Tv as a monitor? Resolution problems?

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 07:18 PM

So my nice 17" monitor recently almost blew up in my face. So i was remembering a set up a friend of mine had were he had his computer and ps3 connected to a huge hdmi flat screen tv; and i thought hmmm, i want a new tv for my xbox because its so old i cant read the text on my games, but i need a new monitor too...wonder if i can combine the space and use a large flat screen tv?

my question however is if i use a tv, how does that effect my resolution? some one at best but was telling me that using his tv he couldnt change the resolution to make the desk top smaller or bigger...it simply fit to scale.

so im wondering if anyone out there has a set up like this? or if its just easier to buy a monitor and later down the road a tv for my xbox360.

any help would be lovely! thanks!

**HunterKiller_** · November 16th, 2009, 07:58 PM

If you want to use an LCD TV as your monitor, it has to be a damn good one.

LCD computer monitors are generally way better quality than average LCD TVs, hence the big price to size ratio difference. A good 22" LCD monitor will go for about $300-400, where as an average 42" LCD TV does not even cost twice that. Not to mention that an average 42" LCD TV can't even reach the resolution of an average 22" LCD monitor).

Then you've got the issues of your tablet having to scale to the huge size of a TV screen, which will only makes drawing more difficult.
If you're doing a lot of digital painting, I would not recommend a TV as a monitor.

**Pennyj** · November 16th, 2009, 08:11 PM

I just got the Samsung P2370HD. I've got it hooked up as a TV, Monitor, xbox etc.

That gives you a 1080p picture, which is good, but you can get better res and better quality in a monitor for sure. Don't forget that you can get a VGA connector for the 360.

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 08:13 PM

alright thank you! thats exactly what i wanted to know. :3. after the sales person brought that to my attention i figured that would be the case. Thanks so much it makes me feel better to know someones opnion from experience rather from assumption like mine. XD

Originally Posted by HunterKiller_

If you want to use an LCD TV as your monitor, it has to be a damn good one.

LCD computer monitors are generally way better quality than average LCD TVs, hence the big price to size ratio difference. A good 22" LCD monitor will go for about $300-400, where as an average 42" LCD TV does not even cost twice that. Not to mention that an average 42" LCD TV can't even reach the resolution of an average 22" LCD monitor).

Then you've got the issues of your tablet having to scale to the huge size of a TV screen, which will only makes drawing more difficult.
If you're doing a lot of digital painting, I would not recommend a TV as a monitor.

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by Pennyj

I just got the Samsung P2370HD. I've got it hooked up as a TV, Monitor, xbox etc.

That gives you a 1080p picture, which is good, but you can get better res and better quality in a monitor for sure. Don't forget that you can get a VGA connector for the 360.

what do you mean a vga connector? O.o; to connect to my monitor? yeah i guess i could do that? how does that work? (though i guess that would mean getting some sort of sound system?

**Flake** · November 16th, 2009, 08:22 PM

Buy the monitor.

A good HDTV would struggle to match a bog standard 5 year old PC monitor.

**Pennyj** · November 16th, 2009, 08:31 PM

If you are unsure then just get a decent monitor and grab the xbox VGA connector and a cheap sound system. Put work before xbox!

The reason I got the all in one is because I live in a single room with my partner. There just isn't room for yet another screen!

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 08:59 PM

sounds good. thanks so much guys!!

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 09:17 PM

ok so any recommendations for monitors then? Im starring at New Egg and going Hmmm theres alot of choices.

I guess id prefer to not go past the 300 mark unless its something amazingly amazing. XD

**Flake** · November 16th, 2009, 09:20 PM

Unless you're loaded buy Samsung or LG.

They make good, durable tellys and monitors.

My LG tv is totally sweet and I'm typing this on an 8 year old Samsung monitor.

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 09:45 PM

thats what i was thinking.

**Natzuur-JK** · November 16th, 2009, 10:07 PM

Using a TV as a monitor is heavily reliant on several aspects (Input/output type, graphics card, and resolution of tv) and generally as stated doesn't work near as good as a monitor will, especially for art.

a nice sized samsung is the best option imo. when considering a monitor a few aspects to look at are

> max resolution + programs you'll be using vs. hardware specs of your computer

> MS, lower is better 5 and below usually work best, this is your response time, lower means it communicates faster.

> refresh rate, higher is better, but dont mess around with the setting on this too much, this is like frames per second on a game, basicly how fast images are refreshed

> contrast ratio, basicly this is how dark/bright your images can be displayed, higher is better for a more broad range.

Hope this is helpful!

**HunterKiller_** · November 16th, 2009, 10:26 PM

Also look into Dell. I've got a Dell 2209WA and it's the damn best LCD panel I've had yet.

**Kittywolf13** · November 16th, 2009, 11:23 PM

gosh the options are mind boggling. LOL! anyone have any suggestions about the whole VGA and speaker input/output.

**Brashen** · November 17th, 2009, 08:55 AM

Ok hold up, wait and take a breath...

People are just throwing suggestion left and right with out proper clarification as to why the fuck should you be buying this or that monitor. You cant just go out and buy a monitor willy nilly, you need to research the different panel types first.

If your serious about your art you need to realize that colour reproduction is the single most important aspect of your screen. Along with rich black levels and a good homogeneous back light across the screen to prevent mismatched lighting.

There are three types of monitor panels: TA, VA and IPS....I'm not going to go into details but I'll warn you to stay clear of any monitor that has a TN panel, Stick to the VA and IPS and you should b fine, though it would be better for you to get and IPS as they are one of the best for color reproduction. If your scoping out some monitors but dont know what panels they have I suggest going to PRAD.de. One of the best monitor research sites around.

Some great companies: NEC, Eizo, Lacie

Good luck

**Kittywolf13** · November 17th, 2009, 09:40 AM

thanks brashen. im not hard core in my art but it was a concern for me. so i have put that as my first prioriety. :3 i dont have the cash to buy one right now so i'll have to settle for my stinky lil 15" crt. lol what a difference that will be.

**Brashen** · November 18th, 2009, 11:25 AM

If your looking at the $300 mark then may I suggest getting: HP LP2275w, Dell 2209WA (s)

Hope these help you!!

**Kittywolf13** · November 22nd, 2009, 08:11 PM

ok despite recomendations here, i simply couldnt get what i wanted in a monitor and the use i wanted... so i did end up with a tv. its a Samsung, P2370HD, and so far its amazing. it took me awhile to calibrate it but so far everything is good. It has a 50,000 contrast ratio to allow for subtle changes in colors and such. ive done a few pieces of artwork for a client and so far im happy with the output. (we'll see if they are.) also my xbox is amazing on it!

any suggestions on how to further calibrate it? but i think ive got it where i want it.

**Magnatude** · November 23rd, 2009, 03:55 AM

Good you got a high contrast monitor/TV, Calibrate? You might want to perhaps do a print check to see if your colors are at the proper levels (then adjust warmer/cooler to match). That's all I can suggest.