Samsung HDTV as computer monitor

[Jerseysteve]

Hi - I need a new bigger computer monitor and want to buy a 22" - 26" samsung is there any reason I should buy a regular computer lcd over a model that comes with hdtv. Obviously if there is no down side I would buy the one that has hdtv. My old 17" samsung did not have this option.

[ceejay]

HDTV monitors dont have desktop mounts. Also you might need a display adapter depending on your video outputs on your computer (vga hdmi).

[Jerseysteve]

Almost all the ones I have seen come with VGA (not DVI) and are certified foe windows vista and couls sit on a desk - I am talking about 24".

[Mordy]

One word answer:
resolution.

Computer monitors have always been more expensive than televisions because televisions are not designed to be viewed up close, and can get away with lower resolution. HDTV changed that somewhat, but unless you're looking at 1080i, an average computer monitor will have more resolution.

A quick breakdown on how this works:
Original NTSC TVs and DVDs supported up to a standard definition of 480p, or 480 pixels vertically. That translates to about VGA resolution on a computer (640x480, some video formats supporting 720x480). In current computer standards, the MINIMUM resolution for a computer is 1024x768, and the average high-end widescreen will get you 1600x1200.

HD resolutions start at 720p. That minimum resolution computer monitor mentioned previously still has 48 rows of pixels more than 720p, with average users having far higher resolution.

1080i, however, is the highest standard HD availabe, and is much closer to modern computer resolution at 1920 × 1080. However, last time I checked 1080i monitors were far more expensive than your average Dell with 1600x1200.

[Jerseysteve]

obviously - however does it make that much of a difference. I am looking at a samsung t240hd 1080p
Tech Specs
   Display
   Screen Size: 24" wide
   Resolution: 1920 x 1200
   Brightness: 300 cd/m
   Contrast Ratio: DC 10,000:1 (1000:1) (Typ.)
   Response time: 5 ms
   Viewing Angle (Horizontal / Vertical): 160/160 (CR>10)

   Signal input
   Video Signal: analog RGB, DVI, HDMI, component , TV (digital TV/analog TV)
   Sync. Signal: separate H/V, composite
   Connector: 15pin D-sub, DVI-D, 2HDMI, component, DTV Tuner, optical out

   Power
   Power Consumption: 75 watts (max.)
   Stand By Power (DPMS): < 2 W

   Features
   Plug & Play: DDC2B
   Multimedia Speakers: 3 W x 2 Ch (Dolby DIgital)
   Special Features: built-in DTV (ATSC) Tuner, sound: Dolby Digital, optical digital sound (SPDIF), component, HDMIX2, supporting 1080P input, CI slot

   Dimensions
   Product Dimension(With stand): 22.56" x 18.78" x 9.65"
   Product Weight: 16 lbs.

   Stand
   Function: Swivel, Tilt

[Mordy]

Standard resolution sizes are the only real difference.

This shouldn't seem like anything new- LCD screens have supported both TV and PC for years now. A neighbor of mine has an old Samsung LCD monitor that he discovered had a TV tuner after using it as a PC monitor-only for a year.

[Eli]

Mordy,

I appreciate your knowledge of these issues since this has always bugged me and even after speaking to numerous best buy employees, no one seemed to understand the difference.

I am interested in purchasing a screen that will be PRIMARILY for a PC - preferably something in the 22-24" range. As a SECONDARY, I would like it to be an HDTV. Therefore I assumed I needed to buy a PC monitor that also had an HDMI port. Is that true? Would a HDTV with a DVI port work just the same?

Either way would you be able to recommend a good model. The last one I had - the Samsung SyncMaster had decent PC monitor quality but horrible TV quality.

Thanks