Which monitor instead of TV is better to choose? TV or monitor – which one is better?

Size matters

Formally, of course, both a monitor and a TV are similar devices. They have a screen that displays information. Moreover, even the screen production and image formation technologies are, for the most part, the same (without going into unnecessary technical details in this case). The first and most important difference is size. And it has much more meaning than it seems at first glance.

A monitor is a screen in front of which the user sits about half a meter, and in some cases, at a distance of 30 cm. Accordingly, a monitor with a diagonal of, say, 27 inches is considered large. TV, on the contrary, is intended to be viewed by a group of people from a long distance - from one and a half meters or more. Therefore, today a 42-inch TV is already below average. So, if you see that a 27-inch monitor costs less than a 42-inch TV (which is not always true), there is nothing to be surprised about.

By the way, small TVs are also on sale, but, as a rule, their quality leaves much to be desired. Large brands try not to release them at all, so those that are presented on the market are mainly B-brands, and even with problems in functionality. For example, such a TV may have a very low resolution - not even Full-HD. Therefore, although a small TV can be much cheaper than a monitor, buying it to connect a PC is highly not recommended.

Delay value

A less obvious, but no less important factor is the so-called “input lag” (from the English input lag), that is, delay. Input lag shows how much time passes from the moment the information is received until the moment it is displayed.

The monitor is focused on displaying information as accurately and quickly as possible, while the TV is focused on displaying information as beautifully as possible. Therefore, TV has a lot of post-processing, which cannot always be completely turned off. Because of this, the input lag on the TV is always higher, which, by the way, even bothers gamers. The normal input lag value for monitors is less than 10 milliseconds, while for TV this value is usually more than 15 ms. There are TVs that have an input lag of 100 ms - they are generally unsuitable for games, although no one bothers you to watch movies. Moreover, the owner of a TV with a large input lag may not even realize what’s wrong with his device, unless he is, as they say, a “hardcore” gamer.

So, even for game consoles, not every TV is suitable. And, alas, models with low input lag are usually quite expensive.

Set of connectors

Any modern TV is equipped with an HDMI connector, usually three or four. This is a universal digital interface for transmitting sound and video over one cable. In this case, the TV may not have other inputs other than the antenna. Unless, most often you can also find analog “tulip” inputs (there can be either a composite or component video input). The monitor, on the other hand, more often has DVI and DisplayPort connectors, as well as analog d-SUB (VGA). There may be no HDMI in the monitor at all (we’ll explain why in the next paragraph), although the image from HDMI to DVI can be output using a regular adapter. True, incompatibility may occur if the monitor's DVI port is not equipped with HDPC digital content protection, but this only applies to very old monitors.

Sound output

Even those “hardcore” gamers often forget about this parameter. Any TV has at least some built-in speakers, while for a monitor this is only an additional option, which is extremely rare. However, if we talk about game consoles, they do not have the ability to output sound to a regular 3.5 mm jack at all (except for the Nintendo Switch). They output sound through the same connector through which the picture is output - HDMI, and as an alternative - only digital optical audio output S/PDIF.

Therefore, if you connect the same PlayStation 4 to a regular monitor where there is no sound (even if via an HDMI cable), then you will have to play without sound. However, monitors are rarely equipped with an HDMI connector for this reason. To ultimately get sound out of the HDMI port, you will have to work hard: purchase a splitter or adapter. In general - a lot of fuss. Or play with headphones, connecting them to a standard connector on the gamepad itself (not suitable for earlier models Xbox One, as well as for older consoles).

4K resolution display

And again leapfrog with connectors. The fact is that any digital connector has a finite bandwidth, and if you are interested in outputting 4K resolution from a PC, media set-top box or game console, you will have to delve into the details. First of all, in the world personal computers(and, as a result, monitors), this resolution is usually implemented through the DisplayPort connector, which in any version supports 4K/30p output, and starting from version 1.2 - 60p (that is, 30 and 60 frames per second, respectively).

The DVI connector is not capable of such a resolution at all - there is a maximum resolution of 2560x1600 pixels at a frequency of 60 Hz (60p), but only in Dual Link mode.

