Question 55" 4K TV for use as monitor and TV

[HerrKaLeu]

I had to set up office in the living room for work to remote into my work PC (for the times my wife needs to use our office setup). So this won't be my main home office. Right now I have a standing desk with two 27" monitors and a tablet right next to our 55" HD TV that is powered by a separate PC.
My idea is to get a 55" 4K TV and just position the standing desk so it can be used as a TV. I would get rid of the HD TV. Sad, but HD resolution on 55" just isn't usable for close computer work. If this experiment fails, my only loss is that now i have a 55" TV that i didn't originally need, but could use. There is no scenario where I need to use that TV for work, while someone is watching something.

My type of computer use is just what an iGPU does. Office, CAD, bluebeam...no gaming, so no need for the fastest TV. Our actual home office has two 43" Dell monitors. But they were $700 each and it would be very unsightly to duplicate that setup in the living room.

So the TV needs to be good enough to use from close distance, but also needs to have good enough speakers to be used as a TV. I realize this is a bit of a compromise for computer use, but it is just for a a few hours a week and not for many hours in a row. For actual heavy

Are there specific features I should look for? My default would be to just get a low cost brand name (Samsung etc.) TV. They are under $400. but i have the feeling for sloe computer work i may want to look for specifics?

 

[Commodus]

I had to set up office in the living room for work to remote into my work PC (for the times my wife needs to use our office setup). So this won't be my main home office. Right now I have a standing desk with two 27" monitors and a tablet right next to our 55" HD TV that is powered by a separate PC.
My idea is to get a 55" 4K TV and just position the standing desk so it can be used as a TV. I would get rid of the HD TV. Sad, but HD resolution on 55" just isn't usable for close computer work. If this experiment fails, my only loss is that now i have a 55" TV that i didn't originally need, but could use. There is no scenario where I need to use that TV for work, while someone is watching something.

My type of computer use is just what an iGPU does. Office, CAD, bluebeam...no gaming, so no need for the fastest TV. Our actual home office has two 43" Dell monitors. But they were $700 each and it would be very unsightly to duplicate that setup in the living room.

So the TV needs to be good enough to use from close distance, but also needs to have good enough speakers to be used as a TV. I realize this is a bit of a compromise for computer use, but it is just for a a few hours a week and not for many hours in a row. For actual heavy

Are there specific features I should look for? My default would be to just get a low cost brand name (Samsung etc.) TV. They are under $400. but i have the feeling for sloe computer work i may want to look for specifics?

To start, Rtings has a good guide for TVs as PC monitors.

As a general rule, I'd lean toward LCD (LED in TV manufacturer speak) sets that can identify when a PC is connected and have low latency. And avoid OLED sets for productivity use! They're great for gaming and for general TV tasks (I know, I have one), but working with static content for hours at a time is a recipe for screen burn-in.

You'll probably be paying more than $400 if you want something that truly shines as a monitor, but you may still find solid examples in that price class.

 

[Raizinman]

I just installed a camera security system around out house (9 cameras). I purchased a 55 inch Samsung 4k TV at Walmart for $389. It comes with a 1 year warranty. I spent $39 more to purchase a 3 year warranty, because I know the TV will be on 24/7. So far after about 30 days everything works great. The point being: Get the extended warranty.

 

[HerrKaLeu]

To start, Rtings has a good guide for TVs as PC monitors.

As a general rule, I'd lean toward LCD (LED in TV manufacturer speak) sets that can identify when a PC is connected and have low latency. And avoid OLED sets for productivity use! They're great for gaming and for general TV tasks (I know, I have one), but working with static content for hours at a time is a recipe for screen burn-in.

You'll probably be paying more than $400 if you want something that truly shines as a monitor, but you may still find solid examples in that price class.

