topic Re: High Definition Picture in PCs & Accessories

High Definition Picture

nick_pan — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:56:10 GMT

Hi guys,

Im confused over the whole advent of High Definition TV etc

Im looking to buy one of Sony's Top of the Range Desktops and pair it up with a 23inch LCD screen

However, although as ive read in the specifications, the desktop has a variety of tv outs...dv outs...vga outs...etc etc (which are what is confusing me) are any of these capable to output to a HD LCD Screen?

WIll i get an HD picture? Cause if not, am i better off just buying a regular 23inch LCD Flat Pannel which isnt HD Ready?

Secondly - 23inch LCD Screens for PCs tend to be extremely expensive..why are their TV Counterparts alot less?

Should I just be getting one of sony's 19inch lcd pc screens or go for a 23inch LCD TV and connect it up?

Thanks in advance!

Nick

Re: High Definition Picture

Vas — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 18:30:27 GMT

As far as I am aware Sony has only released one desktop with HDMI connection, which is the XL-Series. It’s more like a home entertainment unit, with PC function.

In order to get HD picture onto your TV you need a HD ready TV.

If you are in a urgent need of a PC and happy with the Vaio XL series unit, then this is the only option.

If you definitely want HD picture with more desktop like PC, then I will suggest you wait a little while (hopefully summer) for the next RC model (3xx), which will also include the Blu-Ray Drive.

Personally I will wait till summer when the RC300 series comes out.

Re: High Definition Picture

Vas — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 18:34:57 GMT

Secondly - 23inch LCD Screens for PCs tend to be extremely expensive..why are their TV Counterparts alot less?

I agree with you here, It was the same couple of years ago.
I am sure now can get (not Sony) 21" inch with built in tuner for less.

Re: High Definition Picture

nick_pan — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 19:09:11 GMT

ah excellent thanks for the info cause i was about to go ahead and buy an HD LCD screen and the current RC Series

Is there any news on the new RC Series? Anything I can read about it? Dates? Prices?

The usual questions that probaly dont have answers to them but just in case

Nick

Re: High Definition Picture

kee-lo_ — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 20:38:22 GMT

Personally I would wait a few months, there's going to be some sweet HD stuff coming soon on the market and it's going to be high quality compared to the stuff out there now.

But if you're impatient then check it has HDMI

Re: High Definition Picture

Vas — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 21:59:32 GMT

Personally I would wait a few months, there's going to be some sweet HD stuff coming soon on the market and it's going to be high quality compared to the stuff out there now.

I am with you Kee-Lo, I can't wait till see the new Vaio's. But they are only going to bring the upgraded version of the RC series.

I think we have to wait at least 4 months for the L-Series

But if you're impatient then check it has HDMI

I am very dissapointed that the VA series doesn't have a HDMI.

Re: High Definition Picture

nick_pan — Wed, 19 Apr 2006 23:28:37 GMT

ok well im all set for the RC3 series then..

when should we be expecting the next bit of news from sony?

do u 2 know if it outputs a 1080p picture? (hope ive got the terms right)

Re: High Definition Picture

kee-lo_ — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 15:37:08 GMT

Keep an eye out in the press, usually sites like neowin boast about them and the register will probably review it (usually Tony Smith)

Re: High Definition Picture

nick_pan — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:40:07 GMT

guys having been into sonystyle today and chatting with a guy for an hour, he said that the DV outputs on sonys desktop series at the moment are just as good as the high definition outputs except they dont include sound and considering the desktops have an optical out anyway, it wont make much difference. Furthermore, he said the picture quality of sony's top pc monitors equal that of the LCD HD tvs today anyway and have done well before the advent of the HD TV

thus i dont see much point in waiting around

Re: High Definition Picture

nick_pan — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:47:12 GMT

guys what the difference in contrast ratios of a monitor?

like 1600:1 vs 700:1 etc?

Re: High Definition Picture

kee-lo_ — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 19:50:17 GMT

Hehe I have no idea.

Seriously though Nick - that guy's trying to get a sale, and I'd stay with the industry favourite HDMI as it will support DRM'ed content

Re: High Definition Picture

robpaxton — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 20:45:13 GMT

It's important when considering HD and the future availability of commercial content that you check that video cards and monitors include HDCP.

Without HDCP then most HD-DVDs / BluRay disks won't work or will display at a reduced resolution (Until someone cracks the content protection system )

This Wikipedia entry gives a basic rundown of the situation.

Re: High Definition Picture

Blencogo — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:12:31 GMT

Rob,

Presumably, this only affects Blu-Ray and HD-DVD capable devices? Does this mean that upgrading to Blu-ray will involve not only a new drive but other display hardware as well?

Re: High Definition Picture

robpaxton — Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:35:34 GMT

If you want to watch commercial Blu-Ray content in high definition then HDCP will be required in most cases. This would generally mean a new video card and monitor even though most existing cards and a lot of existing monitors are perfectly capable of displaying HD content.

Also it's important to remember an HDMI interface doesn't necessarily mean that the device can display HDCP protected content.

Re: High Definition Picture

kee-lo_ — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 14:37:32 GMT

You've got me all worried now Rob, my step father got this great plasma screen, it does say HD ready but does it really mean it'll handle this HDCP? I should bloody hope so though!

I think it's bad news that legitimate users are going to have to walk on eggshells to make sure they're going to be able to watch legitimate Blu Rays

Re: High Definition Picture

robpaxton — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 16:18:37 GMT

Good news if it says HD-Ready then it has HDCP built-in.

Re: High Definition Picture

chris_lewis — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 16:39:34 GMT

Im woth the waiting for a while option, You must buy an HD ready TV!! with at least 2 HDMI inputs, I like the idea of HD out from a PC but I would use the DVI for this & get your HD content from Sky / Telewest. The forthcoming PS3 is gonna do fine as a BlueRay HD player imo too.

This is my plan anyway but hooked up to a 37" LCD, all being well some good deals will be around when the time is right, November I recon

C

Re: High Definition Picture

kee-lo_ — Sun, 23 Apr 2006 18:26:20 GMT

I had a look in the booklet and it's got HDCP.