i'd like to add something:

the Dell 24" has component inputs, the best method to connect xb360 IMHO.
the Dell 20" only has composite, s-video, vga and dvi-i, u'd need a xb360 vga cable for this baby for HD.

should be ok, try this article.

the 24" is 2.6k now

*edit: sorry, that's the corporate price. just checked the web, its still 2.9k for retail

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Aug 2 2006, 08:42 PM

i use on my dell E173FP @ 1280x1024 occasionally.... no problem. is it an LCD? try to match the native resolution for best image quality. if CRT no problemo

definately the 19" monitor with a VGA cable!

i play on a Samsung 29" normal TV and Dell 17" FP... some games like GRAW and Dead Rising I just hv to play on the monitor coz i can't see crap on the TV.

analog input would be the normal VGA (that blue 15 pin dsub connector), digital would be DVI (white connector).

i bought a Dell E207WFP 20.1" widescreen LCD for rm1088 a few weeks ago. some might argue viewsonic/benq is cheaper but i can't get those price here in Penang and i kinda like the 4 year next business day warranty that comes with my unit.

anyway, i'm using 3rd party VGA cable (dragon brand? bought from PA) at 1280x768. it's the only 16:10 output for the VGA cable hence the closest match to the panel's native resolution and aspect ratio 1680x1050/16:10. despite the scaling, GOW looks so damn beautiful compared to my previous Dell E173FP (17" 4:3 VGA). IMO, this monitor did a better job at scaling compared to my old LCD.

it doesn't have component inputs like the 24" 2407WFP, but my local game shop recommends VGA cable because they've tried the 2407WFP on component cables before and they said the colours are a bit too bright (i dunno?). plus i don't know how the monitor would handle 16:9 component input when the panel is 16:10 (someone with a 2407WFP on component cable enlighten us please?)

and oh, no built in speakers but can add a sound bar for additional rm184. i passed since i have speakers for my pc already.

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Nov 28 2006, 09:51 AM

720p is just a number the true 720p resolution would be 1280x720. however, 1280x720 and 1360x768 are 16:9 aspect ratio. OK for LCD TVs and plasma but PC widescreen LCDs are 16:10 (most of them are, i haven't seen 16:9 PC LCDs before, but if there is, forgive me for my ignorance).

if you choose a 16:9 resolution, your LCD would still be able display it, but it will be scaled and vertically stretched to fill 16:10; things will be a little bit tall. some might not even notice it, but i can't stand it i had to use 1280x768, the only 16:10 aspect ratio available to match my 16:10 LCD

so far everything looks great, games and hd videos fill up the entire screen without being stretched and it sure looks HD to me

for a reference of the available resolutions for the 360 VGA HD cable, see this teamxbox article
*edit: the article was written before the 1080p upgrade. now the 1920x1080 (1080p 16:9) resolution is available.

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Nov 28 2006, 04:55 PM

of coz u need that RCA to mini jack converter la, MS VGA cable has it. i'm using the one i got with my altec lansing.

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Nov 29 2006, 04:44 PM

erm.. can plug-in the tv/360 sound into the soundcard line-in, but one drawback is u need the pc to be turned on when watching tv

i dunno, im using that method when playing 360 on my pc LCD. one nice thing is can hear sounds from both source at once. i can hear if someone msn/skype me, can quickly go answer then switch back to my game, heheh

usually line-in is blue, can use mic-in also = red/pink. then check the volume levels in ur sound control panel, make sure the line u choose is not muted or too low.

one thing i just realised u r using 4.1 means u got plug 2 jack into the soundcard/mobo... some mobo only got 3 jacks so if u use 4.1/5.1 the line-in and mic jacks will be converted to rear & center/sub. im not very sure about this coz im using soundcard with individual jack for everything, check ur mobo/soundcard manual for details.

seems like ur soundcard doesn't upmix the 2 channel input into 4.1 (i dont know whether soundcards are supposed to do this also, i think not).

anyway, even if u get the rear speakers to work for your 360, it wont be true rear surround channels, just clone... if u want real surround then hv to use optical out.

the ultrasharp(tm) term is over rated get the entry E207WFP, rm~1k only... response is 5ms.

i think he got a Jap unit, the bundled HD AV cable have D-Terminal connectors instead of component RCA connectors.

ur viewsonic 5:4 or 16:10 ? many games do that if ur playing in non-widescreen

i know my E207WFP don't hv such functions... have to live with 1280x768 (16:10), not complaining tho... what to do, tight budget

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Dec 14 2006, 07:13 PM

the dell E series (stands for economy? ) LCD don't have 1:1 pixel mapping (am i saying this right?). the panel is 16:10, the 1360x768 resolution that u are using is 16:9, so the LCD stretch it to fit. try using 1280x768 (16:10) or 1280x1024 Wide. i was playing on my E207WFP previously and 1280x1024 wide looked best. somehow the monitor was able to scale this resolution properly without stretching it.

on my E207WFP=
1280x768 = full screen, not streched. but kinda blurry because of scaling
1280x1024 wide = minor black bars on top and bottom but not stretched.. not native resolution but best looking 360 resolution i can get on this monitor

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Mar 6 2007, 10:33 PM

^^

i don't think the dell 2407wfp can run 1080p via component... try VGA cable, 1920x1080, 1:1 pixel

if u ask me, i'd say go for the LCD TV.... i bought a 20" dell 2-3 months ago, it was fun, but sitting upright in front of the monitor for long hours isn't that comfy. i keep telling myself: "its a minor setback, just enjoy the HD"

i got poisoned into buying a Samsung S7 32" last month... now i feel the 20" was a waste of money... dont make the same mistake that i did

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Mar 7 2007, 12:46 PM

looks like u set it to normal screen. for 1280x1024 resolution, u can choose 'Normal' or 'Widescreen'. i believe this is the only resolution on the VGA cable which allows u to choose Normal/Widescreen setting, others are fixed.

the letter box will be there; no choice... it's either letterbox or stretched image... or use 1280x768 (16:10) and suffer bad scaling

---

Added on March 7, 2007, 1:53 pmi missed that earlier... if that's the case, go for LCD TV. LCD Monitors are meant for 1-3 feet viewing distance, not so bright... even a 32" tv feels a little bit small at 8 feet away, what would a 24"/27" look like? and i'm sure u would like a remote at 7-8 feet away

This post has been edited by hikaru_x: Mar 7 2007, 01:57 PM