beckham

So I just got an Xbox via Microsofts Black Friday deal. I haven't had a gaming system in a while, since N64 but am excited about it now. My question is I still have an older TV and never bought a digital/flat screen/etc. Realistically, how much in visual quality am I surrendering in not buying a newer TV to go along w/ the Xbox?

Dan

Theoretically, you'll get by just fine (games scale based on screen resolution. I played about 10 hours of Fallout 3 on a 20" tube TV), but you're still missing out. Hell, buy a cheap 720p set for a couple hundred bucks. It definitely adds to the overall enjoyment factor.

Osiris3657

Get off the computer and go buy an HDTV right...now.

beckham

Yeah, I know...I know...

One of those stupid questions I already knew the answer to.

Drexl

You may have some trouble with the fonts in games, depending on the game and how far back you sit. They're usually meant for 720p and can be blurry when downscaled to SD. This is a bigger deal if you want/need subtitles.

I don't know if it's a widespread issue or not, but I've heard of a few games that have a problem with it.

beckham

Sorry to deviate too much from the thread but with HD TV's, can you usually hook up your computer to them as well? I have been meaning to get a large monitor for my Mac Book and this could be two birds, one stone.

JasonF

Short answer, yes. Slightly longer answer, make sure you get a TV with the right number/kind of inputs. This shouldn't be an issue as long as you don't buy a bottom of the line TB, but it's worth telling the sales drone at Best Buy or wherever what you plan to hook up to it and have him confirm that you've got the right inputs.

beckham

Thanks. I guess it'll pay to make sure to go in store for this purchase.

JasonF

Or ask in store, then go home and buy online. Or, if you're confident in your tech-fu, just check out the TV's specs online.

glassdragon

Just make sure there's a VGA port on it and you're good to go. Unless of course your video card on your computer has an hdmi port, in which case it doesn't matter, they all have those.

Honestly, it should have one. I have yet to own one that didn't. Unless you get a dlp or something it will probably have one.

beckham

Ok thanks to all.

One last thing though...does it matter with tv's about mac compatibility the way that mac are limited in other aspects?

orangecrush

No, if your mbp has an hdmi out you won't have any problems. You may want to be sure to get a 1080p set though if you are going to use it for a monitor too. The higher resolution screen is better for computer use. I have a mac mini hooked up to my tv (along w/ a ps3 and 360) and I like it a lot.

Poink

Yeah, I definitely recommend a decent HDTV. The first month or two of playing my PS3 I was still using my 27" Sony from 2001. The games still looked nice and all, but trying to read the menus and stats in games like Final Fantasy XIII killed my eyes.

The old Sony soon died and I picked up a 32" HD and it's a seriously huge difference.

beckham

I only have a MacBook though which I believe has only a miniDV port. Will this present a problem?

Drexl

Assuming you mean mini-DVI, I think you would need this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/pr...seq=1&format=2

Then connect an HDMI cable (male to male) between that and the TV. Monoprice has white ones to match that adapter, in varying lengths.

Note that there's a disclaimer that the mini-DVI port doesn't carry audio, so you would need a separate cable for that.

orangecrush

You'll have to buy an (overpriced) adaptor. But shouldn't be a problem aside from that.

beckham

Sounds good...Thanks.

I'm pretty much game just as long as it is possible.