Using 1080P tv's vs 1080p Monitors

Abz Hussain · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:29

for surround/eyefinity.

Is it not possisble to just set up say 3 or 5 23 or 24 inch tvs and use them instead. What advantage do monitors provide for the CASUAL gamer?

currob · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:34

I did this with 3 x 42" TV's and the cons are: larger bezels than with monitors, less clarity for text (word/excel etc..) and lower refresh rates so moving images not as sharp. Otherwise it's a cheap way of getting a very large eyefinity setup.

DoneADougalOnSofa · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:36

Generally, TVs contain tuners, multiple source inputs and other processing circuitry, as well as speakers.
For a given price, a dedicated monitor will most likely have a better quality panel than a TV, and be tuned for a closer viewing position. TVs (even HD ones) can look a bit pixelly at the two-to-three foot range, monitors generally look a lot sharper close up.

spoffle · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:37

Generally monitors are cheaper than TVs of the equivalent size and resolution anyway.

To benefit of using TVs would be that they are available in larger sizes for decent prices, though they are still only up to 1080p, if that doesn't bother you then the advantage of larger screens is a good one

Abz Hussain · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:45

Well tbh, im looking for a large set up for gaming only, i have a monitor that i would do all my normal day to day stuff on.
Im just looking at options for large screen gaming, whether thats 3 or 5 twenty something inch screens or a large 70+ projector screen.

Guest2 · 17 Mar 2013 at 16:55

spoffle said:
Generally monitors are cheaper than TVs of the equivalent size and resolution anyway.

To benefit of using TVs would be that they are available in larger sizes for decent prices, though they are still only up to 1080p, if that doesn't bother you then the advantage of larger screens is a good one

Since when are monitors cheaper than TVs of similar size? A 24" TV cost peanuts now, a monitor costs quite a bit more

TVs as you say are larger and cheaper... however quality compared to a monitor is naff. I bought a Samsung 32" TV a couple of years ago - It was about £500 but text was blurry, colours were over bright (like they normally are in TVs to try and make them look good to the masses) and games had loads of ghosting. Itwas good for watching films from 5 feet away but anything computer related or games were not good

I sold it and got a Hazro HZ27WC - http://www.trustedreviews.com/hazro-hz27wc_Monitor_review

No frills monitor with a great screen. Yes, the stand is terrible and it only has one dual DVI connection, but picture quality is fantastic and it has no horrible anti-glare coating

spoffle · 17 Mar 2013 at 19:14

Guest2 said:
Since when are monitors cheaper than TVs of similar size? A 24" TV cost peanuts now, a monitor costs quite a bit more

TVs as you say are larger and cheaper... however quality compared to a monitor is naff. I bought a Samsung 32" TV a couple of years ago - It was about £500 but text was blurry, colours were over bright (like they normally are in TVs to try and make them look good to the masses) and games had loads of ghosting. Itwas good for watching films from 5 feet away but anything computer related or games were not good

I sold it and got a Hazro HZ27WC - http://www.trustedreviews.com/hazro-hz27wc_Monitor_review

No frills monitor with a great screen. Yes, the stand is terrible and it only has one dual DVI connection, but picture quality is fantastic and it has no horrible anti-glare coating

I'm well aware of all that, I've got 3 monitors that are identical to the Hazro ones.

However, a bargain 24" 1080P TV will always be more expensive than a bargain 24" monitor, and the chances are the monitor will have the better panel.

TVs generally aren't as sharp because the pixels are significantly larger, this the image isn't as sharp, and as above cheaper TVs tend to use lesser quality panels too as they aren't intended to be used as closely as a computer monitor is.

Notice how I said same size and resolution, rather than just the same size? You'd be right if I was talking solely size.

OptimaLnrg · 17 Mar 2013 at 19:22

get a 50+inch tv and play your pc from the sofa?

surround / eyefinity is only worth it for racing games in my experience and they look great on a massive TV anyway

..baring in mind you said casual gamer

Grimezy · 18 Mar 2013 at 10:21

I used to game on my 32 inch Hitachi LCD which was brilliant for console gaming. PC gaming and browsing... not so much. Text was fuzzy on the desktop and gaming was a bit poo compared to consoles. First person shooters felt slow and I was really struggling to complete online. Probably due to the input lags and also just the size of it. I was sat about 6-7 feet away.

I swapped to a desk setup and was using a 7 year old Samsung Syncmaster 920n, 19 inch square monitor and wow was it great compared to my tv. Quality wasn't as good but text was clear as day and gaming was 10x better (could be due to desk setup rather than sofa setup).

In my opinion, you'll find 24inch monitors cheaper than 24 inch tv's and at the end of the day, monitors are designed with gaming and desktop use in mind, tv's are not. Response rates are much worse and even though you say you're only a casual gamer, it will still be important for you to give an overall better experience.