In HDMI, 4K support appeared only with version 1.4, but the frame rate was limited to 30 Hz. Increasing the frame rate to 60 became possible only in HDMI 2.0. And although PC video cards, as a rule, have an HDMI connector among others, it does not necessarily have to be HDMI 2.0. Therefore, even if you have a modern 4K TV, it is not a fact that you will be able to connect a PC to it to display images in maximum resolution at 60 Hz.

conclusions

In general, if we speak formally, then yes - you can limit yourself to just one monitor, and even play game consoles on it. Just like a PC, in theory, you can connect it to a TV and not buy a monitor. However, due to many nuances, in the end everything may not work as expected, or not work at all.

Despite the similar appearance, monitors and TVs - absolutely different devices, and their functionality, apart from displaying the image on the screen, varies quite a lot.

Using a TV instead of a computer monitor allows you to watch movies, TV series, and play video games on the big screen. The advantages are obvious - maximum image detail, impressive TV diagonal, wide range of colors. However, how exactly do you connect your TV to your PC? Not all users know this. Therefore, now we will consider several proven methods that allow you to set up such synchronization.

What is better: monitor or TV?

Before we move on to considering connection methods, you must first decide what is better for a computer: a monitor or a TV? To answer this question, you need to clearly formulate the criteria for evaluating a computer monitor and TV. The first criterion is convenience. Let us immediately note that monitors are much better in this aspect. This point of view is explained by several arguments:

• It is not possible to adjust the height or angle of the TV. This causes certain inconveniences. This drawback can be mitigated by placing the TV on the wall on a universal bracket. However, such a design will take up an extremely large amount of space. Not all users have the necessary free space in the room;
• The TV is much heavier than the monitor, and it also takes up much more free space. Therefore, if you have a miniature computer desk, then placing a 40-inch TV on it will be very problematic.

If we are talking about the correct position, then the distance from the computer screen to the user should be approximately 50 cm. If a TV with a diagonal of 30 inches or higher is used, then the distance should increase. Otherwise, the user will not be able to look at the entire display plane.

Dynamic scenes create additional stress on the eyes. Therefore, it is advisable to increase the distance. According to technical characteristics: color palette, set of functionality, resolution, refresh rate, superiority belongs to TV.

The best option is to purchase a TV with a diagonal of 26-27 inches. The screen resolution should be in the range of 1920x1080-2560x1440 pixels.

Selecting a screen type

Today, manufacturers use only two display manufacturing technologies - liquid crystals and plasma panels. The latter option is gradually losing relevance due to its short service life. Therefore, LCD displays are the first choice for all users.

Using a plasma TV as a PC monitor is not the most forward-thinking solution. Liquid crystal matrices are capable of providing higher screen resolution, which is reflected in image quality.

Of course, you can remember TV with a CRT tube, but they are a thing of the past. Therefore, it makes sense to focus on liquid crystal models. Analyzing the pros and cons of all types of screens, it must be said that the production volumes of laser TV are gradually increasing. However, this is still an experimental technology. The effect of laser displays on human vision has not been 100% studied.

Liquid crystal technology also has several subtypes. The specifics of the backlight operation mainly change. Each manufacturer supplies its products with branded features. For example, Samsung TVs- this is first of all Super AMOLED. Which option is better? It is impossible to answer this question without context. You need to know what the purchase budget is, for what purpose the TV is purchased, etc.

Connecting your TV to your computer

There are several ways. Conventionally, all available methods can be divided into two categories:

• wireless – creation local network, direct connection via Wi-Fi, using special adapters;
• wired – connecting the TV to a computer using a cable and available interfaces: HDMI, VGA, DVI.

Important! Not all interfaces are capable of simultaneously transmitting audio and video. Therefore, some users have to use additional wires to play the audio signal.

How to connect TV to PC? Each of the available options has its own strengths and weaknesses. The final choice should be made in accordance with the available interfaces and functionality TV. For example, if the model you are using does not support Wi-Fi, but is equipped HDMI interface, then it’s definitely worth using it.

Via HDMI or Displayport

The HDMI interface was created for use in consumer electronics. This connector is used to connect game consoles, players, projectors and other equipment. The main feature of the interface in question is that it transmits high-quality video and clear audio at the same time.

Displayport was invented by VESA. This input is intended to improve, and not become an analogue of HDMI. It is Displayport that can be called the final interface for connecting equipment to a computer.

For some reason, many manufacturers do not equip laptops and PCs with a Displayport connector, which is a negative point. Preference is given exclusively to HDMI. Today such a port can be found on all types of modern equipment. Although Displayport functionality is slightly better. It is especially worth noting the extensive package of options that will be of interest to business users.

