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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: Phaedrus2129 on Wed, 15 December 2010, 16:49:27

Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Wed, 15 December 2010, 16:49:27: My parents bought a new 55" TV. The old 46" was going to go into the guest bedroom, but wouldn't fit. So guess who got a bright idea?

(moi)

(http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/349/9/2/4tehlulz_by_phaedrus2401-d34y2xr.jpg)
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: PAINKILLER on Wed, 15 December 2010, 18:14:37: Although it's not a CRT, it looks like you need a bigger desk. It looks like you are gonna be looking at it from a uncomfortably short distance.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: woody on Wed, 15 December 2010, 18:17:12: If it was CRT, he'll glow in the dark.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Azuremen on Wed, 15 December 2010, 18:36:59: This somehow seems... less than ideal.

Just sayin'
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Pylon on Wed, 15 December 2010, 18:39:25: If that thing's only 1080p, I don't see it as that great.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 15 December 2010, 18:42:50: I like big monitors.

(http://www.davesmock.com/blog04may/5,12old.JPG)
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: isp on Wed, 15 December 2010, 18:46:33: <50 ppi would really suck at desk distance

now if it was quadHD :D
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Wed, 15 December 2010, 19:16:26: Resolution is much more important than size imo, but but if your happy with it, that's all that matters.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Wed, 15 December 2010, 19:29:09: Yes yes, I know. I'm doing it for fun. Though I may get one of those platforms for a keyboard and mouse, and sit back a bit from it...

Currently I can't fully experience it since I don't have a DVI-HDMI cable handy, so it's running off VGA and thus 1024x768... which sucks. But already it feels more immersive in a game than my 19". Once I get it in 1920x1080 I'm sure it'll be much better.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: PAINKILLER on Wed, 15 December 2010, 19:49:57: I suggest you increase significantly the field of view in games when you switch to high resolution. Many games have an option for that hidden somewhere. That's what will make it really immersive and won't make you look around the whole display all the time like crazy. It adds a lot of angular area that you can see with peripheral vision, while being concentrated in a comfortable area most of the time.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: msiegel on Wed, 15 December 2010, 20:46:05: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;263639
wouldn't fit

clearly u need a smaller keyboard
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Daniel Beaver on Wed, 15 December 2010, 21:05:51: I used a 32" TV as a monitor for a couple years (before my apartment go burglarized). I use a 24" screen now, and that seem much more of a sane size. At some point, bigger is not better.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Lanx on Wed, 15 December 2010, 21:13:22: wall mount would free up... everything.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: NamelessPFG on Wed, 15 December 2010, 21:20:00: Quote from: microsoft windows;263702
I like big monitors.

*old CRT pic*

Didn't I recall you trading off a bigger CRT in the 21" range for a smaller one just because it was that bulky? Or was that a different poster?

In any case, once I went 21" aperture grille, I couldn't go back. Plenty of smaller FD Trinitrons and possibly Diamondtron NFs about, but I just can't give up the extra screen real estate.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Input Nirvana on Wed, 15 December 2010, 21:42:12: I use a 24" main and a 28" occasional secondary. Plenty for me. I've seen two people using 42" @1080 but they look at building plans much of the day. They can't imagine doing their job without them anymore.

Sooo, it's all about what you use it for.

I don't game, but I bet that monster would rock!
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Crypt on Wed, 15 December 2010, 22:25:50: I use a 42". I've never felt like "this is too big" or the dot pitch is too low. I think the lowest I'd want to go is 37" maybe...

I went from a 24" and 20" dual setup to a single 42"

The only problem with the size is trying to view the mini map (bottom left) and resource/food counter (top right) in RTS games. I'd love it if both were in the same area.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: sethstorm on Wed, 15 December 2010, 23:33:23: Quote from: NamelessPFG;263775
Didn't I recall you trading off a bigger CRT in the 21" range for a smaller one just because it was that bulky? Or was that a different poster?

In any case, once I went 21" aperture grille, I couldn't go back. Plenty of smaller FD Trinitrons and possibly Diamondtron NFs about, but I just can't give up the extra screen real estate.

Had a 19" Sony Trinitron monitor, loved it. Even if it was bulky, it did the job quite well. The only thing imho that comes close is IPS.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: RoboKrikit on Thu, 16 December 2010, 00:48:36: Here's an old shot with my Sony GDM-FW900. It is currently on "auxiliary-only" duty.

