The history of video gaming has really come a long way. In the olden days, you had to use Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) computer screens, which were large and bulky, had small screen sizes, and only one video output. Then we moved to using the modern LCD monitors, which are slimmer and have much better features than the CRTs. Today however gaming has gone to a whole new level with the possibility of using televisions to play video games. Game lovers now have the option of enjoying their favorite games on either a high definition or 3D TV.
The option of using TVs for gaming is the most preferred alternative by many gamers. Much of this has to do with the fact that playing computer games on a screen twice the size of a normal monitor is a thrilling and exciting experience. When it comes to using your TV for gaming, there are two key factors that make the difference between a great experience and one that is not so good.
The Connection
Getting the connection right from the computer to the TV is the most important factor when it comes to using TVs for games. The trick here is to ensure that you are using the best TV that supports the latest outputs. Most modern computer video cards have a VGA or HDMI output. These ports are actually the easiest way to connect a computer to a TV. Video cards require a cable to connect from their micro-HDMI or VGA output to the same connection port on a TV.
Older video cards use the DVI output, which is a larger connector that uses the same video transmission technology as the HDMI but lacks audio. Therefore, when using DVI, you will require audio cables to play games from the PC and view everything on the TV. In case the TV does not come with ports to connect it to a computer, the other option is to purchase a gaming console. Keep in mind though that if you are a video game enthusiast, a HD TV is the best way to go because it offers a myriad of connection options.
Screen Resolution
When using the television to play games, it is important to ensure that the computer and the TV are set at the same resolution. For instance when using HDMI, the resolution can be set at around 1920×1080 pixels or whatever the resolution of your TV is. Outputting a higher resolution than your TV can handle forces it to down-convert a higher resolution, which will lead to future problems. The beauty about digital TV is that they have a higher resolution than analog sets. This simply means that digital televisions display sharp images with far more detail, clarity, and color than older sets. With a digital TV set from a reputable brand such as Panasonic, you gaming experience will be enticing and fun than ever before. This is because Panasonic features the latest technology when it comes to gamming features for modern TV sets.
Tag: LCD
The Ultimate Gaming Laptops In 2011
Entertainment nowadays is not only confined to Small screen, Pictures, Broadcasting and occasional nightly clubs and parties. There is a new breed of people who are nearly living in the virtual world. These people are known as gamers. At present, there are hundreds even thousands of virtual games accessible in the market. They are offered to suit the needs of every gamers including teens and adults. Gamers to indulge their gratifications are very distinct on the games they play and the graphicss and excitement that comes with it. They are also very definite on what hardware to utilize. PCs, laptops and MAC have to be equipped with the latest video and audio cards to gratify the gaming needs of every gamers out there.
Let us take a look at the top ten best gaming laptops that 2011 has to offer.
MSI GT66oR – 004US
Based on reviews, this high powered laptop is the most effective gaming laptop of all. It outlasted many of its competitors and is fully equipped with all the spectacles that will facilitate gamers to enjoy each games in high graphics. It has a 16 glossy LCD display and other elemental specs including 1.73 GHz Intel Core i7-740QM Processor, 6GB (2G*3) DDR3 and Video memory 1GB DDR3 VRAM. Truly a fantasy for any gamer!
IBuypower Battalion 101 X8100-U3
Although this distinguished powered monster is only second in command, it is still feisty enough to take on any gamer. With its 18.4Inch LCD display with full HD resolution, this gaming laptop can surely bring life and animation up notch. It also has a compelling 640GB hard drive and can be stretched out up to 1 terabyte! Its other spectacles include 1 .73 GHz Intel Core i7-740QM Mobile Processor, a system memory of 4GB [2GB x 2] 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM and video memory of 1GB (X8100).
Qosmio X505 – Q896:
Its lustrous and groundbreaking design will want any gamers want this laptop. Its impressive sound quality and 18.4 Inch HD screen makes this third placer still a bankable gaming machine. Its processor is Intel Core i7-740QM, genuine Windows 7 Home premium (64-bit), 4GB DDR3 1066MHz memory, 500GB HDD (7200rpm) and a battery life of up to 3.77 Hours.
Alienware M17X
This impressive gaming laptop is considered to be one of the hottest gaming laptop in the merchandise. Not only does it have awesome looks and features its specifications is also one of the most dominant in the business. Its specs contain 2.13 GHz Intel CoreTM i7 940XM, 4GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 2GB DDR3) and video memory of 1024 (MB) ATI HD5870 Mobility RadeonTM.
Clevo X7200
Looking at the glamorous specs of this laptop, you may deem as true that it really is one of the fastest gaming laptop in the market at present. Although it can be costly, Clevo X7200 boasts of its 17.3 Inch glossy LCD display and a huge hard drive of 500GB.
The following on the other hand ranked 6th-10th in the laptop gaming industry at present. Take note of the following brands:
Asus Republic of Gamers G53JW-A1
MSI GX740 – 235US
Acer Aspire AS8943G – 6782
Xplorer X7-8500
Dell Studio XPS 1640
If you are a gamer who is really passionate about your gaming needs then the laptops mentioned above can definitely put a whole new meaning into your alternative reality. Stay on top of your game and be incessantly updated with the best, hottest and most wanted gaming laptops in the industry. There’s nothing more competitive than playing in a fast and high graphic gaming laptop.