If you want a laptop with a separate screen, then it makes sense to pay a little extra to buy a model with Displayport support. As a result, the user will gain greater flexibility that HDMI cannot provide.

Instructions for connecting a TV to a computer via HDMI:

1. Insert one plug of the cable into the computer connector, and the second into the TV port.
2. Take the remote control remote control, and click on the button "Input", and then select the main signal source "HDMI".
3. The TV screen will begin to blink a little, and after a few seconds the computer desktop will appear.

It is possible that after the first connection, the picture displayed on the big screen will not be displayed correctly. The problem can be easily resolved by setting up the PC accordingly. Right-click on an empty space on the desktop. From the drop-down context menu, select the item "Properties". Switch to tab "Options".

Click on the button "Additionally". Set the resolution to suit your TV. The image will be displayed correctly. The essence of setting up a Samsung TV or a device from any other manufacturer comes down to the fact that the user sets the highest screen resolution.

What should I do if, after connecting, the TV is not detected automatically? You need to press the button "Find". Wait until the search is completed. Set the screen scan to the highest value. to do this, switch to the tab "Monitor", and then select "Frequent screen refresh".

In chapter "Setting up screens" each can be assigned a serial number. 1 is the main one, and 2 is the additional one. Click on the key "Define". The number 1 will appear on the TV screen, and 2 on the computer monitor. To make changes, you need to go to the section "Screen resolution", click on the second screen, and then check the box next to “Set as primary monitor”. When all this is done, be sure to save your changes.

To make the most flexible settings, you need to open the properties of the video card, and then set the desktop resolution and perform color correction. For the changes to take effect, be sure to restart your PC.

What to do if the TV does not play sound? The problem is solved by carrying out system settings. You must select your TV as the default playback device. Instructions:

1. Right-click on the speaker-shaped icon located in the lower right part of the screen - notification panel. Select an item "Playback Devices".
2. The window that opens will display a list of connected devices, for example, "Speakers" And "LG TV".
3. Right-click on the name of your TV. Select a team "Use as default". Click "OK" for all changes to take effect.

That's all you need to know about connecting your TV to your computer using the HDMI interface.

Using DVI and VGA

Practice shows that all TVs and PCs are equipped with one of these interfaces. If you compare them, it is better to give preference to DVI. The VGA connector is considered quite outdated, so it is used only in the most extreme cases. Let's imagine that you decide to set up synchronization via VGA. However, the monitor is turned on through the only free connector. What to do?

You can purchase a special adapter – DVI to VGA. This adapter allows you to transform the video card connector into an additional VGA input. Remember that the interfaces in question only transmit video signals. Therefore, in addition to the DVI or VGA cord, you must use a special audio cable with 3.5 plugs at both ends.

The 3.5 plug is a standard connector used in classic computer audio systems: headphones, speakers, etc. There should be no problems purchasing this cable. Cords are available for purchase at computer and electronics stores.

Connection instructions:

1. Insert the cable plugs into the appropriate connectors on your computer and TV. Connection diagram – DVI-DVI or VGA-VGA (depending on the connection type).
2. Insert the plug into the audio output of the TV. The interface is marked "Audio-In". Use a dedicated audio cable.
3. Turn on your PC and TV. Set the VGA or DVI interface as the main signal source in the TV settings. To enter the signal source selection menu, press the “Input” button on the remote control.

To use your TV as a computer monitor, you need to extend your desktop. The algorithm for performing this procedure will depend on the operating system used:

• Windows XP - Right-click on an empty space on the desktop. From the context menu, select Properties, and then go to the Options tab. You must select the largest screen resolution;
• Windows 7 – right-click on an empty space on the desktop, and then select “Screen Resolution” from the context menu.

Once the screen resolution is set, you can play the content.

Via Wi-Fi

Smart-TV models are equipped with a hardware module for wireless connection to the Internet. Therefore, the easiest way is to connect the PC and TV to your home Wi-Fi networks. For this you will need a router. Some models are not designed for wireless Internet connection. The problem is solved by purchasing a special adapter. You can also set up synchronization between TV and PC without a router.

Wireless synchronization is carried out using one of two technologies – Miracast and Intel WiDi. The advantage of this connection is that the user does not need a router. If you are using a laptop with a third-generation Intel CPU or older, as well as a built-in Wi-Fi module and graphics chipset from this manufacturer, then the laptop supports WiDi technology. It is important that your PC has an operating system older than Windows 7 installed. To set up synchronization with a modern TV, download the Intel Wireless Display utility to your computer.

