Using a hdtv as a computer monitor

[theory816]

Is it good to do this? lol, my sis has a 40inch hdtv she doesnt use so she will be giving it to me. Im new to pc building and plan on building a pc soon and so i wanna cut back on the expenses. what do you guys think about having a gigantic tv as a pc monitor 24/7 use

 

[pauldun170]

Its free...try it out.
You may want to put some distance between you and the screen so I hope the desk you are using is pretty deep

 

[philipma1957]

I love my sony 46 inch led . It all depends on how close you sit to it.

 

[Eug]

1) It has to map the pixels directly, and not distort the image. For example, a lot of older plasma TVs are actually 1024x768, which is a 4:3 aspect ratio for square pixels, and then stretches the image to 16:9. So, if you feed it a 1920x1080p image, it will shrink it down to 1024x768, and then stretch it back out to 16:9. Not ideal.

2) It depends on how far you sit from it. Older TVs are 1366x768 or 1280x720, but most newer ones are 1920x1080. However, even at 1920x1080, everything will look absolutely enormous on a 40" TV if it's on your desk. What's worse, the pixels and the spaces between the pixels will look huge.

1920x1080 is better suited to a 21" screen if it's going to be sitting on your desk.

3) If it's sitting on your desk and close to you, the top of the screen will be far too tall. Not ergonomic. Get ready for neck or back pain.

 

[theory816]

i dont have a desk but the tv is goin on a stand and imma put the tower on the stand and go wireless with the keyboard and mouse

 

[N4n45h1]

I've been using a 40in Sony 1080p LED TV from about 4 feet or so and haven't had any trouble. I mostly use it for reading scientific journal articles, where the larger text allows me to sit back more comfortably.

 

[piasabird]

I have an Intel Z68 motherboard computer attached to a Samsung LN40C500 and it makes a nice monitor. I watch Internet videos on it. Only one connection for video and sound. Might have to be a little further back to play a video game.