LED TV or 27" IPS monitor?

[riviera74]

I have a question for this forum. Here is a list of IPS panels typically used for a computer. If I went this route, I would probably go with an HP or Dell 27" IPS LCD panel, with the Asus PA246Q as a fallback monitor. I have found elsewhere in this forum that some are using LCD/LED TVs as their primary (or only) display. I think I have found a very good one here.

My question is simple: should I use a TV or an LED panel as my monitor? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Please discuss and thanks in advance.

[TheEmrys]

IPS>LED. If you are going to use something of a larger size, why would you limit yourself to 1920x1080? Why not get an IPS panel with higher resolution? Remember a good will be the most enduring piece of hardware for your computer. A good monitor will last 10+ years.

[churin]

I can not think of any advantage of using TV as a PC monitor. It is because the resolution of TV is limited to 1080, whereas that of 27' IPS monitor is 1440. Other minor point for the monitor is that it allows adjustments including height, tilt, swivel and pivoting.

[Prestige Worldwide]

I would never use a TV as a monitor because of the bad input lag TVs tend to have.

[Thresher]

Why not go with the best of both worlds?

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-VIERA-T ... B00752RACW

32" IPS LED backlit LCD TV from Panasonic. It's 1080P, but 60Hz, just like most monitors.

[Thresher]

I would never use a TV as a monitor because of the bad input lag TVs tend to have.

Most TVs have a "Game" mode that cuts out all the processing and makes it lag free.

[churin]

32" IPS LED backlit LCD TV from Panasonic. It's 1080P, but 60Hz, just like most monitors.

OP is interested in IPS monitor. There is no point of comparing TV with TN panel which is used for the "most monitors".

[C-A_99]

I would never use a TV as a monitor because of the bad input lag TVs tend to have.

Most TVs have a "Game" mode that cuts out all the processing and makes it lag free.

Game mode only removes (most of the) processing lag. It does not affect lag from the panel itself. For most TV's it's not too bad, but for large PVA panels (i.e. 55" panels), the panel itself still lags too much to be fully usable for many games and other precision-requiring applications. (Contrary to popular myth, input lag is not a matter of reaction time in FPS's, it's a matter of feedback and response for precise movements. you can't aim a cursor if its movement on the screen does not correlate to your hand's movement of the mouse. This affects everything from aiming in FPS's or moving the camera in an RPG game, to even setting up a Netflix video on a PC.)

Smaller TV's should not be nearly as much of an issue, but I'm pretty sure both TV's and IPS's have more lag than TN panels. It may not matter for your uses though. (i.e. Too low to notice, and/or you're not using applications that are demanding on good point-and-click.)

Resolution is a different issue. 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 are better if you're viewing videos sourced at that resolution, but you do sacrifice screen space and/or definition for applications.

[cynan]

Take it from someone who has tried this (with a 37" 1080p Panasonic S-IPS LCD TV). Using a TV for a PC monitor for ANYTHING other than whaching video and playing games (and only some games that don't benefit from higher screen real-estate - like your average platformer, arcade fighter or console-ported FPS) is a sub-par experience. I've since switched to a 24" 1900X1200 and then to a 30" 2560X1600 monitor, and both offered a better all-around computing experience. Especially the 2560x1600. This has nothing to do with input lag or any other performance aspect other than resolution and pixel density (higher on monitors) - as far as I could tell, the Panasonic TV performed just fine lag-wise.

Go for the 27"

[I.S.T.]

32" IPS LED backlit LCD TV from Panasonic. It's 1080P, but 60Hz, just like most monitors.

OP is interested in IPS monitor. There is no point of comparing TV with TN panel which is used for the "most monitors".

Do they even make TVs that cost more than 200 dollars with TN panels?

[churin]

32" IPS LED backlit LCD TV from Panasonic. It's 1080P, but 60Hz, just like most monitors.

OP is interested in IPS monitor. There is no point of comparing TV with TN panel which is used for the "most monitors".

Do they even make TVs that cost more than 200 dollars with TN panels?

I do not mean TVs come with TN panels. But my post appears off point.
I think I do not understand what "the best of both world" in Thresher's post mean.

[vargis14]

Maybe you might want to consider a new panasonic plasma. 42" is the smallest 1080p plasma and they are all made by Panasonic. They all do 1:1 mapping also. Maybe thats too big for your needs.
But i game on a 37 inch LCD sitting on my desk and i have not a complaint in the world i love it with i could swing a 42 inch plasma:) I sure do not get any eye strain.

