Use a television as a monitor?

[biggles]

Hi all,

I'm sure we've all seen this question asked many times over the years, usually by 'noobs' 'Can I use my television as a monitor?" The answer has traditionally been "No. The resolution of your telly is much lower than your monitor so the image would look terrible." Well, that was true, but it was back in the days when CRT televisions ruled, or in fact, were the only type available to we mere mortals. Now we have LCD and Plasma t.v's so I'm asking the question "Can one of these new fangled tellys be used as a monitor?"

I need a larger monitor but before I rush out and buy a monitor, I thought I'd explore a few other possibilities.

I want to move my computing out of my study and into my lounge room. I'll be buying either a notebook computer or, less likely, a tablet PC to achieve this. I'll access the net and my printer wirelessly via my current router/modem.

The ability to use a television as a monitor would be perfect for me, if it is both possible and practical.

My computer usage is now, a little basic word processing, some humungous spreadsheets (my main reason for a larger monitor), web browsing (minimal) and email.

No graphics work, no games, minimal Autocad, perhaps two drawings per year and that's about it.

So its over to the forum experts.

If it is possible, what feature(s) does the television have to have?

Cheers,

b.

 

[foxidrive]

If the LCD has a VGA input then yes, you can use it as a monitor and it works very well - I do it here. Your problem is going to be that while the screen is large the actual resolution of most cheaper LCD TV is only around 1300*768 which doesn't help your large spreadsheets at all but is fine for viewing videos etc.

The more expensive 'true' HD LCD TV resolution is around 1920 * 1080 resolution or something which will suit you better. As a comparison my 22" LCD is 1680 * 1050.

 

[biggles]

Thanks for that, foxi.

I've learned three things from your post.

1. The TV has to be LCD, not plasma.
2. It needs to be good quality and
3. It needs VGA input.

I can start looking around, just out of interest. I guess the thing to do is buy the computer first and take that with me and plug it into whatever tv I think I might want to buy.

 

[foxidrive]

1. The TV has to be LCD, not plasma.
3. It needs VGA input.

On point one, biggles, I have no experience with plasma but they might have a PC VGA/digital DVI/HDMI input as well.

Point 3 could be expanded and a screen could also have either a digital video DVI input for a PC (rectangular, scads of pins) or you might get a PC with a HDMI digital video output, which will take video as well as audio, and any modern screen will accept a HDMI input.

The benefit of the last one is that you could play Bluray movies through the HDMI connection and have full quality (if the PC has a bluray drive and you can afford bluray movie titles ).

 

[foxidrive]

While I think of it: You could use your current computer if it suits you with a wireless keyboard and mouse. The PC would be situated near the TV and plugged into the video and audio and a USB doover plugged in for the KB/mouse.

I use a shintaro wireless KB which has a thumbwheel mouse built in which takes getting used to but is very usable. You can lounge back and operate the PC from your sofa with only the weight of a light keyboard on your lap/hands.

There may be others but this is the beast I have:

http://www.warcom.com.au/shop/flypage/computer-hardware/input-devices/keyboards/4417

 

[misi]

While I think of it: You could use your current computer if it suits you with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

I have a bad experience with a wireless mouse-keyboard so if possible I do not use it.
It could be only my experience.(My old PC's wireless mouse-keyboard still works well)
In my opinion still better option than the laptop.
Laptops are not designed to work hard.Their space is limited to do that.

 

[biggles]

Some more good points to ponder. A portable computer will be coming my way eventually as I need to be able to compute away from home. It will eventually be used for work but I'd rather buy it myself (salary sacrifice) so I can buy exactly what I want and do anything I want with it.

A wireless keyboard and rodent is something I hadn't thought of. All our keyboards and mice at work are wireless and they work OK, most of the time.

Moving my desktop PC into the lounge room as a stop gap measure does offer some appeal. I want to incorporate my music collection and DVD's and have the whole lot accessible via a remote control. A computer is the only way I know of doing this. I don't need/want PVR capabilities.

It is however, something of a moot point at present because I'm not in the market for a new TV, just yet. Installing ducted heating and then incurring significant medical expenses have put a hole in my budget temporarily.

Thanks for the ideas, fellas.

Cheers,

b.