(http://i.imgur.com/vpPfzl.jpg) (http://imgur.com/vpPfz)
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: db_Iodine on Thu, 16 December 2010, 02:50:09: I couldn't use anything less than x1200 pixels as a computer monitor. Also the size of the pixels on a 42" fullhd is so big, you can actually count the pixels yourself.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: woody on Thu, 16 December 2010, 05:15:01: Somewhere between the "I can count pixels" and "I cannot differentiate pixels" is the sweet spot. Which depends on viewing distance and pixel pitch.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: db_Iodine on Thu, 16 December 2010, 05:34:26: I'm quite comfortable using a 15,4" laptop with 1920x1200 resolution too. But it could become tiring if I'd ever use it for more than a few hours at a time.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Shawn Stanford on Thu, 16 December 2010, 06:06:51: I'm sporting a 23" LCD running 1360x768 at a normal viewing distance. It rocks WoW, but the larger dot-pitch (is that the correct term?) makes smaller details in Windows a little grainy.

Quote from: kishy;263707
Show Image
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=14066&stc=1&d=1292460377)

Normally, I prefer my girls with brown hair and not quite so young; but I would so make an exception in her case...
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 06:31:30: After using a 40" TV as a monitor for playing games, I would say that the maximum size I'd want a monitor right in front of me to be is about 30".

That said, once OLED technology becomes more practical, I hope we start seeing wrap around screens.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: woody on Thu, 16 December 2010, 06:39:11: How much is "right in front of you", i.e. how far do you place a 30"? Also, a figure for pixel pitch?
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: phillip on Thu, 16 December 2010, 07:36:48: I also use a tv as a monitor, and it's fine. I don't sit nearly as close as you do, though. I would prefer to use a nice, high resolution monitor like the U2711 or U3011, but I'm too cheap to buy one or two.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: PAINKILLER on Thu, 16 December 2010, 11:10:17: By increasing FOV and going to a bigger screen and resolution all at the same time it's like keeping the exact same experience as before, plus the added area on the periphery - so it doesn't hurt to be able to see more on your screen. Then you will feel perfectly comfortable keeping the big ass monitor close to you. In strategy/3rd person etc. games you can see more with less moving around and in 1st person games you also need less looking around and can detect enemies on the sides, above and below faster. With vehicles it's even more important, because to look around you usually have to move a turret or even the whole vehicle (aircraft for example). If you try to go from high FOV to normal you realize how limited normal FOV is - its like having zoom on all the time and you want to zoom out to be able to see things around you. The only discomfort comes if you have to look at HUD often, especially if you had the smart idea of using a 16:9 display for games (dunno about new games - I guess they design them for wide screens somehow, like automatically increasing FOV to keep the vertical angle constant, which is the only sane thing to do). But HUD in many games is not "heads-up" anyway. Proper heads-up display is what you need in any case.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Lanx on Thu, 16 December 2010, 12:09:05: my rule for using a tv for monitor is that the tv has to be 1080p, ppl can argue all they want about how there's no difference between 1080 vs 720 only at certain distances, but when your using a tv are you daily monitor, need sharp res, plus if i sit next to my bedroom tv, 4ft away i can almost count the pixels.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 12:17:27: This counting pixels thing is bull****. Right now I'm running at a reduced resolution pending my new HDMI cable arriving. At 1024x768, I cannot count pixels. Yes, I can distinguish pixels, but not count them. That's idiotic hyperbole that's going to get picked up and taken literally by someone, so quit it.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: RoboKrikit on Thu, 16 December 2010, 12:51:23: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;264082
This counting pixels thing is bull****. Right now I'm running at a reduced resolution pending my new HDMI cable arriving. At 1024x768, I cannot count pixels. Yes, I can distinguish pixels, but not count them. That's idiotic hyperbole that's going to get picked up and taken literally by someone, so quit it.

Reducing the output resolution of your video card does not reduce the actual resolution of an LCD panel. If you sit very close to a large panel with a relatively small number of pixels, you can easily see the gaps between the pixels, and some people find that to be a problem.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Ekaros on Thu, 16 December 2010, 13:01:42: I love my current 22" 1920x1200 Lenovo, with it also running and old 17" crappy-LCD...

Would get real 30" if I had money and they were under 1k...
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: WhiteRice on Thu, 16 December 2010, 13:37:41: I got one of these for $130 thanks to a staples goof. Just ordered another for $200.

http://www.staples.com/Acer-H243Hbmid-24-Widescreen-LCD-Monitor/product_775905

Dual 24"-1900x1600-2ms-goodness...
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Azuremen on Thu, 16 December 2010, 14:01:11: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;264082
This counting pixels thing is bull****. Right now I'm running at a reduced resolution pending my new HDMI cable arriving. At 1024x768, I cannot count pixels. Yes, I can distinguish pixels, but not count them. That's idiotic hyperbole that's going to get picked up and taken literally by someone, so quit it.

You might want to get your eyes checked. Not joking.

I can clearly make out the pixels on my 42" Vizio when I am only a few feet away, and certainly at the distance you are sitting from it. At 1024x768, I think it would be almost painful.

