"lcd monitor" vs. "lcd/tv monitor"

S

syrdave

Hi,

I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
got a cable connection to by PC.)

I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
resolution (better picture) then the other?

(My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)

Thanks,
Dave
 
J

J. Clarke

syrdave said:
Hi,

I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
got a cable connection to by PC.)

I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
resolution (better picture) then the other?

(My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)

Read the specs on the monitor. Some have a tuner. Others are made for HDTV
resolutions. Others have both.
 
B

Bob Myers

I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
resolution (better picture) then the other?

There are various possible differences, depending on
the manufacturer and model. A unit advertised as a
"TV/monitor" (also sometimes referred to as a "multi-
function monitor" or "MFM") might have different inputs in
addition to the usual VGA and/or DVI (such as S-Video,
HDMI, composite video, etc.) or it may even provide an RF
input with a tuner. It might also offer different color and
other default settings when in "TV mode." Unless it's
built around a panel specifically made for TV application
(and it's hard for the average customer to tell, unless it's
clearly a TV-specific format such as 1920 x 1080 or
1280 x 720, etc.), it may or may not provide different
"front-of-screen" performance than a straight "monitor"
built using the same panel. Check the specs, and of course
if at all possible test it yourself with both sorts of inputs
before you buy.

Bob M.
 
J

Jeffrae

syrdave said:
Hi,

I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
got a cable connection to by PC.)

I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
resolution (better picture) then the other?

(My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)

Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

You did good! You will have a lot more flexibility using a video card that
has TV input.

Thanks,
Jeff P
 
N

Not Gimpy Anymore

syrdave said:
Hi,

I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
got a cable connection to by PC.)

I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
resolution (better picture) then the other?

(My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)

Thanks,
Dave

In addition to the various possibilities mentioned by others, TV/monitors
may well have a lot more light output - more backlights. The contrast ratio
may not be different, but the peak luminance may be much higher. It is not
a feature that is necessarily needed for TV watching, but is probably a
carryover from the peak luminance of CRT TVs.
TVs typically try to maintain enough peak luminance to enable a
"reasonable"
contrast ratio when viewed in high ambient lighting - like bright sunlight
streaming into a window. PC applications tend to consider that the user will
typically control the lighting situation. Of course, the decision is up to
you.

NGA
 

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