Monitor or TV for second screen?

[CurseTheSky]

I've made numerous posts in the pasts about what monitor to get for my second screen, but I'm still undecided. Now I'm considering the possibility of getting a medium-sized LCD TV for my second "monitor."

My computer is primarily used for programming, web development, gaming, and general entertainment (I play a DVD or blu-ray from time to time). I'd like to get a second screen setup so I can have some applications on one screen and others on the other screen, or a game open on one, and a web browser on the other. I also wouldn't mind having a larger screen so I can watch videos from across the bedroom. The 24" is satisfactory for the distance I usually watch stuff at, but something like 30-32" would be nice.

On the other hand, I would like my desk to look somewhat neat - two different sized monitors side by side would look weird to me. If I could mount one up on the wall with the other below it and still have it be functional for programming, it would be great. I think the neck strain would suck, though.

So what do you guys think? Should I grab another 2408WFP and say "screw it" to having a larger screen for videos, or should I grab a TV 32" LCD TV and sacrifice productivity? If so, any specific suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[dac7nco]

Perhaps you should get a moveable VESA arm and secure it to a stud in the wall. I got a 1080p 32" TV at Newegg for $500, connected via HDMI. When I'm not playing a video file on it or gaming, it makes for nice additional windows desktop space. Get a copy of Ultramon, and you're off to the races.

Semper Fi,
Daimon

 

[CurseTheSky]

How would you set the monitors up, 24" below on the desk, and 32" directly above it? Or side by side?

 

[dac7nco]

Mine are set up "quasi" side-by-side. from left to right I have: Monitor-1 (24" 1920x1200), Monitor-2 (24" 1920x1200), TV/Monitor-3 (32" 1920x1080). I have them set so the mouse, from right to left will progress in a horizontal line from 1 to 3. The HDTV is mounted to an arm on the wall, but can drop low-enough to be inline with the monitors on my desk (about 3.5'). If we're in bed, watching a flick, the monitor cas raise to about 7', and tilt down without my head hitting the arm when I go to the kitchen. I used to have the HDTV sitting on a seperate rolling 2.5'-high stand, but the VESA arm makes more walking space in my bedroom. I can see how having the two side-by-side on a desk would look "ODD". the 32" TV is much bigger than the 24" monitors.

Semper Fi,
Daimon

P.S.: I recommend getting the 32" HDTV, at any rate. from a distance, it's very easy to read when using it as a monitor.

 

[lifeblood]

I have used a 19" monitor with a 15" mounted above it that worked well. But they were both much smaller then yours. I think trying to mount yours vertically would cause you neck strain from looking up at the higher monitor. Side by side is really your most comfortable option.

As for using a TV rather than a monitor, remember most TV's have a much worse refresh rate compared to a regular monitor so that will rule it out for any games that need a fast refresh rate.

 

[octopus41092]

I have dual 22" monitors and I think it's fine just like that. If I were you I would just go with 2 24" monitors and stick them next to each other. When you're watching movies and whatever you're close enough that size isn't a real issue. Plus if you're comparing things you don't have to look up to the wall or whatever. A TV might actually even be too big for up close use.