LCD Monitor or LCD TV

[Vlad16]

Hello All

I'm trying to decipher the difference between going with an LCD monitor or LCD TV for my monitor upgrade.

Since I spend most of my free time at my home desk, I'm trying to figure out if I should go with a 20"-21" LCD monitor or an LCD TV. I spend about the same time watching videos/TV and browsing/gaming around.

I've decided to use my Dell 9300 as my main PC and forgo upgrading my desktop (upgrading to a 6800 from the X300).

I guess that the LCD TV may be my best option, so I'm hoping to get some suggestions on which one to get. My budget is around $600.00 for a display that will work as both a monitor and TV. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[RJ]

LCD TVs have a resolution optimized for TV. For regular TV, that'd be 640x480. . some have 800x600 I believe.
So if you go with LCD TV, be sure it's a HDTV, they should have 1920x1080, and thus be equally to a LCD monitor.

LCD TVs also have a tuner built in, so you can watch TV without having to use your PC. But having a tuner card in your PC has the advantage that you can also record TV to hard drive.

RJ

[Vlad16]

Thanks RJ.

I've been considering this LCD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824232002

It has a max resolution of 1280 x 768, WXGA (my prefered resolution on my 19" CRT).

It's HDTV ready but obviously not an HDTV.

I have a Pioneer 533 DVR/DVD recorder that is taking care of my TV recording needs (the TV Guide works very well for me without the TIVO subscription, even though it can't touch TIVO)

All considered, do you, or anyone in this forum have a suggestion for an LCD monitor within $600.00 US?

My thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[vanquished]

I just found a monitor which is the Samsung SyncMaster 770 tft. I need to find the power cables for this monitor. Does anyone know where i can find the power cables for this monitor?
Thanks alot- Jack

[RJ]

It has a max resolution of 1280 x 768, WXGA (my prefered resolution on my 19" CRT).

It's HDTV ready but obviously not an HDTV.

Well. . partially it is HDTV. HDTV has two resolutions .. . 1280x720 (720p) and 1920x1080 (1080i). That monitor can display 720p natively. You will have some black bars at the top and bottom coz it's a bit higher than 16:9 (probably a 16:10. . they seem to be common in the PC area for some reason), but the 720p picture will be displayed 1:1.
1080i has to be downscaled to 720p in order to be displayed. So, 720p is possible, but 1080 has to be downscaled.

I have a Pioneer 533 DVR/DVD recorder that is taking care of my TV recording needs (the TV Guide works very well for me without the TIVO subscription, even though it can't touch TIVO)

You can connect it to the TV. If possible, via component. Otherwise, S-Video will do it, too.

The aspect ratio is what would keep me from getting that monitor. It's not 16:9. . it's a little bit narrower. But if it's ok for you, then you should be happy with it.

RJ

[Vlad16]

Thanks so much RJ for the info. I'm just starting to dwell into the LCD/HDTV market and you've explained alot to me.

This TV is out of stock at Newegg right now, but appears to be a much better monitor/TV for the money

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16889107001

[RJ]

That one looks very good to me. It has the correct aspect ratio, 16:9, and a native resolution of 1280x720, which is 720p. So 720p content will be displayed 1:1 on the screen, with no interpolation at all.
1080i content will have to be downscaled to be displayed.

Only "problem" is that its viewing angle is not so wide. It's 130° horizontal and 110° vertical (typical for TN panels).

RJ