HDTV Forum

Well, I built desktop using 256 MB ATI Saphire video card and used HP PL4260N as display and still couldn't have great picture on TV. ATI card has 3 outputs: S-video, VGA and DVI. While using DVI to HDMI input couldn't use commands on TV to adjust picture and other features, using VGA to VGA allowed me to do some adjustment but still couldn't make picture look close to the one I could see on my laptop or watching HD TV channels.
From the answers you gave me I realized that HP PL4260N TV was not good option for browsing internet or watching movies from hard drive. Right now I am stuck with not too expensive but neither cheap TV.
My next question will be: In future, I'll build another desktop and I'll probably buy another HDTV but this time I don't want to make same mistake and, please advice me what will be best combination (video card : TV) for the picture without distortion and with full screen and great color?
All I want is to browse internet, watch movie from my hard drive, chat and watch my family and friends in full size trough Skype or Yahoo messenger from my comfortable recliner on big, big screen TV set.
Once again, thank you guys for helpful and quick answers.

just a quick reply: in terms of graphics, I would recommend an ATI card. They are know for image quality (where as nvidia is known for performance - possibly has better performance because of the lack/less video quality).

Here is some advertising:

The Radeon X1650 scores 123 out of a possible 130 points in HQV tests, the highest score of any graphics card4

The X1650 is the industry leader in its class in video performance according to HQV testing, the standard method of measuring the picture quality of DVD playback.

Avivo display technology guarantees sharpness, clarity, and realistic colour reproduction

Avivo uses proprietary video scaling technology to display crystal clear images on high resolution displays. Video images sent to your display will be hardware accelerated for superb viewing.

High-definition video never looked so good
The Radeon X1650 will prepare you for the burgeoning HD video revolution by turning your PC into a machine equipped to handle HD content from a variety of digital sources

The x1650 is a top runner so Im not really suggesting that you buy the biggest baddest most expensive card, but this was just an example in terms of their focus on image quality. Another note:

ISF Certification is awarded to industry leading products that have undergone strict testing to meet Image Science Research Labs high standard of graphic and multimedia quality.

ATI

in terms of creating a silent pc (you dont want a humming generator as your HTPC), you may want to look around at this site:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/

They have a ton of information in terms of creating silent pcs.