Can you use a TV as a computer monitor? Will your spare TV work, or should you get that free sync monitor you’ve been eyeing at the computer store? Is monitor response time important?
As anyone who has found a 20-incher monitor lacking when watching movies or doing offers on the PC and have tried to hook up my computer to old school TVs, smart TVs and so on, I realize your frustration.
Hopefully, this post should assist together with your monitor vs. TV dilemma and help you decide. We also include a monitor vs TV review as it pertains to gaming. Furthermore you can check out how to connect your monitor to a laptop here and discover ways to close a laptop and still use a monitor in this guide, as well.
Can You Use a TV as a Computer Monitor?
The simple answer is YES, you can use a TV as a computer monitor.
However, before you hook up the TV , there are 3 important things you need to know:
| Expensive option – If you’re planning to buy a TV , that you will use as a computer monitor , anticipate to spend more money. The reason being televisions with high pixel density and high resolution usually cost a lot more than their monitor counterpart. |
| Different sharpness – Those people who are used to the screens of laptops and computers may suddenly find the picture to be blurry when using a TV. The reason being monitors were created with higher pixel density that results in sharper texts and graphics. We covered IPS monitor technology here. |
| Accessories needed are different from IPS or TN monitors – If you’ve been using a computer monitor for years, you can’t use the exact same cables for the TV to are your monitor alternative. Therefore, you have to determine what sort of input/output ports your TV was built with. |
How to Use TV as a Computer Monitor
Utilizing a TV as a monitor is achievable, so long as your computer graphics card supports it. Here’s just how to use a tv as a monitor :
1. Check connection compatibility – For the TV to work, it must be able to connect to your computer (more specifically, the GPU or graphics card processing unit).
Your first bet is to consider an HDMI port (most modern TVs are constructed with this) on both the TV and your GPU. Try to connect them using either the male-to-male HDMI link, HDMI adapter or HDMI-to-mini-HDMI-cable. If either of these cables work, you need to be in a position to use TV as monitor effortlessly.
2. Use alternative cables – If HDMI is not available (but a DVI port is), your solution is to buy a DVI-to-HDMI cable, that will serve as adapter to older TVs or PCs without HDMI connections.
For computers without an HDMI, determine if a DisplayPort connection can be acquired and buy an adapter that’ll enable your TV to connect to your computer.
Should I Buy a Monitor or a TV for My Computer?
To get or not to buy a TV vs computer monitor may be extra confusing because of the availability of options. You will find a monitor for gaming under $400 and a monitor for editing over $1,000, but additionally, there are TV units within different price ranges.
Because of this, price cannot be the only real consideration you should weigh.
Features to Consider Before Switching Your Monitor with a TV
Before switching your monitor for a TV , you should understand several components that will make or break your gaming or movie-watching experience. These generally include:
Resolution and Pixel Density
Resolution describes the dimensions of your screen in pixels, while pixel density is the number of pixels per inch (PPI). These two details are essential when you choose to use a more substantial TV screen as your computer monitor.
For instance, if you’re comparing a 27-inch monitor with a 40-inch TV , you’d be surprised to master they are able to have equal levels of resolution, however the computer monitor has about 140ppi pixel density in comparison to only 40ppi of the TV.
When this is the case, the screen with lower pixel density gives images that aren’t as clear as what you’re used to with monitors equipped with higher pixel density.
That is normal because TVs in many cases are designed with low pixels per inch density since the viewer doesn’t have to watch near to the TV but from the distance. In the same vein, computer monitors normally have higher pixel density since the consumer sits closer.
Input Lag
Input lag describes the delay that develops between the mouse and screen. Tasks like double-clicking to open a folder, right-clicking to start a program, and so on.
Generally, you need to aim at a TV with significantly less than 20 milliseconds of input lag.
Note this might not be a large deal if you’re only about to use the TV to watch movies or stream sports. However, if you’re going to use it to play games, the input lag can be a problem.
Color Compression
When using TV as monitor , expect the display quality to decrease only a little as it compresses images and texts.
This change shouldn’t really matter if you use your TV which is positioned high up the wall, but when you position the TV just like a typical monitor (in front of your desk), then the blurriness and lower display quality would be more obvious.
What’s promising is you are able to adjust picture settings on most modern TVs to 4:4:4 and solve this problem. If you’re still searching for a TV , you can also locate a unit already equipped with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling.
