LCD monitor or 1080p TV for PC?

[TheDrake]

Well I didnt think that LCD monitors would fall into the category Video Cards and Graphics so I originally posted in Peripherals and didnt get much response so I am reposting in here.

I am really debating on whether to get a really nice 24" or higher monitor for my PC or just getting a 1080p TV for a little bit more. Seems like the really nice 24" monitors run $600+ and then for around $800 now you can get a 42" 1080p LCD TV. Or another option is to say screw those ideas and just use my 47" Westy 1080p from the home theater as the monitor and stick it in my room, then upgrade my Home Theater TV to a nicer plasma/LCD 50" or higher. Obviously the latter would be the most expensive but I have been wanting to upgrade my HT TV for a little while now so I am willing to spend more on it.

Basically I will be using the monitor for the occasional gaming, watching tv through the PC, movies, music, browsing the net, checking email, etc...

I have read the LCD thread and it seems like the ViewSonic VX2435WM would work well for me for a 24". Keep in mind my budget for a 24" monitor will be roughly $600+/-, or a 42" monitor for around $800+/- , and for a upgraded HT TV would be about $1700+/-.

So my question is more what would you do in the same situation. Would a 47" just be too big for your room? Any suggestions and ideas would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[child of wonder]

I have the Westinghouse LVM-47w1 and really enjoy it. It plays games fantastic at 1920x1080.

However, I sit 10' away from the screen so it works well that way. Less than 6' would definitely be too close.

One advantage to a monitor vs. 1080p TV is that a 24" monitor has a higher res at 1920x1200 and a 30" monitor would be 2560x1600.

Can your video card handle those higher resolutions? If so and you'll be watching less than 6' away, get the biggest monitor you can.

If not or you'll be watching more than 6' away, get the biggest TV you can.

 

[TheDrake]

I mean I can position my desk and everything to be up to 10' away from the TV in my room. There are many options. My room is 12' x 16' so its long and I can move my desk away from where the screen would be to put a 40" or bigger screen. My video card is Geforce 8800GTS 640MB so it shouldnt have too much trouble with high resolutions for gaming. I currently play Oblivion on the 47" 1080p with most all settings turned up.

 

[TheDrake]

Anyone else?

 

[betasub]

If your 47" 1080p and GTS-640 do sweet Oblivion gaming for you, then you are really deciding between an HT upgrade (expensive) or a small 1920x gaming screen (cheaper, 47" stays as HT). So if HT means that much to you, blow the cash...

FWIW, 47" kinda dominants my similar-sized room so I'd look at the smaller option (also because I wouldn't blow that kinda cash on HT )

 

[TheDrake]

Yeah I think thats what I am thinking too. I want to see what happens to prices on the 37-42" 1080p's after the superbowl and if they are around 600-800 then I might have to just grab one of those for the room.

BTW I currently have a 50" right on my desk (its a plasma I have been breaking-in for a friend) and that about makes me go blind sitting that close.

 

[Dman877]

Sharp has a 32 inch 1080p set. If you actually wanted to put your monitor/tv on the desk your computer is on, that wouldn't be a bad option. I think it's in the $900 range atm.

 

[TheDrake]

Yeah, see for a 32" thats just too much. With the 42" 1080p Westy at BB you can get for less than $900 if you have a 12% coupon (which I do). I would only guess the prices will drop even more so next month.

 

[betasub]

That 32" Sharp 1080p is sweet. The right size for my room, but not yet the right price for my wallet. I'll be dealtracking for one.

 

[TheDrake]

Yeah, if it drops to $600-$700 then that would be the sweet spot for my wallet as well.

 

[speckedhoncho]

I use a 720p in my living for my HTPC. It's worth it if, as child of wonder says, you're not too close. For my, when I am 5ft away it is great. If you're gonna use the display as a desk solution, you will probably wanna stay around a 32" 1080p HDTV. But if you're gonna game 5+ft away from it, then it will beat the monitor solution unless your video card can handle 2560x1600 beautifully.