Choosing a TV help.

David_VI · 7 Feb 2015 at 03:02

I'm after a TV, 40 inch or thereabouts. Want to use with a media PC which i'll be building in future. At present I have an old slimline HP PC that has VGA, so it's either get a Tv that also has VGA and audio input or get a low profile GPU to add hdmi to the PC.

Around how much am I looking at for a decent TV that will be good for displaying a PC desktop and games/media on? Aswell as being used for general TV.
Do modern TVs still come with VGA/PC inputs?

Cheers
David

Groowie · 7 Feb 2015 at 09:07

I'm in the same market as you and from what I've seen (I'm buying one in a couple of months but I've started looking) it's best to aim towards TV that has HDMI (you can purchase new low profile GPU and be rid of it, after all you might change pc some time in future and don't wanna be held back on this), SMART if you're into that kind of things. Most of the (but not all) 40" and above come with some sort of 3D but you can opt for cheaper models (though it doesn't save a lot, but it's still cheaper) and go without 3D.

Richdog · 7 Feb 2015 at 09:09

Samsung Smart TV, check Amazon for the best reviewed one at the price-point you want.

Grimley · 7 Feb 2015 at 09:19

David_VI said:
Do modern TVs still come with VGA/PC inputs?

To my knowledge no, HDMI is the main method for connections these days. Input lag seems to be the most important feature for tellies when connecting to a PC, especially if you are using said PC for Gaming. Media PC duties less so.

I don't think you could do worse than buy a Samsung UE40H5500 or the model below it, the UE40H5000.

David_VI · 7 Feb 2015 at 14:56

I've just had negative experiences with HDMI. I use VGA on a little TV to make it a secondary monitor. If I use HDMI it's flickery and doesn't fit the screen, I suppose it's an old TV. I could put it down to that

The old Slimline HP I have is just until I can save up to build a media PC so can't really warrant spending much on a LP GPU for it.

What about the input lag and motion? could I stream/play games? or am I looking for a certain spec for that?
Will look into the Samsung ones.

lucid · 7 Feb 2015 at 15:19

David_VI said:
I've just had negative experiences with HDMI. I use VGA on a little TV to make it a secondary monitor. If I use HDMI it's flickery and doesn't fit the screen, I suppose it's an old TV. I could put it down to that

The old Slimline HP I have is just until I can save up to build a media PC so can't really warrant spending much on a LP GPU for it.

What about the input lag and motion? could I stream/play games? or am I looking for a certain spec for that?
Will look into the Samsung ones.

That's because HDMI requires a set of resolution and refresh data that isn't what you'd expect for a PC monitor.

With VGA, you always go for the monitor's native resolution and 60Hz minimum refresh. The HDMI input goes through the TV scaler, so even if you give the TV its native rate res the signal still gets scaled. Go for one of the HDTV resolutions instead; 720p or 1080p are usually safest. HDTV refresh rate timings are also slightly different to PC resolutions. HDTV will be 59.94Hz versus 60Hz for PC. That can create something of a problem though with some dual output graphics cards if they're not so happy dealing with two different res and refresh rates. Do check the manual though as some PC resolutions will be supported, but again not without the TV scaling the signal.

David_VI · 7 Feb 2015 at 17:18

Well you see, I've never bought a TV. I know little about them.

I recall an oldish Sony I had previously worked via HDMI but as we used it as a second monitor in the lounge the delay was too noticable so switched to VGA. The little (must be 19") bedroom tv I am using as a second monitor doesn't like HDMI from a PC no matter what i've tried. This is why i'm a bit skeptical about PC's and HDMI on TVs but I suppose things have moved on since then.

It's primarly going to be used with a PC. Streaming content/Steam from the other room so relaxed gaming is a priority. I don't have Sky so will only use the Freeview. I suppose imporant thing is will games look good and be responsive? Will only be playing casual/indie or third person types with Xbox pad.. FPS will be saved for the PC

I'm not sure its worth going Smart TV ? What do I gain with regards to the price increase?

lucid · 7 Feb 2015 at 20:05

Smart features themselves won't add much to the user experience that you don't already have when a PC is connected to the TV. What you are more likely to find is that Smart features come as part of the package with the sort of quality of TV that has a PC input mode to reduce lag.

Since you haven't given a budget then what I would suggest is you have a look at some of the reviews on HDTVTEST to draw up a shortlist. Also go to the manufacturers Web sites and download the user manuals for each serious contender. Have a read. You're looking for TVs that have Game or PC mode as a picture preset option. This switches off a lot of the crap responsible for the bulk of lag. While you are on there then check which resolution and refresh rates are supported for PC signals. Make sure your GPU is compatible.

David_VI · 8 Feb 2015 at 00:26

lucid said:
Smart features themselves won't add much to the user experience that you don't already have when a PC is connected to the TV. What you are more likely to find is that Smart features come as part of the package with the sort of quality of TV that has a PC input mode to reduce lag.

Since you haven't given a budget then what I would suggest is you have a look at some of the reviews on HDTVTEST to draw up a shortlist. Also go to the manufacturers Web sites and download the user manuals for each serious contender. Have a read. You're looking for TVs that have Game or PC mode as a picture preset option. This switches off a lot of the crap responsible for the bulk of lag. While you are on there then check which resolution and refresh rates are supported for PC signals. Make sure your GPU is compatible.

Good point about the budget, I really have no idea as I don't have the money to spend yet, its to be a saving goal.

What would be the average/min price range to get a TV that would work well with games/PC? I had around £300 in my mind but I have little idea.