TV tuner or Stand alone monitor as a TV?

[vhx]

I was considering buy one of the higher end 24" monitors like the BenQ or Dell that has lots of different inputs. I also am interested in maybe using my old 19" monitor as a TV. Anyways I was wondering where do I start?

Current questions:
1) What would be more practical to use a monitor as a TV? Get one of those converter box things that do a Coax connection to VGA or to get a TV tuner?

I wouldn't mind a TV tuner and dual viewing them, however I do like to play games and sometimes watch/listen to the TV at boring parts or when waiting. I assume that might end up to be a problem with a TV tuner. Also another downside is I would be getting both the TV and the computer sound through the same speakers. There wouldn't be anyway to output the computer sound and the TV to two separate speakers would there?
Also one thing I am concerned about is: If my monitor is a widescreen and doesn't support any hardware scaling, will the Coax to VGA appear as a stretched image? Anyone have experience with either of these setups?

2) I am considering using my PS2, my computer, then maybe whatever other device or I may want to hookup later to that 24 inch monitor. I know they sell like PS2 to VGA/monitor adapters and the like. However if I do this, how would I get sound to my speakers, since they are obviously in use by one specific output? (Computer)

And If I plan to hookup multiple display inputs to the monitor (Like a PS3 or X360), how would I get the different audio for each of those things? I assume I would need some sort of switch box for each thing? I hope someone understands what I am talking about. lol.

Any links or suggestions on what I should do or what to get would be helpful.

 

[nullpointerus]

Originally posted by: vhx
Current questions:
1) What would be more practical to use a monitor as a TV? Get one of those converter box things that do a Coax connection to VGA or to get a TV tuner?

By TV tuner do you mean a PCI/PCIe card for a computer?

P.S. You may want to ask a moderator to move this thread into the A/V Home Theater forum where it should get better response. My knowledge is somewhat limited.

I wouldn't mind a TV tuner and dual viewing them, however I do like to play games and sometimes watch/listen to the TV at boring parts or when waiting. I assume that might end up to be a problem with a TV tuner. Also another downside is I would be getting both the TV and the computer sound through the same speakers. There wouldn't be anyway to output the computer sound and the TV to two separate speakers would there?

I am confused. Why would a TV tuner make watching/listening to the TV at boring parts or when waiting more difficult? You just hit the input button on the TV remote (or the monitor's front panel), and the TV or monitor should switch back and forth between your computer and game console(s). If you want to pause the live TV on the TV tuner, then you can do that before switching back to the game console, but you could just as well leave it running (and later hit record/rewind if needed).

Also one thing I am concerned about is: If my monitor is a widescreen and doesn't support any hardware scaling, will the Coax to VGA appear as a stretched image? Anyone have experience with either of these setups?

Media Center applications scale as needed and add black bars to keep the aspect ratio correct, so this would not be a problem with a TV tuner card in your computer. However, with a Coax-to-VGA box, the box itself would need to support some kind of scaling. This should be mentioned in a feature list or in user reviews. Do not buy A/V equipment that has not been reviewed or recommended by someone knowledgeable.

2) I am considering using my PS2, my computer, then maybe whatever other device or I may want to hookup later to that 24 inch monitor. I know they sell like PS2 to VGA/monitor adapters and the like. However if I do this, how would I get sound to my speakers, since they are obviously in use by one specific output? (Computer)

You would need some kind of audio switch. If you are just using two-channel RCA audio cables, then you could get an A/V switch box at Radio Shack. If your speakers use mini jacks or something like that, then you would have to search for a different kind of switch. I'm not really familiar with those.

And If I plan to hookup multiple display inputs to the monitor (Like a PS3 or X360), how would I get the different audio for each of those things? I assume I would need some sort of switch box for each thing? I hope someone understands what I am talking about. lol.

I think you would run the computer and console audio outputs to a switch and connect the switch's audio output to the speaker system. In this case, the monitor would only take video connections. But you should make sure when choosing a monitor to get one that has low input lag so that the video and audio are not desynchronized.

 

[onlyCOpunk]

Easiest thing is to get an LCD TV with an ATSC tuner inside, then you can have the benefits of dual monitors and TV without using any cpu resources.

 

[s44]

Or attach a cable box to a monitor that does 16:9 -> 16:10 letterboxing (which is very few of them). These will almost all have DVI or HDMI outputs, or you could connect them via component if the monitor has that input.