Thanks for the source. The problem with most "best" lists is they focus on gaming, which isn't what I do. I also have the sneaky suspicion they include paid advertisement. The recommended models in that article are at $1,600 for the 55" model and their cheaper alternative is a (to me) unknown brand. I'll look out for not getting OLED. I have a hard time seeing what type of LED is used, they are not really clear. For example this 58" TV doesn't make it clear (to me). Unless there is some code-word I'm missing. (Reason I'm looking at larger than 55"is i have a built-in TV nook that has a maximum size to hold a 60" TV and if i use it as a TV later, like to use the maximum size)

I just installed a camera security system around out house (9 cameras). I purchased a 55 inch Samsung 4k TV at Walmart for $389. It comes with a 1 year warranty. I spent $39 more to purchase a 3 year warranty, because I know the TV will be on 24/7. So far after about 30 days everything works great. The point being: Get the extended warranty.

In your 24/7 case the warranty may be warranted. IMHO for my use it isn't. I have old monitors and TVs that are totally obsolete (size/resolution) and i want them to die to have an excuse to buy a better one. I haven't experienced a single failure over all those years. At work (my employer has 2K computers) i see motherboard failures, and they replace the desktops every 4 years. The monitors, live forever. We still have 15"monitors that just never die. I rather use that money to save up for a new monitor. and the warranty company also counts on you not remembering there is a warranty, or losing the receipt, or just finds another excuse to not pay up. And they give you the same TV, which at the time may be obsolete. For example, we have a 47" TV with HD resolution. If it failed, i wouldn't even want it replaced, I Rather buy a new 58"/ 4K TV. After 3 years, the insurance premium probably could buy the same TV. Again, may be worth in your case... but for most people, the insurance company makes money.

 

[Commodus]

Thanks for the source. The problem with most "best" lists is they focus on gaming, which isn't what I do. I also have the sneaky suspicion they include paid advertisement. The recommended models in that article are at $1,600 for the 55" model and their cheaper alternative is a (to me) unknown brand. I'll look out for not getting OLED. I have a hard time seeing what type of LED is used, they are not really clear. For example this 58" TV doesn't make it clear (to me). Unless there is some code-word I'm missing. (Reason I'm looking at larger than 55"is i have a built-in TV nook that has a maximum size to hold a 60" TV and if i use it as a TV later, like to use the maximum size)

They're not paid ads -- Rtings makes a point of buying the sets itself and refusing to do sponsored pieces (there's a link to their approach near the start of the guide). Hisense and TCL are well-known, they just tend to skew toward lower-cost models.

A TV at a price like that 58-inch Samsung model is very likely going to be using edge LEDs. Direct LEDs (the ideal lighting for LCD sets) will generally cost more.

 

[HerrKaLeu]

They're not paid ads -- Rtings makes a point of buying the sets itself and refusing to do sponsored pieces (there's a link to their approach near the start of the guide). Hisense and TCL are well-known, they just tend to skew toward lower-cost models.

A TV at a price like that 58-inch Samsung model is very likely going to be using edge LEDs. Direct LEDs (the ideal lighting for LCD sets) will generally cost more.

Thanks for clarifying about Rtings. It seems to have a TV that is as good as a monitor, i would have to spend a lot of $. That kind of negates my idea of having one device. I may be better off, buying a monitor to be a monitor, and a cheap TV to be a TV.

I actually went through this thought experiment half a year ago when my employer allowed me to upgrade my 27" monitors. I researched the option to use a single 55" TV. but i saw an actual 55" 4K TV attached to a PC close up and wasn't totally happy (assuming it was a lower priced model). that same TV works really great as a TV, though.
so back then at work I ended up choosing two 43" 4K monitors and am happy with the choice.

Maybe my idea to get one inexpensive device to be good at two tasks is a fool's errand.

 

[Commodus]

Thanks for clarifying about Rtings. It seems to have a TV that is as good as a monitor, i would have to spend a lot of $. That kind of negates my idea of having one device. I may be better off, buying a monitor to be a monitor, and a cheap TV to be a TV.

I actually went through this thought experiment half a year ago when my employer allowed me to upgrade my 27" monitors. I researched the option to use a single 55" TV. but i saw an actual 55" 4K TV attached to a PC close up and wasn't totally happy (assuming it was a lower priced model). that same TV works really great as a TV, though.
so back then at work I ended up choosing two 43" 4K monitors and am happy with the choice.

