Video quality on PC monitor or TV with RGB

[ChrisR]

I'm running SageTV version 2.1.10 and am considering upgrading my tv to a type that has a RGB PC monitor input, with the idea that I could run my system thru this input and save the other component and hdmi inputs for other sources. I'm currently using a dvi-to-component adapter out of the computer to the tv, as I have no dvi inputs. The picture quality has been very good with this setup.

I ran a test this morning by hooking up a pc monitor directly to the monitor output on the computer, just to see what the video might look like. The Sage graphics were exceptional, and the video was pretty good but the motion of people, news tickers, etc., is not very fluid. It's like a very slight, constant jitter. Is this what I might expect if hooked up to a hdtv monitor thru it's vga port, or is this image issue correctable by using a different setting in Sage or in the display settings on the computer?

I am sure there are more people than not on this forum who are using pc monitors with Sage, so I welcome any advice other members have. Assuming I buy this new tv, would I just be better off to run the dvi out directly to an hdmi input instead?

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Edited to say "RGB PC input" - not "VGA"

[sleonard]

It depends on what type of TV you're talking about. If it is a SDTV then a computer monitor will look a lot better. If it is a HDTV then they will be about the same since an HDTV is basically a monitor without some of the computer centric stuff like power management and multiscan resolutions.

DVI > DVI or HDMI is the best connection. It will be noticably better looking that either VGA or Component. Later in the year there should be HDMI video cards to support the upcoming "protected path" for video in Vista. I don't know how VGA compares to component though.

[Tiki]

It also depends if your PC monitor is an LCD or CRT.

A CRT monitor will give you the best picture hands down. Many LCD's have slow response time that results in blurry motion and artifacts.

Also, computer monitors support higher resolutions than SD, ED, or HD-TVs and they support them all in a progressive scan mode, whereas most HDTV's only support progressive scan at 420p or 760p.

SD TV will look OK on any of these devices at any resolution, but computer text and graphics are horrible on an interlaced TV screen.

[ChrisR]

Actually I think I used the wrong term altogether when I said "VGA" - on LCD rear projection TV's that I'm pricing, it's called an "RGB PC IN" input, exactly the same as you'd have on the back of a computer or pc monitor. I should have asked my question in that context, sorry for the confusion Yes, it's very definitely an HDTV and I'm looking to replace an older CRT based rear projection HDTV. I wanted to know if having the RGB would be an advantage or not, since I'm assuming they're there for home theater PC's.

[ChrisR]

Thanks for the help - it was an LCD flatscreen monitor that I used to test the Sage video. I don't have a CRT monitor around to try, but I assume the picture would improve greatly from what you explained.