Can I use an LCD computer monitor as a TV? Can I use an HDTV as a computer monitor?

Question

I want to get a flat screen TV/Display. I am also thinking about getting a computer down the line. Should I get an HDTV or a computer monitor? Are the two pretty much interchangeable at this point? Will an LCD computer monitor receive HD signals? In the past I have tried to hook up a computer to a tv, and it has looked choppy and distorted. Will the computer look right on an HDTV?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

Do yourself a favor and do some research.

The only way a computer is going to look remotely like an HDTV is if you install a hard core video card like a nvidia 8 series pci-express x16 video card. Forget a computer with "integrated graphics", a graphics card built into your mainboard. They will never be up to the task of processing HD content the way it is supposed to be seen and probably why you get poor visual quality. Either that, or you have a less than stellar graphics card in the pc. Then you need to make sure your monitor displays at least 1920x1080 resolution for true 1080p HD resolution.

So here's the deal:

Go buy your HDTV and make sure it has either a RGB input or a DVI input. I generally stay away from S-video because in my experience, it does not look as good as the other two I mentioned. When you buy your computer, make sure it has a separate graphics card NOT integrated graphics.

Make sure you set the computer's desktop resolution to match the tv's. Most HDTV's are either 1368X720 (a 720p HDTV) or 1920x1080 (a 1080p HDTV) BEFORE you connect it to the TV.

Then, simply plug your PC's RGB or DVI out into the HDTV, select the corrct input on the HDTV, and voila, perfect everytime.

Answer 3

Hi,

The reason it used to look choppy in the past is because the TV used an AV input from the PC. This is fine for normal TV, but, way too low a resolution for PC output.

Most HDTVs have direct inputs to link from your PC & will then display at high resolution, the same as a monitor would. It will take a standard PC monitor cable, or, if your graphics card can support it when you buy your PC, you can use a HD cable.

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The difference between an LCD monitor & an LCD tv is the tuner & SCART elements.

If you buy the cheaper monitor, you'll need to buy a PC tuner & install it into your new computer, then run the software when you want to watch TV through your PC.

With the TV you can watch programs without your PC being turned on.

Answer 4

TVs make crappy computer monitors. They look OK from far away and if you're just using it as a mediacenter display it will work beautifully. But if you're going to sit in front of it and actually _compute_, those giant pixels are going to give you a massive headache. A 24" TV resolution is usually 1280 X 720 while a 24" monitor would usually be 1920 X 1200. That's nearly twice as much detail.

Answer 5

I have a HDTV and I can use it as my computer monitor. It's only a 15" screen, so it's a similar size to a regular computer monitor. I'm not sure how well it would work on a larger screen.

Answer 6

nope