TFT for PC + XBox 360

Garet_Jax

Hi, thinking about buying an xbox 360 and TFT (for both the 360 and PC) this xmas.

- 19" minimum (probably preferred, too)
- £250 maximum (maybe a bit more if needs be)
- DVI connection (for the PC) <b>and</b> analogue (for the XBox 360)
- As short a response time as possible (prefer 2ms, 5-8ms max)
- Contrast raio, >=700:1 typical

I'm looking at this <a href="http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/GENNA/653/860/-/3250629/Philips_190CW7CS_19_Flat_Panel_Silver_Monitor/Product.html?searchtype=genre" target="_blank">philips one</a> (specs <a href="http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/tree/PC_PRODUCTS_GR_GB_CONSUMER/LCD_MONITORS_CA_GB_CONSUMER/product/190CW7CS_00_GB_CONSUMER/catalog.jsp?activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=GB&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=SGVAOFBG4HJQZJ0RMRCSHQVHKFSESI5P" target="_blank">here</a> ); but I don't understand why it's so cheap for its size and response time, nor why I can find 0 reviews on it.

Any advice appreciated!

Talesin

Er, the forums have never supported HTML code in line. But we do have link tags. Not the forum that's broken... it's your link.

Garet_Jax

Delete this post. Hyperlink problems fixed. Though I did exactly the same thing, yet it only worked the second time.

GIGO.

Testament

<a href="http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/GENNA/653/860/-/3250629/Philips_190CW7CS_19_Flat_Panel_Silver_Monitor/Product.html?searchtype=genre" target="_blank">loller</a>

<a href="http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/tree/PC_PRODUCTS_GR_GB_CONSUMER/LCD_MONITORS_CA_GB_CONSUMER/product/190CW7CS_00_GB_CONSUMER/catalog.jsp?activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=GB&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=SGVAOFBG4HJQZJ0RMRCSHQVHKFSESI5P" target="_blank">nets</a>

Lt_Patch

First things first, is that GBP250 going to include the 360, or is it bugetted for just the monitor?
Assuming it's just for the monitor, you have your first mistake in your connections. Unless you're willing to dig up a workable XBox360 -> VGA converter, then your monitor won't work for both. Xbox360 uses either the Composite connectors, or a SCART connection, or the 5-plug HDTV connections (if you're going to use HD), it doesn't however, support the VGA, or DVI-D connections.

To get something that will work with it, you're going to be looking at LCD TV's, something like <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=454964" target="_blank">this</a> (Link to a Hyundai product on Scan Computer's website).

Now, that one will set you back about GBP245 (including standard delivery), and that one doesn't actually have DVI-D for the PC. Now, obviously, there are other sites, which may, or may not, be cheaper, but that's a ball-park figure for a 19" dual input LCD, that will work with both the TV, and 360.

Your 250 nicker isn't going to get you anything special, not for 19" or above.

Best bit of advice I can give you, is to go down to your local Currys/Dixons/PC World/whatever, and ask to see their LCD TV's. Get them to turn them round, and see what connections they've got. You'll need at least a DVI, and a SCART one, although antennae connections are handy too...
Then, go to a local competitor, see what price they can do it for you, then play them off against each other <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

puzl

Is there a reason why <a href="http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/x/xbox360vgahdcable/" target="_blank">this</a> won't work, lt_patch?

Lt_Patch

No reason why not, Mr. Puzl...

In which case, go scout out one of those cables, and use any TFT with both DVI, and VGA connections. However, not all monitors support both inputs being used at the same time, and will need some on-screen menu shuffling

Garet_Jax

Yep the plan is to use one of those cables.

Puzl was kind enough to help me search a bit, and showed me <a href="http://www.samsung.com/Products/Monitor/LCD_Digital/LS19MEDSFXAA.asp" target="_blank">his monitor </a>for reference.

As it's Samsung and has puzl's backing it's high on my list; though the response time is only listed as "grey to grey" not "black to black" so I'm dubious as to what the real value is. Also, it isn't widescreen which I'm inclined to go for.

Yes, £250 is for the TFT only.

puzl

I don't think you'll get a widescreen that is suitable for gaming with your budget.