How realistic is it to use TV as monitor

[lokifalcon55]

I was wondering about setting up a PC with a TV as a monitor. I saw some video cards with HDMI ports, example Sapphire Radeon Vapor-X HD 4890 1 GB HDMI. It made me feel that I could easily connect with HDMI on TV. Put I have no experience with this.

It seems like it would be nice to be able to watch movies or play games on TV widescreen, but is it really something reasonable to do?

I searched forums and found some people were having issues related to what I am asking which makes me worry. I have a Philips 42" LCD model 42PFL5332D/37, Signal is provided by Directv HDVR. I am looking at building a new PC so components are to be determined. Any help would be appreciated.

[EzyStvy]

Have you ever sat 12 inches away from you 42" tv and watched a movie?

But people do use tv's all the time...Or they install an85 dollar tv card in their pc and watch tv that way.

[Force Flow]

A friend of mine uses a 42" in his living room and has it connected to his computer, Wii, DVD player, and a few other things.

It works great, though he's usually sitting in the middle of the room a few feet away from the screen when he's using the computer (and not 12 inches away)

[pally01]

My htpc is connected to a 40" LCD. I typically sit appx 6 or 7 feet from the screen. It works great. The display is crisp, big and easy to look at. Wouldn't trade it for anything (except maybe a bigger flat panel).

[MaxRat]

I have a rear projection Mitsubishi 56" and I have a PC hooked to it...I surf the net and everything else right from the sofa...mostly use it to watch movies but it does everything nicely...