pc gaming on a monitor or hdtv?

[nerdcorerocks]

this is probably a stupid question, but for PC gaming, what would look better? a 30-40 inch lcd monitor or a 30-40 inch lcd hdtv conntected through vga or the digital output of the video card? and which should be a less expensive setup?

 

[nerdcorerocks]

well here is the thing. i know nothing about what makes an hdtv good and what makes a monitor good. i think i'm correct in believing that large monitors can support higher resolutions, but then why would anyone want to connect their pc to an equal sized hdtv?

if one of you could tell me the advantages of using an hdtv and the advantages of an lcd monitor, that would be great.

 

[tyr86]

Advantages of using HDTV >>> can double as TV, very very large

Advantages of using monitor >>> higher resolution, can double as TV with tuner cardj

That's all I got, esp since I just woke up.

For gaming I'd go with the vx922. No current TV will hold a candle to it. I have 2 of them for dual monitor motorboating.

For cost/performance/gaming/computing, get a computer monitor.

 

[darksidedragon]

Only get a HDTV if you're going to make sure of it for non-PC stuff as well (such as Xbox 360/PS3/HD broadcast services). To get a HDTV for use as a monitor, you'll need a HDTV that supports full 1080p, otherwise you'll just get crap resolutions for running a PC on (1080p is 1920x1080, which is quite good for PC gaming). Otherwise, get a decent gaming monitor (anything by Viewsonic is good).

 

[picture_perfect]

what 30-40" lcd monitor are you referring to? i'v only seen 24" (widescreen i think)

 

[nerdcorerocks]

the main reason that i'm asking is that hdtv's seem to be substantially cheaper. a 32" lcd monitor runs at around $1500 while a 28" lcd hdtv 1080i runs at around $1100

 

[darksidedragon]

That's because the hdtv displays a lower resolution for your PC. If it's not 1080p, then it will likely support a max resolution of 1366x768. The 32" LCD monitor will almost certainly run at around 1680x1050.

 

[nerdcorerocks]

the main reason that i'm asking is that hdtv's seem to be substantially cheaper. a 32" lcd monitor runs at around $1500 while a 28" lcd hdtv 1080i runs at around $1100

my bad. i had about a billion typos there. i meant to say that a 32" monitor runs at around $1500, and i saw what is supposedly a decent gaming 37" lcd hdtv 1080p for around $1100.

I don't think that I would need to run the monitor/hdtv at their highest resolutions. Basically, I just want it to be somewhere near the equivalent of 1024x8?? or 1280x960 on a 19" monitor

 

[darksidedragon]

1080p will give you 1920x1080, which is pretty good. But, make sure you check the details of the HDTV (response time, contrast ratio, the usual sort of stuff). Also, what sort of input does it have? Most HDTV's with PC input only have VGA input (I think DVI is better, but I'm not sure).

 

[Wolfshadw]

Westinghouse 37" HD-Ready LCD TV

If only I had the cash (sold out now).
1920x1080 Recommended Resolution
DVI-D and HDMI inputs
8ms Response Time
$1199 with shipping included.

-Wolf sends

 

[darksidedragon]

That looks absolutely amazing!!!

 

[lostandwandering]

You want the ultimate monitor? Go with the Dell 3007: 30'' widescreen monitor with a massive resolution of 2560x1600. You don't get much better than that. linkage!

 

[darksidedragon]

In theory it looks good, but I've only heard bad things about Dell monitors. Most people I know that have owned them have sent them straight back because of ghosting and colour issues.

 

[lostandwandering]

Different people will give you different stories about Dell. I have a 32'' LCD TV/monitor and a !7'' monitor from Dell. Both are used to play games like COD2 and neither show any ghosting what-so-ever. As far as the monitor I linked, I have heard nothing about ghosting, which is good since Dell promotes it as a gaming monitor. But everyone has a different experience with Hell, I mean Dell. Go with what looks good and is the best deal.

 

[darksidedragon]

Yeah, it's hard to judge. I really like the look of the Dell monitors and was considering getting one of the widescreen ones. But the review for it on cnet said it had ghosting issues. Still not sure though...

 

[darksidedragon]

Unfortunately I couldn't. :s

 

[kind]

i too want the Westinghouse 37" HD-Ready LCD TV.

mwave has them in stock for 1100.. but that means tax for me.

hate to pay that much for a tv that people were and have been getting them for under 1k. the rumor i heard is the tv is discontinued....
prices should drop a lot for lcds this year.. but i dont think i can wait TOOOOOOO long. :twisted:

 

[haftarun8]

The main difference between HDTVs and PC monitors, at least that I've noticed, is color, brightness, and internal scaling (usually converting 1080i to 720p and vice versa). This applies to both ends of the spectrum. The cheaper (Westinghouse) HDTV's boast great specs, but in reality have HORRIBLE color, brightness uniformity, viewing angle, etc.. don't believe me? Go to your local Best Buy and watch one next to one of those pretty Sharp or Sony XBR 1080p screens. You'll quickly see what I mean.

If you're gonna go HDTV, don't short change yourself on the Westinghouse. Save up your $$ and go for the higher end 1080p lcd HDTVs (SONY XBR2 Bravia 40" 1080p looks incredible). Or be patient and wait til later in 2007 when the Laser HDTV's hit. (boasting better brightness and color fidelity than plasma for less cost).

Otherwise I'd just get a good widescreen pc monitor. I own a Samsung 244t (24" 1920x1200 res). For overall picture, color, and contrast, I highly recommend it. I haven't had any bad issues in games whatsoever, just a beautiful picture without ghosting.