Even if you don't know what 1:1 pixel mapping is, you probably think your TV supports it. If your TV does support this viewing mode, odds are it isn't on by default. 1:1 pixel mapping means your TV is capable of displaying the image sent to it pixel for pixel, without scaling or processing the video in any way. In other words, if your TV is fed 1920x1080p, then it displays 1920x1080p. Believe it or not usually your digital LCD, DLP or even Plasma takes the 1920x1080 image, shaves off a few lines and displays it. The reason isn't a good one, but it's 'cause TVs have had
overscan so long that when digital TVs came along they actually engineered overscan into the set. This is not the case at all on computer monitors, where even one missing line is noticed. So if you want to see if your TV is capable of showing you the whole picture, look it up in your manual for a "pc mode" or even "dot by dot", or just head over to the AVSForum for a comprehensive list of HDTVs that support this elusive feature.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andy @ Aug 20th 2007 6:21PM
I figured most people knew this by now. My TV supports full 1080p with 1:1 pixel mapping. I made sure of it before I bought it since I need to use it as a computer monitor. Yes, a 37" 1080p computer monitor. It's awesome.
anthony @ Aug 21st 2007 4:26PM
hey andy...this is exactly what i want to do: use a 37" (or maybe slightly larger) tv for a computer monitor. i'm glad it's working out for you. which tv do you have?
i'm a bit overwhelmed with all this hdtv shopping...
Tim @ Aug 20th 2007 6:25PM
Just Scan is a big one, too, with Samsungs being so popular.
Andy @ Aug 20th 2007 7:57PM
Also the reason for overscan on older TVs was because analog CRT TVs would display the image with an unexpected shift and magnification, so since the image was unexpectedly shifted and magnified, TV set manufacturers made the image display sightly larger so you wouldn't see the black bars on some programming. But with the invention of Digital TVs this is no longer needed because the TV can display the image pixel-for-pixel accurately. Unfortunately, most HDTVs are still equipped with overscan. I think in HDTV, if there is overscan, it should be no more than 4-8 pixels on, because some TV shows do appear to have distorted lines towards the edges (I've noticed this mainly with NBC HD broadcasts and almost all analog broadcasts)
John @ Aug 20th 2007 9:19PM
My Westinghouse 42" LCD is 1:1 but it's marketed as a monitor since it doesn't have a tuner. It's annoying on some networks because they still use overscan and I have to use the "Fill" function to cut it out.
chadow @ Aug 20th 2007 9:34PM
When I went searching for a 1080p TV a little over a year ago, I was surprised by how many didn't support 1:1 pixel mapping without overscanning. Westinghouse and HP were the only 2 I could find and tested back then that did it perfectly. I wound up with the HP 58 inch due to its incredible picture. I'm glad I looked into the 1:1 because it makes all the difference when you use it to display PC signals.
Galley @ Aug 21st 2007 9:35AM
Gateway 24" PC monitors feature 1:1 pixel mapping even though they are 16:10.
Spyvie @ Aug 21st 2007 11:49AM
My new Toshiba 42" HL167 supports 1:1 over HDMI very nicley, as does my old Samsung 32" over VGA.
The Toshiba has overscan adjustment in the picture menu.
Tmoney @ Aug 22nd 2007 7:11AM
I had no idea other TV's don't have 1:1. My 37" olevia that I got for $600 does it. How can more expensive TV's leave out this feature.