Using a TV as my monitor for windows XP

I am running Windows XP w/ service pack 3.
I am using an Intel Pentium 4 3.00 GHz.
My graphics card is NVidia GeForce FX 5200.
I am using an HDMI cable to connect from PC to TV for image, and i'm not sure what the cable for the sound is called, but it's in the same area behind the tv as the HDMI video cable.


If any more information is needed, let me know. Here is my problem:

I got some components to hook up my desktop to my TV to use that as a monitor. The 2 issues I have are 1) It does not quite fit on the screen(more information in a second) and 2) I can not get sound to work. I also have a Macbook that I have the same connectors with, except with 1 extra adapter to make it fit the laptop, and it works perfectly.

My first problem is that is seems to be stretching the image too big for the tv or something. It cuts off at the edges of the screen, although I can still move my mouse around down where I can not see. http://img126.imageshack.us/my.php?i...1010709nq8.jpg This is a picture I took of what it is doing. The most visible issue is that the start bar at the bottom is partially cut off, and I believe it does that on the top and right side as well, although I can't exactly tell. I've tried changing the resolution of the computer to everything it's capable of doing through the properties > settings menu, and it still always looks cut off the same amount.

My second problem is that I can not get the sound to work. I don't have much info on this, aside from that it works fine on my macbook, and on my desktop it just says in the sound area under control panel that no audio device is detected.

 

There will be two ways of setting up the display on the television if you have nVidia software installed. It is possible to use the Windows Display settings, but use the nVidia software if you have it. The method for my system is to right-click a blank space on the desktop and select NVIDIA Display. In the menus there is a listing Tools. There, there is a checkbox for "Force TV detection ".

As I said, use the nVidia settings rather than Windows. nVidia has TV setup instructions at their website. The TV manufacturer might have information or instructions.

Matt

 

I dont quite understand if a TV will make a good monitor for my PC with the problems experienced above. Does anyone think it is a good idea? Also if it does I am thinking of buying a TV from http://www.digitaldirect.co.uk, has anyone bought from them?

 

I doubt you will get very good resolution with a TV, unless it is a very high end one.

For the same size montior as TV, you should find the monitor is priced lower, but gets higher resolution.

For a large screen, run at high resolution, for decent quality you will need a high end graphics card.

Here is a 30" monitor:
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/dell-ultrasharp-3008wfp/4505-3174_7-32815166.html

I have a monitor that I use as a TV (with a TV card), so it will run High Definition. I get 7.1 sound from the audio. I can play games on it at a high resolution.

As I said, you will probably be disappointed with the resolution using a TV as a monitor.

Matt

 

I us an older Sony 42inch with a digital input and used the NVIDIA Display settings and it works great. This computer has a TV card and I us it to record and play back.