Choosing a TV help.

[David_VI]

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

 

[David_VI]

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.

 

[David_VI]

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?

 

[David_VI]

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.