TV Used AS PC Monitor Keeps Turning Off

Edit: As usual I will tell the solution first: change Windows desktop resolution. Video players and games will have their own resolutions.

My current frustration (I need to bury this piece of crap Vizio VA370M in the back yard) is my TV if used as a PC monitor keep turning off. I can't keep it on long enough to even experiment with settings. All the standard settings to keep the PC from sleep on the monitor/machine side are correct so it needs to be a setting on the TV which I assume does not exist.

I have found no help on line, and will record any solution I find here.

Let's try Vizio chat. I will print the results to these questions:


Do any firmware updates exist for VA370M?

TV keeps turning off when hooked to PC even though PC sleep settings are off.

ROKU sound distortion over HDMI


 Christopher: Thank you for contacting VIZIO Live Chat, the home of Entertainment Freedom for All.  This is Christopher in South Dakota. Have you ever contacted us before?
 Me: no
 Me: I assume you have my questions?
 Christopher: no firmware is available for this model. try re adjusting the resolution settings.
 Me: adjusting on the TV?
 Christopher: no on  the pc, start at the lowest setting and work upward.
 Me: I will try. Do you have any idea about the Roku/WDTV sound distortion over HDMI? I have two other Vizio models that work fine.
 Christopher: do you have other cables to try?
 Me: I have tried different cables, swapped end for end, tried composite and all the standard ideas.
 Christopher: does this happen with the other tv's?
 Me: No the others work fine. I have tried different HDMI ports also.
 Christopher: How old is this model tv?
 Me: I don't know, maybe 3 years.
 Christopher: the hdmi ports may be going bad.
 Me: I have tried HDMI combined with composite for sound but that does not do it. Limited setting on both TV and ROKU side so don't know if they are smart enough to determine where the sound is originating.
 Christopher: Here is the number to our repair technicians they will give you a diagnosis.
 Me: I don't see a number?
 Christopher: VIZIO does have two partner companies who are certified to perform repairs on VIZIO TV's.  You can reach them at ITI- (888)248-2708 and HD Repair- (800) 713-2671.
 Me: Thanks. Have a great day.
 Christopher: Thank you for contacting VIZIO Chat Support!  If you need our assistance again in the future you can contact us by Chat, Email, and Phone service.  That information is found on www.vizio.com.  Have a great day!

So .... I will try lower resolution for the monitor shut down problem.
OK, setting the PC resolution lower "fixed" the monitor shut down. This vizio has some problems with 1920 res. I got to 1280x768 and it still worked. At least I can keep the monitor on to troubleshoot.

Still no help on the Roku ... maybe the HDMI ports on the Vizio are truly broken.

HTPC Do I Want One?

Check out http://www.remotecentral.com/index.html for remote info:

Of course I want an HTPC. In reality there is little difference between an HTPC and a regular PC except for placement and function. OK if you are picky, size, heat and noise counts and handling actual TV can be tricky.  I am marking this forum post and this for reference. It is the most complete information I have found so far. Some of the specs are already out of date but the ideas are valid. What holds me up right now is where to put the thing. My living room TV location defies adding any physical piece of equipment without wifely wrath.

I lean toward I3 or I5 and Z68. At least I can re-task it if the HTPC thing doesn't tweak my fancy. Remember to add $30 if motherboard has crappy Realtek NIC.

My first purchase was the little Lenovo remote keyboard which I acquired from Levono for $25. I just had to buy something and as long as Lenovo had it discounted, which they do from time to time, I grabbed it. I like it. Keys are small but anything beats scrolling/arrowing and clicking. If a bigger keyboard is desired then this may be a better option.

2012-11-26 I've been using a tower i'd built but now I'm ready to build one on the little guys. Here is a reference for now.

2013-03-10 For awhile now I just have an old computer tacked to the big screen. I've cut the cord and don't miss it. But I would like something other than a huge tower sitting there.


MD A4-3400 Llano 2.7GHz 44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106014 
ASRock A75M-ITX FM1 AMD A75 90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157273 
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 33
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145278 
Western Digital WD Green WD20EARX 2TB 105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136891 
APEX MI-008 Black Steel Mini-ITX Tower Computer Case 250W Power Supply 55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091 
SilverStone Sugo Series SG05B-USB3.0 107
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163207 
GELID Solutions FN-PX08-20 80mm Case cooler 9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835426010 
Xbox 360 Controllers 40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16874103205 
Logitech K400 40 (I have already and works great)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091

Apex case instructions
http://thebottleopener.net/2012/10/photos-of-the-new-htpc/ 

  45 cpu
  76 motherboard
  33 ram
105 hd
107 case
=366
If I used the Apex case it would be $311