I love computing on my panasonic VT30 55" Plasma 3dtv. My TV gives the Best blacks bright and pretty accurate colors in my eyes Much better then my LCDs.
Now I am not any closer then 5ft or so away from it most of the time. Sometimes when i want to get really immersed in a 3d movie say avatar for example, ill sit 3ft away and sport my G930 surround wireless headphones......since i have it on a top notch wall mount that comes off the wall 35+ inches with 3 joints and turns and adjusts every way under the sun tilt twist, even slide left or right up to 10 inches.
The new plasmas do not burn in like the older ones did they are much much better and after over a year of use i have no ghost images on my set and i am on the computer alot on it, But to be safe my screen saver comes on after 3 minutes of sitting just to be safe.

[Thresher]

32" IPS LED backlit LCD TV from Panasonic. It's 1080P, but 60Hz, just like most monitors.

OP is interested in IPS monitor. There is no point of comparing TV with TN panel which is used for the "most monitors".

That TV is IPS, read more closely.

[iq100]

I agree with the 2560x1600 for 30 inch monitor. I have Dell U3011. For high detail source material (text or games), whose application software can use 2560x1600, your eyes will thank you, if you sit close (30 inches). For lower detail, cartoon like, source material, using a large TV IPS screen should be fine.

Take it from someone who has tried this (with a 37" 1080p Panasonic S-IPS LCD TV). Using a TV for a PC monitor for ANYTHING other than whaching video and playing games (and only some games that don't benefit from higher screen real-estate - like your average platformer, arcade fighter or console-ported FPS) is a sub-par experience. I've since switched to a 24" 1900X1200 and then to a 30" 2560X1600 monitor, and both offered a better all-around computing experience. Especially the 2560x1600. This has nothing to do with input lag or any other performance aspect other than resolution and pixel density (higher on monitors) - as far as I could tell, the Panasonic TV performed just fine lag-wise.

Go for the 27"

[TheEmrys]

But i game on a 37 inch LCD sitting on my desk and i have not a complaint in the world i love it with i could swing a 42 inch plasma:) I sure do not get any eye strain.

I sure couldn't handle that low of a resolution on a large format screen. Might as well be on an Xbox.

[churin]

32" IPS LED backlit LCD TV from Panasonic. It's 1080P, but 60Hz, just like most monitors.

OP is interested in IPS monitor. There is no point of comparing TV with TN panel which is used for the "most monitors".

That TV is IPS, read more closely.

But the resolution is limited to only 1080. If one is interested in IPS panel, then he can get 1440 resolution with 27' IPS monitor.

[Airmantharp]

I have a question for this forum. Here is a list of IPS panels typically used for a computer. If I went this route, I would probably go with an HP or Dell 27" IPS LCD panel, with the Asus PA246Q as a fallback monitor. I have found elsewhere in this forum that some are using LCD/LED TVs as their primary (or only) display. I think I have found a very good one here.

My question is simple: should I use a TV or an LED panel as my monitor? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Please discuss and thanks in advance.

A lot of good points have been raised, but have missed the point a little- what are you going to use this monitor for? Will you use the system in your signature or something else?

For regular desktop use and input-lag insensitive gaming TVs can be fine, especially with low prices for IPS panels in the 37-42" range. For any kind of lag-sensitive gaming, though, you want a real monitor, preferably one without input scaling or an OSD, which add input lag. It's why I went with my HP ZR30w over Dells U3011; the Dell has significantly more (still less than a TV) input lag. Just be careful here.

How is your eyesight? Vargis14 must be blind to use a 37" TV as a desktop monitor. Giant pixels. TVs are made to be viewed at a distance, computer monitors up close, as evidenced by their PPI (screen size vs. resolution). I've gotten to the point where I need to use my glasses with my 30" monitor, but it's still more than worth it in BF3.

[Dr. Evil]

But the resolution is limited to only 1080. If one is interested in IPS panel, then he can get 1440 resolution with 27' IPS monitor.

I concur, and to completely illustrate what that means it's important to quote both the horizontal and vertical resolution and compute the number of pixels:

1920 x 1080 = 2,073,600 pixels or 2.07 megapixels

2560 x 1440 = 3,686,400 pixels or 3.69 megapixels

The 27" IPS panel has a 77.78% higher pixel count than the HDTV. For desktop use that is a Very Big Deal. I spent $900 on a used 30" LCD (2560x1600) off of eBay a few years ago and have never regretted it for a second: I strongly recommend going for the 27" monitor.