Is getting a LCD 1080 TV to use a computer monitor a good id : Othor Games

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:26 am

Something like this for example(Its $350 @ 32 inch):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889611019

Which is 5 inches larger and only $50 bucks more than this monitor(its $300 @ 27inch):

http://www.amazon.com/ViewSonic-2019s-VX2739WM-27-Inch-1920x1080-Monitor/dp/B003GBRXKU/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_cart_1

What am I missing here? Is the TV a good deal, or is there something I am not aware of that would make it not so hot compared to the smaller monitor?

My eyes will be 1-3 1/2 feet away and right now I am using a 22" @ 1600x1050 and have been for at least 3 years from about 1 1/2 feet away.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:21 pm

The larger the monitor/tv the more power it requires thus a larger electricity bill and more nasty carbon emissions to screw up the planet.

Also many LCDTV's emit a high pitched whining noise when on, wich will most likely give you a headache at such close proximity.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:43 am

The larger the monitor/tv the more power it requires thus a larger electricity bill and more nasty carbon emissions to screw up the planet.

Also many LCDTV's emit a high pitched whining noise when on, wich will most likely give you a headache at such close proximity.

Really? When I was at Walmart I got up real close to the tv(to imagine I was using it as a monitor) I did not notice any sound.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:56 pm

thats because it's up around 16kHz. It's not particularly audible, but after long periods of exposure can cause discomfort.

» Tue May 17, 2011 8:42 am

How far do you plan to sit?

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:46 pm

How far do you plan to sit?

I come move it around my desk from 1-3 1/2 feet away from my eyes.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:32 am

Then either of those screens are going to look terrible. 1920x1080 at 27" is absolutely horrible pixel density, and from a normal PC gaming distance it's just unnecessary. For 1920x1080 I wouldn't go above 24 inches. A bigger screen at the same resolution has absolutely no real value unless you need something you can see from further away.

» Tue May 17, 2011 5:42 am

Then either of those screens are going to look terrible. 1920x1080 at 27" is absolutely horrible pixel density, and from a normal PC gaming distance it's just unnecessary. For 1920x1080 I wouldn't go above 24 inches. A bigger screen at the same resolution has absolutely no real value unless you need something you can see from further away.

Exactly. HDTV above 30" are meant to be viewed at 5-6 feet away. The distance goes up as the screen size increases. 30" screen rarely make good computer screen even those with high resolution, as you will experience tunnel vision.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:22 pm

I'd have to disagree about the picture quality. The PPI might be terrible on paper, but to my eyes I haven't been able to tell much of a difference between my old 21.5" 1080p ASUS monitor and current 32" Sony HDTV, even at ~3 feet. Unless space becomes a concern or something like a high resolution IPS panel comes into the picture then I don't plan on ever going back to a normal monitor.

Of course, I generally sit about 6 feet away and I wouldn't think about trying to use such a large screen as close as you intend to, so I'd stick with a smaller monitor if I were you.

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:15 am

I'd have to disagree about the picture quality. The PPI might be terrible on paper, but to my eyes I haven't been able to tell much of a difference between my old 21.5" 1080p ASUS monitor and current 32" Sony HDTV, even at ~3 feet. Unless space becomes a concern or something like a high resolution IPS panel comes into the picture then I don't plan on ever going back to a normal monitor.

Of course, I generally sit about 6 feet away and I wouldn't think about trying to use such a large screen as close as you intend to, so I'd stick with a smaller monitor if I were you.

Pretty much this.
I've got a 32 inch Sony Bravia, but I use 720p rather than 1080p because it makes text and things more readable to me.
As for the sound, what is this, the 70's? I've never heard anyone say that before and I used to work in a shop selling TVs, plus, if you're using your PC then the fans will drown out the sound anyway.

But I have no problems using it at normal PC distances, in fact I can't really stand going back to regular sized monitors anymore.

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:44 am

I'd have to disagree about the picture quality. The PPI might be terrible on paper, but to my eyes I haven't been able to tell much of a difference between my old 21.5" 1080p ASUS monitor and current 32" Sony HDTV, even at ~3 feet. Unless space becomes a concern or something like a high resolution IPS panel comes into the picture then I don't plan on ever going back to a normal monitor.

Then you're very much in the minority. Most people can clearly tell the difference between the bad pixel density above 24", and I can personally see it at 23" very easily. It looks bad. Happy for you that you aren't affected by it.

» Tue May 17, 2011 2:13 am

Then you're very much in the minority. Most people can clearly tell the difference between the bad pixel density above 24", and I can personally see it at 23" very easily. It looks bad. Happy for you that you aren't affected by it.

I'd disagree with this.