Response Time
Response time describes the full time it requires for pixels in your screen to improve colors.
Computer monitors are made with faster response times than TVs, but when you get HDTVs with game mode setting, this shouldn’t be a problem anymore. Once you’ve chosen this setting, response time of your TV should improve dramatically. For a bigger price compared to the monitor , though.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rate is the number of times a display “refreshes” the image per second.
The difference between monitor and TV refresh rate is usually huge. Computer monitors can go as high as 240Hz, while TVs may only have refresh rates which range from 60Hz to 120Hz.
Note that the larger refresh rates of your screen, the more responsive it’s in regards to deploying it for demanding tasks like fast-paced gaming or editing. Generally, 120Hz should be enough for many applications.
HDTV features to keep in mind
The considerations above are pretty useful if you’re planning to displace a small computer monitor with a bigger TV in your desk. Simply utilizing an HDTV would give you a watch strain or migraine real quick.
However, if you’re going to be setting up the TV several feet away from your desk, or hung to the wall, then these factors shouldn’t matter too much.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a TV as a PC Monitor
If you’re still wondering if you should use your TV as a computer monitor , listen as much as these three reasons why a TV as a PC monitor is just a bad idea.
Differences in Connections
As you may already know, TVs and monitors have HDMI input that transfer the videos from your computer onto the display. HDMI is the industry standard, which explains why you’ll find this of all gaming consoles and computer monitors.
However, not absolutely all monitors are designed with HDMI. Some use DisplayPort and other connections. These differences in connections could complicate your set-up or even done right.
TVs Are Much Larger – You’ll Need To Move Your Head a Lot
If you just have limited space in your room or office, obtaining a 40-inch TV (or bigger) won’t make sense. On another hand, if you should be planning to create a 50-inch TV as your monitor and the display is intended to be observed from across the space, then utilizing a TV as monitor wouldn’t be an issue.
Just ensure that the resolution matches your set-up. Having a silver screen with 1080p resolution positioned on a table can look blurry up-close, even though this same setup produces quality images when hung from the wall across the room.
Not only can blurry images strain your eyes, it entails you’d have to go your mind a whole lot while viewing, gaming or editing.
Monitors Are Made For Interactivity
One of many biggest reasons NOT to select a TV for the computer monitor is interactivity.
Generally, people use TVs to consume movies, TV shows, documentaries, YouTube videos and other pre-recorded content. For this reason, televisions are made as a display just for viewing. TV manufacturers prioritize top quality pictures, in place of improving input lag or refresh rate.
On another hand, computer monitors are made exactly for interactivity. As the display quality cannot always be in comparison to TVs, the response time, input lag, and image processing are typical much faster with a monitor.
So if interactivity is very important to your day-to-day requirements, if it be video-conferencing with coworkers or playing demanding games, it is best to stay with a computer monitor.
FAQs
1. Is it bad to use a TV as a computer monitor?
Simply put, nearly all television screens are simply just too big to serve as a monitor for a computer. Because of the nature of computer work, utilizing a TV screen will almost certainly interfere with your ability to sit a safe distance away, and undoubtedly so it is going to be difficult to see everything on the screen.
2. Can Smart TV be used as monitor?
You can use your TV as a monitor with the right cables and a computer. You’ll need to ascertain which connector types are supported by your computer , but as far as the tv screen is concerned.
3. Can we replace Monitor with TV?
You can. However, before you buy a new one or attempt to use one you already own, there are certainly a few items to consider. Ascertain that your computer monitor supports HDMI inputs. In the event that you subscribe to cable or satellite television, ensure that your cable box includes a DVI or HDMI output, and you may need a DVI-to-HDMI cable, so you need to purchase it.
4. Why are computer monitors more expensive than TVs?
The vast majority of computer monitors sold today are designed with lower-cost components, less memory, and simpler chipsets. Therefore, why are they more expensive? While there is less downward pressure on prices. Televisions are actually sold in supermarkets, where they are stacked high and sold at a discount.
5. What is the difference between a computer monitor and a TV?
While monitors are generally smaller than standard televisions, they are not required to be. They’re created for close-up viewing and give a more detailed image when compared to a television. This is because monitors have a greater pixel density per inch than televisions do.
