32" LED TV for computer monitor ?

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grant_k

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#110104 3-Oct-2012 11:09

My trusty 24" LG monitor has died after 4 years, and I'm facing a tough decision as to what I should replace it with. At present, we have a small cottage which only has room for 1 decent-sized screen so my monitor doubles as our TV. The LG monitor was 1920x1200 resolution, which obviously I am not going to get in a TV because everything decent is 1920x1080 i.e. Full HD.

Questions:

1) Do any 32" LED TVs have non-glossy screens? (I really need a matte/non-reflective screen for editing code and other text-based tasks).

2) If I cannot find a non-reflective 32" screen, I will probably opt for a 27" monitor of some sort. Most of these have resolutions well above Full HD, so what happens if you poke a 1080i/50 signal into their HDMI input? Do they upscale the image to full screen size, or is it "postage stamped" in the centre?

Any comments and suggestions are welcome.

ajobbins

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#695412 3-Oct-2012 11:26

It will likely give you the option to 'postage stamp' or scale it, or just scale it. Shouldn't be an issue.

As for matte LED TV's - don't think I've ever seen one.

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grant_k

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#695471 3-Oct-2012 12:39

ajobbins: As for matte LED TV's - don't think I've ever seen one.

Thanks for that Adam. Looks like 27" is the way to go then. I've been looking through last month's 27" monitor thread for suggestions:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=50&topicid=108614

Ragnor

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#695538 3-Oct-2012 14:45

TV's are designed to be viewed from a distance, monitors are designed to be viewed close up.

A 32" TV with a native resolution of 1920x1080 will have a much higher dot pitch than a 22-24" LCD monitor with native resolution of 1920x1080.

Text will be harder to read and harder on the eyes generally with higher dot pitch.

Most decent 27" monitor's will have a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 to preserve small dot pitch for close viewing.

grant_k

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#695546 3-Oct-2012 14:59

Ragnor: TV's are designed to be viewed from a distance, monitors are designed to be viewed close up.

A 32" TV with a native resolution of 1920x1080 will have a much higher dot pitch than a 22-24" LCD monitor with native resolution of 1920x1080.

Text will be harder to read and harder on the eyes generally with higher dot pitch.

Thanks Ragnor. After reading a couple more old threads, along with your comment, I've come to the conclusion that the TV idea is a non-starter.

Ragnor:Most decent 27" monitor's will have a native resolution of 2560 x 1440 to preserve small dot pitch for close viewing.

At this point I've found two monitors that might suit my requirements:

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MONLGL2770&name=%28-Back-order-available-now-%29-LG-IPS277L-BN-27-Prem

I know the dot pitch will be higher on this one, but I don't mind sitting a bit further away from it. The uber-thin bezel looks nice.

http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=MONDEL2711&name=Dell-U2711-27-Monitor-with-PremierColor-IPS-%28In-Pl

This would be the ultimate without going over the top and getting a 30" Dell. I think I'd best pay a visit to PB Tech. or Playtech and look at each of them in the flesh. Then decide whether the extra $460 is worth it for mostly web browsing, text editing, some coding and some TV viewing.

kiwijunglist

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#696535 5-Oct-2012 01:32

You also could have a look into the catleap thread on gpforums.co.nz , this involves importing monitors from overseas at considerable savings.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

grant_k

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#696672 5-Oct-2012 10:56

kiwijunglist: You also could have a look into the catleap thread on gpforums.co.nz , this involves importing monitors from overseas at considerable savings.

Thanks for that suggestion. I was aware of the Catleap QHD monitors, but we are in the Far North, and any failure would be a big inconvenience for me. The idea of buying from an Auckland supplier with 3-year onsite replacement warranty seems much better to me.