difference between 24" LCD TV and 24" LCD computer monitor?

[bhome83]

A little confused here. I want a new flat panel 24" screen for my computer but will also use it for watching HDTV and blu ray in my room via blue ray drive on computer. Was wondering though, is there a huge noticeable difference between buying a 24" LCD flat panel monitor and a 24" LCD flat panel TV?

I see most 24" screens advertised as monitors and a few advertised as LCD tv's. Does one have a better contrast ratio, viewing angle, features, etc? Is one type of screen more apt for playing computer games as opposed to watching TV/movies?

I'll probably use the LCD for 60% computing and 40% watching HDTV/blu ray. Dont want to really go much bigger than 25."

Any help is appreciated. Thanks guys!

[Hi Ho]

In order for a display to be considered a "TV" it must have a tuner in it. That is the main difference. The other is that a TV will most likely be one of two resolutions; 1280x720 or 1920x1080. A TV will also likely have multiple input sources like composite, component, and HDMI as well as internal speakers.

A monitor is just that. A monitor. It normally has only one input, no tuner, no speakers. Resolutions vary greatly.

If you are going to be using it for HDTV and Blu-Ray I would go for a TV.

[bhome83]

i see :) Kinda odd though that you can get 30 in LCD TV's for under $500 but if you want a 30" monitor its gonna cost you a lot more usually from the prices i see.

ps - on quick side note Hi Ho, your sig is begging me to ask you what kind of headphones do you use? I need a new pair, budget around $150 and have been looking at the grado's but am a little turned off by the comfort level they dont really have.

[Hi Ho]

The headphones I use are AKG k240s. They are extremely comfortable and very accurate. I am very happy with them. They're great for music and audio editing. The only thing they lack is very low bass response. I have been thinking of picking up a Sennheiser headset for playing games.

[Planefreak]

Don't forget about the remote!!! The thing every guy needs when kicking back. Monitors, or none that I've seen, come with remotes while tv's come with remotes, speakers...

Just curious but do they sell 24" TV's with full 1080 res?

One more thing, I bought the Sennheiser Eh350 (they are a lot like the HD212's). They sound great, have a nice long cord but after an hour or so they start to hurt my ears. So just make sure you read the reviews.

[bhome83]

doing a search on amazon shows they have a samsung 24" 1080p LCD TV that is just over $400.

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Touch-T240HD-24-Inch-Monitor/dp/B001AYGDCE/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1229759515&sr=8-1

If I want a dell ultrasharp monitor (the highly rated one) its between $500-600. Dont understand why a computer LCD would be more expensive than a TV LCD.

[Planefreak]

That is strange. That tv has HDMI too but you can find cheap 24" monitors out there. Samsung is always relatively high in the ratings and I usually see there monitors are more than everyone elses.

It might be difference in quality or more likely market demand driving prices down or up. If more people were in the market for large LCD's for their PC's prices would probably drop.

[XenaWP]

If you want good headphones spend some time at HeadFi. You'll get lots of ideas there. It's the PCMech of headphones.

[CaptJeff]

I'll throw in my .02 worth since I just had the same dilemma. I bought a 24" monitor as a secondary, since my video card supports dual DVI outputs. I was very happy with the resolution (1920x1200) and this really expanded my desktop, which I need as an active trader. I decided I wanted it to double as a TV source as well, so I got a Hauppauge tuner card and an HD satellite box for my office. The only inputs on the TV card were coax and S-video. Unfortunately, HDMI isn't supported on TV cards due to proprietary issues with the signal providers, and my box (DirecTV) doesn't provide a coax output. So, I connected the two via S-video. While I was able to have CNBC on during the trading day, the resolution was disappointing, even when shrinking the screen down to improve viewability.

This is where I was in the same quandary as you: HDTV or monitor that might support HDMI. I decided to go the TV route and got a 26" Toshiba with 2 HDMI inputs. I connected my PC via a DVI-HDMI adaptor and the sat box with a direct HDMI connection. Switching inputs is very easy with the TV remote.

What I learned here is that life is full of compromises. Now, the windows I move over to the TV when acting as secondary monitor are not quite as crisp, however the TV signal is awesome, even at 740p and it displays the BluRay DVD's I play through the computer exceptionallywell.

I think the only way I can have my cake and eat it too is to leave the other monitor connected and dedicate the TV to the sat box, which would require a lot of real estate on my desk, with 3 LCDs.

Hope this is helpful.

[mattaggie]

The benfit of the monitor = higher resolutions.
The benitit of the HDTV = more input device options. The only one that really matters is the tuner since PCs can play CD/DVD/bluray.

I'd say if you are going to doing mostly PC stuff, go with the monitor. If TV watching is most important, go with HDTV. As the above post says, you cant have it both ways unless you get a display for each purpose.