Difference between revisions of "PC gaming on a TV and couch"
(migrated advantages/disadvantages to standard key points structure, removed video port list, replaced GPU scaling and controller details with simpler text and links to other pages, removed specific purchasing advice, other fixes; still needs cleanup) |
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| + | [[Image:Dave_keyboard_table.jpg|350px|thumb|right|PC gaming on a couch using an Ikea DAVE]] | ||
| + | '''General information''' | ||
| + | {{mm}} [http://hookpctotv.com Hook PC to TV] - beginner's guide showing how to connect a PC to a TV | ||
| − | + | '''Key points''' | |
| − | + | {{++}} Flexibility of console gaming with the freedom of PC gaming. | |
| − | + | {{++}} Modern TVs are very compatible with PCs. | |
| − | + | {{--}} Some text may be too hard to read at a TV viewing distance. | |
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== Connect PC to TV == | == Connect PC to TV == | ||
The first step is to physically locate the PC near the display and to make sure that it can be connected. This can be difficult if the PC or the TV were not made during the same time. Adapters can be used to convert signals, for example, it's possible to buy a video converter which converts an HDMI port output to an S-video input. | The first step is to physically locate the PC near the display and to make sure that it can be connected. This can be difficult if the PC or the TV were not made during the same time. Adapters can be used to convert signals, for example, it's possible to buy a video converter which converts an HDMI port output to an S-video input. | ||
| − | * [http://hookpctotv.com | + | * [http://hookpctotv.com Hook PC to TV] - Excellent beginner's guide with visuals, showing what cables are required for to hook your PC to TV. |
As with any cable purchase, digital cables either work or they do not. Therefore items marketed as being gold-plated are no more effective than standard cables. Analogue cables have more variation. In most cases, the average consumer will not notice a difference between premium and standard analogue cables. | As with any cable purchase, digital cables either work or they do not. Therefore items marketed as being gold-plated are no more effective than standard cables. Analogue cables have more variation. In most cases, the average consumer will not notice a difference between premium and standard analogue cables. | ||
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== Audio == | == Audio == | ||
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NOTE: If connected via HDMI, audio will work through the TV without additional cabling. | NOTE: If connected via HDMI, audio will work through the TV without additional cabling. | ||
| − | + | == Recommended hardware == | |
| − | + | === Front panel USB === | |
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| − | == Recommended | ||
| − | === Front | ||
Adding a USB panel to an empty drive bay can be advantageous, even if your case already has USB ports on the front. It assures that you have convenient ports for plugging in controllers and other devices, which is important if the rear of your PC is inaccessible in an entertainment center. It also adds a degree of protection. It is not uncommon for someone to accidentally pull on a controller's cord, potentially damaging the USB port it is plugged into. Using an add-on panel for controllers protects your motherboard and case, limiting any damage or wear and tear to the inexpensive, easily replaced panel. | Adding a USB panel to an empty drive bay can be advantageous, even if your case already has USB ports on the front. It assures that you have convenient ports for plugging in controllers and other devices, which is important if the rear of your PC is inaccessible in an entertainment center. It also adds a degree of protection. It is not uncommon for someone to accidentally pull on a controller's cord, potentially damaging the USB port it is plugged into. Using an add-on panel for controllers protects your motherboard and case, limiting any damage or wear and tear to the inexpensive, easily replaced panel. | ||
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* [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813999356 Silverstone FP32-B USB/1394/Audio Panel ]. | * [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813999356 Silverstone FP32-B USB/1394/Audio Panel ]. | ||
* [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815165003 Buffalo USB 3.0 PCI Express Card ]. | * [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815165003 Buffalo USB 3.0 PCI Express Card ]. | ||
| − | == Input | + | |
| − | === Keyboard and | + | == Input devices == |
| + | === Keyboard and mouse === | ||
A wireless keyboard is recommended for gaming whilst sitting on a couch in front of a TV. This is to reduce cable management and to create a cleaner clutter-free look. Wireless keyboards come in a number of varieties, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless. 2.4GHz tends to be simpler to use, but has poorer signal range and requires the use of a USB dongle. Bluetooth is more reliable, has a higher range, and many systems have it built in. | A wireless keyboard is recommended for gaming whilst sitting on a couch in front of a TV. This is to reduce cable management and to create a cleaner clutter-free look. Wireless keyboards come in a number of varieties, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless. 2.4GHz tends to be simpler to use, but has poorer signal range and requires the use of a USB dongle. Bluetooth is more reliable, has a higher range, and many systems have it built in. | ||
