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General discussion

Pros and cons of using an HDTV for computing

Jan 7, 2011 6:02AM PST
Question:

Pros and cons of using an HDTV for computing


I'm thinking about getting a new larger monitor for my desktop computer, and wonder about the difference between getting a dedicated monitor and a high-def TV. I'd plan to drive it with a VGA cable, and perhaps have a HDMI cable from the satellite box, too. I'd like to be able to use PIP and have TV in the small inset picture. Getting a TV would also have the benefit of being able to use it standalone. Is this a good idea? How much computer monitor performance do I give up if I get a 32-inch 1080p TV? Please let me know what the pros and cons are so I can make a sound decision. Thanks.

--Submitted by: John P.

Here are some member answers to get you started, but
please read all the advice and suggestions that our
members have contributed to this question.

1080p TV vs. computer monitor --Submitted by waytron
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7590_102-5060660.html

Simplest path to the appropriate monitor --Submitted by trancegroup
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7590_102-5061159.html

It's pretty much similar to a monitor --Submitted by Alain Martel1
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7590_102-5061193.html

Pro and cons of HDTV for computing --Submitted hauschja
http://forums.cnet.com/7726-7590_102-5063276.html

If you have any additional advice or recommendations for John, please click on the reply link below and submit away. Please be as detailed as possible when providing an answer. Thanks!

Discussion is locked

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I'll never go back
Jan 14, 2011 11:53AM PST

I recently bought a 28-inch HANNspree LCD HDTV on sale to use as a replacement for a 24-inch Acer monitor that died right after the warranty expired. I love it. The resolution is amazing and the colors are beautiful.

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Distance
Jan 14, 2011 12:11PM PST

I'll agree it was great to hook up the computer to my 42" hdtv. High res and min also has an RCA digital output, so that went to the receiver. But to be honest, I had to sit further away for computing and I had to enlarge things so see them clearer. A lot of screens have the white background, so it was actually too bright.I actually went back to my 22" monitor. I can have more windows open and see them better. If I decide I need to watch something from the computer on there, I can run a cable to it, but for everyday computing. would consider distance, brightness, usability and realistic functionality. Hope whatever you choose works out.

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HDTV for Monitor
Jan 14, 2011 1:18PM PST

I'm using my normal LCD 19" monitor for everyday work use, but make use of my EVGA 9500 GT (Dual DVI out/1 gig RAM) card for outputs. One feeds my desktop monitor at 1024x768, the other feeds out via a DVI to VGA connector and a 25 foot cable that feeds into my 42" HD TV's VGA input.

I get beautiful images on both screens, crystal clear! I use the EVGA video console to set each screens display. The TV indicates its' getting a 1080p input. Super crisp display.

I split the audio out from my machine to both my stereo (with sub) computer audio and the main surround audio system.

Works, like a charm!

MarkinTO

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All Good Info - Adding a Twist?
Jan 14, 2011 3:16PM PST

Has anyone done/been successful using any of the wireless HMDI products? Right now my HP dv8 uses wireless USB and I like that I can easily move the notebook to anywhere I want. With wireless HMDI, I could pump the video/audio to my HDTV and get rid of 1 more wired connection.

Any thoughts appreciated.

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I have both on my PC.
Jan 14, 2011 3:16PM PST

I have my PC attached to both 23" HD PC monitor at my PC and a 42" Panny Plasma for the secondary. The 23 is hooked up via DVI and the Panny uses a DVI to HDMI adapter cable. I use a separate coax audio line. The send to the TV is going thru my Yamaha 9.1 surround sound receiver. 2 reasons I have the separate coax line for audio. The card that I have has an input for the audio but the jumper was almost impossible to find plus this card from VIA Technologies really doesn't support the connection (other models do). So it was just easier to use a coax output to my receiver. I pretty much only use my 42 to display video and very little computer graphics so things look good in this area. I do a lot of downloads & will be doing some Avid work which I will be displaying on the 42" Panny.
It's personal taste but I don't care for LCD's in a TV as I like the much better blacks that the Plasmas give over the LCD's. That's why the smaller LCD for main PC monitor is OK. Oh BTW at least w/ Panny the VGA input is limited to 720p. I definitely didn't want that kind of resolution going to a 42 constantly. Some material I dnld is only that rez but I try to only use that when I can't find a better quality signal.

