Using MBP with LCD HDTV

So I've been looking at getting a new LCD HDTV. Someone said that I needed to get a minimum of a 42'' and also at least 1080p resolution. I was going to hook this all up using the HDMI out into a DVI in the TV.
Is this true? What are your set ups? I'm pretty anxious. I want to use this for movies but also possibly as an external monitor (I know a little ridiculous, but not all the time). Let me know guys! Thanks.

It is easier than you think. First, get a TV with at least 2 HDMI ports. You may wish to connect the other to a HDTV DVR (cable or satellite) or even an HD-DVD/BluRay player.
Next, measure the distance. This is critical. 1080p has TWICE as much bandwidth used as a 1080i signal.
Now, open a new tab in your browser (Apple+T) and go to my favorite cable guys www.bluejeanscable.com I say they are my favorite as they were courteous and honest. Alan Denke, the proprietor of the business, answered truthfully when I asked if his cheapest line of DVI-HDMI cables, the Tartan series, would make it at 50 feet. He asked what kind of hardware I was connecting. I told him, "Well, a brand new 47-inch Vizio with 1080p native support, and a 2.4GHz MacBook Pro." It was then that he said the display didn't really matter, but the source did. And he said the MBP would work just fine.
Cable arrived here from Oregon in one business day, though I didn't pay anything extra for it. Just plain old Priority Mail.
It was then I learned I needed about 30 feet, rather than 50. Remember the step up there where it says ,"Measure?" Yeah, I guesstimated. I kept the cable though, thinking that some day I might use the computer in the kitchen or something.
Now, you'll need to get appropriate playback software. Quicktime just doesn't do .ts (transport stream) files, nor does it do .mkv (Matroska Video Codek) files. It ought to, but it won't. So, no Front Row for HD playback at 1080i. There is hope on the Open Source horizon, though. Go off and open another tab to direct yourself to www.videolan.org
The latest release even has support for the Apple Remote!
Getting audio to your setup is a slightly different thing, but can be done with parts from (ugh) radio shag. For analog audio (which is fine for me as my system don't do any better with digital input), just get a 1/8" STEREO (will have 3 conductors [or two 'rings']) to dual RCA out. They usually have 3 and 6 foot versions of this cable. To extend, you've got 3 options: 8', 16' or 20' male to female 1/8" stereo.
Hope this info helped. If you haven't bought your lcd tv yet, take a look at Vizio. I believe them to be the best bang for the buck out there.
Doctor V

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Message was edited by: seventy one

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Okay called Apple  and we had a talk and it wasn't
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Using MBP with LCD HDTV

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