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TV as monitor?

mgilbrtsnmgilbrtsn Member EpicPosts: 3,430
in Hardware
I hear a lot of people, including friends who use their TVs as their computer monitor.  Is this a good idea in terms of playing MMOs and other games?  I would want a big screen/4k, but not sure about refresh rates and such.  Any help would be appreciated.

I self identify as a monkey.

Comments

  • starstorm777starstorm777 Member UncommonPosts: 114
    I am using one now, and I like it, but I also have eye problems so it actually helps me...but yes it does hinder you if you are TOO close, if you are sitting a bit far away (unlike me) it may benefit you even more. Me, I am only on a 47 inch VIZIO with an Alienware x51 system. And I love it. I solo a lot though in MMOs so I usually don't have to keep an eye on the screen a ton like I did when I was playing hardcore as my Fury on Everquest II as my healer and had to make sure the group stayed alive. So it's up to you....I personally like it....but I am blind in my left eye...for real...so physically it helps....maybe for you like I said being so close might not help, but farther away it may look sweet as hell :) <3 Plus you will be like me, when people walk in your house they will be like WTF? Like, THAT is your computer? Even if you don't have a nice rig, they will think you have the top of the line system...lolz....I have 7 computers, and all in 2 rooms visible, it looks like an FBI surveillance team works here, when people come in, they drop their jaws anyhow. I say go for it, I don't have a 4k, so I would be jealous if you do :) Happy tv monitor shopping!
  • starstorm777starstorm777 Member UncommonPosts: 114
    edited December 2016
    oh, and my only other suggestion to you is GET a different TV than the other one you use, I have a 60 inch VIZIO also right next to me I watch tv on....same remotes, same tv brand, so when I click one, it does it on  BOTH tvs, shutting off, changing channels, etc...different brands !!!! make sure you do that though or it gets TRES ANNOYING like I go through every day!
  • CleffyCleffy Member RarePosts: 6,414
    There is usually a problem with refresh rates. A lot of TVs are limited to 30hz which makes moving a mouse a bit jaggy, it also affects text. The screen usually also refreshes with a delay. It's not like the image needs to be displayed instantaneously, so they can take their time running it through filters. This delay might be noticeable.
  • NanfoodleNanfoodle Member LegendaryPosts: 10,901
    You lose out most times with refresh rates and resolution. Get a 120 or 240hz 4k TV and you would be good to go. 
  • mgilbrtsnmgilbrtsn Member EpicPosts: 3,430
    Thanks all!

    I self identify as a monkey.

  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    edited December 2016
    I got an LED tv and idk the refresh rate or anything.  I got it hooked up to a crappy old laptop that lost the screen.  Can't really game on it but I watch netflix and even stream HD to it and looks pretty good.

    I'm getting ready to hook a 1050 gtx to it and that will be around Christmas.  I'll let you know how well it worked.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • mgilbrtsnmgilbrtsn Member EpicPosts: 3,430
    filmoret said:
    I got an LED tv and idk the refresh rate or anything.  I got it hooked up to a crappy old laptop that lost the screen.  Can't really game on it but I watch netflix and even stream HD to it and looks pretty good.

    I'm getting ready to hook a 1050 gtx to it and that will be around Christmas.  I'll let you know how well it worked.
    Thx

    I self identify as a monkey.

  • Loke666Loke666 Member EpicPosts: 21,441
    A TV for watching streams and vids is easy to add but to replace the regular monitor takes a relatively expensive one and it still wont be as good as a 4K screen with G-sync.

    It can be rather good still. I also have a friend who uses a projector for a truly huge picture but that have a higher cost in lost quality.

    I) you can afford it the best option is a nice TV and a regular monitor as well, a huge TV is bad for certain things (particularly working with photoshop) and then you can choose the perfect screen for whatever you do.  
  • holdenhamletholdenhamlet Member EpicPosts: 3,772
    I used a TV as my monitor for about a year.  Just put it on my dresser about 6 feet from my computer desk.  It worked well, but it caused some strain. 

    It was pretty cheap and it still had 60fps.

    Worked fine for MMORPGs, general internet browsing and MOBAs.  I was able to play Overwatch with it, but the input lag is pretty severe, so it's not recommended for FPS games.

    I still use it as "my second monitor", mostly to watch Twitch or movies.
  • laseritlaserit Member LegendaryPosts: 7,591
    edited December 2016
    I use a 42" 4K 60hz Samsung TV exclusively for flightsimming. It works very well for that purpose. I use a 27" 2k 144hz Acer monitor for my gaming, I could never use the 60hz TV for regular gaming after experiencing the 144hz monitor.

    "Be water my friend" - Bruce Lee

  • GladDogGladDog Member RarePosts: 1,097
    I was using a 24" 1080p TV with a 60Hz refresh for about a year.  There were two annoying things about it.

    1- the colors were not as crisp as on a monitor.

    2- the TV would shut off when I went away from the computer, but would not automatically come back on when I turned the computer back on/moved the mouse.  I had to turn it on manually.  This was an annoyance that I never really adjusted to, after well over a decade of screens that DID come on with use.

    Recently I replaced it with a 27" 60Hz monitor, and I don't regret it a bit.  Sharp, clear colors and ECO that works like you expect, good stuff...

    If you want to use a TV, they do work, but get a good one.  And make sure that the ECO works correctly.  A 4K should be good as far as the ECO working right, but still, verify before you buy.


    The world is going to the dogs, which is just how I planned it!


  • goboygogoboygo Member RarePosts: 2,141
    If you dont care about performance then I guess its a good idea if you dont have a computer monitor.
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    @mgilbrtsn  Ok so I hooked my gtx 1050 up to the LCD TV and its looking very good.  Smooth without any screen taring.  My LCD TV is 60 hz.   One thing you might need to consider is making the GPU do the aspect scaling instead of the monitor itself.   I'm running the 1920x1080 resolution on the TV and it all looks good and fits perfectly on the screen.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • IkedaIkeda Member RarePosts: 2,751
    As someone who has used both, I prefer monitor.  Far crisper.  Specifically, anything written.  On a TV, there's a little blur around each letter.  It's something that has been noticeable on a couple of TV's I've used so it's got to be something refresh-wise.  That being said, I haven't tried a 4k TV, only HD.  
  • g0m0rrahg0m0rrah Member UncommonPosts: 325
    Playing from a couch, tv are perfect. Playing from a desk, monitors win...
  • BluelinerBlueliner Member UncommonPosts: 185
    I play a lot of games on my 4k tv as a monitor and I think they look just fine.
  • filmoretfilmoret Member EpicPosts: 4,906
    Ikeda said:
    As someone who has used both, I prefer monitor.  Far crisper.  Specifically, anything written.  On a TV, there's a little blur around each letter.  It's something that has been noticeable on a couple of TV's I've used so it's got to be something refresh-wise.  That being said, I haven't tried a 4k TV, only HD.  
    Yea I also have a problem with windows letters.  I think it has more to do with fonts or something honestly.  Because the video games look flawless.
    Are you onto something or just on something?
  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383
    edited December 2016
    Fuzzy text is common on TVs, it's part of what is called Chroma Sub-sampling. A TV that supports 4-4-4 Chroma will have much sharper text (as it isn't doing any sub-sampling). Most TV's don't do that, and even those that do, often have to be put into a certain mode to enable that (i.e. it only works on the PC input with Gaming mode turned on, or something like that).


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