Hi all,

Firstly, thanks very much for reading this. I am almost ready to buy the hardware to make up my first Home Theatre. If anyone could help me with a few questions, I would really appreciate it. I just need a little more information, before I spend my money.

Bit of background info.:

I will use the Mac Mini and monitor/TV mainly for general computer use (internet surfing, email, etc).
I only watch stuff I download, stream or DVDs. I don't have a TV licence and have no intention of buying one.

So, I'm unsure if I should buy a monitor, such as this 28" one:

HannsG HG281DP 28" Widescreen Black LCD TFT Monitor 5ms: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo (http://www.amazon.co.uk/HannsG-HG281DP-Widescreen-Black-Monitor/dp/B000YAHWF2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1255277503&sr=1-5)

Product Description
Manufacturer's Description
The first HannsG 28" widescreen LCD monitor with a viewable area of 27.5". The HG281DP has a stylish glossy black design with a swivel base for an elegant finish. A vista premium monitor with HDMI, Full HD, VGA and audio inputs. It has a maximum resolution of WUXGA 1920 x 1200, a fast response time of 5ms, viewing angles of 160°/160 and 2 x 2.5 watt speakers. No more switching between applications as this monitor is big enough to view at least 2 A4 pages. The specifications make this monitor multi- functional and highly desirable.


Box Contents
Monitor
Power cable
VGA cable
DVI-D - HDMI cable
Component - VGA cable
Audio cable
User manual
Warranty card


OR

a TV such as this one:

Buy Bush S632F 32in 100Hz Full HD Digital LCD TV. at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for . (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5295339/Trail/searchtext%3ETV.htm)

USB Play record.
SRS.
Timeshift.

Television Picture Quality:
Full HD (1080p).
Integrated digital (Freeview).
32in (81cm) widescreen TV with 81cm visible screen size.
Resolution 1922 x 1080 pixels.
100Hz.
Brightness 500cd/m2.
Contrast ratio 4,000:1 native.
Response time 6.5ms.
Image enhancement.
Viewing angle 178/178°.
Progressive scan.

Connectivity:
3 HDMI sockets.
2 SCART sockets.
PC input socket.
2 component video sockets.
Composite.
Headphone socket.
S-Video socket.
AV socket (side).

Sound Quality:
NICAM sound system.
2 x 8w RMS power output.
Digital sound processor.

Freeview Features:
Digitally interactive.
Digital text.
Digital audio broadcasting (DAB).
Digital video broadcasting (DVB) subtitles available.
RF loop.
Auto setup.
Auto scan for new channels.
Now and next electronic programme guide.
7 day Electronic Programme Guide.
Top Up TV compatible.
CI slot.
Audio description compatible.

Additional Features:
Teletext.
Fastext.
UHF/VHF tuners.
Auto setup.
Auto search tuner.
Auto search sorting.
Auto search labelling.
Sleep timer.
Child lock.
Remote control requires 2 x AAA batteries (included).
230V AC mains operated.
Size of TV (H)52.5, (W)79.8, (D)9cm.
Weight of TV 10.6kg (unpackaged).
Complete with tabletop stand.
Size of TV with stand (H)57.5, (W)79.8, (D)23cm.
Weight of TV with stand 12.6kg.
Suitable for wall mounting (brackets not included).
Standby power consumption <1 watt.



There is not much difference in price, so that's not an issue.

When choosing a TV / monitor, am I correct in saying that 'resolution' is a big factor? Especially for me, considering I will spend a lot of time reading text on my TV / monitor.

My concerns are:

- Will I be able to connect BOTH my Mac Mini AND Wii to either the TV or monitor? The whole VGA, DVI, HDMI stuff makes my head spin!
- Will the TV 'understand' the Mac Mini when connected? Or will there be stretching of the picture, etc?

I just don't know which to buy. If anyone can help, that would be really, really nice of you.

Thank you!

Gav

Yes, resolution is probably the biggest factor to look at if you're trying to do a side by side comparison. If your main application is general computer use rather than TV watching - I'd certainly go for a computer monitor.

With the two options you mention - you get about 11% more of usable pixel space with the 28" monitor (due to its higher resolution). If you're planning to read text - the 32" TV isn't your best option. The text will likely look grainy and be a strain on your eyes.

I'd only go with TV if you're going to use it as such.. In other words, your main application is Video watching.. and you place it on the wall/shelf few feet away from from where you sit.. no keyboard attached. In that case, a larger screen size will be an advantage.

Thanks ever so much for your reply, HiTekAlex.

Very interesting that I would get 11% more useable pixel space with the 28" monitor. This is, of course, a big plus.
Can I ask how you calculated this? So, I can work it out for myself with other monitors/TV.
The resolution is quite similar, isn't it? (TV: 1922 x 1080 pixels. Monitor: 1920 x 1200.)

I'd only go with TV if you're going to use it as such.. In other words, your main application is Video watching.. and you place it on the wall/shelf few feet away from from where you sit.. no keyboard attached. In that case, a larger screen size will be an advantage.

Well, my main application won't be video watching, but I was intending to place it a few feet away and use with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

But no, I don't want the text to be grainy.

Once again, thanks very, very much.

Very interesting that I would get 11% more useable pixel space with the 28" monitor. This is, of course, a big plus.
Can I ask how you calculated this?

(1920 x 1200) / (1922 x 1080) = 1.10995