TV or Monitor?
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Hey all! Building my first rig (for relatively high-end gaming). Wondering if I should be opting for a TV or a computer monitor as my display. I'm looking to play at 1080p, maybe even a little higher. I've got a Radeon HD 7950.
Obviously, TVs are better for screen real estate per dollar, but what about performance? I'm just looking at buyers' guides now, and am about to delve into my own research on individual products, but before I do, what are Tom's preliminary thoughts?
Also, I'm assuming that monitors' and TVs' specs are based around the same measures (panel technology, response time, contrast ratio, etc.). Am I mistaken in that?
Obviously, TVs are better for screen real estate per dollar, but what about performance? I'm just looking at buyers' guides now, and am about to delve into my own research on individual products, but before I do, what are Tom's preliminary thoughts?
Also, I'm assuming that monitors' and TVs' specs are based around the same measures (panel technology, response time, contrast ratio, etc.). Am I mistaken in that?
More about : monitor
There really is a few difference and some things you should watch out for.
*I am not an expert and im getting my information from searching.
Tv in general have lower resolutions because there meant to be viewed across the room, some of them are 720p and will only run at 1280x720 or 1366x768 resolutions. So you have to make sure your getting one that will support 1080p resolution if thats what your going for.
Tv's have built in tv tuners so that contributes to the cost it might be cheaper to just get a computer lcd if you dont need that functionality.
Things you need to look for as well are contrast ratios, and the refresh rate / response time is really important as well.
Under 5ms black to black (btb) 2ms grey to grey (gtg)
*I am not an expert and im getting my information from searching.
Tv in general have lower resolutions because there meant to be viewed across the room, some of them are 720p and will only run at 1280x720 or 1366x768 resolutions. So you have to make sure your getting one that will support 1080p resolution if thats what your going for.
Tv's have built in tv tuners so that contributes to the cost it might be cheaper to just get a computer lcd if you dont need that functionality.
Things you need to look for as well are contrast ratios, and the refresh rate / response time is really important as well.
Under 5ms black to black (btb) 2ms grey to grey (gtg)
By TV I assume you mean HDTV, TV are very low res and are a terrible, expensive choice for computer usage.
The only difference is most TVs have speakers and of course, are capable of being used as TVs(watching channels from your cable/dish whatever), however TVs are usually more expensive than their equivalent monitor because of this, I went with an HDTV, the T22B350 and it was 20 dollars more than the monitor. Additionally, TVs obviously come in larger sizes(27"+) if you're into that.
However TVs are more expensive, and some of them don't like to play nice with computers(using Displayport or newer HDMI revisions with a TV usually causes freezes and sound loops, something I know personally from experience), so use DVI-D with an audio jack or an older HDMI like 1 or 1.1 with a TV.
The only difference is most TVs have speakers and of course, are capable of being used as TVs(watching channels from your cable/dish whatever), however TVs are usually more expensive than their equivalent monitor because of this, I went with an HDTV, the T22B350 and it was 20 dollars more than the monitor. Additionally, TVs obviously come in larger sizes(27"+) if you're into that.
However TVs are more expensive, and some of them don't like to play nice with computers(using Displayport or newer HDMI revisions with a TV usually causes freezes and sound loops, something I know personally from experience), so use DVI-D with an audio jack or an older HDMI like 1 or 1.1 with a TV.
Best solution
Hi, Sorry for the wall of text.
Depending on the games and sitting distance and opting to go 1080p or higher resolutions, it would be best to purchase a capable monitor. For response times and flexible resolution settings, biggest monitor you can find would be a safe bet.
TV's, depending on the type and model, will require a bit of research finding out the bits and pieces about them to guarantee you'll be happy after spending amount of money. Would want to make sure the TV you buy will not be a disappointment in terms of performance, albeit resolutions will be limited to a select few. So will need to settle for the highest resolution the TV can give.
If you're a gamer and looking into a TV and concerned with input lag response times (lag input may cause nausea with long periods of play trying to adjust to the response difference between mouse/keyboard to the display) then in my opinion Plasmas in terms of performance beats LCDs TVs.
Panasonic Viera Plasmas do an amazing job, from experience they are very quick in response eliminating input lag. They do suffer from minor image retention but there are ways of reducing the effect by choosing TV game modes and reduce image burn by not having a still image for more than several hrs. Technology is always improving so would think today's top tier plasmas are well equipped with dealing with such issues.
Just something to think about, if you want a TV for size and with quick response go Plasma, otherwise the biggest monitor you can find. Will save a lot of money too going monitor, upto you.
http://asia.cnet.com/lcd-types-tn-vs-va-vs-ips-62213690...
Here's a link discussing some of the differences between TN and IPS panels used in monitors and TVs. TN panels will give better response with reduced viewing angles (need to sit directly in front) while IPS panels (also used in lcd tvs) are great for viewing angles and minimal color shift but suffer motion reproduction inducing input lag. Will hardly notice if not at all when watching movies or shows but will notably notice peripheral input lag if you're used to quicker.
Depending on the games and sitting distance and opting to go 1080p or higher resolutions, it would be best to purchase a capable monitor. For response times and flexible resolution settings, biggest monitor you can find would be a safe bet.
TV's, depending on the type and model, will require a bit of research finding out the bits and pieces about them to guarantee you'll be happy after spending amount of money. Would want to make sure the TV you buy will not be a disappointment in terms of performance, albeit resolutions will be limited to a select few. So will need to settle for the highest resolution the TV can give.
If you're a gamer and looking into a TV and concerned with input lag response times (lag input may cause nausea with long periods of play trying to adjust to the response difference between mouse/keyboard to the display) then in my opinion Plasmas in terms of performance beats LCDs TVs.
Panasonic Viera Plasmas do an amazing job, from experience they are very quick in response eliminating input lag. They do suffer from minor image retention but there are ways of reducing the effect by choosing TV game modes and reduce image burn by not having a still image for more than several hrs. Technology is always improving so would think today's top tier plasmas are well equipped with dealing with such issues.
Just something to think about, if you want a TV for size and with quick response go Plasma, otherwise the biggest monitor you can find. Will save a lot of money too going monitor, upto you.
http://asia.cnet.com/lcd-types-tn-vs-va-vs-ips-62213690...
Here's a link discussing some of the differences between TN and IPS panels used in monitors and TVs. TN panels will give better response with reduced viewing angles (need to sit directly in front) while IPS panels (also used in lcd tvs) are great for viewing angles and minimal color shift but suffer motion reproduction inducing input lag. Will hardly notice if not at all when watching movies or shows but will notably notice peripheral input lag if you're used to quicker.
Related ressources
- What's better, TV or Monitor ? - Forum
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- Against Tom's advice, I'm still thinking TV over monitor - Forum
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Get a computer Monitor and be sure the res is at least 1920 x 1080 if you want to do 1080P, and get a 5ms or 2ms Response Time, a LED backlight if you can. I would get a 22 to 24 inch model. This model is popular:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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