 

[misi]

A portable computer will be coming my way eventually as I need to be able to compute away from home.

If that is the case I do not have a word against portables. They are wonderful.(No sarcasm)
Go for it Biggles.

 

[Cheeky Chef]

I have a potential 50" plasma monitor in the lounge room, but I would not survive the shooting squad if I used it with my computer...

I have in the past used a crt TV on a computer with video out on the graphics card.

 

[biggles]

Bump.

It seems that the advent of LED TV's has caused LCD's TV's to drop in price significantly.

I'm once again looking at upgrading my telly.

Can anyone tell me what refresh rate I need? I saw a nice Panasonic (only 32" though) and it had a refresh rate of only 50Hz whereas the Sanyo or was it a Sony? next to it was 100Hz.

Any help appreciated.

Cheers,

b.

 

[misi]

Can anyone tell me what refresh rate I need? I saw a nice Panasonic (only 32" though) and it had a refresh rate of only 50Hz whereas the Sanyo or was it a Sony? next to it was 100Hz.

Higher the refresh rate less strain for the eyes.

 

[Cheeky Chef]

My suggestion would be,

LCD TV with a high refresh rate and 1080P full Hi Def preferably with HDMI inputs for clearest image.. Also, touch the screen of your LCD TV to see if the panel is covered by glass or plastic.. Don't get a plastic screen e.g. early Samsungs were plastic..

Why?

1. HDMI . Best picture quality and also supports sound, so speakers are not required.

2. 1080P . My mum has a high def 34" LCD that is 720P.. The images from the computer are sheet plus the image is not as you would see it on a monitor. The screen may be bigger, but the actual image is only approx 2/3rds of what is shown on a monitor. The greater the definition, the more real estate fits on the screen and the more true it will be as compared to a purpose made good quality monitor.

3. Refresh rate... The higher , the better.. Same with contrast...

4. Why not Plasma ? Image burn is still an issue , though not so much as earlier screens..

5. Why not LED ? Only reason is cost.. Just as LCD, there is no image burn ..

Try your best to get a computer or portable device with HDMI out... HDMI is now becoming more common with portable devices..

 

[biggles]

Biggles' plan of attack.

#1 Buy an entertainment unit to put the new toys on and in. Ooohhh Fantastic Furniture has a sale on. $99.00. It won't be great quality, but it will get me started.
Make special trip into Dandenong only to discover that they've sold out.

#2 See step #1. Do not proceed to step #3.

 

[foxidrive]

Bugger. I find it's often wise to ring and ask them to hold a fair ticket item that is on sale. Saves driving all that way and *then* being pissed off.


BTW, freecycle does have people downsizing and giving away entertainment units or furniture that can be pressed into service... it's worth keeping an eye on if you don't already. There are regional copies of freecycle too: knox freecycle is out Chris's way and Monash freecycle is close to me, etc. Melbourne freecycle covers anywhere around Melb.

 

[foxidrive]

As for a TV with a PC connection - many newer ones now have a HDMI connection for the video and audio output from the PC/notebook.

The digital connection is sharper than VGA, and on that point DVI video outputs can often be connected to a HDMI TV input through an adapter too.

 

[biggles]

Thanks for that Foxi.

I'll check out Free cycle and also "let my fingers do the walking' before driving into Dandenong again.

Cheers,

b.

 

[Spyke]

Biggles' plan of attack.

#1 Buy an entertainment unit to put the new toys on and in. Ooohhh Fantastic Furniture has a sale on. $99.00. It won't be great quality, but it will get me started.
Make special trip into Dandenong only to discover that they've sold out.

#2 See step #1. Do not proceed to step #3.

Did you try the Mornington store ?

 

[biggles]

Did you try the Mornington store ?

Hi Spyke,

I didn't consider Mornington because its really out of the way for me.

Dandenong isn't far away and I frequently find myself having to go there for a variety of reasons, like today, I had to go and get my photo taken for my renewed Handgun Licence.

I'll ring them tomorrow and see if they've received a delivery. If they haven't, I'll just have to wait until next week.

Cheers,

b.

 

[misi]

I had to go and get my photo taken for my renewed Handgun Licence.

 

[foxidrive]

Nice boots