Using a 32" 720p Samsung HDTV as a monitor.

[TurtleCrusher]

I'm getting a 32" Samsung (LN32D450) tv from a friend for $150. I'm wondering it if will be suitable for pc gaming, movies and light browsing.

The response time for an older set of the same LCD showed 3 to 5ms input lag compared to a crt over at Avs. My only fear is buying the tv and it sucks for pc gaming.

 

[toyota]

well try it and see for yourself since it looks like you already bought it. 1280x720 would probably be annoying for browsing the web though. and you will probably need lots of AA in games at just 1280x720 on a screen that big.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Ill be buying it in a week as my friend is being stationed in Japan. Point taken on the AA. I wont be able to try it out until i get my next build complete so I'd hope if someone has done this with a late model tv like this to share their experience too.

I'll be carrying over a 6870 so it should be more than capable at that resolution. I'll probably pair it with a Phenom x6 (maybe x4) and i will OC that so im not so CPU limited.

 

[Gillbot]

I use a 37" tv at times and the 1366x768 resolution is just painful.

 

[gmaster456]

I don't think its that great. Thats a pretty low res for that big of a screen for anything other than movies. Its just too blurry to me and the details aren't as sharp. You'd be better off using that $150 to get a monitor instead of using a TV

 

[toyota]

I don't think its that great. Thats a pretty low res for that big of a screen for anything other than movies. Its just too blurry to me and the details aren't as sharp. You'd be better off using that $150 to get a monitor instead of using a TV

I do not think it would be blurry since it will be running at native res.

 

[gmaster456]

I do not think it would be blurry since it will be running at native res.

I tried using a 27' 720p TV as a monitor and every was just to pixely. Blurry was probably the wrong adjective.

 

[Ghiedo27]

I used a 32" sharp (1360x768) as my primary monitor for a few months. I'd rank it very poor for text or high quality pictures. It was solid for older games, but new games the interface can look a bit off at that resolution. Make sure you plan for the extra foot or so you're going to want to be away from the display.

I do not think it would be blurry since it will be running at native res.

Blurry may not be the right word for it, but there is a loss of clarity when you're looking at something that low res spread over such a relatively large screen area. For watching video it's great, but anything you look at more closely is going to be compromised.

Overall a 720p display is a better addition as a side monitor for movies than for any kind of productivity or gaming.

 

[Ferzerp]

There is a reason that tvs are so much cheaper than monitors....

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Ill check out more monitors then. My budget for one was only about 110 or so. Since its a tv i was able to convince the wife its multipurpose, but im rethinking it now...

Any decent tn's in that range? Bigger size the better. 1080 isnt a concern at those sizes.

 

[genietime]

Can you go a little higher than $110? You can get something much larger for a bit more.

For example Newegg has an Acer 23.6" 1080P for $140, free shipping. I don't have one, but I seen one and I thought it was fine, especially for the price.

This item #: N82E16824009305

I'd rather have that than than a 32" HDTV at 720p for general computer use.

 

[snuuggles]

I personally use an older westinghouse 32" 1360x768 TV as a monitor.

1. I sit about 4' from it.
2. I avoid doing a lot of work on it
3. I like the low rez-games work fine at that rez, they are *all* designed for that rez and the UIs etc are great. Bonus is that frame rates are always awesome at that rez.

It's pretty bad as a work display--just not enough pixels. But for browsing/email/gaming it's completely fine. I can't speak for the specific device you are considering though.

For the activities you are considering I really dont think the *resolution* will be a huge issue. However, TVs are notoriously inconsistant in their display quality for still images such as when used as a monitor. I strongly suggest you connect the tv to some sort of computer and:

1. really look at the text. Make sure that it looks ok at the distance you'll be sitting away from it.

2. find a "busy" texture and scroll it. fine pinstripes or trees with many twings etc. This can give you an idea of "worst case" for pixel lag. Most tv's (and many monitors!) are horrible when displaying this type of texture.

 

[skipsneeky2]

I walked into a best buy hoping to purchase a $400 27'' led monitor and i walked out with a 1080p 37 inch t.v.

Sit about 5 feet away and the 1920x1080 looks very nice.


Had a sony 32 inch 720p it wasn't that great so anyone who can afford any size 1080p even if they lose a few inchs over a bigger 720p,go for it i say.