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Hell Yeah!
Jan 14, 2011 3:55PM PST

I use a five year old Compaq Presario C700 Notebook PC with Vista Home Premium. This was a $350 Best Buy special back then and it still works great without any issues. VGA cable to a 46" LCD 1080P Toshiba. Picture is awesome and I sit in front of it close. The native resolution the laptop outputs is 1024x768 and it is awesome for me. I watch video, use internet and use the set up as a Digital Audio Workstation. I love it.
Headphone jack audio to audio input on TV has too much "noise" and can't be used. I use an external USB bus-powered audio interface to solve the audio issue and all is good.

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1024x768 and it is awesome
Jan 14, 2011 4:26PM PST

"1024x768 and it is awesome" at that resolution how could it possibly be?

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HDTV to compute
Jan 14, 2011 4:58PM PST

I'm using a Samsung 26", 1080P, 10,000:1 Dynamic Contrast HDTV as my monitor and have a dedicated COX cable TV line hooked to it. I have a Nvidia 465 video card using a DVI connection. This thing is great.

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Viewing distance is critically important
Jan 14, 2011 9:08PM PST

I would suggest starting with how far away from the TV/monitor you want to work. That has an important effect on how satisfactory the resolution and size of a display device will be. If you want to sit fairly close to the display, as on a the top of a desk, then a large TV even at 1080 X 1920 (highest HDTV resolution available) will not have enough resolution for good display of text and pictures will not be sharp. If the display device is some distance away and too small, you will not be able to read text without resizing it, a real pain, regardless of its resolution. There is an optimum device size and resolution for any viewing distance, and guidelines for these are available on the net. Don't stray too far from these and you may be very pleased with an HDTV.

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Computer monitor with TV tuner
Jan 14, 2011 8:55PM PST

I anticipate using a standalone tuner(with HDMI output)with a PC monitor rather than HDTV with a PC. This will remove the resolution limit of HDTVs when I am using the computer. Any comments ?

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Sanyo HDTV
Jan 14, 2011 9:22PM PST

Seems we thouht we could hookup the flat screen HDTV for monitor usage, apparently, its got a USB hookup, but dont see a plug for a router to hook to the TV. With the set being in the other room, and girlfriend having illness issues, from time to time, thought we could hook it up for her enjoyment (Netflix and College Studies) thru the port.
With all this going on, and the insructions buried somewhere within the filing drawers,this seems a bit of a chore to look into. Though eventually we would luv, to be able to have her, and others surfing and movie watching thru the seperate division.

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My Setup
Jan 14, 2011 10:10PM PST

I have 3 monitors on my PC and one of them is a small (23") HDTV, the Samsung SyncMaster P2370HD. It works quite well. During the day I use it to display stock charts - they are live and constantly changing but nothing like a game so I can't say how it's gaming performance would be, but for my purposes it works great. The charts are crisp and sharp and text is easy to read. At night if I have work to do I use it to watch the news while I contain my work on the other two monitors. The remote is small and makes it convenient to change sources between DVI and TV, although with just a little extra reach I could use the front panel conrols as well. There are larger versions of this monitor but I don't know how large the largest is. If you shop around you can find this one for $250 or less.

I hope this helps.

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Getting to your inneddiate question
Jan 14, 2011 10:58PM PST

If I understand the question correctly you are looking at PNP. You may find yourself a little disappointed.
About 5 years ago I had a 27 inch westinghouse monitor which had PNP. It was defined as a TV at best buy. I could use PNP and have a computer as a source in PNP. I sold that TV and then purchased a samsung thinking it could do the same. I was wrong. I have not found a TV that is capable of using the PC as a source for PNP. All you have to do is look at teh TV settings and I think you will find the same results. You can use the TV as a monitor alone but don't expect being able to switch the source of PNP to anything other outputs. Ideally that is what you want.
So I think you will find that you want a Monitor instead that has a PNP function and not a TV. Make sure you can set what gets displayed in the PNP box.

