4K 42 inch as a Monitor?

[TheMine98]

Should I get a 4k TV as a monitor? I'm looking at the prices and they are really hard to ignore, over here where I live, a 42 inch lg 4k TV costs about 530-600$, I already own a 1080p 43 inch TV and I think it would be cool if I hang them both on the wall. Is it worth it to get the 4k TV? It would be a good start for me, I would probably game on it on 1440p as my gtx 970 can't run 4k, aside from that I don't see any other downside of getting this 4k TV.I would be using it to watch movies and browser, and casually agem. I'll probably get this around the end on June or mid July which gives me time to think. TV model: LG 42UB820T UHD LED.

 

[complete_minger]

Sounds like a great deal to me! have always been an LG fan. If its used purely for media and not as a desk monitor then go for it!

Around here, A cheap 42" 4k tv is around £1000

 

[photonboy]

NO. NOT A GOOD IDEA.

I'm fairly certain you can't change resolutions easily on an HDTV like you can on a MONITOR. When you enter a game I don't think you have any other option than the desktop resolution of 4K so if you want 1080p you go into the desktop and change that.

As for 1440p, I'm not sure that's even an option using HDMI on an HDTV.

Other:
A cheap 4K may be sacrificing other elements. I can't say about the HDTV you list but I've heard many people say they'd be better off with a higher quality 1080p version at the same price. Also, 4K resolution doesn't make much difference unless you're sitting close enough to it.

I've heard different opinions but can't verify. Some say 1.5X is the point at 4K only starts to matter but on my 2560x1440 monitor that doesn't seem to make sense. I believe it's closer to 1.8X (i.e. need to be closer than about SIX FEET for 42" to see the difference between 4K and 1080p).

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

Not a single monitor can compete with todays TV's. As for changing resolution, you change it just like you normally would. Regarding a good 1080 vs 4k, this is true. A good 1080 can beat a 4k TV's PQ. However, todays standard is really high, there isn't a gap between good and bad any longer. I agree with the seating distance, but let's say you wanted a new TV and a monitor, and just switch between using source then it's a good idea.

42" 4k is perfect only 3 feet away, whether or not that's comfortable is another reason to maybe reconsider. As for actual viewing distance for higher resolutions to matter. Once you're a bit further away than what is optimal (3 feet), everything on screen is by default smaller, you'll just multiply that effect to the point you can't even read things on screen.

Regarding 1.5x and in your case 1.8x, this is actually best measured with projectors, especially DLP projectors because pixels sort of blend together, LCD projectors and TV's have clear sharp pixels showing on screen, so you have to be a bit further away. This is not always the case and it depends on who you are, as well as vision acuity. I'm personally one of those that enjoy smaller screens than larger. I use a 32" TV 10 feet away:

10 * 12 = 120
120 / 1,5 = 80

So in my case I can actually go up to a 80" 1080 TV and still not see pixels. I'm not just comfortable with anything bigger than I currently use, which is around 4x.

 

[complete_minger]

NO. NOT A GOOD IDEA.

I'm fairly certain you can't change resolutions easily on an HDTV like you can on a MONITOR. When you enter a game I don't think you have any other option than the desktop resolution of 4K so if you want 1080p you go into the desktop and change that.

As for 1440p, I'm not sure that's even an option using HDMI on an HDTV.

Other:
A cheap 4K may be sacrificing other elements. I can't say about the HDTV you list but I've heard many people say they'd be better off with a higher quality 1080p version at the same price. Also, 4K resolution doesn't make much difference unless you're sitting close enough to it.

I've heard different opinions but can't verify. Some say 1.5X is the point at 4K only starts to matter but on my 2560x1440 monitor that doesn't seem to make sense. I believe it's closer to 1.8X (i.e. need to be closer than about SIX FEET for 42" to see the difference between 4K and 1080p).

O RLY????

I thought I was the one using cheap TV screens as monitors in the past. Even my old Panasonic Viera supports multiple resolutions, with the majority of TV screens also supporting various PC inputs.

As I stated in my first post, if used for media eg gaming or films then it would be a good choice plus the fact he is getting current gen tech at a reasonable price. I also used a 32 inch LG TV as a monitor for years which is why I also recommended LG as the brand he/she was already looking at.

"If its used purely for media and not as a desk monitor then go for it!"

I found it slightly uncomfortable on the neck looking around at it up close as a monitor but the picture quality was excellent.

To the OP, (taking Suzuki's helpful knowledge in to consideration) read some online pro and user reviews of the TV for total piece of mind before committing to a purchase. If we had 4k TV's at that price range here, I probably wouldn't think twice and snap one up!

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

No matter how technical we can make this, it's still 100% preference. I too say go for it, but keep in mind that there isn't much content yet. And I bet you that they will be even cheaper during christmas when the new 4k ray discs are released. A online video or stream can never take advantage of the full 4k resolution, while Netflix offers 4k, my 1080 blu rays still look better side by side so honestly. If you can wait (seeing you already own a 42" TV), then you should. Current OLED TV's are dropping in price, infact, they will likely drop in size and price, a 1080 OLED will beat a 4k TV's PQ, no doubt. Instead of buying a new TV which is pretty much the same size as your current set, I advice you to look into a 3d TV. Especially the Passive 3d LG's. With that said, if you're still interested in 4k, I can tell you that things will change... Very quickly, new gen 4k TV's will be even lower priced and look a lot better than current TV sets on the market. I have mixed feelings about your purchase, but in the end- it's all about need, not "I can afford it so I will buy one".

 

[TheMine98]

The problem with my 1080p 42 inch TV is that the pixels are way too big. 4k seems about the right size and I'm going to game on it on 1440p and possibly full 4k in the future, therefore it's a good start. I've seen videos featuring 4k 40 inch tvs for gaming and they seem fine to me.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

What make and model is your current 1080 TV? If the picture is set to 16:9, change that to screen fit, overscan (ON/OFF), or dot-by-dot. Overscanning is likely always the default setting in TV's today. 16:9 is not 1:1 pixel mapping, and will result in a blur and lost fine detail. Lastly, how far away do you sit from the screen?

 

[TheMine98]

I sit very close to my tv, that's why I plan on mounting it on the wall, I have no where to put it except on the desk.

 

[TheMine98]

It's a Samsung 43 inch, not sure of the model but its 1080p.

 

[Suzuki@1473780084@1473780163]

Okay then. Sounds like a 4k TV will be useful to you. You should read up on it's specs, especially color resolution at this resolution. Make sure it runs 4k at 60 Hz, HDMI 2.0 spec instead of HDMI 1.4.

All the best!