42" HDTV Plasma screen as a PC monitor

[mainomega]

Hi,
I'm looking to buy a 42" Plasma but my main intent is to use it as a PC monitor and to watch some DVDs. I've looked into a lot that state they can recieve the 15pin connector but my question is how clear will it be ? I belive the resolutions range from 1024*768 to 1024* 864.

I'm looking at one that can display for the PC and TV input by splitting the screen.

Any help/comments are welcomed. I have about $6,000 to spend on it. Thanks

 

[Luthien]

Huge waste of money IMO you should get a $5000 + projector instead and then you will have a 100" screen or bigger. Good luck though.

 

[mainomega]

Thanks for your reply.

I don't have enough room (Dorm room) to be able to have a projector. My GF said the 42 inch would be to big to sit on my desk but I can always just lean my head back.

 

[Luthien]

Depending on the projector you may only need a 6 feet or a little more. Mount it on the ceiling behind you and buy a pull down screen etc. Takes up less space than the plasma screen.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: mainomega
Hi,
I'm looking to buy a 42" Plasma but my main intent is to use it as a PC monitor and to watch some DVDs. I've looked into a lot that state they can recieve the 15pin connector but my question is how clear will it be ? I belive the resolutions range from 1024*768 to 1024* 864.

I'm looking at one that can display for the PC and TV input by splitting the screen.

Any help/comments are welcomed. I have about $6,000 to spend on it. Thanks

Dont' get a plasma as a main PC monitor... the screen is MUCH too big for the small resolutions it offers... unless you're planning to sit 6 feet back, your going to get neck pains and eyes fatigue from the monitor. And plasmas themselves are prone to burn-ins, especially in monitor use.

Get a 23" or even the new Apple 30" monitor. Or get the 23" for $1500, and use the other $4500 you have available and pick up a DLP or Plasma for TV viewing.

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

I agree, get a nice 23" High Definition LCD for around $1599-$1999, the resolution and image quality will be better for a monitor imo, and you can always use the rest of the money on something else. You have to have an apple to use the 30" Apple Cinema Display because of the video card required to run it (6800 ultra DDL)

 

[eastvillager]

42" plasma makes a crappy monitor, I know, I'm sitting next to one.

Too much real estate for too little resolution.


Excellent for watching DVDs, though, which is what mine is for... well, that, and the gamecube/xbox/ps2 sitting under it.


What you really should look at, imho, is a newer widescreen lcd, around 23". Big enough to watch movies on in your dorm room, yet still high enough resolution to make a good pc monitor.

Need less to say, moving at 23" lcd to and from college is much easier than a 42" plasma.

 

[mainomega]

Thanks everyone for your replies.

I was always concerned that the resolution would make everything look blurry sitting that close and you've all answered my questions. It looks like im going to start researching the 23" LCD (I don't like macs). What brand do you recommend I look at. I have a Sharp 19" 3 input LCD now with no TV capabilities so I would like to be able to get an LCD with tv.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[ponyo]

If you want to watch TV on your current Sharp 19" all you need is a TV tuner card.

 

[Corporate Thug]

for half of that you can get a beautiful 30 inch apple cinema display

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: shady06
for half of that you can get a beautiful 30 inch apple cinema display

too bad he cant use the display. they dont work on pc's. u'll need a special $600 video card from apple to get that monitor working.

 

[EGGO]

That's too big, especially for a dorm room. I agree with Hardcore 100%. In fact, I just saw Screen Savers talk about this.

Another thing about plasma monitors is that they DO have a short life-span. I highly suggest getting what would be considered the best computer monitor (LCD) instead. You'll comfortably get that for $6,000.

 

[kki000]

burn in. Plasma is prone to it more so than even projection crt.
use as a monitor will guarantee your start menu, tool bars, system tray icons will burn in.
K

 

[LeGaCi]

Originally posted by: mainomega
Thanks for your reply.

I don't have enough room (Dorm room) to be able to have a projector. My GF said the 42 inch would be to big to sit on my desk but I can always just lean my head back.

Sorry, but wtf, omfg, how are you able to afford a plasma and go to college at the same time?!?

 

[iwearnosox]

Old.

New.

Don't do it, it gave me headaches.

 

[Rage187]

iwearnosox: can I come over to your house to play?

 

[KoolHonda]

I like using mine to play games, but for general use as a monitor it sucks.

 

[Lawranch]

We run one at work in our conference room. It looks clear. I don't think it does the split screen. They are really bright compared to a monitor so I don't think you want to sit too close to it.

 

[gsellis]

Get a LCD. The plasma is hotter and the white will turn yellow if you leave it on the screen all year long. The color gamut is not so good either.

 

[Rio Rebel]

The colors on a plasma are breathtaking. I don't know where he gets "the color gamut is not so good..." that sounds like a comment from ignorance to me.

HOWEVER, you are getting good advice - look at an LCD. To get a plasma that can display HD means spending over $4,000, and still having to worry about burn-in. Don't go that road.

 

[Steve]

Originally posted by: Mik3y

Originally posted by: shady06
for half of that you can get a beautiful 30 inch apple cinema display

too bad he cant use the display. they dont work on pc's. u'll need a special $600 video card from apple to get that monitor working.

I thought all you needed was the (far cheaper) ADC adapter???

 

[Mik3y]

nope, for the 30" apple hd display, you need a special video card wtih dual-link dvi ports that only works on macs. dual dvi will not cut it. mainomega, why dont you like the apple displays? is it because it is branded by apple? apple doesnt make lcd's. neither does dell or viewsonic. they contracted with, i think, LG and they make them lcd's with a name on them. as for lcd's, apple branded ones are among some of the best lcd's you can get.

 

[NJDevil]

Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Old.

New.

Don't do it, it gave me headaches.

Wow, that is what I call an amazing setup ... bravo sir!

As soon as I get out of college, get a real job, and get an apartment, I will be doing something like that.

:beer:

 

[SingralliSeen]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: iwearnosox
Old.

New.

Don't do it, it gave me headaches.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Wow, that is what I call an amazing setup ... bravo sir!

As soon as I get out of college, get a real job, and get an apartment, I will be doing something like that.

I've been out of college for a looooooooong time. I have a "real job". I can NEVER imagine such a setup in my home. Not unless I send my kids to work too.

 

[klah]

Any dual-link dvi card can drive the Apple 30" display @ 2560 x1600.

From ATI there are 2 DDL cards: the FireGL X3-256 and the FireGL V7100.
From Nvidia there are 4 DDL cards: FX3000/FX3000G and FX4000/FX4000SDI.

The cheaper ATI card is the V7100 @ $800
The cheaper NV card is the FX3000 @ $1,300