So Now I have a dual head video card in my PC and I have two screens. I have cable going to one TV via hdmi from the cable box. The TV is a 40 inch. The second screen is 24 inch. set my sreen to 1080. I then simply change the inputs to do what I want. I like having two screens.

Good luck

Rick

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PNP?...
Jan 15, 2011 9:50AM PST

if you mean screen resolution, my ATI graphics adapter works fine and almost any resolution at or below the 1080p/i standard. It even automatically adjust resolution to accommodate premium blu ray or 3D content.

If you mean point to point as in phone service; I have no problems with Skype on my PC. If you mean plug and play, monitors don't need that anymore; nor HDTVs.If you mean the Win7 x64 tendency to report monitors as non PnP, this has been pretty much solved. If you had an HDMI graphics card it should definitely recognize a Samsung HDTV, as mine does.

I'm curious as to what you mean by PNP, as it isn't clear in your post.

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Sony Bravia 32" Hooked up to iMac
Jan 15, 2011 3:39PM PST

I have my 2008 24" iMac connected via HDMI cable to a 32" Sony (must be 7yo) Bravia LCD. Amazingly simple. The Mac recognised the Sony immediately. Brilliant for movies, using Front Row and VLC media player. Using the trackpad I can sit on the couch and operate the all the Sony like it were the desktop. The standard apple remote does works wonderfully so long as the mac and TV are in the same room. I recomend that any mac user do it. It is SO easy. With movies and music and TV stations streaming so much via the net there is a danger that you will become housebound! Brilliant - I could not live without it. : )

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Pros and cons of using an HDTV for computing
Jan 14, 2011 11:09PM PST

John: Please read all of the posts in this forum. There is a ton of advice on configurations and hardware listed. However, there was very few mentions of text. I use my computers for the usual stuff (e-mail, gaming, etc.) but the main computer is usually for text. I read the news forums and occasionally post, plus I create, update, and archive personal documentation (and store on a standalone drive), so I use word processors, spreadsheets, ans databases extensively. I have a ViewSonic Monitor as my main dedicated computer monitor, a Sharp 19" HDTV, and an RCA 42" HDTV. Both HDTV's have VGA and HDMI inputs. The Sharp has terrible at any resolution while the RCA has great text at the one native computer resolution. By the way, the main computer is an HP a6700f with an ATI Radeon HD5400 series added.

Good luck, John.

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PROS AND CONS OF USING AN HDTV FOR COMPUTING
Jan 14, 2011 11:31PM PST

I haved hooked up my computer to a Sony 40" Bravia HDTV with a HDMI cable & it is the greatest set up. I don't know anything about the technical aspects, but having a 40" monitor for computing is the greatest set up that I have ever experienced.

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More Good Info
Jan 15, 2011 12:27AM PST

Just for information to John and others who are using HD TVs for their computers. Especially those with big screens sitting across the room. Adesso makes a nice wireless keyboard with a built in touchpad that works great from across the room and you don't need to find space to maneuver the mouse. It's the Adesso Wireless SlimTouch Mini. Also KYLO is a browser that is made specifically for this purpose. It has a simple easy to see interface and it enlarges everything so you can see it from across the room. Check it out too. It works great!

I use this setup with a Sony 52 inch LCD. I hook our Dell Studio laptop which has a HDMI output to the bigscreen. Main use is for entertainment but it is great for showing someone something of interest on a big screen.They don't have to lean over you and squint and breathe down your neck! Plus It's just fun to be able to do it! Good Luck

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Coming from someone who uses HDTV as primary monitor...
Jan 15, 2011 12:57AM PST

I had a large 47" 1080P HDTV already, and wanted to use it as a primary computer monitor, so I built my new system around this idea.