Laptops that are sold with a pre-installed Windows 8.1 operating system predominantly always support Miracast technology. It is important that the wireless connection technology is also supported by the TV. Modern models come with built-in Miracast support. Alternative way– purchase of a special adapter.

Connection diagram:

1. On TV you need to activate wireless synchronization technology - Miracast or WiDi. Experience shows that this option is enabled by default. On Samsung TVs, the function in question will be called "Screen Mirroring".
2. To connect equipment via WiDi, you must first download it to your computer software Intel Wireless Display. Find a team "Wireless Monitor". During the connection, a security check will be carried out; you need to enter a code that will appear on the TV screen.

To use Miracast technology, open the Charms panel in the operating room Windows system 8.1. Move your cursor to the lower right corner, after which it will appear on the screen. Select the "Devices" section and then "Projector". Click on "Add a wireless display". If this command is unavailable, it means that your TV does not support Miracast technology.

Over local network

Over a local network, the screen is configured using special software. The user needs to download and configure the DLNA server. There is plenty of high-quality software freely available. For example, the program " Home media server" We will use it as an example.

Once the software is installed on your computer, you need to make certain changes to the settings. The TV must be connected to the PC using a LAN cable. Turn off the TV first. Instructions for setting up a local connection:

1. Launch the software.
2. Go to "Settings", and then select the section "Devices".
3. Click on the button "Search".
4. When scanning is completed, a list of available devices will appear on the screen.
5. Select your TV after confirming the connection to the media server.
6. Open the item again "Settings", to choose "media resources".
7. Click on the button "Add" by specifying the folders hard drive, which will be accessible to TV.
8. There is a folder at the bottom of the window "My computer", you can immediately select all local hard drives.
9. Now all of the content will be available for viewing on TV. file system PC, click "OK" to start scanning.
10. Open the media server by clicking on the button "Launch" in the main menu of the program.

Synchronization setup is complete. Now let’s analyze the features of playing content on a TV that is stored on the PC’s hard drive. Turn on the equipment, and then open the program on your computer "Home media server". Start the multimedia server by pressing the key "Launch".

An Internet cable was already pre-connected to the TV via the LAN connector. Open the list of signal sources to select "LAN". The menu is opened by pressing the button on the remote control "Source" or "Input". Explorer will launch, using the remote control, switch between folders and play the necessary content.

Setting up to use your TV as a computer monitor is not the most complicated process. To achieve results, you just need to follow the instructions described above. The choice of connection method is carried out in accordance with the functionality of the equipment.

Note.

Everything comes back. At the end of last year of the last century, monitors simply did not exist for most users. There were TVs with convex displays, to which, without any problems or fiddling, you could connect some kind of Atari.

History repeats itself in many ways. Except that everything has become much more confusing. If earlier a baby could still tell the difference between a monitor and a TV, now the line between these two concepts is becoming increasingly thin. Some acquire the functions of others, and vice versa.

Not everything that is a monitor is called a monitor

The terminology deserves a little clarification. Nowadays, in the Western tradition, monitors are often called digital, primarily HD panels.

What distinguishes them from TVs with similar functionality is the absence of a built-in tuner (for example, NTSC/ATSC for the USA or PAL/DVB for Europe). In the English-speaking world they are called TV/Monitor, Tunerless Monitor, etc. Such “monitors” are cheaper than televisions of a similar size. However, in our tradition, both are called televisions or simply “panels”.

Indeed, it is not always necessary for a TV to have a tuner. In fact, tuners are designed only for receiving over-the-air (over-the-air), usually free, broadcasts. If cable/satellite broadcasting is enough for you, you won’t need a tuner - the corresponding receivers are already equipped with tuners.

Large TVs are often sold without tuners. This is rare for small models.

Monitors with tuners

However, let us remind you that such panels are not “real” monitors. Next, we will talk about computer models themselves, which recently are functionally not much different from televisions.

Not long ago (and, to some extent, still) there was a popular trend for computer monitors to be equipped with built-in tuners. However, this did not make them televisions.

Firstly, these were usually analog models with analog tuners and, secondly, the main component for them was the computer component - the display supported purely computer resolutions. Special algorithms were used to process the TV signal, which affected the image quality.

Such a monitor is in some ways worse than a system consisting of a monitor and a PC with an external/internal tuner. Firstly, the tuner built into the monitor is almost impossible to reprogram in accordance with your requirements, and secondly, the presence of a tuner in the computer itself allows you to record TV programs on HDD, watch videos in a small “window” while working, etc.