Maybe my idea to get one inexpensive device to be good at two tasks is a fool's errand.

Welcome. It is difficult to find an inexpensive set that does both computing and general TV functions well, so don't worry -- it's something that requires research.

That and I suspect review sites will sour you on low-cost TVs for more than the basics. It's much easier to see just what the extra money gets you in terms of performance and features.

 

[mindless1]

You can find backlit TV sets cheap now. I just trashed a very low cost, for its time, Seiki that was backlit. Problem with it was, it had to be trashed, could not justify repair a 2nd time. This is where a better, major brand like Samsung has its benefits.

I would not worry much about whether the TV can identify a computer connection. Anything decent (and most not so great either) have a game mode that minimizes latency, but there are still substantial differences in latency at 4K from one model year to the next, from Samsung for example.

With no gaming or color-accuracy sensitive image or video editing, the PC monitor demands are very low so you might want to focus more on features fitting for TV use such as contrast and sound quality, but for computer monitor use, avoid any with the LG et al, faux-4K, RGBW panels. I don't have a contemporary list of those but any good review should indicate whether it is one.

My crystal ball cannot predict when your video sources will support 8K, but for most people it is not the same situation as moving from 1080p to 4K, making 1080p obsolete. 4K should have more staying power, beyond the typical lifespan of a budget TV anyway.

I'd hit some local B&M stores to get a first hand look at the image and sound quality. Sub-60", well everyone has their own transportation issues but that is small enough that if you get it home and it is unsuitable for computer use, one person can carry it, can fit in a personal vehicle so not a big burden to transport, so you can just return it if bought from some place with a local B&M to make that easier, or through Amazon Prime??

 

[Commodus]

I'd hit some local B&M stores to get a first hand look at the image and sound quality. Sub-60", well everyone has their own transportation issues but that is small enough that if you get it home and it is unsuitable for computer use, one person can carry it, can fit in a personal vehicle so not a big burden to transport, so you can just return it if bought from some place with a local B&M to make that easier, or through Amazon Prime??

The idea of comparison shopping at multiple retail stores during a pandemic is... frightening. Maybe read a whole bunch of reviews and arrange for delivery/pickup instead?

 

[mindless1]

^ Just go to stores that stock what you're considering, wear a mask, tell the salesperson to GTFO of your space.

Be mindful of anything you touch that someone else might have recently, like a manually operated store entrance door handle, or change if you pay in cash. People can't stay holed up forever, how would you even get an eventual vaccination or are they going to come door to door to administer it to the population, leave it on your porch, then you sanitize it and shoot yourself up?

I'd weigh more whether you're in a high risk group.

 

[Commodus]

^ Just go to stores that stock what you're considering, wear a mask, tell the salesperson to GTFO of your space.

Be mindful of anything you touch that someone else might have recently, like a manually operated store entrance door handle, or change if you pay in cash. People can't stay holed up forever, how would you even get an eventual vaccination or are they going to come door to door to administer it to the population?

Oh, not saying that you should avoid stores entirely, but visiting multiple retail locations when you really don't need to? That's probably more stress than it's worth, especially since stores will often mess with the image quality to make sets look good in a demo. Maybe visit one and then order online from whoever has the best deal.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Most of the higher end TVs you will see rated highly for your uses are VA panels, the lower priced options are likely going to be IPS- which is what you almost certainly want. Outside of OLED IPS panels have the best viewing angles which from the distances you are talking about is likely to be a rather important factor when using a 55"-60".

If you've seen sub par TVs set up as monitors they probably didn't support 4:4:4 4K 60Hz which you can get away with for typical TV use, but not for PC(things will look, hazy I guess you'd call it).

In your price range you aren't going to be getting an amazing display, but you can certainly get a decent one for your tasks if you are certain that's the way you want to go.

Also, what iGPU are you using? The 4:4:4 problem can be on both sides of the display equation.