It is recommended to keep the Bluetooth or 2.4GHz dongle within line of sight of the wireless keyboard or mouse. This is to reduce potential input lag. | It is recommended to keep the Bluetooth or 2.4GHz dongle within line of sight of the wireless keyboard or mouse. This is to reduce potential input lag. | ||
| − | === Keyboard | + | === Keyboard desk for couch === |
While it's possible to use a keyboard on one's lap or on a coffee table, it's possible to get into a very comfortable position by using a specially designed desk. Usually adjustable laptop desks do a good job. | While it's possible to use a keyboard on one's lap or on a coffee table, it's possible to get into a very comfortable position by using a specially designed desk. Usually adjustable laptop desks do a good job. | ||
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=== [[Controller]] === | === [[Controller]] === | ||
| − | Many PC games have built-in controller support, especially recent releases. PC games can be played with a wide variety of controllers, even those from other systems (e.g. the [[PlayStation 3 DualShock Controller]]), but the [[Xbox 360 Controller]] is the most widely supported | + | Many PC games have built-in [[controller]] support, especially recent releases. PC games can be played with a wide variety of controllers, even those from other systems (e.g. the [[PlayStation 3 DualShock Controller]]), but the [[Xbox 360 Controller]] is the most widely supported. It is also possible to add controller support to games that do not have it. See the [[Controller]] page for more information. |
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== TV == | == TV == | ||
| − | + | Modern LCD TVs work much like LCD monitors but have additional features such as auto-contrast and 120Hz motion. This looks fantastic on the shop floor but it can add between 50-200ms of input lag. This level of input lag makes gaming on the TV sluggish and unacceptable. | |
| − | Most TVs do not add video processing through their DVI and VGA inputs. If | + | Most TVs do not add video processing through their DVI and VGA inputs. If using HDMI, most TVs allow a 'Game Mode' option which one will want to switch on which eliminates the processing. It is also very likely that one will want to find any 'sharpness' or 'fineness' settings and turn them to 0 so that high resolution text can be easily read. In the operating system settings, one will want to make sure that ClearType is switched on and web browsing is legible. Windows 7 also has excellent interface scaling options which one may want to turn on to 125% or 150%. |
If considering a new TV purchase with gaming in mind, it is best to try to find a model with little input lag. Paradoxically, many of the best TVs for PC gaming are also the cheapest and best value for money. It seems that added features of TVs slow down the processing of images. | If considering a new TV purchase with gaming in mind, it is best to try to find a model with little input lag. Paradoxically, many of the best TVs for PC gaming are also the cheapest and best value for money. It seems that added features of TVs slow down the processing of images. | ||
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=== Steam Big Picture Mode === | === Steam Big Picture Mode === | ||
| − | [[Steam]] now includes a Big Picture Mode that provides a [[Wikipedia:Graphical user interface|graphic user interface]] (GUI) specifically designed for HDTVs and allows Steam to be navigated using just a controller. | + | [[Steam]] now includes a [[Steam#Big Picture Mode|Big Picture Mode]] that provides a [[Wikipedia:Graphical user interface|graphic user interface]] (GUI) specifically designed for HDTVs and allows Steam to be navigated using just a controller. |
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| + | === Adjusting picture scaling === | ||
| + | Your computer's output may not automatically fit the TV. If you are seeing a black border or some areas are off-screen you should check your [[Graphics card#GPU scaling|GPU scaling]] and [[Graphics card#Overscan|Overscan]] settings. Many TVs have a "Game Mode" that disables many of the TV's own adjustments which should help get an output that correctly fits the screen. | ||
[[Category:Hardware]] | [[Category:Hardware]] | ||
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[[Category:Guide]] | [[Category:Guide]] | ||
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Revision as of 08:00, 6 August 2013
General information
- Hook PC to TV - beginner's guide showing how to connect a PC to a TV
Key points
- Flexibility of console gaming with the freedom of PC gaming.
- Modern TVs are very compatible with PCs.
- Some text may be too hard to read at a TV viewing distance.
Connect PC to TV
The first step is to physically locate the PC near the display and to make sure that it can be connected. This can be difficult if the PC or the TV were not made during the same time. Adapters can be used to convert signals, for example, it's possible to buy a video converter which converts an HDMI port output to an S-video input.
