Go with a LCD TV or an LCD Monitor

[phenixdragon]

So I am debating on what LCD to put into my bedroom. Since I am planning on only using an a Xbox 360 for my TV functions or a DVR I don't need the tuning doen by the TV.

Now when I am looking at what to by LCD monitors are cheaper then a TV and do take the same inputs, such as like componet. So my question is, lets say if I went with the Dell LCD 24" WS Monitor, couldn't I technically hook up one of my 360s or computer and still pull lets say 720p from it? Or even 1080p? I know none of the LCD monitors state anythign about HDTV and basically only list monitor resolutions which makes me wonder if it would work or not. I havent tried it just so I ahve no clue.

[potpiejimmy]

You could go for the Dell 24". It's a really cool monitor and it will display 720p & 1080i/p via component in from the xbox 360!!

See: http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?...2&page=2&pp=20

Greetings,
potpiejimmy

[Gaurav]

I am actually using the Dell 24" as a makeshift tv in my bedroom.
It was hooked up to my pc until i decided i wanted a tv in the bedroom but couldn't afford the one i wanted. So the Dell moved to the bedroom and my old CRT came back to the PC.

The Dell is fed by an MVP via s-vid. I use the Dell sound bar for audio.

PQ is great...but i think the refresh rate is not enough for fast action scenes.
I have a 15" Philips LCD TV in another room also fed by an MVP and it's refresh rate seems to be much better than the Dell LCD.
Maybe the refresh rate won't be a problem when using digital connections.

Nice surprise was that the monitor suspends/wakes when the mvp is switched off/on.

My overall impression - GREAT monitor, OK Tv.
Eventually, I am going to replace it with a real TV but i'm not in a hurry as it's doing a decent job.

[Naylia]

I think the Dell 24" is a 16:10 monitor just to warn you...may want a 16x9 aspect ratio...

[dbfresh23]

I've actually been looking around at smaller LCDs for the bedroom too. After much shopping around at various retail stores I have decided that the RCA L26W11 26 in. has the best picture I've seen on any of them. I'll be picking one up in the next month or so. It's usually around $900, so there are cheaper TVs out there, but I looked at those too and the pq just cannot compare.

[Humanzee]

I ordered a Westinghouse 37" LCD flat panel from Crutchfield yesterday. It will do 1080p Natively. I.e. its resolution is 1920x1080. It has 2 DVI inputs one up to 1080p and one up to 1080i It also has component, composite, and svideo connections but no HDTV tuner. Should be here next week. From what I have read it is just amazing as a HTPC monitor, and thats primarely how I will use it.

I have a PS2 and someday will probalby get an Xbox 360. Since I will have the HTPC connected to the DVI input I shouldn't have any problem hooking up these other devices.

Also its cheaper than many LCD's of similar size with lower resolution. Oh, and it will fit in the Armoire in the bedroom, when we get a really big TV someday.

[Polypro]

Viewsonic N2750W 27" 1280x720p. About $700 online. No compaints.

P

[sleonard]

One of the nice things about an LCD designed as a computer monitor is that it will understand power management and sleep when Windows PM kicks in. No need to have to manually turn it off when your not watching it.

LCD's designed as TV's can be much larger and cheaper per square inch of real estate. 24" seems to be the upper limit for computer monitors and those are a lot of $$ while 24" is close to the lower limit of TV's.

Those Viewsonics have intrigued me for a long time now and I keep seeing the Newegg special on that 2750. Tell me, does it have the PM features found in computer monitors?

[Humanzee]

Originally Posted by sleonard

LCD's designed as TV's can be much larger and cheaper per square inch of real estate. 24" seems to be the upper limit for computer monitors and those are a lot of $$ while 24" is close to the lower limit of TV's.

The 37" Westinghouse that I ordered could be considered a monitor, it has no tuner in it. Reports from owners on the AVS forums say that it will turn off with the windows power management features. I will find out next week.

You mentioned how expensive the larger monitors are when compared to TV's. Its all relative. My 37" was $1699.99 but a 37" LCD TV with lower resolution can easily cost you $2200 or more. So I guess you would call what I ordered a TV with out the tuner, or a PC Monitor with out the DPI you'd expect. I don't intend on using the monitor from 2 ft like I do on a desktop, so the dpi shouldn't bother me. Granted it is still not what I'd call cheap, but for 1080P, it is about the cheapest you can get in a flat panel of that size. Plus it has all the other input's you'd expect from an HDTV set. sans HDMI

The OP mentioned that he didn't need a tuner, in that case I'd just make sure that what ever he gets be capable of being re-purposed down the road. I.e. I'd get what ever has the most flexibility in input type. If its only ever going to be hooked up to a PC then just get the monitor, if you want to do more common video stuff with svideo or HDMI or component then you want to go the TV route.

Things will become more complicated in the future as HDCP becomes more common. If you end up having to convert an HDMI cable to a DVI cable or vs. versa you can run into problems with that HD copy protection being 100% compatible. It is supposed be compatible by specification, but can be hit and miss in actuality. HDCP compliant monitors are supposed to become required with Window's Vista. My new set should accept HDCP signals over DVI, but who knows if it will when I have to convert from an HDMI source. Reports are mixed. Hopefully, as long as I keep it connected to a HTPC via DVI it should work.

So what Monitor should you buy? Dunno, but look into HDCP and see if your chosen device will be compliant.