Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > TV/Video Cards > Is it a good idea to use a HDTV as a computer monitor?
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MarkyB   01-14-2009 at 03:57:26 AM

I am about to replace my computer monitor and I am thinking about buying a Toshiba 42 inch lcd TV. Is it a good idea to use a HDTV as a computer monitor. What are the advantages other than Size and the fact that it can double up as a TV? What are the disadvantages if any? Has anyone tried this?

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3lvis   01-15-2009 at 01:11:29 AM
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Playing games on a HDTV is fantastic. The main advantages are size and price. If you could find an LCD monitor bigger then 30" it would cost a fortune. The disadvantage is that HDTV is lower resolution then a 24-30" LCD monitor. However, this can also be considered an advantage, because you wont need $450-1200 worth of video cards to drive an HDTV like you would for a 30" LCD. I drive my HDTV with a 9800 GTX. Some people include the slower refresh rate of the HDTV as a disadvantage, but given that the difference is usually less then 5 milliseconds the delay is inperceivable. HDTV's tend to be brighter then LCD monitors, because the viewing distance is ussually greater for TVs then computer screens.

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MarkyB   01-15-2009 at 01:26:43 AM
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It looks like a good idea.

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Bronze Graphics badge jaguarskx   01-15-2009 at 02:21:00 AM
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I plan on connecting my HTPC to a HDTV once I buy one. Mostly watching movies, but maybe I'll play a few games on it.

The only real disadvantage that I can think of is text will not be as sharp as on a monitor because the pixel pitch.

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veesofnaught   01-15-2009 at 02:38:24 AM
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I use a 47" 1080P LCD as a "monitor" sometimes for watching videos and playing games. It works great but if I had the money I would upgrade to a 120hz television. Games look good at 60hz but they are not quite as crisp as my monitor and I actually prefer my monitor for games over the HDTV.

Just something for you to consider as you are shopping for LCDs.

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