# LCD HD TV Monitor - Decent as a computer monitor? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 5, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160 "2006-03-05T18:32:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/1 "2006-03-05T18:32:18Z")
I’m wondering if I’d be wasting my money on one of those “TV Monitors” if I intend to use it as a monitor first, tv second. Is the picture decent when hooked to a computer? Is it blurry, like when I plug it into my projector? Should I just spend the extra money on a legit computer monitor? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/2 "2006-03-05T19:18:18Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > I’m wondering if I’d be wasting my money on one of those “TV Monitors” if I intend to use it as a monitor first, tv second. Is the picture decent when hooked to a computer? Is it blurry, like when I plug it into my projector? Should I just spend the extra money on a legit computer monitor? Depends on the LCD, for great resolution you want \*\*1080p \*\* not 1080i or 720p. A good brand for large monitors you can use as either is the Westinghouse line of LCD’s. [http://www.westinghousedigital.com/c-7-1080p-monitors.aspx](http://www.westinghousedigital.com/c-7-1080p-monitors.aspx) Whatever brand you pick, look for 1080p. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/3 "2006-03-05T19:52:10Z")
That’s great info. What if it doesn’t say? Would something like [this](http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=120217&WT.mc_n=115371&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=PORTAL&cm_cat=SHOP%20LOCAL&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=115371) be okay? ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/4 "2006-03-05T20:02:12Z")
According to the Philips website, that model is 1080i, not 1080p. Not sure if this link will work, but you can try clicking [here](http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/product.jsp?productId=30PW8420_37_US_CONSUMER&activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=I2BB4UPMUWZL5J0RMRESHP3HKFSEKI5P) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/5 "2006-03-05T20:03:16Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > That’s great info. What if it doesn’t say? Would something like [this](http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=120217&WT.mc_n=115371&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=PORTAL&cm_cat=SHOP%20LOCAL&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=115371) be okay? Under Specs it List \*\*DVI (Digital Video Interface) No \*\* HDMI inputs Yes \*\*VGA/SVGA input No \*\* This would be a very poor choice as a Computer Monitor. Jim ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/6 "2006-03-05T20:08:06Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > That’s great info. What if it doesn’t say? Would something like [this](http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/productDetail.do?oid=120217&WT.mc_n=115371&WT.mc_t=U&cm_ven=PORTAL&cm_cat=SHOP%20LOCAL&cm_pla=DATAFEED-%3EPRODUCTS&cm_ite=1%20PRODUCT&cm_keycode=115371) be okay? That’s not an LCD TV; it’s actually a CRT. In this instance, “flat” means flat tube. Just to doublecheck, I went to [Philips web site](http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/catalog/product.jsp?productId=30PW8420_37_US_CONSUMER&activeTab=specifications&language=en&country=US&catalogType=CONSUMER&proxybuster=DTK203IB5K4RLJ0RMRCSHQFHKFSESI5P); the TV weighs 59kg (130lb) and is almost as deep as it is high. Definitely a CRT. I find it kind of misleading that some CRTs are never pictured with their tube-bulges showing. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/7 "2006-03-05T20:51:47Z")
Just out of curiousity, what’s wrong with 720p or 1080i for a computer display? I know some folks with computers hooked up to such systems, and haven’t heard any gripes about it. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2006, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/8 "2006-03-05T21:08:16Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Just out of curiousity, what’s wrong with 720p or 1080i for a computer display? I know some folks with computers hooked up to such systems, and haven’t heard any gripes about it. 1080p is the best display. It is roughly twice as sharp as a 1080i. A large 1080i has some image bluriness on text and a slow redraw time for graphics. 720p is pretty good. 1080p is better. i = interlaced p = progressive scan To take full advantage of some DVD’s 1080p is the Resolution. Game consoles and future Tv programming will all be 1080p. 1080 is the lines of vertical resolution. so 1080 is \> 720. The real value of 1080p at this point is DVD & Computer. If you want to use the TV/monitor as a computer monitor ensure it has both DVI & VGA connection for optimal use. Jim Jim ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/9 "2006-03-06T06:40:15Z")
I decided I didn’t want to have all these different boxes in my living room, so I did away with everything but the computer, the screen and the speakers. I have a Samsung LE40R51B and it works like a charm as a comuter monitor. I use my home computer for internet, games and watching movies, tv, playing music. The image is as shap as you’d expect from any monitor. At first I’d thought it’d be too big for WinXP but it only took a couple of days to get used to. I plan to make the tv-card (Pinnacle 310i) working and then I’ll have a dvr as well. All in all, I’m very happy and will gladly plug Samsung. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/10 "2006-03-06T16:11:47Z")
Just this last weekend I bought a Mac Mini to use as my home theater center PC. I’m using a Sony 32" LCD HDTV (I forget the effin’ make and model) as the monitor. It’ll do 1920x1080, but the 1080 is interlaced and so the text looks a bit fuzzy, so I put it as the next level down which is 1366x768 which looks fine. The only problem I have is it crops off the very outside edge of the screen for some reason, which I’m still trying to track down. > [@What Exit?](#): > > \*\*DVI (Digital Video Interface) No \*\* > HDMI inputs Yes > \*\*VGA/SVGA input No \*\* > > This would be a very poor choice as a Computer Monitor. Why would that be? Get a DVI-to-HDMI cable, works great. FTR, my Sony has a VGA input and that picture isn’t anywhere near as good as the DVI-to-HDMI picture. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/11 "2006-03-06T16:39:55Z")
