HDTV for monitor?

[Camaro4726]

So I haven't been deciding on using an hdtv as my monitor for gaming and everything else I have read everything on deciding to do this or not and still think I'm going to get an hdtv for it just curious for those of you that know about this more than I do.

This is what I have my eyes set on getting don't want to spend more than 600 on a tv and this one looks like it covers most of my needs and stuff like that opinions pleasssse????

LG 42" 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV 42LK520

 

[Frag_Maniac]

LCDs can have slight tradeoffs as PC/gaming monitors. Ones without 4:4:4 chroma will show red text rather blurry. Then there's input lag, which I've not been able to find any tests of on that one or it's current model. Panasonic and LG are the two brands lowest in input lag though, LG more so last year (depending on model), Panasonic more so this year.

Make sure you look at one in store if you can, better yet with a game console if you can to get an idea of the lag. Amazon has the current 42CS570 model that adds revised (Triple XR vs XR) video processing and SIMPLINK for $30 less. You can even get it as low as $470 on Amazon if you have approved credit and sign up for their Visa Rewards card.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ZH0JQM/?tag=tec06d-20

Note that significant changes in video processing CAN raise input lag. My Panny TC-L32U3 has been tested to about 23ms lag. I play a wide variety of games on it without any noticeable lag. The model you're looking at may be slightly better when it comes to blur though.

So it can be a tough call in weighing in how much you care about movies vs games. If it's mostly for movies, you may want the better video processing. If it's mostly for games, and esp if you play competitive online shooter, race or fighter games, you may want to opt for the lowest input lag.

I looked at last year's and this year's LGs and Pannys before deciding. I knew I wanted a good quality IPS panel. With Panny that is easy because all of their TC-L models have very good Alpha IPS panels. With LG they'll actually put you through a panel lottery so you don't know whether it will come with an IPS or VGA panel. LG's models (esp last year's) also seem to be pretty inconsistent on input lag.

Note that Panasonic's closest competitor to the 42" LG 120Hz TV is already sold out most places, and Newegg doesn't even carry them. The TC-L42U30 is a pretty good set though. This is not a very good time of year to buy really. Both prices and selection aren't very good. I bought mine a week before the Superbowl for $350 at Amazon and they credited me the difference in price when it dropped to $330 a week later.

 

[Jstn7477]

I have an LG 42LK550 and I did try it with a PC when I got it, but I found computing in general to be difficult to read on such a big screen. I had to turn it down to 720p to read stuff and at that point it was quite cramped. Plus, 90% of TVs have 60Hz inputs only, including the "120Hz" models.

I use an ASUS VG236H 23" 120Hz monitor and love it. Have you considered a 27" model or something? In my opinion, TVs aren't that good for computing, although they might do okay with games. They are essentially 22" monitors stretched up to 42" or whatever size you are looking at, which makes the pixels much bigger.

 

[Camaro4726]

Well I made sure this one has game mode and ppl have said works great with mw3 and whatnot so I think I'm good for lag just wondered about the true 1080p it says 1920x1080 so I'm assuming its true 1080p but figured I would check with the ppl who might have better experience checking this thanks for tthe advice though I appreciate it

 

[Camaro4726]

I have an LG 42LK550 and I did try it with a PC when I got it, but I found computing in general to be difficult to read on such a big screen. I had to turn it down to 720p to read stuff and at that point it was quite cramped. Plus, 90% of TVs have 60Hz inputs only, including the "120Hz" models.

I use an ASUS VG236H 23" 120Hz monitor and love it. Have you considered a 27" model or something? In my opinion, TVs aren't that good for computing, although they might do okay with games. They are essentially 22" monitors stretched up to 42" or whatever size you are looking at, which makes the pixels much bigger.

I got a 22in Samsung monitor with the tuner and component and all that stuff already and computer looks great on it I just wanted something less desk oriented if this one is similar to yours with text I may just use my monitor for computing thanks for ur input

 

[Frag_Maniac]

Honestly, using an HDTV for a desktop display involves the same principles as using one for movies, except you have the added benefit of changing desktop res and zooming web pages to get the desired font size you want. It's all about using a comfprtable distance, res and zoom. The pixels are bigger on a bigger screen yes, but if it's noticeable, you are sitting too close.

With my 32" 1080p TV I sit about 6' away and use a desktop res of 1366x768. I also zoom web pages typically up to the first appearance of the sideways scroll bar. The new G500 mouse I just got with lateral click scroll wheel for sideways scrolling makes reading web pages a breeze. One of the things I love about this forum is it's software has the kind of zoom tech where it doesn't use a lateral scroll bar, so everything is always on screen. Man I wish all forums had that.

Oh, and yeah Camaro, that is a full 1080p TV. Any TV that is advertised as 1080p should be.