Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

LCD Monitor for HDTV

Nov 11, 2005 6:36AM PST

I am considering buying a new HP PC that comes with an HP 21'' Wide Screen LCD monitor (model HP f2105). The monitor is HDTV ready and supports 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i modes. It also has both VGA and DVI connectors. My questions are 1.) if I hook up a COMCAST HDTV cable box which has a DVI connector directly to the monitor will I now HDTV televison? Will this work? 2.)If this will work can I have both the COMCAST cable box connected via DVI and the PC connected via VGA at the same time (but only use one or the other at any given time)? Thanks for any advise you can give me.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
based on your tv
Nov 12, 2005 4:37AM PST

i think this would be based on your tv, check the manual Happy

- Collapse -
Post misunderstood
Nov 12, 2005 5:26AM PST

I don't think you understood my post. This has nothing to do with a TV. Would the aforementioned monitor act as an HDTV once I connected the cablebox to it?

- Collapse -
sry i forgot to reply...
Dec 14, 2005 7:57AM PST

i misunderstood, i am sorry, YES i think you can use it as a HD TV Grin

- Collapse -
I think you can get HD on your monitor
Dec 8, 2005 10:16AM PST

I have the exact same question as you. I went to Comcast.com and one of the forums said yes it would work. You will get a high def picture if you have high def cable in your area and use the box.

My problem is I will run my cable to Tivo and then to the monitor. By doing that I wont have high def. I also want a cable from my PC to the monitor. How does the monitor discern between the two and know what to play? Anybody know?

- Collapse -
It Works Great
Dec 14, 2005 2:28AM PST

Hi,
I bought the HP PC with the 21" monitor and I am very satisfied with the monitor. The monitor has both a VGA and DVI connector. I have the PC connected via VGA and my Comcast High Def. cable box connected to the DVI connector on the monitor. The monitor automatically detects from where the signal is coming from (VGA or DVI). If you have both the PC and the cable box on at the same time, the VGA takes precedent. You can however switch from one to the other via the buttons on the front of the monitor.

If you get a Comcast HDTV cable box make sure to get one with either a DVI connector or HDMI connector (you can purchase an HDMI/DVI cable).

HDTV programs (movies, Discovery Channel, football games, etc.) really look great on this monitor. The only disappointment I have with this monitor is that there are no other video input connectors (S-Video, Component) for connecting other devices such as a progressive scan DVD player.

- Collapse -
Monitor isn't discerning
Apr 9, 2006 2:44AM PDT

Your monitor displays whatever goes into its DVI connection. It doesn't make any discernments, aside from stretching the image to fit the full screen (if your monitor supports this). The discernment would be made by your Tivo, presumably downscaling the resolution of your signal. Example: If you have a 1080i signal coming from your cable box, and your Tivo only supports 480p, then the Tivo will selectively eliminate over half of the signal before sending it to your monitor.