Where can I learn more about monitor options (such as LCD vs. HDTV vs. Plasma)?

[rnmcd]

The reason I ask is that I want to buy a large (tv sized...26+ inches) monitor that can double as a tv as well as a monitor to connect to my PC.

I really have no idea where to begin. I have given thought to a projector but the ones that I have seen/tried are a little too loud (fan).

A person I work with just bought an 27" HDTV for around $900 and he claims it can be used as a PC monitor. Do you know if he could be correct?

If that is the case why do some much smaller LCD monitors cost more? Is it because LCD produces a better image than HDTV?

Thanks for educating me!!

 

[beatle]

HDTV is just the signal / resolution. An HDTV CRT will look much more detailed than a non-hdtv lcd. HDTV resolution is lower than your computer monitor can display (provided it will do at least 800x600). I'm not sure of the exact resolution... I think it's like 872x384 or something cryptic like that.

 

[rnmcd]

^

 

[rbV5]

Go spend some time at AVS forum

 

[mchammer187]

i doubt you'd ever want to use a HDTV as a monitor because you will be stuck at low resolutions

at best you get something that is 1280p but on a monitor that is only something like 1280x720 which is usable i guess but most computer monitors can do 1280x1024+ if it is a crt

and 17"+ LCD monitors can do 1280x1024 (4:3 obviously) or even more

i say just get an HDTV but imo it is not very practical to get one specifically for the purpose of doubling as a monitor

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: mchammer187
i doubt you'd ever want to use a HDTV as a monitor because you will be stuck at low resolutions

at best you get something that is 1280p but on a monitor that is only something like 1280x720 which is usable i guess but most computer monitors can do 1280x1024+ if it is a crt

and 17"+ LCD monitors can do 1280x1024 (4:3 obviously) or even more

i say just get an HDTV but imo it is not very practical to get one specifically for the purpose of doubling as a monitor

Thanks for the information. I have done some reading up on HDTV and understand that it would not be the way to go if I want it to double as a monitor.

Since I'm looking for something to double duty as a monitor and a tv I guess I'll have to either buy a projector or an LCD.

There's no way I can spend $3k+ for a LCD...but I think prices are dropping. Oddly I haven't seen many LCD monitors in the 27' range. They seem to either be 15"-19" or above 38".

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: beatle
HDTV is just the signal / resolution. An HDTV CRT will look much more detailed than a non-hdtv lcd. HDTV resolution is lower than your computer monitor can display (provided it will do at least 800x600). I'm not sure of the exact resolution... I think it's like 872x384 or something cryptic like that.

what about an HDTV that has 1080i? Will that be sufficient to double as a PC monitor?

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: beatle
HDTV is just the signal / resolution. An HDTV CRT will look much more detailed than a non-hdtv lcd. HDTV resolution is lower than your computer monitor can display (provided it will do at least 800x600). I'm not sure of the exact resolution... I think it's like 872x384 or something cryptic like that.

what about an HDTV that has 1080i? Will that be sufficient to double as a PC monitor?

Definitely not. In fact 1080i is inferior to 720p (another HDTV format). Interlacing makes for some difficult text reading.

 

[rnmcd]

So I will have to go with Plasma, LCD, or rear-projection tv if I want to use it as a PC monitor that I can view text with, right?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

There's no way I can spend $3k+ for a LCD...but I think prices are dropping. Oddly I haven't seen many LCD monitors in the 27' range. They seem to either be 15"-19" or above 38".

The monitors in the 15-23" range are very different than the LCD monitors above 38". Most importantly, the smaller LCD's are direct-view, meaning you are staring directly at the liquid crystals on the glass. For a 23" direct-view LCD, there needs to be a 23" silicon panel (referred to as a substrate) on which the crystals are etched. On a panel that large, there is a high risk for defective pixels. This high risk is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. These monitors are very thin, which is why so many people use them for their computers. Hell, I just bought a 20" Dell 2001FP LCD.

