Buying gaming monitor for occasional use as a tv.

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tims

118 posts

Master Geek

#319108 23-Mar-2025 09:56

I'm was planning to buy a 32" tv for my caravan and also looking to get a monitor for gaming. Rather than buy two, can anyone comment on using the monitor as a tv for part time use in my caravan?

I have a unused freeview terrestrial tuner I could use for the monitor, so the monitor needs a hdmi input (do they all have this anyway?) and ideally speakers.

From what I've read this seems like it would work but some comments have mentioned that monitor refresh rates are not ideal for tv use - not sure I understand this.

Cheers

SpartanVXL

1275 posts

Uber Geek

#3356451 23-Mar-2025 10:41

If you don’t need anything fancy on the tv side then a pc monitor is fine as a simple display. Most have a hdmi input in addition to displayport, but usually only one so consider which model you get if you plan on plugging in a console as well. Refresh rate only matters for the content you are watching not matching the display output. If you get a display that can do at least 120Hz you are fine.

Modern displays are a bit fragile so do consider how it will be stored while on the move. You also probably shouldn’t get something like OLED which is susceptible to burn from sunlight if you have windows.

richms

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#3356506 23-Mar-2025 12:28

Freeview is at 50Hz output because that is what the broadcasters all choose to produce content in. That is optional to support on HDMI devices, so many monitors would freak out and not display it. Not such an issue now as with freesync processing they have to deal with all sorts of refresh rates.

Richard rich.ms

networkn

Networkn
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#3356510 23-Mar-2025 13:12

I'd be looking to get something like the 34" MSI 1440P OLED and attach an external box for tv functions if you can't live with streaming alone.

Will cover all your needs, albeit at a fairly high price point, but no question in my mind it's worth it.

SCUBADOO

191 posts

Master Geek

#3356512 23-Mar-2025 13:26

You will be fine. 10 years plus full-time motorhome travelling.

I recently replaced our 27" Samsung monitor with a 32" Samsung "smart" TV.

It is only utilised as a monitor coupled to a DishTV A2 4 tuner recorder and Google TV Streamer fed to a Panasonic soundbar.

The monitor survived 6 years and the TV for the last 18 months VESA mounted to a swivelling and against the wall lockable mount.

No loose parts yet.