"lcd monitor" vs. "lcd/tv monitor"

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video (More info?)

Hi,

I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
got a cable connection to by PC.)

I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
resolution (better picture) then the other?

(My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video (More info?)

syrdave wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
> able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
> got a cable connection to by PC.)
>
> I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
> monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
> resolution (better picture) then the other?
>
> (My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
> tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
> getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
> need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)

Read the specs on the monitor. Some have a tuner. Others are made for HDTV
resolutions. Others have both.

> Thanks,
> Dave

--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video (More info?)

"syrdave" <Prowak@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2e7a2625.0411140759.4f12d5fd@posting.google.com...

> I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
> monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
> resolution (better picture) then the other?

There are various possible differences, depending on
the manufacturer and model. A unit advertised as a
"TV/monitor" (also sometimes referred to as a "multi-
function monitor" or "MFM") might have different inputs in
addition to the usual VGA and/or DVI (such as S-Video,
HDMI, composite video, etc.) or it may even provide an RF
input with a tuner. It might also offer different color and
other default settings when in "TV mode." Unless it's
built around a panel specifically made for TV application
(and it's hard for the average customer to tell, unless it's
clearly a TV-specific format such as 1920 x 1080 or
1280 x 720, etc.), it may or may not provide different
"front-of-screen" performance than a straight "monitor"
built using the same panel. Check the specs, and of course
if at all possible test it yourself with both sorts of inputs
before you buy.

Bob M.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video (More info?)

"syrdave" <Prowak@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2e7a2625.0411140759.4f12d5fd@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
> able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
> got a cable connection to by PC.)
>
> I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
> monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
> resolution (better picture) then the other?
>
> (My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
> tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
> getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
> need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)
>
> Thanks,
> Dave

Dave,

You did good! You will have a lot more flexibility using a video card that
has TV input.

Thanks,
Jeff P

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.video (More info?)

"syrdave" <Prowak@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2e7a2625.0411140759.4f12d5fd@posting.google.com...
> Hi,
>
> I'm interested in buying a lcd monitor for my new PC. I'd like to be
> able to watch TV while on the net. (That'll be easy enough, as I've
> got a cable connection to by PC.)
>
> I'm confused by the difference between "lcd monitors" and "lcd/tv
> monitors". What is the difference? Does one offer a difference
> resolution (better picture) then the other?
>
> (My guess: The monitors advertised as "lcd/tv monitors" have a TV
> tuner built in. While the "lcd monitor" doesn't. I'm going to be
> getting the TV signal via the video card in my PC anyways, so I don't
> need a TV tuner in the monitor. How'd I do?)
>
> Thanks,
> Dave

In addition to the various possibilities mentioned by others, TV/monitors
may well have a lot more light output - more backlights. The contrast ratio
may not be different, but the peak luminance may be much higher. It is not
a feature that is necessarily needed for TV watching, but is probably a
carryover from the peak luminance of CRT TVs.
TVs typically try to maintain enough peak luminance to enable a
"reasonable"
contrast ratio when viewed in high ambient lighting - like bright sunlight
streaming into a window. PC applications tend to consider that the user will
typically control the lighting situation. Of course, the decision is up to
you.

NGA