Here is what I concluded:

Cons:
1)You absolutely must have a high end machine, and a high end graphics card (My motherboard had a built in graphics card with supposedly 1080P output, but as I found out, it wasn't stable at 1080 and would cut out often. Long story short, I bought a graphics card (hd5770), and it's worked great since.
2)Resolution is lower than a standard monitor, especially since the screen size will probably be larger and still maintain the same resolution. Basically the pixels per inch are much lower.
3)If you're sitting on a couch or bed, you have to either buy a good long range wireless mouse and keyboard (I bought the logitech MX5500), or get USB extension cords and have the cables run across the room (sometimes a more accurate solution since wireless is never perfect).
4)It becomes extremely difficult to read text without zooming in, or sitting about 6 feet from the screen. I lay on my bed about 13 feet from the monitor, and I frequently have to zoom into the screen. Solutions are simple but have their own set of pros/cons: Windows 7 has a built in feature that increases the size of all text up to 150%, however, this will mess programs up which use the full screen feature, and you have to log out when you switch back to normal mode. You can also use windows 7's built in magnifier to view text easier around the mouse cursor, but then the zoom window gets in the way. The last option is to zoom into web pages and files by holding the CTRL key and rolling the middle mouse wheel (or you can hold the WINDOWS key followed by the "+" or "-" key to zoom in/out accordingly).

Pros:
While it may not seem like it, for me, the pros do still outweigh the cons.
1) Your full library of 1080P videos from your computer/network are accessible at your whim on a full size high res(well high res as far as tv standards go). Totally worth the price of admission.
2) Watching youtube videos, and browsing the web on a huge monitor (besides the aforementioned text issue) is excellent.
3) This setup is by far the best for computing on a Couch/TV, excellent for lazy computing without the strain of sitting in a stiff chair all day, plus you can always set up a table in front of the TV if you want a traditional desk.

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My web page and application readability..
Jan 15, 2011 9:57AM PST

I used the ease of access to set the test slightly higher for the desktop and applications, and browser plug-ins to keep the ZOOM at a certain level - 175% seems like a good middle setting. With IE8 I just turn off the feature that toggles Zoom back to 100%, and this cures that problem.

I don't have as much trouble reading anything on my set now; but as you said there is always the screen magnifier for the rare occasion.

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I Demand 3000+ Lines Monitors Now!
Jan 15, 2011 2:05AM PST

I am sick and tired of having my 12 megapixel camera shots being compressed to fit my 1280 x 1024 monitor that can only capture only one or two megapixels of the 12 megapixels with the rest thrown away!! LCD makers , hurry , go manufacture monitors with far more lines !!! I want to view actual sizes of my 12 megapixels into the perimeters of my monitor not fractions of them...

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Pros n cons on HDTV and top LCD, LED brands
Jan 15, 2011 2:33AM PST

Hi

This should be a simple choice as there are 2 things to consider.
1- What graphics card do u have? If u don't have a closer to a high end card then settle for a HDTV.As the resolution on a TV is poorer than that of a TRUE monitor.
2- If u have a good gaming type machine the choice splits yet again.
- LCD or LED? As LED in only available in 24" for monitors then its the 27" LCD as choice on TRUE monitor with HD v1.4.

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My 2 cents worth
Jan 15, 2011 5:16AM PST

John,

Seems like you already got a lot of advise from forum members but thought I'd through my hat in as well. I have two desktop PCs networked together running a DVI cable from each to a KVM switch and a DVI to HDMI cable back to my deskop monitor allowing me to share a common keyboard and mouse. On my 'primary' desktop PC I went to Control Panel/All Control Panel Items/Display/Screen Resolution and selected Multiple Monitors under Display, Set my screen resolution to 1920x1080 (your's may vary depending on the resoulution your monitor(s)can handle), Orientation 'Landscape' and Multiple Displays to 'Duplicate these Displays'. I can work at my home office desk using the computer monitor or switch my TV to PC input and work from my living room using a wireless keyboard and mouse (a USB cable with an extender also had to be run from the computer to the TV with a IR sensor as USB is only good for 15' to 20')all from the comfort of my recliner. Bottom line I see no reason why not use a TV as a primary or secondary display. The only drawback is that I have to increase the screen resolution while using the TV as my monitor (as I am sitting 8' away from it). Any computer function I can do from my desk (including Media Player or printing documents) I can do from my living room. I am running Win 7 Ultimate 64-bit. If you have not already made your decision I hope this helps.

