LCD TV/Monitor

[nickholmes]

I am thinking about buying a 26-30 inch LCD TV (with PC input) to be
used primarily as a TV. (I like the look and price of the Samsung
range)

Can anyone tell me what the quality is like when used as a PC monitor
via the PC input. I would like to use it occasionally as a big monitor
for games/image display etc..

The reason I ask is that I have tried connecting CRT TVs to the TV OUT
of my graphics cards, and found the picture quality to be terrible. I.e
I can't read the text underneath the icons on my desktop..

Are the modern LCD TVs with 'PC input' clearer than the CRTs with
'composite video input'? Can they really be used as a big monitor as
well as a TV?

Is it better to buy a big monitor and hook it up to a TV card?
Thanks

Nick

 

[J. Clarke]

I am thinking about buying a 26-30 inch LCD TV (with PC input) to be
used primarily as a TV. (I like the look and price of the Samsung
range)

Can anyone tell me what the quality is like when used as a PC monitor
via the PC input. I would like to use it occasionally as a big monitor
for games/image display etc..

The reason I ask is that I have tried connecting CRT TVs to the TV OUT
of my graphics cards, and found the picture quality to be terrible. I.e
I can't read the text underneath the icons on my desktop..

Are the modern LCD TVs with 'PC input' clearer than the CRTs with
'composite video input'? Can they really be used as a big monitor as
well as a TV?

Is it better to buy a big monitor and hook it up to a TV card?
Thanks

Really depends on the TV. One that can display full HD resolution from a
DVI or RGB input works reasonably well as a monitor. If you're looking for
a gaming machine you may find the response times to be marginal or
inadequate tough. The 32" Samsung can go 1280x768. That's quite usable
but considerably less than a high grade purpose-made monitor can do. I use
that resolution with one of my machines and the machine is usable but I
sometimes run out of screen space before I'd like to.

You'll get more flexibility I think out of a purpose-made monitor and a TV
card unless you're using an HD set-top box with it in which case the inputs
might be problematical.