Using LCD TV as a PC Monitor

Mister_Pister

Mister_Pister

Mister_Pister

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Buying a big lcd tv and connecting it to your pc seems to be far cheaper then buying an equally as big PC monitor but as a bit of a TV noob (I never watch it) I have a couple of questions...

1. Whyyyyyyy is it cheaper to do it this way?
2. Is DVI the only connector I can use to hook up the pc to the TV? I've heard my mate say I can use the HDMI socket or something to connect it up, but does that degrade quality?

thanks :)
 
Mister_Pister said:
Buying a big lcd tv and connecting it to your pc seems to be far cheaper then buying an equally as big PC monitor but as a bit of a TV noob (I never watch it) I have a couple of questions...

1. Whyyyyyyy is it cheaper to do it this way?
2. Is DVI the only connector I can use to hook up the pc to the TV? I've heard my mate say I can use the HDMI socket or something to connect it up, but does that degrade quality?

thanks :)
Click to expand...

a big LCD TV gives you a bigger picture but not normally a higher resolution. If you buy a 720p TV then your resolution is 1280 x 720 (for example)
 
The resolution on a TV is never going to match that of a monitor, one of the reasons that monitors are more expensive.

It depends what you're going to use it for. Extended desktop use will never be very satisfying on a TV due to the relatively poor resolution but paying games and watching films etc will be great on an LCD.

Most LCDs will either have a resolution of 1366x768 (720) or 1920x1080 (1080)

A DVI to HDMI cable is easily bought and will send the picture digitally (therefore perfect) or you can use a VGA cable for an analogue signal which will still give you a great picture.
 
Look at a 1080p screen, smallest as possible. You can use a 1080p screen as a monitor. A 1366x768 32" screen isn't suitable for Windows, it doesn't have enough desktop space, but 1080p gives you more room, although you can't buy a 1080p 32" screen.

I don't you need a 37"-40" for windows, a smaller screen will be fine, although the LCD TV will come in it's own for big screen gaming.

I have a 17" 4:3 1280x0124 , 20" 1580x1050 16:10 and 40" 1920x1080 screens btw.
 
hm interesting points. I have dual 17" monitors at the moment so id like to replace them with something that has about equal desktop space so im not losing anything in the transition.

Id use it for a mixture of games/films/general stuff really

another thing ive noticed, some screens are listed at 1080i but then give the res as 768, is this a dodgy marketing tactic of some kind?
 
Mister_Pister said:
another thing ive noticed, some screens are listed at 1080i but then give the res as 768, is this a dodgy marketing tactic of some kind?
Click to expand...

1080i is not the same as 1080p (sometimes referred to as "full" HD). 1080i uses same res as 720p.

A marketing tactic designed to confuse the average Saturday-afternoon Dixons buyer maybe but technically correct.

Look at this site to compare LCDs by features - http://www.zettavolt.co.uk/HDTV/All.html
 
I use a 720p screen, and at first it was great. Brilliant for watching films and gaming. But for desktop space, using net and just general windows stuff. Altough have an older crt for such stuff! ;)
 
chrismox said:
1080i is not the same as 1080p (sometimes referred to as "full" HD). 1080i uses same res as 720p.[/url]
Click to expand...

Can you explain this further? I don't see how 1080i is the same res as 720p. How exactly is 1080i displayed on a 720 screen anyway?
 
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