Is it ok to use a 40" 4k samsung TV as a computer monitor?

[piasabird]

That converter probably makes it look horrible. I have no clue what kind of connections you have on that TV. There are probably a lot of settings on that TV that could be changed to improve the video. The TV may be upscaling the video to a higher quality and doing other things that makes it look weird. So you may need to back off some of that to get a more stable picture.

It probably defeats the purpose of having a 4k HDTV if you are going to use VGA or DVI through a converter as the source of input. I have also heard of using a USB based video adapter. That might work better.

This is a USB3 product.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FXDW2ZY/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Never used this before.

 

[ioni]

I hate that computer monitors are so behind in terms of resolution though. How the hell did it happen where TVs are ahead? Even PHONES are ahead especially if you consider DPI.

What do you mean? There are a bunch of 4k monitors. They even have display port instead of HDMI like TVs have. They also have them in usable monitor sizes like 24", 27", or 28".

 

[JoeBleed]

That converter probably makes it look horrible. I have no clue what kind of connections you have on that TV. There are probably a lot of settings on that TV that could be changed to improve the video. The TV may be upscaling the video to a higher quality and doing other things that makes it look weird. So you may need to back off some of that to get a more stable picture.

It probably defeats the purpose of having a 4k HDTV if you are going to use VGA or DVI through a converter as the source of input. I have also heard of using a USB based video adapter. That might work better.

This is a USB3 product.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FXDW2ZY/ref=abs_brd_tag_dp?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Never used this before.

The converter is ok. it doesn't like my kvm though so i can only use it on one computer at a time. the 4k was just because there weren't a lot of options for decent input lag reviews that weren't 4k. my gaming computer, which is the one plugged into the hdmi port intended for PC use, is running 4k. it's my other old junk that will not do 4k. my old tv/monitor died so i had to get something or go back to a 21" crt.

Picture quality, its ok, it's more susceptible to glare than my old one. the picture for video is good. viewing angles, while reported good, fall off more than i like but not bad, bad. for PC use, i've followed suggestions to get the best/lowest input lag for HDMI 1. I turn off as much of the motion smoothing as i can. I forget what samsung calls it. input lag for me seems good. the mouse trails when i first turn on the tv is odd, but it goes away after a few minutes. I do keep my house around 55-60 degrees in the winter. that may have something to do with it. I haven't had it long.

 

[MrSquished]

I do keep my house around 55-60 degrees in the winter. that may have something to do with it. I haven't had it long.

Holy cow that's cold. I keep the thermostat at 70-71. Sometimes at night will turn the heat off and in the morning it's down to 65 and that's cold. Brrrr.

 

[JoeBleed]

Holy cow that's cold. I keep the thermostat at 70-71. Sometimes at night will turn the heat off and in the morning it's down to 65 and that's cold. Brrrr.

I likes the cold.

 

[Red Squirrel]

What do you mean? There are a bunch of 4k monitors. They even have display port instead of HDMI like TVs have. They also have them in usable monitor sizes like 24", 27", or 28".

They are also $500+ and basically considered niche. It should be standard at this point, not a niche product.

 

[ioni]

They are also $500+ and basically considered niche. It should be standard at this point, not a niche product.

You can get 4K monitors for $300. Why would they be standard when there is almost no 4k content and no video card can really handle 4k gaming yet? Sounds like a niche, premium product to me.

 

[disappoint]

Tried it and at 40" I find the screen is too big for average viewing distance and the PPI too low at 3840x2160. 36" would be the ideal size and 8K resolution of course.

Additionally, TVs just don't have the viewing angle, color uniformity, sufficient gamut, and proper white point for serious graphics work.

If you play games and watch netflix, they work great.

And finally, Windows scaling, even with 10, is just plain horrible. Nowhere near that of OSX.

Depends on the game and the TV. For some games you need low latency so don't forget to check the latency before buying. Some TVs have had horrible latency enough to make some games unplayable.

 

[jlee]

Sitting with a 40" monitor on my nose I probably could not deal with myself, irregardless of the resolution.

Have a 47" on as an extended monitor about 10' away.

40" is about perfect, IMO. It's the same pixel density as 20" displays at 1080P.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Just found out that Windows 10 and cast directly to my TV over wifi. Awesome for movies.

http://www.howtogeek.com/233663/how-to-cast-websites-to-your-tv-from-microsoft-edge/

 

[Red Squirrel]

You can get 4K monitors for $300. Why would they be standard when there is almost no 4k content and no video card can really handle 4k gaming yet? Sounds like a niche, premium product to me.

For computer monitors it's not about 4k content, it's about pixel real estate. A single 4k monitor will replace 4 regular monitors while taking up less physical room and only taking up 1 port. (so you could have 4 4k monitors for even more real estate)

 

[MrSquished]

I likes the cold.

You likes the cold obviously but does the rest of your household? You have trained them well?

You should join a mission to Antarctica. Where energy is expensive. You'd save the whole mission a bunch of bucks.

 

[Red Squirrel]

55F is 12C, a tad cold for indoor temp but I do let my house go down to that when I'm not home, or if I'm sleeping (I'm sleeping, not like I'll know the difference). It automatically goes to around 22C when I have to get up though. Or when I get home from work I usually have it go to around 18.

When I add more sensors throughout the house such as near any plumbing I'll probably go lower than 12. I just figure 12 is a a safe spot so that I don't get issues in areas where it might be even colder. I do want to get a wood stove at some point though so I'd probably throw a few logs in there on the really cold days. It's almost free heat especially if I cut my own trees. I guess this is kinda OT.

 

[JoeBleed]

You likes the cold obviously but does the rest of your household? You have trained them well?

You should join a mission to Antarctica. Where energy is expensive. You'd save the whole mission a bunch of bucks.

haha, no, i live alone. no one to complain.