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TV as Monitor

post #1 of 12
3/2/07 at 12:55pm
Thread Starter 
Introduction:
I'm shopping for a new 'computer screen' and wondering whether to go with an LCD monitor or TV. This is an accessibility issue (deteriorating eyesight).

The reason I'm considering a TV is because it allows me to go larger (say 26inch HDTV 720p) with a lower native resolution (circa 1280x720) than a regular monitor.

This is for my Dad and I've showed him my 20" monitor (at 1600x1200) and regular sized text is much too small. If I set the 'appearance' to large fonts and then set the 'dpi setting' under 'advanced' to 'large fonts (120%)' then he finds it acceptable if not optimal. The problem here is that some scaling in windows is such that dialog boxes and menus sometimes end up cropping words ... and the dialog boxes themselves don't scale in size: only the fonts.

In other words, software scaling poses some problems. I was thinking that going to a larger monitor and keeping a lower resolution would be a good option. He can't tell the difference on my monitor when I reduce it from the native 1600x1200 resolution to a lower 1280x1024 resolution though it's obvious to me that it's 'fuzzier' when in non-native mode so we may end up getting a monitor and doing this.

However, and here's the real question (finally):

Is the quality of output for text on a LCD HDTV really any good? Or should we just resort to scaling up the font to a non-native resolution in a LCD Monitor?

Suggestions? This seems to be beyond the experience of any TV salespeople. I realize we may just have to buy - test - return something but I'd like some good advice first.

Thanks
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post #2 of 12
3/2/07 at 3:57pm
I'm using a 32", 1360x768 Sharp TV as a PC monitor. The quality is OK but not as good as on a 19" monitor with 1280x1024 resolution.

The fundamental problem is that at 1360x768 on a 32" screen, the pixels are big. When you're 10 feet away form the monitor it doesn't matter, but when you're 1 or 2 feet away, you can see the pixels.

Font anti-aliasing is less effective with big pixels than with small ones. It's not terrible though: everything is readable, just not as crisp as on a PC monitor with higher pixel density; text shows slight bleeding; bitmaps appear pixelated; but at least, everything is properly scaled.

To give you an idea of how big the fonts are, I have no problem reading this page from 10ft away.

I've just ordered a 1920x1080 32" TV because 1360x768 is not enough for me, but the lower resolution might work for your dad if font size is more important than clean edges.
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post #3 of 12
3/2/07 at 10:00pm
It may depend whether the PC video recognizes the native resolution of an HDTV. My desktop monitor is an HDTV ready 19" 4:3 monitor/TV which is sharpest in its 1280x1024 mode with DVI or VGA. My HD compatible desktop video driver does not automatically recognize the LCD's HDTV modes, which could be forced, but would not be optimum anyway.

I have not tried PC DVI/HDMI yet for HDTV's, but for a 2.5 yr old 1280x720 27" LCD where 720p from STB or up converted DVD works great, my laptop VGA only recognizes the PC video modes the LCD supports. So my best PC choices are 1024x768 (not matched either way) to 1280x1024 (only matched horizontally). So PC image is large, but not perfectly sharp.

For newer 40" 1366x768 display, the laptop VGA uses a 1360x764 mode that the TV syncs to and is large and sharp. The TV actually indicates it is switching to 1366x768 when playing DVD's, which is overall more uniformly sharp than 768p (1024x768, which is sharper than 720p or 1080i) DVI to HDMI from an upconverting DVD player (judging from overscan/sharpness DVE test pattern).

At age 40-45, eyes begin losing the ability to focus close. Without glasses with progressive lenses (or reading glasses), it may be easier to see a larger than normal display farther away. So the hot setup may be PC or laptop connected to big screen HDTV with wireless keyboard/mousepad or wireless keyboard with gyro mouse (that you just wave in the air).
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post #4 of 12
3/2/07 at 10:25pm
i have a samsung 27" that i use for pc 1366x768 looks fine at 4ft away where i sit at
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post #5 of 12
3/2/07 at 11:04pm
I use Clear Type Tuning (Free Download) from Microsoft with my 32" 1366X768 TV. It looks darn good, and I use it every day as my primary monitor.
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post #6 of 12
3/3/07 at 5:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomcollins View Post

Introduction:
However, and here's the real question (finally):

Is the quality of output for text on a LCD HDTV really any good? Or should we just resort to scaling up the font to a non-native resolution in a LCD Monitor?