How To Choose The Very Best Hdtv For Your Ps3, Xbox 360 Or Wii Game Consoles
Uninformed consumers anticipate that every digital Television will offer a clearer and sharper image in comparison with their analogue counterparts. This expectation has also prolonged to their favourite gaming console. While some higher definition tv manufacturers and designs will meet this expectation, other people can disappoint gamers who are searching for that fantastic gaming experience.
Producers of Higher Definition Tv (HDTV) sets provide elaborate specifications about their models as part of the advertising and marketing campaigns. However, most customers do not totally understand what these specifications really mean and why they’re essential in generating their decision on which HDTV to buy for gaming purposes.
The primary thing to understand is that higher definition Tv was designed for broadcast television viewing and never for gaming consoles. Gaming console makers are constantly adapting or redesigning their gaming consoles to match the requirements set down for higher definition digital broadcasting and displays. Some of the greater priced HDTV brands offer direct gaming console modes which are matched for popular gaming consoles.
This article provides a short schooling around the 5 crucial elements to think about when searching for a HDTV for playing video video games. This may help you to make an informed choice with out the confusion that surrounds gaming with the Sony Play Station three (PS3), Microsoft XBox 360, or even the Nintendo Wii.
1. Larger HDTV Screen Measurements Are Much better For Gaming
The larger the display, the easier it will be to see the particulars in the graphics used within the video games. Video games appear to become more realistic with bigger screens. If your HDTV display isn’t large sufficient, then you might see a black strip in the top and bottom or sides with the picture to make the sport match within the display. Consider HDTV screens which are greater than 24inches (60cm) in size.
two. LCD Screens Are Better Than Plasma For Gaming
Plasma HDTV screens can endure from “image burn-in” from continuously enjoying the exact same video clip video games. Picture burn-in happens when static pictures are left displayed on a plasma display for extremely lengthy periods. This will be the case with some video games that do not possess a changing backgrounds. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) HDTV screens like those utilized for pc monitors, don’t endure from burn-in issues.
3. Greater Scanning Resolutions Are Much better For Gaming
Makers of Hd Television use two various scanning mechanisms to create an image on the HDTV display. One mechanism is definitely an “interlaced raster scan” and the other is a “progressive scan”. A progressive scan will show all of the horizontal lines that make up every image frame in sequence. Compared to an interlaced scan, all of the odd horizontal lines are shown initial after which alternately the even horizontal lines of the picture changing back to the odd lines in fast succession.
A standard definition Television (SDTV) uses 525 (US NTSC) or 625 (Europe PAL) horizontal lines and it is also referred to as “480i resolution” for US NTSC and “576i resolution” for PAL exactly where the “i” stands for interlaced raster scanning. Interlaced video clip creates an irritating flicker that blurs the detail of video clip pictures. The flicker may be reduced with special filtering called anti-aliasing but this tends to reduce the clarity with the image. High definition Tv is shown utilizing 720i and even 1080i resolutions.
Progressive scanning produces crisper and sharper pictures with no flickering compared to interlaced scanning for that exact same picture frame rate. Higher definition photos are proven using both 720p, 1080p, 1440p or 2160p resolutions exactly where the “p” stands for progressive scanning. HDTV with progressive scanning is generally more costly than the decrease resolution HDTV designs. A common LCD computer keep track of resolution will start at 720p and might support higher resolutions.
4. Greater Refresh Rates Are Better For Gaming
Image frame refresh rate is a measure (in Hertz or Hz) of how many times per 2nd every picture frame is refreshed on a video clip display. Usually, the greater the refresh fee, the quicker the display can respond to changing pixel colours therefore reducing, and in some cases getting rid of, picture blurring and judder when viewing quick shifting action scenes like reside football.
LCD screens that have a higher response time (in milliseconds or ms) are frequently unsuitable for enjoying quick paced pc games. A response time of much less than 15ms is considered to be adequate for many video clip gaming given the human eye can not perceive changes faster than about 10ms. Brand name LCD HDTV producers are producing designs with 120Hz refresh prices and 4ms pixel response prices which is adequate for gaming consoles.
5. HDTV With Game Mode Is Better For Gaming
Much more lately, some HDTV makers have recognised that customers also want to use their high definition televisions to play fast-action online and console video games. This has lead to the development of a “games mode” to provide you with an instant reaction with the game controller. The principle behind the sport mode is to optimize the response time and also the picture high quality of the Tv to be carefully matched with the higher resolution 1080p capable video clip game consoles like the PS3 to provide the gamer more realism.
What You should Know Concerning the Well-liked Gaming Consoles
The Nintendo Wii only offers support for up to 480p resolution which means you do not require a HDTV for using this gaming console. The XBox 360 gaming console supports 720p and 1080i resolutions so it can be utilized having a Hd Television. The PS3 supports 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p resolutions generating it a versatile gaming console that may be used having a broader selection of higher definition Television display resolutions.
