 broadcasts actually have black bars on top and bottom.

Next - I only used the HacPVR for about an hour and when I went back to regular TV I noticed that white colors in the top left of the screen had a "blue shine". Evidently the blue screen of the Hacintosh did something to the pixels - even though Samsung rep told me that new tech plasma TVs should not have that problem. I could not believe it - less than one hour on the Hacintosh home screen and my pixels getting screwed up.

So for anyone that plans on using a computer as a PVR make sure that the pixel count is a wide-screen pixel count such as 1280x768!

[Kommander_KornFlakes]

.
That sucks, is there a chance the discoloring is only temporary?

[ppl4golf]

that's pretty reaffirms I need a 42" + LCD because I'm geared to HTPCs. I can actually take advantage of 1080p.

[Paolo]

does your video card support any "non native" resolutions other than 1024 x 768" that are not showing up in the windows control panel? sometimes you have to check there and change it to a "widescreen" resolution to fill in your tv display properly, otherwise it will stretch.

[crimsona]

does your video card support any "non native" resolutions other than 1024 x 768" that are not showing up in the windows control panel? sometimes you have to check there and change it to a "widescreen" resolution to fill in your tv display properly, otherwise it will stretch.

Plasmas have rectangular 'pixels'. It's normal for them to have 4:3 resolutions

For PC use, try using a program than can zoom into a video.

BTW: A lot of movies are 2.35:1 (which is wider than 16:9 (or 1.78:1)), so even on a LCD it will display with black bars anyway

[ppl4golf]

For the longest time, I displayed 1024x768 on my 27" LCD TV (1280x720 native res) because the onboard graphic doesn't do 16:9, not even with Powerstrip.

I absolutely didn't like the flattened desktop view, especially displaying photos. Watching TV and videos I rather not have black bars than keeping the aspect ratio.

For 'oval' pixel like the one in OP's plasma, I really don't know how to get around.

[Aske001]

Most 42" HD plasmas have 1024 x 768 resolution with rectangular (not oval) pixels. The only exception I know of is the Hitachi/Fujitsu 42" ALiS panels, which have 1024 x 1024 resolution, also with rectangular pixels.

Most of these panels with VGA or DVI input will stretch the input horizontally to fill the panel. You can send them 1024 x 768 resolution, and they will stretch it horizontally to 16:9 aspect ratio. This is native resolution, so it's sharp, but of course the pixel aspect ratio is not 1:1. Most computer graphics adapters can also output 1280 x 768, which is closer to 1:1 pixel aspect ratio on the plasma panel, and produces a pretty good result, just slightly squashed. You may need optional software like Powerstrip to get the computer graphics adapter to output 1366 x 768, which will give the correct 1:1 pixel aspect ratio, although a little bit fuzzy since the panel only has 1024 actual pixels in the horizontal direction.

Most panels will also optionally let you display 1024 x 768 computer output at 4:3 aspect ratio on the panel, which does give a correct 1:1 pixel aspect ratio. You'll have black (or grey) side bars. Again the picture may be a bit fuzzy, because now you are cramming 1024 resolution into 768 horizontal pixels.

A good alternative for video is to use video player software that can alter the pixel aspect ratio in software, such as Zoom Player (http://www.inmatrix.com/zplayer/options_videoar.shtml). Then you can use the full native resolution of the panel with 1:1 pixel mapping.