BTW, I am 90% sure you can do 1080 over VGA, as last I checked I am hooked up to my TV at 1920x1080 over VGA. But I might be losing my mind (well it is fairly lost anyhow)

But yes the counting pixel thing isn't really an exaggeration by many.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 14:16:25: When I try setting it to 1080p I get "Unusable signal" for fifteen seconds until the settings revert.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: AndrewZorn on Thu, 16 December 2010, 14:18:16: maybe its one of the 720p LCDs
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: WhiteRice on Thu, 16 December 2010, 14:28:35
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Arc'xer on Thu, 16 December 2010, 14:32:46: Quote from: Azuremen;264144
BTW, I am 90% sure you can do 1080 over VGA, as last I checked I am hooked up to my TV at 1920x1080 over VGA. But I might be losing my mind (well it is fairly lost anyhow)

VGA on some CRTs can hit 2560x1920 at around 55-64Hz depending on the CRT and it's RAMDAC. So it can do 1080P at around 90-100(ish)Hz or so, about 400-500Hz RAMDAC.

FW900 at 1080P 100Hz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZ9Tf1MLme8&hd=1)
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 14:40:21: If it were a 720p model then why can't I choose a 720p resolution? And I know it's done 1080p over HDMI before.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Azuremen on Thu, 16 December 2010, 15:33:13: Sure it isn't 1080i?
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 15:46:28: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rca-46-Llcd-Hdtv-L46FHD37R/11331715

Unless they're lying and I'm nuts, it's 1080p. I know it does 1080p over HDMI, it's done 1080p over HDMI for thousands of hours of TV and movies and has been connected to a PC over HDMI and done 1080p before.

From what I've read the VGA standard itself is capable of transmitting 1080p, it's just that some TVs cheap out and don't support 1080p over VGA. Since this is a no-name brand, I suspect that's what's going on.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 16 December 2010, 15:59:29: Then get an HD graphics card for your computer and just use HDMI, thats what I would do...
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Crypt on Thu, 16 December 2010, 16:50:13: Quote from: Phaedrus2129;264203
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rca-46-Llcd-Hdtv-L46FHD37R/11331715

Unless they're lying and I'm nuts, it's 1080p. I know it does 1080p over HDMI, it's done 1080p over HDMI for thousands of hours of TV and movies and has been connected to a PC over HDMI and done 1080p before.

From what I've read the VGA standard itself is capable of transmitting 1080p, it's just that some TVs cheap out and don't support 1080p over VGA. Since this is a no-name brand, I suspect that's what's going on.
That sounds like 100% the case. There are TVs out there that are exactly as you describe. You can get a cheap video card that has DVI out, and get a DVI->HDMI cable for a few dollars.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 17:07:25: lol of course my GPU has DVI. My previous monitor was VGA, and this TV doesn't accept DVI, so I have a DVI-VGA adapter and a VGA cable.

The 4870 came out right at the junction where HDMI was becoming the standard third port to use instead of S-video. I happen to have a 4870 with S-video, otherwise I'd be using HDMI right now.

I have a DVI-HDMI cable on order, I thought I mentioned that.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Crypt on Thu, 16 December 2010, 17:16:23: Oh, whoops. Grats on 1234th post! :P
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Thu, 16 December 2010, 19:33:27: Thanks. ;)
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 17 December 2010, 21:17:45: for our resident collector of turn-of-the-millennium monitors:
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 17 December 2010, 22:19:09: Quote from: Daniel Beaver;263769
I used a 32" TV as a monitor for a couple years (before my apartment go burglarized). I use a 24" screen now, and that seem much more of a sane size. At some point, bigger is not better.

!!! NOOO, the thief better not have stolen any of your vintage IBM keyboards.

lol, the international buglar men.

Quote from: Phaedrus2129;263639
My parents bought a new 55" TV. The old 46" was going to go into the guest bedroom, but wouldn't fit. So guess who got a bright idea?

(moi)

Show Image
(http://fc06.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/349/9/2/4tehlulz_by_phaedrus2401-d34y2xr.jpg)

I did that before too. Very horrible. I myself found the resolution way too low. Don't like wide-screen anyways.
{whine whine whine whine} WINE!!!
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: db_Iodine on Sat, 18 December 2010, 03:42:26: Quote from: EverythingIBM;265028

I did that before too. Very horrible. I myself found the resolution way too low. Don't like wide-screen anyways.
{whine whine whine whine} WINE!!!

Turn the wide screen monitor to portrait mode and fall in love with all your vertical resolution. I used to have my 3 monitors turned to portrait to try it out, but i found the physical height of the screens too much for my neck so I had to turn them back to landscape.
Title: So I herd u liek big monitors
Post by: keyb_gr on Sat, 18 December 2010, 09:52:41: Something like this might be an option for me at some point. If I can use a SXGA 19" right in front of my nose, a larger TV of similar resolution at a larger distance should work about the same. Not a big fan of widescreens either though, guess it's my mono view that restricts my field of view to about 5:4 or 4:3.