Yes. Most people with good eyesight will say that the higher resolution monitors are better. What is your budget? There are 24" inch monitors, 27", and 32" that you could consider. New 27" and 32" inch TVs/monitors are being released in April.
[EDIT]
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post #7 of 12
3/3/07 at 1:19pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the encouragement (from all). The fact that others are indeed using hdtv systems as more than simply htpc's makes me think it might be worth pursuing a bit farther.

As mentioned, this was for my dad's impaired eyesight so a larger monitor with lower resolution was what I was looking for (to make for larger font without having to resort to software settings to increase dpi ... which causes it's own problems at very large settings).

I agree, I'd personally love a 27" at 1900x1200 ... but my eyesight is good.

Now I just need to decide on which model. I'm thinking 27-32" and I suppose I should be trying to find one with a dvi input.

I assume that a utility like powerstrip is needed?
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post #8 of 12
3/3/07 at 1:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by drivendriver View Post

I'm using a 32", 1360x768 Sharp TV as a PC monitor. The quality is OK but not as good as on a 19" monitor with 1280x1024 resolution.

The fundamental problem is that at 1360x768 on a 32" screen, the pixels are big. When you're 10 feet away form the monitor it doesn't matter, but when you're 1 or 2 feet away, you can see the pixels.

Font anti-aliasing is less effective with big pixels than with small ones. It's not terrible though: everything is readable, just not as crisp as on a PC monitor with higher pixel density; text shows slight bleeding; bitmaps appear pixelated; but at least, everything is properly scaled.

To give you an idea of how big the fonts are, I have no problem reading this page from 10ft away.

I've just ordered a 1920x1080 32" TV because 1360x768 is not enough for me, but the lower resolution might work for your dad if font size is more important than clean edges.

Sorry to jump in on the thread, but I wasn't aware that there are any 32" 1080p tv's available for order yet... Is this the Sharp Aquos LC-32GS? Also a little pricey, but not available in the US yet as far as I can tell...

I've looked at the Mitsubishi 37" 1080p set, but it was a little too much money (but less than the Sharp 32" GS) and too big for the desktop...

Larry
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post #9 of 12
3/4/07 at 4:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by LDBecker View Post

Sorry to jump in on the thread, but I wasn't aware that there are any 32" 1080p tv's available for order yet... Is this the Sharp Aquos LC-32GS? Also a little pricey, but not available in the US yet as far as I can tell...

The TV I ordered is the Sharp LC-32GP1U. Buy.com had it in stock for a couple of days.
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post #10 of 12
3/4/07 at 4:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tomcollins View Post

Now I just need to decide on which model. I'm thinking 27-32" and I suppose I should be trying to find one with a dvi input.

I assume that a utility like powerstrip is needed?

Several 1360x768 32" and 27" Sharp TVs have a DVI input: LC-xx41U, LC-xxD50U, LC-40CxxU.

My graphics card is an NVIDIA 7950GT. I can connect it to my LC-40C32U via DVI or HDMI. The NVIDIA driver lets me run 720p or 1360x768. You have to define custom timings for 1360x768, but the NVIDIA driver and control panel make it easy. I didn't have to use PowerStrip.
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post #11 of 12
3/4/07 at 4:42am
I'm about ready to do the same thing in my new office room. I was planning on buying a 42" Vizio from Costco and use that for my monitor. Then have a futon with flipup endtables for the wireless mouse and put the wireless keyboard on my lap. I would be about 8-9 feet away from 1366X768 res. I just hope its ok. My wife and I thought it would be a good idea to be able to sit, surf, and look at pictures on a big screen. Then we will be able to use the room to watch tv in also, duel purpose room.
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post #12 of 12
3/4/07 at 7:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by drivendriver View Post

The TV I ordered is the Sharp LC-32GP1U. Buy.com had it in stock for a couple of days.

I wonder how their gaming pc's are different from their regular ones. The specs sound pretty good... I'm not a gamer so I wasn't even aware of this series.

Thanks!

Larry

PS to bluer101: Thanks for the chuckle this morning on the "duel purpose room..." That's a good idea -- have just one room for dueling -- keeps the mess down! (sorry, couldn't resist - of course I know you meant dual purpose).
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