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Forgot to mention the TV
Jan 15, 2011 5:24AM PST

John,

One little detail I forgot to mention. I have a 50" Samsung Plasma Model PN50B850. I have had it about a year now and it is a solid performer for television or multi-media use.

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The Plazma and your 2 cents...
Jan 15, 2011 7:25AM PST

HyperSpeed

I agree that the refresh rates on the plasmas are real time and that is that makes the Plasma sell. It beats the LCD when it comes to those sizes. This is where it gets a bit tricky. LED has now 10 000 000:1 contrast ratio. U cannot compare that 2 anything! Its a spaceship vs an old ford1 car. If u have a TV and want to use it as a monitor... fine but if u going to purchase one consider the technical. Big Plasma beats big LCD. Big LED beats Big Plasma. Make sure its not HD ready but full HD 1.4. The HDMI cable makes a difference also, when going high performance audio visual the HDMI cable should cost around $250.

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I think DLP has both of them beat..
Jan 15, 2011 10:14AM PST

Plasmas have an irritating shiny screen that doesn't work well in a home office, and even the newest LCDs dont' compare in screen viewing angle that my old DLP has. The Fresnel effect is not present anymore, as my Samsung has a frosted screen that captures almost all the light, and can be viewed at a ridiculously high angle and still be clearly seen. Plus the LED light engine makes it look like the police and fire department have arrived in my office space!

Panasonic plasmas, definitely have the edge on 3D technology, which I do use on DLP. However I only notice slight ghosting in movies or 3D animations that have very bright backgrounds. Even some of the newest LCDs are somewhat lacking in that range, especially in fast moving scenes. However the field is changing daily, and now Visio has a 65" that only needs polarized glasses to view; and reports are, that the experience looks superior even despite having half the vertical resolution.

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Done Deal
Jan 15, 2011 1:24PM PST

I bought my plasma when LEDs were first hitting the market and a bit pricy. They did not seem to have any better ratings based on my viewing environment and, for my purposes, the plasma fit the bill. Can't imagine a more crisp and pristine picture and this is a true Hi-Def 1080p set. Its also a perfect match for my Samsung Blu-Ray player. Thanks for the info. though.

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Anybody who pays $250 for an HDMI cable is out of his mind.
Jan 15, 2011 1:47PM PST

Quote:

"HyperSpeed

I agree that the refresh rates on the plasmas are real time and that is that makes the Plasma sell. It beats the LCD when it comes to those sizes. This is where it gets a bit tricky. LED has now 10 000 000:1 contrast ratio. U cannot compare that 2 anything! Its a spaceship vs an old ford1 car. If u have a TV and want to use it as a monitor... fine but if u going to purchase one consider the technical. Big Plasma beats big LCD. Big LED beats Big Plasma. Make sure its not HD ready but full HD 1.4. The HDMI cable makes a difference also, when going high performance audio visual the HDMI cable should cost around $250."

Take anything this guy says with a grain of salt. Anybody who pays $250 for an HDMI cable is out of his mind.
Probably a Best Buy "expert" Sad

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Few dollars
Jan 16, 2011 9:46AM PST

If you pay more than a few dollars for any cable then you have more money than brains. I have worked with A/V for most of my life and hi end cables are 99% of the time just money makers for the salesman. Monster cables are some of the most over prices cables that are out there. The mark ups on them are like 300%. I used to work for company setting up the end end equipment and when we were doing the jobs we would put in the Monster cables that were sold to the customers and take home the ones that came with the equipment. An HDMI has to meet certain specs or else it isn't able to be listed as an HDMI.

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HDMI Cable
Jan 16, 2011 12:38PM PST

I was giving the guy a break by not commenting on this thinking he just did not put a decimal point in where he should have.