As a result, monitors with built-in tuners are not the strongest lot on the display/panel market.

The actual monitors

Monitors without TV tuners now have great prospects. That is, traditional computer monitors. Many users have long realized that manufacturers charge less money for a resolution comparable to HDTV, while many models are equipped with both DVI and, sometimes, HDMI inputs, allowing you to connect digital video sources with HD resolution.

The main thing is that the monitor supports the HDCP content protection protocol - this requirement for HD TVs is enshrined in the decisions of many international authorities, and without such support, most HD content will simply be inaccessible. Usually such support is provided in modern monitors, but you should be vigilant so that you don’t have to bite your elbows in impotent anger.

Widescreen monitors are optimal for use as digital TVs. Unfortunately, most of these models support a screen format of 16:10 instead of 16:9 and a resolution that does not quite correspond to HD - for example, 1920x1200 instead of 1920x1080. When “reformatting”, “rescaling”, etc., either “frames” are used around the edges of the screen, or special algorithms, so the image quality does not always correspond to the reference for HDTV.

Recently, monitors from Sharp, Dell, etc. have appeared that support the 16:9 screen format and the corresponding 1080p resolution. They are intended for lovers of multimedia content, primarily video. The differences between such monitors and TVs are completely insignificant. First of all, there are additional functions characteristic only of monitors - the ability to change the scan frequency, use small auxiliary functions like Gaussian blur, sepia, etc., as well as the presence of typical computer inputs - VGA, DVI, which is mandatory for monitors and optional for TVs etc. And of course, monitors are still smaller than large TV panels.

TVs

With such a mixture of technologies, it is not surprising that many televisions today can be used as computer monitors. Most HD panels have both DVI and VGA inputs, or at least one of them. In addition, many modern “first-tier” video cards are equipped with an HDMI output, the support of which is mandatory for HDTV.

The trouble with TVs is that their display pixels are often larger, so working with such a panel on a computer close up is often not very comfortable. To the point where individual “dots” become visible.

It is important that the TV supports not only “interlaced”, but also progressive scanning (monitors use progressive scanning) - working with office/text documents on an interlaced screen is a very tiring task for the eyes.

And further. TVs have the same problem as monitors - the problem of resolution compatibility. If for HDTV 720p and 1080i/p these are 1280x720 and 1920x1080, respectively, then the corresponding traditional computer resolutions are 1440x990 (WXGA+) and 1680x1050 (WSXGA+). In addition, many manufacturers often cheat and their HD is not real! There are often cases when, for example, 1024x1080 resolution is given as 1080p.

But, normally, TVs have a shorter “pixel response time” than monitors, better contrast and brightness and large viewing angles, and for computer/video games with proper compatibility/configuration, large screens are generally ideal.

What to choose, what to choose?!..

As you can see, a lot of universal solutions have already appeared on the market and, despite minor flaws, purchasing a TV-monitor or monitor-TV is quite possible. The main thing is to decide for yourself which of the two functions is a priority - which tasks need to be solved first. And, based on this, make your choice.

Let us remind you once again - if money is short, a monitor with high resolution will cost significantly less than a large HD TV. If money is not the main deciding factor, you can easily purchase a 50" panel for your computer. However, it is worth thinking about whether you can comfortably work with MS Word on a display larger than a meter in size?

Hello, friends! In today's article, I will take a closer look at the pros and cons of using a TV as a computer monitor. Despite the external similarity of modern monitors and televisions, they have many internal differences.

To make the right decision, we must identify these differences and, based on the information received, decide whether it makes sense to use a TV instead of a computer monitor.

To accurately determine the possibility or impossibility of using a TV as a PC monitor, we must compare these two devices according to certain parameters:

• Ease of use;
• Screen type;
• Visible area options;
• Type of connection to the computer.

Now about everything in detail and in order.

It’s not for nothing that I put ease of use as the first point, since for many this will be the determining factor when choosing a particular device as a computer screen and there will be no need to read the article further. I’ll say right away that regular monitors are much more convenient to use than TVs.

• The TV does not have height and angle adjustments, like most monitors, which creates some inconvenience when placed on a table. If you use a TV bracket, this disadvantage can be avoided, but you need to allocate quite a lot of space, which not everyone can afford;
• TVs are significantly larger in size and weight than monitors, which also imposes certain requirements on its location.