I work in retail and often sell 32" or above TVs to customer as monitors because they think they're awesome value for money in terms of dollars per inch and I've never had one complain about the quality of it. They can't notice the difference between a high resolution monitor and a big TV that's just 1080p, that, or the difference to them is so minuscule that they just don't care.

People on a gaming forum that live and breathe technology =/= the rest of the consumer world which is by far the majority.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:26 pm

As a computer monitor, no. Even at a moderately close distance the image will look horrible. A 20 - 24 inch monitor should work just fine, and will probably save you a bit too.

» Tue May 17, 2011 3:07 pm

With that kind of size, sitting close is bad for the eyes as well.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:00 pm

With that kind of size, sitting close is bad for the eyes as well.

That's a myth.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:27 am

That's a myth.

Why's that? Its called eye strain...

» Tue May 17, 2011 11:54 am

(...)
What am I missing here? Is the TV a good deal, or is there something I am not aware of that would make it not so hot compared to the smaller monitor?

I wouldn't recommend it. Try it in a store. Stand 3ft before the screen and look at it.
Do you have to move your head far to get to the borders of the screen? Yes? Then its too big.
I have a 24'' LCD and when playing strategy games its quite difficult to see everything on the screen at once. I sit appr. 1m in front of it, thats about 3ft.
So a larger screen won't give you any benefits in gaming, when sitting so close before it.

thats because it's up around 16kHz. It's not particularly audible, but after long periods of exposure can cause discomfort.

That may happen with the very cheap ones. Thats most likely the power supply.
But it shouldn't happen nowadays. (And neither of my LCDs are making those sounds).

That's a myth.

True.

» Tue May 17, 2011 4:03 pm

Why's that? Its called eye strain...

You get eye strain from looking at one place for too long, or from a screen with a low refresh rate. A large monitor isn't bad for your eyes, and won't strain your eyes any more than any other monitor.

» Tue May 17, 2011 5:59 am

Then you're very much in the minority. Most people can clearly tell the difference between the bad pixel density above 24", and I can personally see it at 23" very easily. It looks bad. Happy for you that you aren't affected by it.

When at Walmart I noticed no issues up close with the screen, I am use to 1600 x 1050 on a 22 inch screen. So that could be the reason.

@Walex, I was thinking that could be an issue, when at Walmart, I did have to look around a bit, which would not be cool, unfortunately they did not have a 27inch for me to compare to, the closet was a 720 tv that was only 26inch. Hhmmmm. I am now leaning towards the monitor again as whats the point of the big screen if I cant see it all because I am too close hmmm, I think I will go over to my moms house and check out her 32inch(its 720 probably, but I will get a feel for the size of better than Wal mart),

» Tue May 17, 2011 12:25 pm

Went to moms, and found out she had both a 32" and a 26" which made it very easy to compare. I now think I will go with the 27". Hmmm.

» Tue May 17, 2011 7:45 am

You get eye strain from looking at one place for too long, or from a screen with a low refresh rate. A large monitor isn't bad for your eyes, and won't strain your eyes any more than any other monitor.

Because of the pixel density you will have a harder time focusing in on the picture. HDTVs tend to be blurry, and this definitely will strain your eyes more than if you were siting at a more respectable distance. Go stand about 6 inches away from your HDTV and tell me when you cannot stand it...

» Tue May 17, 2011 6:03 am

Because of the pixel density you will have a harder time focusing in on the picture. HDTVs tend to be blurry, and this definitely will strain your eyes more than if you were siting at a more respectable distance. Go stand about 6 inches away from your HDTV and tell me when you cannot stand it...

I'm still sitting right in front of my screen I mentioned earlier, no problems.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:03 pm

The larger the monitor/tv the more power it requires thus a larger electricity bill and more nasty carbon emissions to screw up the planet.

Oh come on now, carbon emissions, are you serious? You do know how big the Internet is correct? You do know how many millions and millions of Computers are sitting Idle because no one is visiting thier web sites, but the computers have to be left on, just in case someone is going to drop by. All those millions and millions of computer sitting idle is screwing up the planet more than a lager TV. :brokencomputer:

» Tue May 17, 2011 9:27 am

I use a 40" 1080p LCD 240hz Sony Bravia for a second monitor, I use my laptop screen for doing normal stuff but play videos and games on the TV screen. I sit about 6 feet from the screen and most of the time the letters are really hard to see, so at that distance I suggest something in the mid 20"s. However You could just use your normal monitor and then have a TV in tandem with it like I do, just drag what you want on the big TV off the screen and it shows up on the TV, really handy for multitasking. Can have blender running on the TV and the forums on the laptop.

» Tue May 17, 2011 1:01 am

I got the 27", its great, been using it for a few days now. Plus with my new 2.1 speakers and logitech mx518 I got, my pc set up is much improved. Loving that sub-woofer, cant believe I used those bad speakers they give you for free with a pc for so long, things sound so better now.