Monitor or TV?

[hagbard]

Trying to decide what to go with, a 24" monitor or a 40" TV as my computer monitor (& part time TV). I recall a few years ago, it seems like everyone here was going for TVs over monitors, and those Westinghouses were the hot item. Now, hardly any mention. What the change?

So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of each choice. I'm not a gamer (unfortunately) but will do a bit of photoshop.

 

[obobski]

first thing you need to consider here is viewing distance, how close are you to the monitor, with that in mind, read on:

both of your choices should have a resolution of roughly 1920x1200 (ok so the TV will be 1080p), the TV will have higher input latency (which will be bad for games), much higher pixel pitch (which will suck for up close usage, say, closer than 3'), use much more power (probably on the scale of 6-8x as much as the 24"), and therefore get warmer

the monitor will have potentially lower input latency (good for games), much lower pixel pitch (which will suck for far away viewing, say, further than 3'), use much less power (probably on the scale of 1/6-1/8th as much as the 40"), and therefore run cooler

as far as color accuracy, they could be similar, or not, depends on the models you're looking at (there are good and bad 24" and 40" displays), inputs are the same way

basically, unless you're using this from across the room, get the 24"

if you want to play a bit:
http://www.tvcalculator.com/

plugging in a 40" 16:9 and 24" 16:10 at proper resolutions with a 2.35:1 input gives this:

#1 - 24"
Viewable Image Info:
Image Dimensions: 20.35" x 8.66"
Image area: 176.23 sq. in.
Screen Utilization: 68.08%

General TV Info:
Equivalent 4:3 TV: 21.2"
Equivalent 16:9 TV: 23.3"
Pixel Density: 8900 pixels / sq. in.

#2 - 40"
Viewable Image Info:
Image Dimensions: 34.87" x 14.84"
Image area: 517.47 sq. in.
Screen Utilization: 75.75%

General TV Info:
Equivalent 4:3 TV: 32.6"
Pixel Density: 3035 pixels / sq. in.

see the much lower pixel density but larger image sizes that can be accomplished on the 40"? It *will not* look pixelated with a 1080p input from a videogame or movie, however up close with text it probably won't look super-crisp, its just much bigger and less practical to use up close and personal

 

[xxxballa210]

Its generally a lot harder on your eyes. If you just use your computer for watching movies and playing games than its fine. If you are trying to use it as a work computer, its another story.

 

[nym-ph]

So obobski and xxxbala210 gave you the techs...

Now the non tech part... The bigger, the better Go for TV!

Got a 42" 1080p myself... It's great

 

[BHTX]

If TV's could have a REAL 120Hz refresh rate, rather than being stuck with the interpolated junk they're using now, I wouldn't hesitate going for a 32" 1080p with it. Oh, and input lag.. that's another potential problem. Can't deal with that.