That's a Plasma TV which has good picture quality. But unless they're prepare to replace the TV in maybe 3 to 5 years or even less, I suggest they should get LCD monitor. Even though Plasma is getting better on burn-in issue is still not the same as LCD.

If they really insist then check the back has a Component terminal and HDMI you can use either one. If your parent’s computer has DVI connection White 24 pins then use a DVI to HDMI cable or DVI to RGB/PrPbY cable price maybe the same. If it doesn’t have DVI then get D-SUB (15 pins blue terminal) to RGB/PrPbY connector. Best cable is by using DVI to HDMI since both formats is digital but different connection.

However using D-Sub will not guaranty that when reading text/characters will not be jumpy/flicker since RGB connection usually comes with H – horizontal and V – vertical cable as well to be synchronise. So that’ll be, use it at your own risk. Ask the store if you can return the cable if it does not work.

Watching TV or Movies will not matter that much. The TV native resolution is 1,024x768 so all the letters will be huge. Compare to regular monitor.

OK, had a bit of trouble finding the exact specs. Apparently this is a scaled down TH-42PX75U which I found here:
http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel [...] ml?tag=sub

There doesn't appear to be any VGA or DVI connections (Normal connections for PC monitor)

However it does have S-Video and unsurprisingly HDMI.

Sadly, Rexter is right in saying that this is not an ideal TV to use as a monitor.

If your parents REALLY don't want to just use their PC at a desk with a standard monitor then you have 2 options with this TV.

1. Buy an S-Video cable which will hopefully fit their PC graphics card. (Any info on their PC spec, especially graphics card would help). It basically looks like a mouse or keyboard socket and will be next to where the monitor cable plugs into.

Here it is on Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

With S-Video text will most likely look fuzzy and the picture will not be very sharp. But this is the only setup your parents are likely to have at the moment. But even that is not for sure.

2. Upgrade your parents graphics card to something that either has a HDMI out or has DVI with HDCP.

Here are a selection of possibilities:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/1323 [...] e=extended
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130560

They are the same card one AGP and the other PCI E and both come with an adaptor that will allow you to use the HDMI (Digital) socket on your plasma TV and greatly improve the quality of the image.

Otherwise your parents may already have a graphics card with DVI in which case they could use something like this:
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130513

I hope this isn't all too complicated, here are some pages to try to help you understand the diffences between S-Video and HDMI.

HDMI and DVI are basically the same thing, HDMI is used for TVs and DVI is used for PCs. They are shaped differently, which is why you would need the above adaptor cable.

http://2aday.wordpress.com/2007/12 [...] component/
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo- [...] 88487.html

Basically, all you need to know is, HDMI is better than S-Video. If you want to use the TV as the ONLY display for your parents computer I would go with HDMI. To get HDMI you may have to upgrade the computer. It wont cost more than £35 whatever option you take.

If you need to know anything else just ask and I'll try to help.

Agreed that image quality is better on a plasma for movies but your going to get a much better resolution and sharpness on an LCD, especially for Windows use and text input.

There is no way I would hook up my PC to my 40" Plasma for daily use as the primary monitor. But no probs with my 26" LCD.

I did mention the HDCP, and DVI to HDMI links are there. The total cost for the upgrade is £35 for AGP version or £27 for PCI Express/
Both come with the necessary DVI to HDMi adaptor.

I would say it's got to be cheaper to upgrade the graphics on the PC than just buy a new TV or a seperate monitor.

so after reading this thread is it safe to assume that my 720p samsung ln-t2653h will only display at 1024x768 and not the full 1366x768 that it is actually capable of even if i use a dvi-hdmi cable?

hmm, i have not been able to get anything higher then 1024x768 to show up correctly. i have an x1950pro with the latest drivers. the only thing i can come up with is that i am using an s-video cable to hook up pc to the tv. i think i will go pick up a cheap dvi-hdmi cable and see how that goes.

hmm, i just forced it to show all video settings and have set it to the 1360x768, when i move my mouse over to the tv the screen will actually move from side to side acting like it does not support this resolution.

im wondering if it is limited by the s-video cable, hopefully when my dvi-hdmi cable arrives it will resolve this issue otherwise i am truely perplexed

disco how did you go about setting it to allow different settings per monitor, b/c it is mimicking my primary monitor right now. this would be super to know how to go about doing.

i have the CCC installed since other programs i use require .net

but i am not exactly sure how to set the attributes maually in the CCC, alittle help here would be appreciated.

i think the reason i am having so much trouble is that im still using an s-video cable so its an analog signal and not a digital signal.

i will have to try again when the dvi-hdmi cable i ordered arrives, which will not be until sometime next week.

no i do not see any flickering on the tv with the s-video.

TheOnlyPenguin, just thought about something; maybe if you connect another monitor to get the CCC activate two display and may release the other resollutions. It might not recognize that you're installing TV therefore the TV resolution is not available. Just my hunch.

sorry, i'm a newbie of hdtv world. Can I ask one question.
I am using SS r8 http://www.samsung.com/my/products [...] ifications and video card http://www.amtech.com.vn/product_i [...] ts_id=2037 with dvi-i output. What do I need to hook up my hdtv to pc. With one dvi to hdmi cable only???? As i know, there are many kinds of dvi (dvi-a, dvi-d, dvi-i....) and quality of dvi/hdmi cable, how to get quality picture on hdtv (for gaming and movie playback purpose). Which dvi-hdmi kind I should order (single link, dual link dvi-d to hdmi or dvi/hdmi adapter+hdmi/hdmi cable) Which is better?? Plexus dvi-d dual link -hdmi is good enough for connection ??? I look forward to sumlock and rexter's fast reply.