Using a TV as a monitor.

Pogolauncher

Member
Aug 21, 2013
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I am soon to be getting a gaming PC, nothing special but something that i am managing to save up for. I decided not to add a monitor into the mix as it will add extra money, thus taking longer to save up for, i figured I have a HD tv that i can use as a monitor until i can further save up for a real monitor. I would connect it via HDMI and it should work.

I am, however worried about getting lag as it is not a proper monitor. I am wondering if anyone can confirm whether or not lag or delay will occur because i am using a tv as a monitor and if lag will happen, is it minor and unnoticable during gaming?

This is my only roadblock at the moment as i have no other PC to test if lag will occur.

Thanks in advance and I will reply when I can.

:)
 

gsaldivar

Diamond Member
Apr 30, 2001
8,691
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Yes it will lag, and yes it's noticeable. The good news is that most newer televisions have a "game mode" that disables some enhancement features and displays the image much more rapidly.
 

Blue_Max

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2011
4,223
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I'd be more concerned about the day-to-day stuff like email and forums... TV's are just nowhere near the crisp quality of a monitor. Text will be a fuzzy mess.
 

Pogolauncher

Member
Aug 21, 2013
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Yes it will lag, and yes it's noticeable. The good news is that most newer televisions have a "game mode" that disables some enhancement features and displays the image much more rapidly.

Uhm, im not sure that my tv has such a feature.

Well, gonna have to spend more money...

Thanks for clarifying though :)
 

Pogolauncher

Member
Aug 21, 2013
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Yes it will lag, and yes it's noticeable. The good news is that most newer televisions have a "game mode" that disables some enhancement features and displays the image much more rapidly.


Edit: Just checked a different tv (one that i cannot use) and it has a 'game mode' with an on/off button, that is all. Is that what you we're referring to as the tv is very similar to mine and will this option stop the lag?
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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I'd be more concerned about the day-to-day stuff like email and forums... TV's are just nowhere near the crisp quality of a monitor. Text will be a fuzzy mess.

Depends on how big, what resolution and how far away you sit. I have a 32" 1080p HDTV around 4' away from me and it is very usable as a monitor, though I don't normally use it (have my dual monitor 30" 2560x1600 + 20" 1680x1050 in portrait). I could see it being usable from as close as 24-30" away. HDMI acts a bit strange though (won't give me per pixel) but VGA actually works great.
 

Skott

Diamond Member
Oct 4, 2005
5,730
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From what I been reading about this subject ideally you should also get a TV that has the better processor and gpu unit inside it. Dual core and quad core CPUs inside TVs. How the world of electronics is ever changing. By the way, Zap. What 32" brand and model you using?
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,560
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From what I been reading about this subject ideally you should also get a TV that has the better processor and gpu unit inside it. Dual core and quad core CPUs inside TVs. How the world of electronics is ever changing. By the way, Zap. What 32" brand and model you using?

So THAT'S the motivation behind "Smart TVs". Getting people on the "upgrade treadmill" for TVs, as well as their phones and computers. Welcome to more e-waste.
 
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tolis626

Senior member
Aug 25, 2013
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I just wanted to drop my 2 cents here.I've been using my HDTV (A Philipps 40PFLsomething-it cost around 800€) for the past year as a monitor,and I couldn't be happier.The only issue I have is when there's white background,I can get some ghosting.When PC mode is enabled,text is sharp enough and response lag is down to a minimum,much like a PC monitor.I'm on a tight budget too,so it was a near-perfect solution for me.
 

Pogolauncher

Member
Aug 21, 2013
29
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I just wanted to drop my 2 cents here.I've been using my HDTV (A Philipps 40PFLsomething-it cost around 800€) for the past year as a monitor,and I couldn't be happier.The only issue I have is when there's white background,I can get some ghosting.When PC mode is enabled,text is sharp enough and response lag is down to a minimum,much like a PC monitor.I'm on a tight budget too,so it was a near-perfect solution for me.

Thanks for shedding some light on the matter.

My TV has a game mode, when enabled like a previous poster said it disables enhancements that a TV benefits from, I believe this is somewhat similar to your PC mode? and yeah, a monitor is something im going to save up for long term.

thanks again :)