LCD TV as a computer Monitor

[milodesc]

Hey everyone -

Was wondering if anyone uses an LCD TV as their main computer monitor. I have an all-in-wonder video card (9800 Pro) and i'd like to hook it up to an LCD TV and use that as both a monitor and television.

Does anyone forsee any problems w/ this type of setup? would it be better to just get a bigger LCD monitor?

Does anyone out there have this type of setup or experience w/ this type of setup?

Does anyone have any specific recommendations for a tv around 26" - 32"?

Thanks for your input.

 

[rbV5]

I hooked my ViewSonic N2750w 27" LCD TV for a short while before I put it to use as my bedoom TV connected to cable TV and a DVD player. I found it was excellent hooked to the PC runnning Media Center, and much better than the current setup in the bedroom.

With a proper viewing distance, in native 720p, it works well all around for desktop, gaming(moderately decent rig to drive the native resolution for gaming) and media and I'm eagerly awaiting a HTPC in the bedroom to drive it again.

I'm sure there are other deent models, I paid ~ $750 shipped for mine, and it has decent connectivety with YPbPr and HDCP DVI. I used VGA and Catalyst drivers support it fine out of the box. Without a PC, I wouldn't recommend this display, but driven by a HTPC, I like it quite a bit.

 

[milodesc]

hmm... Thanks for the info rbV5, that is actually one of the LCDs I was considering so its good to hear your point of view.

Since I'm new to this i have a few ?s about what you said. you mention that i'd need a "moderately decent" rig to drive the native resolution for gaming. Can you give me a quick explaination why? Also, I'm running an AMD 3500+ processor w/ 1GB RAM. Would this qualify as "moderately decent"?

I also see some tvs out there w/ 1366x768 resolution. Do you think a tv like this would be better?
http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Samsung_..._26_LCD_TV,__7676888/search=samsung+26

Correct me if I'm wrong, but at the screen gets larger a greater resolution is necessary to supply a clear picture?

 

[rbV5]

Since I'm new to this i have a few ?s about what you said. you mention that i'd need a "moderately decent" rig to drive the native resolution for gaming. Can you give me a quick explaination why? Also, I'm running an AMD 3500+ processor w/ 1GB RAM. Would this qualify as "moderately decent"?

What I mean is that it will take some decent performance to have playable framerates in many games. I'd consider my own X800XL AMD64 3000+ 1GB ram as a "moderately decent" rig. I was wanting more performance in some titles, while most games play very well, I wouldn't want any less performance on some titles. I do have an AIW9700pro rig that I didn't try it out on, but handles some decent older titles with good framerates, I certainly wouln't be upset if I forced to use it on that one either.

One of the things you'll find is a lack of widescreen resolution support in games. Check out Widescreen gaming for a decent resource.

 

[Inappropriate4AT]

I'd always wondered if one of those 20" LCD TVs with an 800x600 native resolution would be good for gaming. They're probably not as sharp as a traditional PC LCD monitor, but it seems like it'd be a fine choice for somebody with a mid level graphics card that can't handle 1600x1200 or higher resolutions and doesn't want the picture to get stretched horribly.

 

[Toro 45]

I've seen a couple of 26-30LCD tv's set up as monitors at Best buy and Comp USA and was really impressed. Enough so to consider getting a set up like that for myself. The Desktop and web browsing was perfect.

rbV5, did you find that web browsing, text etc. looked sharp? I remember the old days hooking up my tv out to a tv, movies and gaming were ok but text was awfull.

 

[Fox5]

I use a LCD monitor as a TV, I got a Viewsonic N6 box for about $160, it supports HDTV resolutions and can hook up to any monitor to display TV, composite, svideo, or component video. (or vga)

Though you could always for for one of the Dell TV/monitors that work as both a TV and a monitor.

 

[CalamitySymphony]

I have a Dell W1900. It sucks as a monitor. There is noticeable mouse lag. Basically, can't use it for gaming. It also sucks with my PS2. Crazy lag here as well. I dunno WTF is wrong with this monitor, but the only thing I use it for is TV, and watching DVDs (hooked up from my laptop). The Sound quality is pretty decent though, so I use it as speakers as well (lol)

 

[dopefish21]

Originally posted by: rbV5
I hooked my ViewSonic N2750w 27" LCD TV for a short while before I put it to use as my bedoom TV connected to cable TV and a DVD player. I found it was excellent hooked to the PC runnning Media Center, and much better than the current setup in the bedroom.

With a proper viewing distance, in native 720p, it works well all around for desktop, gaming(moderately decent rig to drive the native resolution for gaming) and media and I'm eagerly awaiting a HTPC in the bedroom to drive it again.

I'm sure there are other deent models, I paid ~ $750 shipped for mine, and it has decent connectivety with YPbPr and HDCP DVI. I used VGA and Catalyst drivers support it fine out of the box. Without a PC, I wouldn't recommend this display, but driven by a HTPC, I like it quite a bit.

I use this exact same Viewsonic monitor as my main TV / Computer Display / Console gaming display. Paid about 600$ at costco !

1280 X 720 is absolutely perfect. No need to spend 500$ each half-year on a new video card, because it's a reasonable resolution.

I would recommend anytime ! Couldn't go back to a 20" display anytime !!!

 

[Toro 45]

dopefish, I have the same question for you as rbv5, do you find that web browsing, text etc. looks sharp on the lcd tv and how far back from the screen are you sitting?

 

[milodesc]

I've been checking out the viewsonic LCD you guys have been recommending and I noticed that the native resolution is 1280 x 720. I checked for that resolution in my system settings, but the closest I have available is 1280 x 768. Would using this resolution look bad on the viewsonic?

I've also looked at a lot of monitors w/ a 1366x768 resolution. I don't have that resolution available to me either. It seems like a problem I'll have to address when getting the LCD TV.

How did you guys overcome this problem w/ the native resolution?

Is this the type of problem that could be corrected by using the powerstrip utility?