> [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Just this last weekend I bought a Mac Mini to use as my home theater center PC. I’m using a Sony 32" LCD HDTV (I forget the effin’ make and model) as the monitor. It’ll do 1920x1080, but the 1080 is interlaced and so the text looks a bit fuzzy, so I put it as the next level down which is 1366x768 which looks fine. The only problem I have is it crops off the very outside edge of the screen for some reason, which I’m still trying to track down. > Why would that be? Get a DVI-to-HDMI cable, works great. FTR, my Sony has a VGA input and that picture isn’t anywhere near as good as the DVI-to-HDMI picture. Okay, but with the lack of standard computer inputs and the lack of a listed resolution I would quickly cross the TV listed off my list of viable monitors/TV. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/12 "2006-03-06T16:59:28Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > Okay, but with the lack of standard computer inputs and the lack of a listed resolution I would quickly cross the TV listed off my list of viable monitors/TV. > > Jim Ah, yes. The lack of a listed resolution is definitely a red flag, you’re quite right. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/13 "2006-03-06T20:44:26Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > 1080p is the best display. It is roughly twice as sharp as a 1080i. > A large 1080i has some image bluriness on text and a slow redraw time for graphics. > 720p is pretty good. 1080p is better. I understand the difference between 1080p and 1080i, but I don’t understand the bias against interlaced modes – sure, it’s not as sharp, but 1080i is still better than 640 x 480 or whatever dinosaur lo-res VGA resolutions that older sets are limited to. > [@Ponder Stibbons](#): > > Just this last weekend I bought a Mac Mini to use as my home theater center PC. I’m using a Sony 32" LCD HDTV (I forget the effin’ make and model) as the monitor. It’ll do 1920x1080, but the 1080 is interlaced and so the text looks a bit fuzzy, so I put it as the next level down which is 1366x768 which looks fine. The only problem I have is it crops off the very outside edge of the screen for some reason, which I’m still trying to track down. Try [SwitchRes X,](http://www.madrau.com/html/SRX/About.html) which lets you specify a custom resolution/refresh rate. You can probably dink with it a bit and find a setting that won’t cut off the edge. (Don’t use it myself, but I’ve heard a lot of folks recommend it) ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/14 "2006-03-06T20:47:00Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Try [SwitchRes X,](http://www.madrau.com/html/SRX/About.html) which lets you specify a custom resolution/refresh rate. You can probably dink with it a bit and find a setting that won’t cut off the edge. > > (Don’t use it myself, but I’ve heard a lot of folks recommend it) Cool! I’ll try it when I get home tonight. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2006, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/15 "2006-03-06T20:50:38Z")
Each LCD TV has a ‘native resolution’ - which is not the same as 720p, 1080i etc. To get the best computer display from a TV, make sure that you configure & tweak your PC to output the native resolution. As mentioned, this may require something like SwitchResX on MacOS, PowerStrip on Windows and/or specific video card drivers. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/16 "2006-03-07T01:01:08Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > I understand the difference between 1080p and 1080i, but I don’t understand the bias against interlaced modes – sure, it’s not as sharp, but 1080i is still better than 640 x 480 or whatever dinosaur lo-res VGA resolutions that older sets are limited to. > …snip… I don’t know if you have a laptop, but if you do go visit a store like Best Buy and ask if you can test the sets with your laptop. I tested LCD, Plasma & DLP in 720p, 1080i and 1080p. I was testing for Text readability and the 1080p was crisp, very crisp. 1080i was readable but fuzzy. To me a large difference. I bought the 37" Westinghouse for $1699 including shipping from Crutchfield. I liked the low power and nearly 180° viewing angle. I was surprised by how much better than DLP the LCD was. Plasma was the worst and had a very high Energy usage. Consider me a recent veteran of the TV wars. I got the set right after the Superbowl. I put in hours of research and then did the actual laptop test I described. Jim ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/17 "2006-03-07T01:25:29Z")
Well, **rjung** , it crashes on my new Intel based Mac Mini. ☹ I’ve sent the developer an email to see if he wants to debug it or not. Should be fun. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![shelbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shelbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shelbo)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2006, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lcd-hd-tv-monitor-decent-as-a-computer-monitor/347160/18 "2006-03-07T01:39:07Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > I understand the difference between 1080p and 1080i, but I don’t understand the bias against interlaced modes – sure, it’s not as sharp, but 1080i is still better than 640 x 480 or whatever dinosaur lo-res VGA resolutions that older sets are limited to. IIRC, Interlacing makes the image flicker ever so slightly. This is a problem for any use other than viewing video, and is why progressive scanning devices were first invented (the early computer monitors were converted TVs, and the flicker caused headaches and nausea).