40"+ High end Plasma or LCD vs computer monitor for gaming? VA, IPS, PLS, Plasma, TN? etc

[spellbinder2050]

This is kind of a two part question.

Part 1:

I'm curious to understand what the difference is between using a big TV as a computer monitor, specifically for gaming, as opposed to using a computer monitor. What is actually different about the panel technologies that would make someone favor one over the other for big screen PC gaming?

I understand some of the basic differences between IPS, VA, and TN panels for monitors, but where do HDTV's fit into the mix? Are they considered "TN" panels? How are they different for gaming? What about some of the older plasmas, which could still be purchased used?

I've had a S27B970D, which is a Samsung 27" 1440p PLS monitor, and even though the picture quality was stunning, I can't say I would favor it over a 42"+ 1080p sitting a few feet further back. A larger screen just feels more immersive in games like Arkham City or Skyrim. The glow, excessive brightness, and bad black levels were also a deal breaker for me. I would prefer VA over IPS.

I sent that monitor back a while ago and I've been using a crappy 42" LCD screen for the most part.

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Part 2:

I'd like to know what people think about some options I'm looking at:

1.) Buying a used plasma screen, with low input lag, for the best 1080p picture quality (I'm assuming) possible with a screen that's not too bright:

Something like a Panasonic TC-P50S60, a 50" plasma with low input lag.

2.) Getting one of the 40" 4k VA monitors that are beginning to appear:

Something like the Philips BDM4065UC, which I could scale to 2k for gaming with GTX 970 SLI sounds like an attractive idea, especially given that it is VA, so I'd have good black levels for games like Batman, The Evil Within, and dark movies.

3.) Getting a 27" 1440p TN panels with G-Sync:

I would prefer a fast VA with G-Sync over a TN panel, but I haven't seen any of those yet.

 

[BBrent]

Most "Gaming" monitors have a really low reaction time something like 1ms. I used to play games on my tv but when I played games like CS:GO it became a real problem because of the delay from my pc to the tv.

With A gtx970 SLI setup you can handle 4k gaming easy.

 

[bystander]

Plasma's actually have good color and low response times. The problem is that they aren't sold at anything but 60hz for PC use and given they are HDTV's are likely to have high input lag.

If you can wait for March, there are going to be 4-5ms IPS panels at 1440p with G-sync. That sounds more like what you want. Be warned though, their motion blur will not be as good as TN panels.

 

[spellbinder2050]

Plasma's actually have good color and low response times. The problem is that they aren't sold at anything but 60hz for PC use and given they are HDTV's are likely to have high input lag.

If you can wait for March, there are going to be 4-5ms IPS panels at 1440p with G-sync. That sounds more like what you want. Be warned though, their motion blur will not be as good as TN panels.

I am considering having a big screen and smaller screen solution. I could use a big screen for certain types of games, and then a smaller screen with G-Sync/low input lag for fps oriented gaming, but I'm trying to determine if I could find a one size fits all type of solution tho.

I'm not a hardcore competitive fps gamer (to be honest, there hasn't been any fps game worth taking serious in the past 10 years or so 😛), but I would like to do some fps gaming with at least moderately low input lag. I also enjoy third person action/other types of games like RE, Arkham series, Skyrim, FC. That new Dying Light game looks interesting too. The immersion of a big screen is a factor in games other than fast twitch fps style shooters.

Regardless, I definitely want to check out the IPS G-Sync monitors like the Acer that is coming out around March.

Thanks for the input.