Hi-Def LCD TV's as computer monitors

[mrsinbad]

I don't have a Hi-Def LCD TV yet, and I'm wondering if it can really cut it as a computer monitor. I was thinking about a thirty-something sized TV with 1080P would allow for a much sharper image than a +40" TV with the same 1080P. So, would you guys recommend using a Hi-Def LCD TV as a computer monitor? Also, if the TV has picture-in-picture, would the smaller picture be sharp enough as a monitor as well? What kind of problems (if any) have you experienced? Any cautions or tips?

Thanks!

 

[meuge]

I don't have a Hi-Def LCD TV yet, and I'm wondering if it can really cut it as a computer monitor. I was thinking about a thirty-something sized TV with 1080P would allow for a much sharper image than a +40" TV with the same 1080P. So, would you guys recommend using a Hi-Def LCD TV as a computer monitor? Also, if the TV has picture-in-picture, would the smaller picture be sharp enough as a monitor as well? What kind of problems (if any) have you experienced? Any cautions or tips?

Thanks!

1080p TVs make for great monitors... except they're usually too big to be used as such, unless you sit really far away. If you can't see the edges of the monitor in focus, without noticeably moving your eyes, it's too big or you're too close.

Just make sure the TV has an HDMI or DVI in (you'd need a DVI->HDMI adapter) to take advantage of the high resolution.

 

[NA8]

Sharp Aquos has a 32" "Gamer" 1080P model.

Do a search in this forum:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

 

[flashy bazook]

You need to double-check the graphics card specs you have.

I recall reading somewhere that the largest 1080p HDef TV you can run with a single graphics card, for example, is 28" (which is why the last widescreen hidef computer monitor I got was at that size so with my single card I can watch both TV and use the monitor for computer purposes).

Once you get larger, you may need for example to wire two graphics cards together to be able to get max def out of the TV screen.

 

[meuge]

You need to double-check the graphics card specs you have.

I recall reading somewhere that the largest 1080p HDef TV you can run with a single graphics card, for example, is 28" (which is why the last widescreen hidef computer monitor I got was at that size so with my single card I can watch both TV and use the monitor for computer purposes).

Once you get larger, you may need for example to wire two graphics cards together to be able to get max def out of the TV screen.

You're misunderstanding. ALL modern graphics cards can run ANY size 1080p screens... that's part of the DVI specifications. Size doesn't matter since 1080p is a measure of resolution (which is 1920x1080).

What you're talking about actually applies to high end MONITORS, rather than TVs, because they can exceed 1920x1200... which requires using a video card that supports dual-band DVI... which is still a single connector, but with double the bandwidth, and allows for transmission of video at resolution up to 3XXX by whatever the 4:3 aspect ratio demands.

 

[bfg9000]

Single-Link DVI has enough bandwidth to push 1920x1080 up to 60Hz refresh rate. Like with any flat-panel display, things look best at the native resolution only so set your desktop accordingly.

LCD televisions tend to make good enough monitors for static displays (like text) but have some of the same limitations as early LCD monitors (fast motion can smear, etc). And obviously the PIP is scaled, so will only be useful as a rough thumbnail image of what is going on on the other input.