Recommendations
When shopping for a HDTV for gaming consoles, search for at least a 24inch (60cm) LCD screen that supports 720p and 1080p, provide a minimum of a 100Hz refresh fee and has a game mode. As with all technologies, you basically get what you pay for. But offered that high definition digital sets are continuing to arrive down in cost, it is really worth searching at HDTV designs that can also assistance gaming consoles such as the PS3 and the XBox 360. Make certain you alter the settings on both your HDTV set as well as your gaming console to support High definition resolutions to experience the best these technologies need to offer.
Are Lcd Or Led Tvs Better For Gaming
When it comes to gaming through your TV rather than your PC, user expectations of sound and picture quality are higher than ever before and manufacturers of LCD and LED TVs are aware that they must deliver on both of these things if they are to be the number one choice in such a competitive market; so which type of television is better for gaming, LCD or LED?
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) TVs are crystal clear thanks to their high resolution and those models which use an analogue input can be adjusted to the correct pixilation for the game you are playing or the DVD or Blu-Ray player which you are connecting to and playing films through. The high intensity of light produced using this technology makes for particularly bright images, which are effective in all light conditions but really come into their own in brightly lit rooms, a condition which can wash out images on standard CRT televisions.
As well as being brighter than CRT TVs, LCD TVs and LED TVs are both easier to watch and reduce the instances of eyestrain and resulting headaches thanks to screens that dont flicker. Choosing a quality television, such as a Samsung LCD TV, means that you will be able to watch television from almost anywhere in your room, as the screen can be viewed at up to a 160 degree angle, or 80 degrees either way from the centre point of the screen.
LED TVs are reliant on the LCD TV technology; LCD TVs are now available with LED backlighting which makes for an even clearer and crisper image as well as better blacks, which in turn mean better overall contrast. LCD TVs used to bow to the Plasma TVs superior viewing angle, but these days high quality models are virtually comparable and no longer present a barrier to purchase either for gaming or viewing purposes.
Samsung LED TVs have been hailed as some of the best affordable LED TVs on the market at the moment, with a better HD (High Definition) picture than many in the same price bracket, a better range of blacks and therefore better contrast and finally, better picture quality at acute viewing angles. When it comes to gaming, you want a large screen and viewing range, good quality sound output and high definition picture, high contrast between blacks and colours and a bright screen that allows for a good quality image in both bright lit rooms and dark rooms. LED TVs are probably on a par with LCD TVs for all of these requirements except one; a good quality LED TV will likely surpass a standard LCD TV in terms of brightness of image thanks to the hundreds of LEDs used to backlight the screen.
Custom Gaming Laptops – Five Things You Must Consider When Building a Gaming Laptop
Gone are the days when you would have been laughed at if you walked into an all-night LAN party carrying your trusty laptop and expecting to hang with the giant computer towers standing at everyones feet. The gaming laptop computers of today sport huge, crisp LCD screens, cutting-edge video cards and full-size keyboards. Not only can these gaming laptop computers hang with the standard clunky computer tower, but they can also be ordered fully custom to meet the exact specifications of any gamer.
Since there are so many customizable components in these laptops, a standard practice has been to create what some call a “system builder.” This is the page where you get to add and subtract components through drop-down menus in order to create the best gaming laptop computer for your needs and your budget. This type of page can be overwhelming to someone just starting the gaming laptop shopping process, but it is very manageable if you take it just one component at a time.
The Gaming Laptop GPU
This is the heart of a gaming laptop computer. The GPU (graphics processing unit) is a component that will make or break your gaming experience. If your GPU isnt up to snuff, your games wont play.
Without getting into specific models since they change all the time, the key is that the graphics card not share resources with the computer. A gaming laptop video card must have its own memory on board. Generally speaking, standard off-the-shelf laptops will not have this feature. The two current makers of laptop video cards are nVIDIA and ATI.
Without the Screen, You Dont Have Much
What good is a gaming laptop without a screen that can actually render your games? Now certainly, you can connect an external monitor, but if you cant actually play on your gaming laptop without that external monitor, then your laptop isnt all that mobile.
While the technology and terminology for LCDs (liquid crystal displays) could take up an entire article in itself, there are a few key points to keep in mind when choosing from available LCD options for your new gaming laptop computer: native resolution, aspect ratio, rise and fall time, contrast, viewing angle, and size.
Native Resolution. The native resolution is simply the setting at which your screen will render the clearest images. Since games are constantly in motion, slightly soft edges may not bother most gamers, but keep in mind that while this is your gaming laptop, you will likely also use it for other things like surfing the Internet. If the resolution isnt comfortable, you arent going to enjoy using it.
Aspect Ratio. As you probably know, a movie theater screen and a TV screen have different proportions. Likewise, there are widescreen format gaming laptops and there are laptops that have a standard aspect ratio – like that of a TV. A widescreen format gaming laptop (a 16:10 ratio) has advantages and disadvantages. Many games today do not have a widescreen mode. This means that the game may stretch across the screen and become distorted or you may run it with black bars that fill in the sides. There are ways to get around this, but if you want an out of the box perfect experience, the widescreen format may not be for you.