Monitor Advice - PS4 & Media PC

Biggler · 31 Mar 2016 at 11:36

Hi everyone! I'm after some advice...

I'm looking for a gaming monitor. It will used with a PS4 and a PC acting as a media centre.

24" / 1080P / matte screen is preferred but if there's bigger for similar prices then I'd like to know about it

I'd like the monitor to have audio out so the audio from HDMI sources can be sent to external speakers, are there any monitors that even do this? :confused:

Thanks for your help.

yashiro · 31 Mar 2016 at 16:46

If it's for PS4 and watching films why not just get a large TV?

Biggler · 31 Mar 2016 at 20:02

yashiro said:
If it's for PS4 and watching films why not just get a large TV?

I thought monitors were better for gaming? And I'd rather do without a TV tuner that I'll never use

I've found the Asus VN247H which seems to fit the bill. Are there any TVs that are as good/better for gaming that that?

pmc25 · 31 Mar 2016 at 20:56

Get something 120hz capable. PS4.5 (if you get it in future) will definitely be able to output at it at 1080p.

aatu · 31 Mar 2016 at 23:47

@Biggler, with regards to audio out:

Many TV's will have that in the form of optical SPDIF and the regular 3.5mm analog audio out (Line out / Headphones). But most importantly, almost all TVs nowadays are compatible with HDMI ARC, which makes audio out easier to accomplish (assuming your audio amplifier/receiver supports it).

But for monitors, especially the SPDIF might be quite rare. And I haven't heard of a monitor with ARC compatibility, either. I think some of the monitors have the 3.5mm connection, though. You just have to make sure whether there's one for OUTPUT, or whether it's only for INPUT.

Monitors are indeed better for *PC* gaming (especially for FPS genre). But for consoles, they might not bring that much extra. Furthermore, you should definitely NOT buy a TN panel. When playing with consoles, with a gamepad (especially wireless), the speed is not lost on the monitor side.

So, go for IPS or VA for better viewing angles and image quality. Even moreso when the other usage scenario is as a Media PC. If going for a TV, then check the reviews first. Don't take anything with an input lag over 25ms. Check these sites for reference:
http://www.hdtvtest.co.uk/news/input-lag
http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/by-usage/video-gaming/best?uxtv=97b6

@pmc25:
I thought the reported higher refresh rates on the PS4.5 (I heard it might be called "PS4K") were only for their VR kit? Or did they confirm that 90Hz/120Hz would be for regular 2D games, as well?

Biggler · 4 Apr 2016 at 09:09

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I didn't realise it but my current monitor, a Dell U2414H, has audio out so I will try making this set up with that to see if it works and is adequate.

If it is I could replace it with a monitor solely used for PC gaming. I'm sure there's hundreds of threads here with advice for that so I will take a look through those and return with questions if needed.

Thanks again.