Using LCD Monitor as Television

You would need to get a tv tuner card as it has no tuner. Personally I don't like TV on the monitor as widescreen tv is 16:9 and monitors are 16:10 so either stretch or black bars.
 
It doesn't appear to have a builtin tuner so it won't "just work" as a TV. Is that what you meant?

It also won't have a SCART lead and doesn't say it has HDMI either - so no direct plugging in of a settop box or DVD player.

However you can easily get tuner cards for a PC and either just watch TV or there are several applications that will record and playback TV (as a PVR). eg: http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/0,39029471,49294100-3,00.htm

(That's what I do - see the 24" screen/bath thread ;) )

The main thing is that TN screens (which I think that one is) show colour variation when you vary the viewing angle.

So if you sit right in front of it (like a monitor) then a TN screen may not be the best. If you use it as a TV and view it from a few feet away on a sofa then you should be OK. On the other hand, if you move from one end of the sofa to the other then you may find the view changes.

If it's a PVA screen then it'll be fine (subject to getting a tuner).
 
I have this monitor its much better than others but you would need a digibox with vga/dvi out or a hdmi to dvi/vga converter, or use a PCI tuner.

This is something that I was thinking of doing so I could watch TV on this instead of my 14" portable. Most of the programs I watch are downloaded tbh and Ive just downloaded Heroes, House, Simpsons, Family Guy and American Dad and I will be watching them in a min in bed, its perfect for me.

Is this for a bedroom or main living room? because TV's generally have much higher contrast ratios & brightness which help deal with sunlight, but the main difference is viewing angle.
I got mine for £230 with next day delivery, its the one of the best things Ive brought, but like I said to use as a pure TV you'd need other stuff. Have a look at this one SM2032MW, it comes with a tuner but is smaller.

edit:
I got myself a SCART to VGA which means I can quickly switch between the Freeview box and the computer as my pc uses the DVI input
 
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