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NTL to Computer monitor

  • 11-08-2007 9:32am
    #1
    Peter B
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭


    I am looking at ordering a monitor (Dell™UltraSharp™20" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor) to use as my computer monitor and my TV monitor. After reading a Dell thread on this they mentioned it is not really worth it unless you have a digital input.

    Firstly, does anyone on here use their computer monitor as a TV also?
    What is the quality like? How does it compare to a normal TV quality?

    Does the NTL box have a digital output? Obviously it is digital TV but what is the digital output? Scart?

    Apparently this has to go into a TV tuner before connecting to the screen. What does this do? Does your TV tuner need to be connected to your PC or not?

    Sorry for all the questions but really want to get my head round it before splashing out on a new screen.


Comments

  • #2
    adrian.s
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 171 ✭✭adrian.s


    The Dell monitor will probably only have 2 inputs into it, a VGA (what most PC's output) and a DVI (the newer digital video signal from PC's). Unless the monitor has a built in tuner you wont be able to just plug in your anlogue feed to it. Nor will you be able to use the NTL digital box as it's sending out an analogue signal.

    In order to watch TV on this you will need to consider buying a TV tuner card to put into the PC. This decodes the TV signal and you will probably have some sort of software application that runs and you'll be able to see it in your monitor. Windows MCE will let you schedule recordings and watch your TV on the monitor in full screen. But you will need to have your PC turned on whenever watching TV.

    Alternatively, you could buy something like the following:
    TV Tuner Box and you wont need to have your PC turned on.

    HTH,
    Adrian.


  • #3
    GerardKeating
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,804 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    Peter B wrote:
    I am looking at ordering a monitor (Dell™UltraSharp™20" Widescreen Flat Panel LCD Monitor) to use as my computer monitor and my TV monitor. After reading a Dell thread on this they mentioned it is not really worth it unless you have a digital input.

    Firstly, does anyone on here use their computer monitor as a TV also?
    What is the quality like? How does it compare to a normal TV quality?

    Does the NTL box have a digital output? Obviously it is digital TV but what is the digital output? Scart?

    Apparently this has to go into a TV tuner before connecting to the screen. What does this do? Does your TV tuner need to be connected to your PC or not?

    Sorry for all the questions but really want to get my head round it before splashing out on a new screen.

    Have done the same with the DELL 2407FPW monitor, if you monitor has svideo or composite, you grand, is your the 2007fpw ?

    just get a scart to composite lead.
    gerard


  • #4
    Peter B
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,086 ✭✭✭Peter B


    GerardKeating wrote:
    Have done the same with the DELL 2407FPW monitor, if you monitor has svideo or composite, you grand, is your the 2007fpw ?

    just get a scart to composite lead.
    gerard

    Havn't bought the monitor yet but yes am looking at the 2007WFP 20.1" Ultrasharp. Do you have a stand alone TV tuner or is it connected to your PC? Whats the quality like?

    I read a few forums saying it is not worth having an analogue input. You should only use Digital (DVI-D). I'm not sure if this is true? Gerard, is your analogue?

    NTL are apparently planning to bring out new boxes in the coming months. Anyone know will they have digital output?


  • #5
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,638 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    You don't need a tuner to watch the output from your NTL box. The 2007FPW has composite and s-video inputs which are both for analogue TV video. The NTL box can output composite video through the SCART output (you'll need to get an adaptor for the monitor as it has a phono socket for comp. video, not a SCART socket), however this will be significantly worse than the RGB signal you're (probably) currently using with your TV.

    The NTL box may also output s-video - I don't know for sure. There'll be an option in the menu somewhere if it can. This will be better than the composite output but still not as good as RGB.
    I read a few forums saying it is not worth having an analogue input. You should only use Digital (DVI-D). I'm not sure if this is true? Gerard, is your analogue?
    They're probably talking about when connecting a computer to the monitor. A PC's "VGA" output is analogue RGB video (not the same as the RGB SCART video I was talking about above), and DVI-D is digital. Most recent PCs will have a DVI-D output (it's a "D" shaped white socket with loads of pin holes), and in general it should give a better picture than the analogue output, especially at higher resolutions.
    NTL are apparently planning to bring out new boxes in the coming months. Anyone know will they have digital output?
    Unless the boxes are designed for HDTV, it is very unlikely. And it's very unlikely they'll be giving everyone HD boxes. HD stuff generally uses HDMI, which is interchangeable with DVI-D (you can get plug adaptors and stuff).


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