Why not use a 100hz TV rather than an expensive 120hz "gaming" monitor?

jaybee

jaybee

jaybee

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Can someone explain the difference between a gaming monitor that supports 120hz and an LCD/LED/Plasma TV that does 100hz or even 200hz? Is it that the gaming monitor is 120hz "native" refresh rate, where as TVs do "tricks" to make the image 100hz via processing which supposedly causes input lag?

I just don't understand the price premium of a gaming 120hz monitor if you can get 100hz TVs now in 26-32 inch for about the same price, plus the TV will actually have a remote control and more inputs and better built in speakers etc.

Here's the dilema, my bro wants a single screen in the bedroom that will be able to hook up to a Virgin Media V+ box AND a PC so he can game on it. It needs to do 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution, but really needs to have a remote as well. He wants 120hz gaming monitor but can't see any that have remotes and 2 HDMI inputs. Surely buynig a nice 32 panasonic plasma (these are 100hz and have no input lag being plasma?) would be the best idea for all round screen for the bedroom? Or do you think 32 would be too big as a monitor?

Any advice or recommendations?
 
Panasonic also don't make a 32" Plasma.

Most TVs have input lag in the 30ms+ range (even Plasma), making them unsuitable for keyboard/mouse gaming. Some will have even higher input lag. This doesn't really matter if you use a console, since the controller provides a level of separation between user and screen (plus you're running at 30fps most of the time anyway).
 
100/200/600hz TV's are different from a 120hz monitor.

For a start, Tv's can't acce pt above 60 frames a second (above 60 hz) because they don't use dual link DVI or display port like monitors, they only use HDMI which hasn't got the bandwidth for above 60hz at 1080p.

100/200/600hz TVs aren't 'true' 100hz sect because they take the 60 frames and duplicate them so the image appears slightly smoother, it doesn't show you 100 seperate frames like a monitor can.
 
tv refresh rates are specced on the output (how many frames it can display), monitors are rated on the input (how many it can accept). That's the simpliest way of explaining it, really.

they only use HDMI which hasn't got the bandwidth for above 60hz at 1080p.
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1920x1080p120 would require roughly 20% less bandwidth than the 2560×1600p75 that hdmi 1.3+ does support (not to mention that, but even hdmi 1.1 supported 1920x1200p60 and hdmi 1.3+ has >twice the bandwidth of 1.1). 1920x1080p120 would also use less bandwidth than 4096x2160x24 (supported by hdmi 1.4) so it has more than enough bandwidth. I can only assume that it's a lack of format support from the hardware that uses HDMI, but it certainly isnt a bandwidth issue.
 
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james.miller said:
tv refresh rates are specced on the output (how many frames it can display), monitors are rated on the input (how many it can accept). That's the simpliest way of explaining it, really.



1920x1080p120 would require roughly 20% less bandwidth than the 2560×1600p75 that hdmi 1.3+ does support (not to mention that, but even hdmi 1.1 supported 1920x1200p60 and hdmi 1.3+ has >twice the bandwidth of 1.1). 1920x1080p120 would also use less bandwidth than 4096x2160x24 (supported by hdmi 1.4) so it has more than enough bandwidth. I can only assume that it's a lack of format support from the hardware that uses HDMI, but it certainly isnt a bandwidth issue.
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I meant HDMI in itself, not just the cable, the whole HDMI connection. For example HDMI doesn't have enough bandwidth for 120hz at 1080p on monitors.
 
james.miller said:
it's not bandwidth that is the issue...
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I know... its the pixel clock of the inputs/outputs themselves, like I said I wasnt talking about the cable but the HDMI connection, its much easier to describe to people who dont know by saying its bandwidth limited, because that all most people would understand unless you want to be a teacher and get in depth.
 
sadbuttrue said:
Panasonic also don't make a 32" Plasma.

Most TVs have input lag in the 30ms+ range (even Plasma), making them unsuitable for keyboard/mouse gaming. Some will have even higher input lag. This doesn't really matter if you use a console, since the controller provides a level of separation between user and screen (plus you're running at 30fps most of the time anyway).
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If this is the case, how come people game on consoles on big LCD/LED/Plasma TVs with games like COD without input lag issues?
 
jaybee said:
If this is the case, how come people game on consoles on big LCD/LED/Plasma TVs with games like COD without input lag issues?
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They are just used to the lag, whether its an issue or not is down to the person, but with a mouse/keyboard it is a real issue if your gaming because you can tell very easily how bad the lag is.

If your using a game controller you dont feel it as much because you not directly controlling the screen/game and just get use to the lag.
 
AndyPandyPie said:
I know... its the pixel clock of the inputs/outputs themselves, like I said I wasnt talking about the cable but the HDMI connection, its much easier to describe to people who dont know by saying its bandwidth limited, because that all most people would understand unless you want to be a teacher and get in depth.
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well, this is a hardware forum, we shouldnt have to over-simplyfy anything:p Saying it's a bandwidth issue infers that hdmi just isn't capable of it, which is as far from the truth as you can get :)
 
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james.miller said:
well, this is a hardware forum, we shouldnt have to over-simplyfy anything:p Saying it's a bandwidth issue infers that hdmi just isn't capable of it, which is as far from the truth as you can get :)
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Lol well, with the fact that Jaybee is asking the question he is, it appears he doesn't know allot about this sector, so I thought it would be an easy way of explaining it to him without it sounding like gobbledeegoop
 
Cool guys it's ok I get it totally now. Thanks. I think he should get a gaming monitor and seperate cheap TV for films and stuff. Or just live with having to get up and switch inputs and tv on and off and speakers for Virgin media stuff.
 
My sony sxrd rear projection has 2ms input lag (I get confused with all the terminology maybe it's refresh rate):confused:, gameplay is smooth but it is capped to 60hz when that silly motion flow technology is turned off. It's 1920X1080p and leaves some black borders around the edges as it's 55".

I prefer my monitor and desk gaming as it's more comfertable but gaming on a TV is fine.
 
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