TV or Monitor?

[TubeTote]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a TV or monitor for my bedroom wall. I don't have a lot to spend, and I found this TV available at Costco for about $300:

https://m.costco.com/Samsung-40"-Class-(39.9"-Diag.)-4K-Ultra-HD-LED-LCD-TV.product.100381127.html

I don't know a lot about TV / monitor specs, but it does have a 120 refresh rate, seemingly good resolution, and good consumer ratings. I plan on possibly gaming on the TV or monitor, but it would be used primarily to watch programs, and I'm a pretty casual gamer (my hardware is pretty outdated at this point).

I'm just looking for some opinions from those who understand specs better than myself. Is there any advantage to choosing a similar sized monitor over the TV? If it helps, I currently don't subscribe to a provider. I usually just mirror my phone screen to watch Netflix, though at some point I might subscribe to cable or satellite again.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[mdram]

motion rate 120 is not the same as 120 refresh
https://www.cnet.com/news/ultra-hd-4k-tv-refresh-rates/

 

[TubeTote]

Interesting article, thank you. Some of the info is a bit above my head, but from what I'm seeing many of the TV specs are a marketing ploy, and each manufacturer seems to have their own version of this. Anything to make shopping confusing as possible I guess!

 

[Craig234]

I'v never understood why not to use a tv with the right specs for a monitor, though I have used monitors usually. When I HAVE used an LCD TV instead it's been fine. Just seems like an issue of whether the pixelation, resolution, color quality, motion handling, etc. are ok.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Make sure you get the proper video adapters if your computer uses displayports instead of hdmi outputs.

 

[mdram]

I'v never understood why not to use a tv with the right specs for a monitor, though I have used monitors usually. When I HAVE used an LCD TV instead it's been fine. Just seems like an issue of whether the pixelation, resolution, color quality, motion handling, etc. are ok.

some tvs have 'input lag' that can be noticable

 

[Craig234]

some tvs have 'input lag' that can be noticable

Good point, another of the 'specs' to check on the tv.

 

[TubeTote]

Make sure you get the proper video adapters if your computer uses displayports instead of hdmi outputs.

Actually my signatures here showing my specs are outdated. I tried to update but now anandtech seems to limit the amount of info you can put there, so I have held off. I do have HDMI on all of my machines , so that shouldn't be an issue...good point though.

some tvs have 'input lag' that can be noticable

Input lag...is this a spec listed for TV's or does it go by another name? I am not familiar with it, though I have heard of such issues.

 

[Harry_Wild]

Buy it locally if your UHTV and if it works out, you got a deal for a monitor and a bonus for TV; and if not your liking; it small enough to return without any hassle! Win, win!

 

[TubeTote]

Buy it locally if your UHTV and if it works out, you got a deal for a monitor and a bonus for TV; and if not your liking; it small enough to return without any hassle! Win, win!

Seems logical enough...and it's only a 40 inch lcd that is at Costco, who have an excellent return policy.

 

[SMOGZINN]

Look up the TVs you are interested in on this site to see how well they work as a monitor.

 

[Craig234]

Whoops wrong thread.