HDTV Recommendations // PC Monitor

[Aodh]

Living in Japan I don't have much space, and would like to get a HDTV to replace my computer monitor and run both that and my new PS3 coming this week off the one display. I was wondering if people had any recommendations for displays that work well as computer monitors. What features to look out for (i.e. refresh rate) or if there are any advantages to using a 32" display over a 19", even though they have the same native resolution of 1366x768. Ideally I'm looking for a 26" or a 32" screen, like I said, I don't have that much overall space, and that's a nice price point right now with last year's models on sale. my PC does have HDMI out, was planning to hook it up to my HDTV when I got back to Canada.

[Favelle]

Living in Japan I don't have much space, and would like to get a HDTV to replace my computer monitor and run both that and my new PS3 coming this week off the one display. I was wondering if people had any recommendations for displays that work well as computer monitors. What features to look out for (i.e. refresh rate) or if there are any advantages to using a 32" display over a 19", even though they have the same native resolution of 1366x768. Ideally I'm looking for a 26" or a 32" screen, like I said, I don't have that much overall space, and that's a nice price point right now with last year's models on sale. my PC does have HDMI out, was planning to hook it up to my HDTV when I got back to Canada.

26" and under, get a PC monitor....over 26", you'll likely want to get an HDTV because that's where PC monitors lose their value. 26" 1080p PC monitor = $200 or so. 26" LCD TV = about $300 or so.....but after that, LCD TV's are WAY cheaper than PC monitors.

[Aodh]

26" and under, get a PC monitor....over 26", you'll likely want to get an HDTV because that's where PC monitors lose their value. 26" 1080p PC monitor = $200 or so. 26" LCD TV = about $300 or so.....but after that, LCD TV's are WAY cheaper than PC monitors.

It isn't really as much about affordability as it is functionality. I use my computer right now to watch movies and other normal computer stuff, but with a PS3 coming this week, having a good sized display is a must. If I was buying a TV alone for TV purposes, I think I would be fine, it's when I'm planning to use it as a computer monitor that I hit a gray area I don't know. The last time I tried using my computer with a TV resulted in a not too effective result. Clipping, shearing, among other problems I noticed. If I connect it up now, what kind of features should I be looking for? The native resolution doesn't change, so is there an advantage in going to a larger screen size with no increase in background resolution. Is anyone running their computer off a HDTV, and what problems if any have you run into? That's more what I'm trying to get to know.

[Favelle]

It isn't really as much about affordability as it is functionality. I use my computer right now to watch movies and other normal computer stuff, but with a PS3 coming this week, having a good sized display is a must. If I was buying a TV alone for TV purposes, I think I would be fine, it's when I'm planning to use it as a computer monitor that I hit a gray area I don't know. The last time I tried using my computer with a TV resulted in a not too effective result. Clipping, shearing, among other problems I noticed. If I connect it up now, what kind of features should I be looking for? The native resolution doesn't change, so is there an advantage in going to a larger screen size with no increase in background resolution. Is anyone running their computer off a HDTV, and what problems if any have you run into? That's more what I'm trying to get to know.

Nope, all modern HDTV's have a PC input and if they don't, they have HDMI which 90% of all new video cards have. Using HDTV's as PC desktops is NOT what it was like even 5 years ago. My desktop is a 42" LCD flat-panel. 1920 x 1080 is an EASY PC resolution to get working. Everything is so much easier than it used to be. Look at any modern LCD from Best Buy or wherever, and it will actually state "PC input", which is VGA. You can use either VGA or HDMI, depending on your video card.

[Aodh]

Nope, all modern HDTV's have a PC input and if they don't, they have HDMI which 90% of all new video cards have. Using HDTV's as PC desktops is NOT what it was like even 5 years ago. My desktop is a 42" LCD flat-panel. 1920 x 1080 is an EASY PC resolution to get working. Everything is so much easier than it used to be. Look at any modern LCD from Best Buy or wherever, and it will actually state "PC input", which is VGA. You can use either VGA or HDMI, depending on your video card.

VGA, overscan and colour depth were some problems last time, not to mention perfect aspect ratio. I did intentionally get this computer with HDMI hoping that when I did hook it up, a digital input would be more accurate.

[Favelle]

VGA, overscan and colour depth were some problems last time, not to mention perfect aspect ratio. I did intentionally get this computer with HDMI hoping that when I did hook it up, a digital input would be more accurate.

1920 x 1080/60 is a common PC resolution, so there's no overscan or anything like that anymore. I don't think people are having the problems they used to have. I know I'm not.