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View Full Version : Using PC monitor as an "all-rounder"

xool
02-22-2009, 05:44 PM
I'm going to be buying a PC monitor soon and was wondering if I could watch TV on it, as well as using it normally. Also, if I ever ended up with a gaming console, would I be able to play that on the monitor too?

Any info is appreciated :)
Cliche Guevara
02-22-2009, 06:18 PM
Im not sure, but I know a TV works as a all rounder.
RDProgrammer
02-23-2009, 07:35 AM
You could run TV thru a TV Tuner on your PC. We really need more info though (Cable, does it require a converter box, is it thru satellite?) All of these could run thru a Tuner Card though. Many game systems also have (unofficially or not) a video out through VGA and some thru HDMI so if your monitor supports those you're good. What you might consider doing is getting a good TV with a high resolution and using that as a monitor. The cost will be more reasonable, but the picture stands to not be as great.

I use a 24 Sceptre Flatscreen and have my PC connected to DVI and my 360 to VGA. I don't watch TV other than what I download so I am fine with my way. I do have a Tuner card if I ever wanted to hook cable up though.

RDP
NamelessNom4d
02-23-2009, 04:07 PM
You could probably find a converter box that will plug into the monitor through DVI or VGA. If you want to game it's easiest to get a monitor that supports HDMI, then you can just plug your PS3/360 into the HDMI port on the monitor.

I know all PS3s have HDMI support but I think only the 360 Elite has built in HDMI.

But yeah, I would just get a monitor with HDMI support and buy a converter box to run your cable line into.
Drewski
03-05-2009, 04:43 AM
I don't know what you mean by "All-Rounder" but my "Monitor" is a TV too. I can cook up HD or a Cable wire and change the input to TV. Or hook up a game console with the R/G/B connectors.

So you can just buy them like this and use it for both without installing anything special.
RDProgrammer
03-05-2009, 07:17 PM
I don't know what you mean by "All-Rounder" but my "Monitor" is a TV too. I can cook up HD or a Cable wire and change the input to TV. Or hook up a game console with the R/G/B connectors.

So you can just buy them like this and use it for both without installing anything special.

What you have then is a TV. Really, this set up would be best. A monitor WITH a Tuner card, but most of the time that is just considered a TV. is it 1080p?

RDP
Drewski
03-07-2009, 12:01 AM
I can't seem to find what the HD is at, but here is what TV it is: http://www.sharpusa.com/products/ModelLanding/0,1058,1939,00.html
RDProgrammer
03-08-2009, 03:20 PM
I can't seem to find what the HD is at, but here is what TV it is: http://www.sharpusa.com/products/ModelLanding/0,1058,1939,00.html

16x9 Aspect Ratio (1366 x 768) LCD Panel
displays 16:9 widescreen programming in their native aspect ratio.

It's up to each individual person, I've never found TVs to make great monitors, but the reverse is surely true.

RDP
Drewski
03-09-2009, 01:21 AM
16x9 Aspect Ratio (1366 x 768) LCD Panel
displays 16:9 widescreen programming in their native aspect ratio.

It's up to each individual person, I've never found TVs to make great monitors, but the reverse is surely true.

RDP

When I first got it I was worried because it looked like the resolution wasn't correct. Some text was kind of blurry and didn't look right.

I just needed to to a "auto-tune" from the monitor settings and now everything is pixel-for-pixel there. It's exactly the same as a LCD monitor.
Alamo
03-09-2009, 01:25 AM
I got a samsung that I use for a monitor which is actually a TV and you just flip through it using the source button. It runs games great with a 8ms refresh and my cablebox/consoles are all hooked into it fine. It is a 46" so when using picture in picture its like playing a game and watching TV on a 18" monitor heh.
RDProgrammer
03-09-2009, 08:15 AM
When I first got it I was worried because it looked like the resolution wasn't correct. Some text was kind of blurry and didn't look right.

I just needed to to a "auto-tune" from the monitor settings and now everything is pixel-for-pixel there. It's exactly the same as a LCD monitor.

Yeah, I know they can work, but i love the quality of a monitor. TVs aren't generally made to the same spec. There are some out there, obviously, and I can't claim to be an expert, but I have yet to find one that matches an identically priced monitor. I guess the trade off is the tuner card.

RDP