HDTV as Computer Monitor

[Eanen]

I have my Samsung 46" LCD TV hooked up as a computer monitor in 1920 x 1080 resolution with a DVI-HDMI cable.

The text on everything is absolutely tiny. I know that's a function of resolution, but is there any way to increase text size on everything (windows, video games) without modifying the overall resolution? I'd rather not sit 3' from my TV to read what's going on, and lower resolutions look pretty horrid graphics' wise.

Some games have options to increase text size -- but it'll only increase it in the chat window for example, not everywhere else. So, I still can't read what the hell is on the screen.

[Cream Soda]

Whats your tv screen's hertz set at?

[Isiolia]

The text on everything is absolutely tiny. I know that's a function of resolution, but is there any way to increase text size on everything (windows, video games) without modifying the overall resolution? I'd rather not sit 3' from my TV to read what's going on, and lower resolutions look pretty horrid graphics' wise.

Some games have options to increase text size -- but it'll only increase it in the chat window for example, not everywhere else. So, I still can't read what the hell is on the screen.

It's going to depend on the specific thing in question. Windows Vista or 7 have options to adjust the font DPI, which will fix the issue for most anything that's actually using Window GUI stuff to display. On 7 this may come up if you just go to the Display control panel, but you can also get to it via the Adjust Resolution section, it has a link to something like Make Screen Elements Bigger or something.

With stuff that doesn't, it'll depend on internal options.

[drglass4]

It's going to depend on the specific thing in question. Windows Vista or 7 have options to adjust the font DPI, which will fix the issue for most anything that's actually using Window GUI stuff to display. On 7 this may come up if you just go to the Display control panel, but you can also get to it via the Adjust Resolution section, it has a link to something like Make Screen Elements Bigger or something.

With stuff that doesn't, it'll depend on internal options.

Agreed. I usually go for the VGA port to fix this if im not on Win7. Love my 46" LED from Samsung though.... so gorgeous

[Takedown3]

in XP you can just go to your theme's section of the properties options from the desktop context menu (right click). once there you should be able to adjust every aspect of what you see. This should all be easily done with having to change your resolution.


edit: sorry not themes, appearance.

[Eanen]

Changing the font DPI worked the best for windows elements, you can change that to 200% of normal which makes things readable from a typical sitting distance from a TV.

But, that didn't help with Aion, the game I am trying to play through my TV. There's next-to-no adjustability to the User Interface there. It doesn't use the windows settings, so all the text remains tiny and unreadable from my sofa. That is rather frustrating.

[Isiolia]

Yeah, same problem with FFXI really.

[Mabubeezareel]

For Aion, you can adjust the size of the font in the chat window. Not at my home PC at the moment, but I believe there's a button in the upper left corner of the chat window that you should be able to click, which should then display an option for font size.

Aside from that, you'd probably be looking at running the game in a resolution that is less than the native resolution of your TV. Shoot for a resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio for the best results.