In the correct position, the person sitting near the monitor should be at a distance of 50 cm. Under such conditions, the convenience of using monitors, as well as televisions instead of monitors with a diagonal larger than 27 inches, becomes uncomfortable due to the inability to look at the entire screen at once. When working with many small elements, jumping your gaze from one place on the screen to another causes very rapid fatigue, which seriously affects your performance.

In terms of visible area, I consider displays with a diagonal of 26 or 27 inches with a resolution from 1920x1080 to 2560x1440 to be optimally convenient. It’s no wonder that one of the best computer monitors from Apple is the 27-inch one.

Deciding on the screen type

Today there are only two main technologies for manufacturing TV screens. Based on liquid crystal matrices and plasma panels. The latter will most likely be abandoned soon (if there are no breakthrough technologies), since in all respects, image color reproduction (especially black) is inferior to LCD. I strongly advise against using a plasma TV as a computer monitor, since their screen resolution is significantly lower than that of their counterparts with LCD matrices. Possible only for viewing video materials.

I will not consider outdated or specific types of screens (CRT, Projector, projection TV) within the framework of this article. Laser TVs have also begun to appear on sale, but they are very expensive, and the impact of this method of image formation on human health has not yet been fully studied.

We immediately eliminated plasma as an unsuitable option. As a result, we were left with only liquid crystal technology. Although the technology is the same, the approaches, methods and materials themselves are different, which creates such diversity technical characteristics various devices. We have decided on the type of screen, now let’s move on to a detailed study of its characteristics, which greatly influence the ability to turn the TV into a PC monitor.

Viewable Area Options

• Screen size (diagonal);
• Permission;
• Pixel size;
• Pixel response time;
• Screen refresh rate;
• Color depth;
• Viewing angle.

Screen size or diagonal is a definite plus in favor of connecting TVs as PC monitors. In the vast majority of cases, the question of using TV as a computer monitor arises precisely because of this parameter.

If for computer monitors the maximum diagonal is 32 inches, then for TVs this is very small. The most popular TV models start from 42 inches and up to 50. Moreover, the demand for larger diagonals is growing.

LCD TVs, comparable in diagonal to monitors, are always inferior to the latter in quality. They usually have lower screen resolution and matrix quality. Therefore, if you are faced with the choice of choosing a TV instead of a monitor with a diagonal comparable to computer monitors, then the answer is clearly negative. Any, even the cheapest monitor of this size will be an order of magnitude better than a TV.

Connecting to a computer a 3D, full HD TV or just a TV with a larger diagonal than the monitor has both positive aspects and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

The large screen size and adaptation of settings specifically for watching videos makes it much more comfortable to view movies, photos, etc. materials;

If there is not enough space in an apartment or room to accommodate a full-fledged computer with a monitor, connecting a TV would be a good solution, and by connecting an antenna you can watch television channels. Switching between monitor and computer modes is done in two seconds using the remote control.

Minuses:

At first it is difficult to get used to this screen size. You have to look at one corner of the screen, then at the other. Over time you get used to it, but you have to select a distance at which it becomes convenient to work;

With the same resolution of the monitor and the TV, but with different diagonals, the latter will always have an average pixel size almost twice as large, which will be very noticeable when viewed at close range (graininess will appear in the image). To make the pixel as small as a computer monitor with such large diagonals, you can use a 4K TV. Resolution starts from 3840x2160 (Ultra HD). But there is a small point. In order for a computer to achieve such a resolution, you need a fairly powerful video card, which is not cheap, and the TVs themselves are much more expensive than regular ones.

The next drawback that prevents you from replacing a computer monitor with a TV is Input Lag. It's like this technical feature, in which the electronics have some delay in processing the signal coming from the mouse or keyboard. Many people confuse this feature with pixel response time, but this is not true.

On a physical level, this is very noticeable in the movements of the mouse on the screen. If on a computer monitor, when you move the mouse, the cursor instantly repeats your actions, then on TV this happens with a fairly noticeable delay, which creates discomfort. It appears as if the cursor is floating.

This trouble is measured in ms (millisecond). Input Lag will have a particularly strong impact on those who want to play computer and online games on a large TV (why else do we need it :)). For a comfortable game, this figure should be no more than 40 ms. On many modern TVs it is larger. The best values ​​that I know of were achieved on a SONY TV. Input Lag is no more than 14-16ms, but not on all models).