Most larger LCD-based televisions are not direct-view, they're rear projection. The actual LCD screen is very small in comparison to it's overall size. The LCD may only be a few inches in diagonal, hidden in the back/bottom of the television. Using mirrors and lenses, the tiny LCD image is enlarged and reflected onto the glass in the front of the TV. You don't stare at the LCD itself, only a projected/enlarged image from the tiny LCD inside. Compare a 3" silicon panel in the large television to a 23" panel on the smaller television and you'll start to see why manufacturing costs are much higher for the direct-view sets.

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

There's no way I can spend $3k+ for a LCD...but I think prices are dropping. Oddly I haven't seen many LCD monitors in the 27' range. They seem to either be 15"-19" or above 38".

The monitors in the 15-23" range are very different than the LCD monitors above 38". Most importantly, the smaller LCD's are direct-view, meaning you are staring directly at the liquid crystals on the glass. For a 23" direct-view LCD, there needs to be a 23" silicon panel (referred to as a substrate) on which the crystals are etched. On a panel that large, there is a high risk for defective pixels. This high risk is passed on to the consumer in the form of higher prices. These monitors are very thin, which is why so many people use them for their computers. Hell, I just bought a 20" Dell 2001FP LCD.

Most larger LCD-based televisions are not direct-view, they're rear projection. The actual LCD screen is very small in comparison to it's overall size. The LCD may only be a few inches in diagonal, hidden in the back/bottom of the television. Using mirrors and lenses, the tiny LCD image is enlarged and reflected onto the glass in the front of the TV. You don't stare at the LCD itself, only a projected/enlarged image from the tiny LCD inside. Compare a 3" silicon panel in the large television to a 23" panel on the smaller television and you'll start to see why manufacturing costs are much higher for the direct-view sets.

WOW and thank you KnightBreed. It is great when I get educated like that!

So do you think a rear-projection LCD would work as a monitor for viewing text?

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: rnmcd
So I will have to go with Plasma, LCD, or rear-projection tv if I want to use it as a PC monitor that I can view text with, right?
....
So do you think a rear-projection LCD would work as a monitor for viewing text?

[*]What are your size requirements? Remember some TV's are thicker than others.
[*]What is your price range?
[*]Do you want a widescreen 16:9 monitor or traditional 4:3?

If you insist on getting a single monitor for computer and television use, I wouldn't touch Plasma with a 10' pole with knives and various explosives attached to the end of it. They are still overpriced and issues with screen burn-in scares the daylights out of me - especially for somebody that plans on using it for their desktop.

Depending on what size of a television you want, yes the rear projection LCD is probably your best bet. I'd also consider looking at DLP-based sets from Samsung. Neither have issues with screen burn-in and are both pretty bright and clear.

Whatever you end up buying, please make sure the TV will accept a high resolution signal from a computer. You might need to buy a HDTV decoder card for your PC for like ~$200. It uses a PCI slot like your average sound card, NIC, or whatever and has the necessary video outputs for your TV. This is the area where my memory gets a bit fuzzy. I'd recommend doing some more research here, as I'm not entirely sure what you will need.

MDP-120 - High-Definition Decoder ATSC Tuner PCI Card

How to connect HDTV Card to your display

 

[rnmcd]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Depending on what size of a television you want, yes the rear projection LCD is probably your best bet. I'd also consider looking at DLP-based sets from Samsung. Neither have issues with screen burn-in and are both pretty bright and clear.

I was reading the warning label on an X-Box DVD that my cousin received for Christmas and it specifically said not to use rear or front projection televisions because static images will burn-in.


Does anyone know which is correct?

Thanks.

 

[Perplx]

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Originally posted by: KnightBreed

Originally posted by: rnmcd

Depending on what size of a television you want, yes the rear projection LCD is probably your best bet. I'd also consider looking at DLP-based sets from Samsung. Neither have issues with screen burn-in and are both pretty bright and clear.

I was reading the warning label on an X-Box DVD that my cousin received for Christmas and it specifically said not to use rear or front projection televisions because static images will burn-in.


Does anyone know which is correct?

Thanks.

Traditional projection TVs burn in. LCD projection and DLP's dont burn in.