- Hook PC to TV - Excellent beginner's guide with visuals, showing what cables are required for to hook your PC to TV.
As with any cable purchase, digital cables either work or they do not. Therefore items marketed as being gold-plated are no more effective than standard cables. Analogue cables have more variation. In most cases, the average consumer will not notice a difference between premium and standard analogue cables.
Audio
Digital audio cable is optical audio also known as SPDIF. The analogue audio is known as the 3.5mm jack.
NOTE: If connected via HDMI, audio will work through the TV without additional cabling.
Recommended hardware
Front panel USB
Adding a USB panel to an empty drive bay can be advantageous, even if your case already has USB ports on the front. It assures that you have convenient ports for plugging in controllers and other devices, which is important if the rear of your PC is inaccessible in an entertainment center. It also adds a degree of protection. It is not uncommon for someone to accidentally pull on a controller's cord, potentially damaging the USB port it is plugged into. Using an add-on panel for controllers protects your motherboard and case, limiting any damage or wear and tear to the inexpensive, easily replaced panel.
Note that your motherboard may not have enough USB headers to support both the add-in panel and your case's built-in front USB ports. In that case, you can add a PCI-Express controller card that has an internal header. Just make sure the card and the bay or case use the same kind of connection. Some use motherboard header connections, others a regular USB A to B cable. An example USB bay panel and controller card are linked to below.
Input devices
Keyboard and mouse
A wireless keyboard is recommended for gaming whilst sitting on a couch in front of a TV. This is to reduce cable management and to create a cleaner clutter-free look. Wireless keyboards come in a number of varieties, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless. 2.4GHz tends to be simpler to use, but has poorer signal range and requires the use of a USB dongle. Bluetooth is more reliable, has a higher range, and many systems have it built in.
It is recommended to keep the Bluetooth or 2.4GHz dongle within line of sight of the wireless keyboard or mouse. This is to reduce potential input lag.
Keyboard desk for couch
While it's possible to use a keyboard on one's lap or on a coffee table, it's possible to get into a very comfortable position by using a specially designed desk. Usually adjustable laptop desks do a good job.
Controller
Many PC games have built-in controller support, especially recent releases. PC games can be played with a wide variety of controllers, even those from other systems (e.g. the PlayStation 3 DualShock Controller), but the Xbox 360 Controller is the most widely supported. It is also possible to add controller support to games that do not have it. See the Controller page for more information.
TV
Modern LCD TVs work much like LCD monitors but have additional features such as auto-contrast and 120Hz motion. This looks fantastic on the shop floor but it can add between 50-200ms of input lag. This level of input lag makes gaming on the TV sluggish and unacceptable.
Most TVs do not add video processing through their DVI and VGA inputs. If using HDMI, most TVs allow a 'Game Mode' option which one will want to switch on which eliminates the processing. It is also very likely that one will want to find any 'sharpness' or 'fineness' settings and turn them to 0 so that high resolution text can be easily read. In the operating system settings, one will want to make sure that ClearType is switched on and web browsing is legible. Windows 7 also has excellent interface scaling options which one may want to turn on to 125% or 150%.
If considering a new TV purchase with gaming in mind, it is best to try to find a model with little input lag. Paradoxically, many of the best TVs for PC gaming are also the cheapest and best value for money. It seems that added features of TVs slow down the processing of images.
Chroma Subsampling over HDMI and HDTVs
Unfortunately, not all TVs using HDMI inputs accept full colour information. Saturated colour text (red on black background) will appear jagged and possibly unreadable at smaller font sizes. Since the vast majority of HDTV owners will only be watching TV or movies, this normally is of little concern to the manufacturer. This AVSForum thread goes into detail about chroma subsampling and has a small guide of TVs which exhibit this behaviour. Additionally, at HardOCP there is a forum post with a smaller subset of information about chroma subsampling and input lag.
Steam Big Picture Mode
Steam now includes a Big Picture Mode that provides a graphic user interface (GUI) specifically designed for HDTVs and allows Steam to be navigated using just a controller.
Adjusting picture scaling
Your computer's output may not automatically fit the TV. If you are seeing a black border or some areas are off-screen you should check your GPU scaling and Overscan settings. Many TVs have a "Game Mode" that disables many of the TV's own adjustments which should help get an output that correctly fits the screen.