Therefore, when choosing a TV for computer games, pay most attention to this parameter - the rest is secondary. Owners of game consoles should not worry about this, since the creators of the games have provided for this moment and are invisible.

Pixel response time, at the current stage of development, does not play any significant role in the choice. The average value for TV and monitor = 5-8ms, which is absolutely not noticeable.

The screen refresh rate is also not critical. On monitors, this is at least 60 Hz, which is quite enough for dynamic games, and even more so for watching movies. Almost all TV models are equipped with various technologies to improve this parameter. With their help, an ordinary 100 Hz TV produces simply excellent video images, but how these capabilities will affect when connected to a computer can only be tested in practice.

The color depth and viewing angles of modern LCD matrices are identical. And if work is still underway to improve the color gamut coverage, viewing angles have reached their limit (especially on IPS matrices) and viewing images from different angles does not lead to loss of color and distortion.

Everyone has modern TVs very high brightness and contrast. When using a TV instead of a monitor, this is a disadvantage, since with high values ​​of these parameters the eyes get tired very quickly. In many models, you can adjust this parameter to acceptable values, but TVs are far from the capabilities of computer monitors.

Interface for connecting TV to PC

Finally, I want to say that you can connect a TV to a computer very easily if the video card is equipped with an HDMI connector. All modern TVs have this connector. You will need HDMI-HDMI cable, which is available in every computer store. Also, most TVs have an outdated VGA connector, through which you can also connect the TV to a computer or laptop. Its downside is that the image quality will be worse than via HDMI and the inability to transmit sound. The choice is yours.

Conclusion

It is certainly possible to use a TV as a monitor. It will perform well when watching various video information; if you increase your budget a little, you can play computer and online games quite comfortably.

In general, its main advantage (large size) is also a disadvantage. Depending on the size, you will have to increase the distance to the screen. This will immediately affect convenience, as more space is needed.

The keyboard and mouse also have a finite wire length (replacing them with wireless devices will help).

As a temporary measure, you can use an old TV instead of a monitor, but only for a short time. For example, a computer monitor has broken down, but there is no money to buy it yet. It’s quite possible to sit for a couple of weeks, but I think vision is more important than saving on a high-quality display for a computer.

On standard TVs, the pixels are almost 2 times larger in size than on the monitor, which manifests itself in the graininess of the image. If we want to get rid of this, then we will have to buy a TV with a resolution of 4K, and this price tag at the time of writing is about 40 thousand wooden for a 43-inch model, which is at least 2 times higher than usual + we add an upgrade for the video card, and the entire computer, since pulling such a resolution requires serious power.

As usual, in our lives, very often everything comes down to financial capabilities. If you have the finances and desire, you can collect workplace at the computer using the TV. It will take a little time to get used to this screen and that’s all.

You can connect your TV to your computer as a second device, but that’s a topic for another article.

I wanted to end here. This is my first article on this site. Please leave your comments and suggestions. Bye everyone.

The question of the advisability of using TVs as monitors arises against the backdrop of a steady trend towards a reduction in the cost of the former and an improvement in image quality and diagonal size. Let's try to find the answer to it.

It must be said that in addition to its main purpose - broadcasting television programs, modern televisions are used as multimedia players (a screen in a home theater), as well as devices on which images from game consoles are displayed. And models that support SmartTV can generally be an alternative to a computer. And all this is good, is the TV capable of providing full operation with text files, graphic images or video editing?

The majority of TV models do not require a person to remain in front of their screen for a long time. A picture characterized by extreme brightness, contrast and saturation has a tiring effect on the eyes. And the presence of all kinds of enhancers, the purpose of which is to give the image maximum realism when viewing it from a considerable distance, leads to a deterioration in the clarity of the text on the display. In addition, the presence of embellished color rendition, and in addition the narrow gamut of sRGB color spaces, not to mention AdobeRGB, prevents video and photo editors from working correctly.

Of course, the whole aspect of the capabilities of TVs opens up when watching movies on the Internet or active gaming. This statement especially applies to televisions that have a large screen diagonal, which significantly increases the realism of everything that happens on the screen. Below we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of televisions when used as computer monitors.

Positive aspects

1 - The absolute trump cards of TVs include their cost, taking into account the size of the screen diagonal. Purchasing a TV will allow you to save a lot, as its cost is significantly lower than that of monitors of similar sizes.

2 - TVs have special modes works that allow, for example, dynamic lighting of dark scenes when watching movies or while playing games. Actually, this technology was first used on televisions, and only much later it began to be used on monitors.

