VIDEO GAMING AND COMPUTER TIPS

DVDs aren't the only non-TV content that's likely to be shown on the tube. Here are a few other pointers on what to look for in a television that'll do multimedia duty.

Game consoles

The sweet graphics of the Xbox, the PlayStation, and the GameCube can take full advantage of high-end televisions, but even inexpensive sets do best with a few added features in the mix.

• Front-panel inputs. A set of A/V inputs on the front or side panel of a TV makes hooking up and disconnecting a game console--or a camcorder--much easier.
  
  
• Picture preset. Many TVs come with picture presets that affect the contrast, brightness, and other controls. Some presets crank those values sky-high to provide a more intense picture. If you like that bright image, check out sets with Game, Vivid, or Sports presets.
  
  
• S-Video inputs. Console graphics look best through better connections, so you should at least your hook up your game system via an S-Video connection instead of the standard composite-video cable that ships with the system.
  
  
• Component-video inputs. For the ultimate in gaming video quality, step up to a TV with component-video inputs. Whether you choose S-Video or component, you'll usually have to buy a special adapter and cables that run between $10 and $60. Some of these adapters also include connections for digital sound, but you'll need a home-theater system or a surround-sound setup with an optical digital connection and support for Dolby Digital sound to take advantage of the superior sonics.
  
  
• Burn-in. Some high-end TVs, namely plasma and CRT-based rear-projection sets, can become permanently scarred by very bright, stationary images that remain on the screen for a long time; think of a paused game or that constant score/life-bar/ammo-count graphic. However, we consider the danger of burn-in to be greatly exaggerated and plasmas and CRT-based RPTVs to be fine candidates for all but the heaviest gaming situations.
  
  

Computers

Today's televisions have plenty of connections and capabilities, and fixed-pixel displays usually make excellent computer monitors. If you want to use your TV as a big monitor for games, Web surfing, and other tasks, here are a few tips:

• Get S-Video at least. S-Video inputs will improve the look of the desktop on a TV, although it still won't look nearly as good as your standard monitor.
  
  
• 640x480 is the max. You won't get a higher resolution than 640x480 with most tube televisions. The exceptions are DLP and LCD-based rear-projection TVs and flat-panel LCD and plasma televisions, which often display computer images at higher resolutions.
  
  
• VGA input = computer-friendly. Speaking of high-end TVs, if you're serious about using your set as a big monitor for standard software, look for a VGA-style RGB input, just like the kind your computer monitor uses (see Inputs and outputs for more). Digital DVI inputs are even better, and often you can use a TV's HDMI input with a special adapter and maybe a little tweaking to display images from your computer's DVI output.