HDTV as external monitor

Hannibleking

Hannibleking

New member
Ok I am looking to use my HDTV as a secondary monitor. Lets I have a lot to say, so ill see if I cant spew it out in a somewhat descernable manner. Ok well I have looked through the fourms or more specifically did a search for External Monitors and found a lot of how to use standard definition TV's as external monitors. But while I could certainly do that as I have S-video inputs for my TV. I would much rather find an easier way to connect it as my HP Media center edition has many many output's and my HDTV has many many inputs to be specific check the specs. So if I can I'd like to avoid buying a converter device. but besides that once connected what do I do because I have no clue even where to begin. Feel free to treat me like a child and spell it out to me.
 
The best option would be HDMI, but you would require a sperate card to do this such as the Blackmagic Design Decklink cards. This card also provides YUV analog connection which HDTV's allow if they don't have HDMI. S video would be the next choice and composite connection the very, very last choice.

If you video card supports dual monitors you could also use the second analog or DVI connection to connect the HDTV in PC mode.

The color spectrum of the monitor in the RGB computer output will very from what you can expect from a component (YUV) or HDMI connection, which will more closely match the camera.

ATI and Nvidia have cards that provide dual output plus a YUV component connection. If you upgrade to one of these and use the preview switch in vegas your image will be more like the camera. You can also use the second DVI/Analog connector.

The best but most expensive solution is to use the DeckLink card or the AJA card wich allows both output and input via YUV and depending on the card type HDMI as well. The cost is around $1000 for this solution.

To use the HDTV Vegas must recognize it as the secondary monitor whether connected via the DVI/Analog head or as a HDTV. Most media center cards play S video out as part of the desktop not as a monitor connection. This would not work. Make sure your current video card can treat the S Video as monitor/HDTV connection. If not you will have to upgrade your video card.

As far as what to do READ the Vegas manual regarding Preview Monitors and connections.

S Cannon
 
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I have a 32" HD LCD TV hooked up to my computer via the component out on my video card (you need a specific card that has HDTV out but I think these days most do - my card is an ATI X700 that is a few years old now and was dirt cheap ~ $125 when I got it. Point is you don't need a powerful/expensive video card to get component out.) Anyway, I then go into the display settings and set the TV up as a second monitor in Windows. Once that's done (you'll need to play with the settings to maximize/optimize the resolution on the HDTV), then select "spread my desktop across both displays" or something to that effect. Then go into Vegas and drag the video preview to the second monitor, expand the window so it fills the screen and you should be done. Even with my lowly X700 card (it does have 256MB ram) I get very good "good" previews. And depending on what type of footage I have/system properties, my preview on the HDTV fills most or sometimes all of the screen.
 
You may be better off defining the HDTV as your second screen in Secondary Windows Display (in Vegas) and leaving your preview on your computer monitor. Then, when you click the external preview button, the preview will appear on your HDTV.

Just a suggestion. Up to you.
 
David Jimerson said:
You may be better off defining the HDTV as your second screen in Secondary Windows Display (in Vegas) and leaving your preview on your computer monitor. Then, when you click the external preview button, the preview will appear on your HDTV.

Just a suggestion. Up to you.
Click to expand...
I don't think I can do that in Vegas 5. But will look for it when I upgrade. :-)
 
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