32" lcd tv for use as a pc monitor?

I was planning on getting a 22" external monitor to hook up my notebook especially for the times I want to read documents or watch videos, but also to provide hdmi ports so I can hook up a PS3. However I saw an ad for a Sony XBR 32" 120hz 1080p tv for $589USD, and am curious if its worth spending a little bit more to get a TV. I normally don't watch TV, so the lcd tv will function mainly as a ps3 player, or watching downloaded media from my PC, and for use as a monitor. Would it be too big for this role? I plan to place it at most 2 feet from me

 

IMO TVs are not a good idea to use as a screen since the pixel pitch is so high that you can see individual pixels at 2 feet. They're good for watching media from your computer, but unless you want to be blind I'd say get an LCD.

 

thanks for the quick reply Fred! I forgot to add, I've never owned or bought an lcd tv, so I have no experience with them!

 

Not everyone sits 2' from their monitor. I have a 37" 1080p monitor hooked up to a HTPC, which I sometimes use to surf or what not. It sits at the end of my bed, maybe six or seven feet away. I have to say sometimes the text borders on the small side. Kind of makes me wish I had got the 720p monitor. I guess it would depend on how far you're planning on sitting from it.

 

I used a 37" 1920x1080 set for about 2 years as my monitor, it was the biggest and best upgrade I ever made for my computer I sat normal distance from it and could not see the "screen door effect" just a tad closer and I could though.

Do not get a 720p set, only 1080p for computer use.

As you said it works great because it already is going to take all the game inputs and allow for great movie watching and also great computer gaming.

I highly recommend it, it makes games much more enjoyable and movies from the computer something worth watching from across the room rather than having to sit at your desk.

I only just recently changed my 37" and only because I got 3x24" instead but even still today I was watching some episodes of a TV show I downloaded and I use the HDTV for it as its hooked up as a 4th monitor and while I was on my windows desktop opening the files I was thinking to myself even with 3x24" monitors for 5760x1200 resolution I still kinda miss the big 37" screen as my primary computer monitor, having everything so big and easy to read and just in your face was a nice experience.

Here is what it looks like now, I just had to put the 37" above the new 24" monitors, thus why I only really use it for movies and games from across the room a its not fun to look up at it while at the desk.

From Command Center

I will never be happy with anything smaller than 24" after using a 37" for so long, and even 24" leaves me wanting a bit more.

 

Damn Vicious, that's one crazy setup you have there.

You could always get a 30" 2560 x 1600...

 

Id like 3x30" but 2 problems.

1.) Really Expensive
2.) Resolution would be too high to drive for gaming and its just a tad overkill. If they made some good 1920x1200 panels in the 26"+ range for a good price I would be interested.

That picture is a Del 2407/2408/2407 combo but I only had that for a couple of weeks and now updated it to 3x Dell U2410 panels, I am only interested in IPS pro quality stuff, not the cheaper TN counterparts. I haggled Dell for a decent deal on them but I am not happy with the monitors still nor the customer service I got form dell trying to exchange defective monitors.

 

I used a 2m x 1.1m fullhd projector wall as my main pc for months, just resently moved the pc into my studio, now having only the mediacenter plugged in there.

these where 90" of fullhd goodness, and i loved to work on that

 

I think there are some pretty good 27" 1920 x 1200 monitors out. You should have a look at them.

Plus, I don't think 2560 x 1600 is too high for you. I mean, if you have a 4890 in an HTPC then I'd love to see your main rig.

 

Three of them

I game in 5760x1200 because I have 3x24" @ 1920x1200

If I boosted up to 30" it would be 7680x1600 resolution!

There are a few reviewers or demos that used 3x30" panels and it works but the games that sit at like 30-40fps for me now would not run on 30" at full settings. I have more than enough pixels right now.

 

Awesome set up Vicious... wish i had it to...

 

The OP clearly said he's gonna sit at MOST 2' away.

 

For that a 32-37" screen would be fine. I only sat about 2 feet away from the 37" and it was just fine and everybody that ever came over to use it thought the same.

Needs to be 1080p for sure, 720p will not have enough pixels to hide that screen door effect and also only 720p is not a lot of pixels for pc related stuff in the first place unless your only purpose is HTPC for movies.

 

it isn't even then..

 

My wife and I watch DVDs and Blu-Rays on her desktop from 8 feet away in bed on a 24" LCD. She uses the same monitor for all her work purposes. It is awesome. Would it be nice to have a 37" on the wall for the movies, sure, but we have TODDLERS in this house. Not gonna happen. If we need big, we have a 32" CRT in the living room.

 

I have 4 toddlers, no issues here they know to stay away from my computer stuff and the 37" TV is wall mounted.

Though you can substitute a HDTV for a HD Projector in a lot of situations, ceiling mount that bad boy and its basically child proof, I am doing this for my next arcade cabinet build. If some drunken friend throws a 100mph wiimote fastball they can hit a wall instead of a big TV screen.

 

be sure to try out an emulator so you can play wii in fullhd

 

Framerate aside, isn't it sad that Dolphin does a better job running Wii games than the Wii itself?