Max screen resolution is very small

[yanksrock528]

Im new to linux and just got linux mint running on a spare computer and i have it hooked up to an hd tv through an hdmi cable. My problem is i want to play games and watch tv using this computer so i want to have good resolution but the max that it says it will go is 800 x 600 which isnt even the right ratio for my 32 inch hd tv! is this something i can get around or fix using linux or is this a problem with the hdmi coming from my computer?