3 - The large screen allows you to comfortably work with small details, which is important when editing video. Many videographers have to use two monitors for this, which are installed back to back. And of course, it’s much easier when all the same things can be done on one TV with a large diagonal.

4 - An important advantage of a large television screen is the effect of immersion into what is happening, regardless of whether you are watching a very interesting film, or computer game An action scene ensues.

Negative sides

1 - TVs with an IPS matrix have an increased level of contrast, and this inevitably leads to a loss of detail in black shades. This is especially noticeable if the screen is located at a great distance.

2 - For embellished pictures on TVs, the saturation is excessively raised, and this has a negative impact on the ability to perceive colors and does not allow you to work in photo editors in the correct mode.

3 - The TV does not provide the same clarity as on the monitor if you are surfing the Internet or working with texts. As a rule, the culprit is a system designed to process images in order to embellish them. On some models, it is possible to solve this problem by disabling text smoothing.

4 - If a model with a large screen is installed at a close distance, then on the screen you can see individual pixels that are components of any image. It is for this reason that for TVs whose diagonal exceeds 32″, it is recommended not to use a screen resolution lower than FullHD (1920x1080).

5 - If you work for a long time using a TV screen, your eyes get very tired. This is also greatly facilitated by the need to constantly move the gaze left and right across the surface big screen, and moving your eyes up and down makes you even more tired.

6 - A large number of TVs have an image delay (Input Lag). Incident lag (not to be confused with the time required for the matrix to respond) is the length of time it takes for the TV to display the signal sent to it on the screen. Simply put, with each action taken, there will be a delay by the amount of Input Lag, which can last from 30 ms to 150. While watching a TV show or movie, this function is practically unnoticeable. The majority of modern TVs have special modes, the use of which can significantly reduce the output delay. In addition, today there are models, such as the Sony KDL-32WD603, in which it was possible to reduce this effect to a minimum level, due to which there is almost no effect on the perception of the picture.

How can you connect your TV to your computer?

Connecting a TV to a computer can be done using one of the three main interfaces: VGA (D-Sub), DVI and HDMI. And if with the help of the latter you can broadcast in FullHD quality, then the use of the first two is recommended only when other pairing scenarios cannot be implemented.
1 - Connection using a VGA connector. The main interface that allows you to connect the monitor to a computer is the analog VGA port. Therefore, if you decide to use a TV as a device through which information will be output, you can use this connector. However, we must remember that you should not expect the maximum resolution of the broadcast image to be FullHD, as it will be equal to 1600x1200 pixels. In addition, you will have to additionally use a cable with “tulips” (RGA) or “minijack” (3.5 Jack) to transmit sound.

2 - Connection via DVI interface. The majority of computer video cards have a DVI port - an upgraded version of the VGA interface. It can be in three types:

The analog version of DVI-A, which is almost impossible to find, as it is characterized by low image quality, which is due to the need to convert a digital signal to an analogue signal.

The digital version of DVI-D is perhaps the most common type, characterized by high signal quality. The two-channel Dual Link subtype provides a resolution of 2560x1600 pixels at a frequency of 60 Hz, and the single-channel Single Link provides 1920x1200 pixels, a frequency of 60 Hz.

The combined version of DVI-I consists of one digital and one analog transmission channel (Single Link). It can also consist of two digital and one analog channel (Dual Link), which operate independently of each other. In cases where this port is not among the TV connectors, if it is available on the computer’s video card, you can use special DVI-VGA or DVI-HDMI adapters.

3 - HDMI connection. This port is considered the most optimal in cases where the TV is connected to a computer. With its help, it is possible to transmit high-resolution video (up to 3840x2160 pixels) and multi-channel audio using a single cable. Often, TV interfaces have two to three HDMI connectors, making it possible to simultaneously connect several devices. Today, the disadvantages of an HDMI connection include the limited cable length (no more than 10 m) and a fairly high price.
Lack of connection with using DVI and VGA cables is that the connectors are connected with screws. This means that if someone accidentally touches these cables with their foot, damage occurs to both the TV and the computer’s video card.

When planning to purchase a TV for use as a monitor, you need to clearly understand what scenarios it will be intended for in the first place. So, if you plan to actively work with office applications and surf the Internet, then you can limit yourself to a 32-inch TV. But for gaming or watching videos with maximum immersion, you should choose models whose diagonal is in the range from 36″ to 50.