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I can't find this answered elsewhere (not even certain this is the right forum - just found techreport yesterday) but I'm sure it's frequently asked. Can ya'll point me to answers? I'm wondering which is better... HDTV/LCD TV or LCD monitor? Looks like I could get more real estate cheaper with a TV??

Example:
HDTV - Sharp AQUOS 32" Widescreen LCD HDTV from $650 + free shipping
Monitor - Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP 24" Widescreen LCD Display for $559 + free shipping

What should I look for? For now it's to be solely connected to a computer, no game consoles.

Thank you!

1366x768 native resolution on that HDTV. For computer use you would be wanting a 1920x1080 model. Even that is less resolution than the 1920x1200 of the 24" monitor. I'd definitely go for smaller, higher resolution screen.

HDTV = Low resolution, very big.
Monitor = High resolution, small.

If you really are only going to game, I guess you could go with the TV. For anything else, just buy a monitor.

1920x1080p or 1920x1200 are the best resolutions to get.

THANK YOU! Looks like resolution is the key. I'll get a monitor. It will be on my desk a couple feet away. For watching a widescreen movie:
1- Do I need to pay any attention to aspect ratio? Do I need to look for an LCD monitor that's "widescreen"
2- Do I need to pay attention to scaling? I.e will the movie fill the whole screen or get small bands across top and bottom?

Hi dkrum, and welcome to TR. Not a big deal, but display questions usually go in the Visual Haven forum below.

viewforum.php?f=37&st=0&sk=t&sd=d&start=50

Just a FYI.

In the Visual Haven forum you will find not only more info, but a awesome thread about this subject by me, and you can see how LCD and HDTV's go one on one with the Great One

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=55228

Hope my thread provides a little bit of info, as I asked myself most of the same questions u asked.

Regarding the monitor being "widescreen", most if not all of the new monitors sold now are widescreen. You can divide the horizontal res by the vertical res. If it's 1.6 (16:10) or 1.78 (16:9), it's wide.

As for the movie scaling and black bars, that's up to your player software. You'll come across many different situations, depending on the movie in question. Most movies are actually 2.35:1, which means that even in a widescreen TV/monitor you'll have black bars. Such is the way of life.

... and on that note, the thread has been moved to the Visual Haven.

Thx so much, will continue there.