Yes, I also use one for external preview and colour grading.

I have a tri monitor setup and elected to go with all three as HDtv's (1080p) since all my stuff is heading that way anyway.

The only thing I don't like about the setup is that the monitors aren't 'auto on' in the same way as a computer monitor is. You have to actively turn each monitor on.

I opened them all up and ran wire to each one of the power switches and then to a relay so that now at least I can press one button to turn them all on/off.

I use an HD TV set as my external monitor and it's excellent for colour correction and seeing how other FX (e.g. Levels, White Balance etc., etc,) affect the image. Thoroughly recommended.

Richard

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm off to shop for an HDTV.

SW: Before you buy, note that there are several types of LCD/LED TV's and monitors. The most common is the TN or Twisted Nematic, the easiest and cheapest way to make a flat panel display. They can look good but they have color reproduction issues as well as angle viewing limitations. If you are serious, the better choice is the IPS (In-Plane-Switching) display. These reproduce color better, do not have viewing angle issues and have fewer pixel deaths. The only issue is higher cost and availability but this is changing. You will be hard pressed to get one at a typical box store but you can easily order one online. I have two 26" units for editing and a 47" for large viewing - all Sony. Do your research and stick to the facts.

How would you separate the timeline view and full view on the big screen in Windows? All I seem to be able to do is have one or the other on both...

You have to go to PREFERENCES and assign your default external monitor (in the display options). Make sure the one you assign does not contain your timeline.

I think I'm right in saying that the link to the PC needs to be via HDMI. You can then transfer (click and drag) any window from Vegas to the TV screen --- I have my Preview on the HD TV.

Richard

Very timely thread! I've been thinking about this too for my desk at home.

Okay silly question. If connected via HDMI, does the computer or laptop "know" it is connecting to a TV versus a traditional monitor -- would the connection and basic display behavior be different?

Regards,

Kimberly

The whole thrust of this thread has been dealt with extensively several times. I did my best to search for the topic in the last year, and though I know IT is out there, couldn't find. Nor has the members who know best chimed in here.

So, I am very reluctant to comment about this except to Kimberly's pointed question.

For many years back to the 70's manufacturers like Sony have produced monitors and TV sets. The question gets asked time and time again. Aren't they the same thing?
The answer is NO, they are not, and there are several good reasons why. Those reasons are also evolving with the latest tech into LED screens as well, so the answer is NO - they are not the same.

You can use a good HDTV to do quality control of optical disk monitoring. I do. But using it on the VegasPro preview output is not the way to go - that is just going backwards in what the preview function is designed to do. And you will find a host of threads discussing that single topic here.

If you use the basic Vegas preview, yes. But use this extension set to 'TV' and you get exactly what you see. It's been one of my best 'finds' on this forum.
http://www.vegasvideo.de/extension-previewlevels-en.html

Agreed the offered extension is one of the best innovations above the basis SCS coding that has existed for years. However it was meant to overcome the handicap of the VegasPro default view connected to a true monitor, not an HDTV.

So here is the correct workflow - get your timeline ready with grading by comparing default with the extension TV preview to a regular high-end monitor. Burn your optical disc with video like Blu-ray or DVD set-top player connected to a HDTV for QA, or burn your disc with video file data like MP4 stream - then play this on a PC with an HDMI connection direct to an HDTV set for review. Note these last steps in QA bypass VegasPro altogether.

"Okay silly question. If connected via HDMI, does the computer or laptop "know" it is connecting to a TV versus a traditional monitor -- would the connection and basic display behavior be different?"

Yes... and no.
As far as video goes, no. Your machine sees a monitor as any other. In my case it's simply listed as 1080p monitor. It recognizes the resolution and refresh rate like any other monitor, but that's about it.

The audio however is different. Your video card picks up on the audio ability of the tv and lists it as an option on your audio output menu.

The video card had to be set to 720p in order to use my now defunct LG plasma TV as a monitor. If set it to 1080p, the borders were clipped. This led me to believe that the screen was actually smaller than the claimed 1920x1080 pixels. I presume the design rationale was that if the borders were going to be clipped for TV anyway, why provide the pixels?

I haven't heard that this is generally a problem, but be on the watch for it.