What is the best sub $2k TV that can also double as a computer monitor

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BlueToothKiwi

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#94624 15-Dec-2011 09:56

I am looking for the best sub $2k screen for my chill-out room. The most important criteria is that it need to handle being used as a computer monitor (at a viewing distance of 1.7 meters - see link above that shows the set up).

Any one got any recommendation?

A year ago I bought the Sony Bravia - which I want to replace with something more suited for my needs:

[The main reason I wanted the Bravia was the Matt finish of the panel - which means it wont reflect sunlight off - my room is well lit and I often work from home.

However, when watching HD content, the Sony does not do a good job of rendering skin tones (sometimes it shows up as an artificial red). In fact you will notice that with the entire Sony mid range LED Bravia if you stand in JB Hi-Hi long enough - especially when the same picture is being beamed to Samsung and Panasonic TV's next to it that does not have this problem!)

The other problem I have with the Sony is the slight ghosting of letters when you are typing on the computer when it is used as a monitor. I guess this is probably related to the slow refresh rate of the screen used in TV's [See this post last week on a similar topic].

]

There is so much to choose - with so many models - many half the price of what they were a year ago! Should I wait for boxing day?

At the moment the best I seen so far is this model from Magnus Benrow (they got a third off deal this week):

LG 47LW6500

Tim M, Auckland
Blog: http://paddler.co.nz

Spyware

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#558218 15-Dec-2011 11:12

Ghosting is more likely because you are using VGA interface.

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jjnz1

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#558225 15-Dec-2011 11:21

Spyware: Ghosting is more likely because you are using VGA interface.

+1 Yes I know for a fact that if the VGA cable is too long, or not very good quality, the picture blur's slightly.

Change your interface to digital (HDMI / DVI) or shorten your VGA cable, or lower your resolution.

I have installed a few UA40D600 Samsung LED tv's, and these are amazing for HD media content, as well as a 1920x1080 PC monitor as long as you are not right in front of it (you start to see the dots).

These TV's are priced around the $1200 mark..( I would try Harvey Norman for $1100 Cash) And I believe that the actual LCD panels are the same as the 7 and above series, just without any additional features such as 600Hz, 3D, Advanced Internet TV, Remote keyboard, Skype etc.

See this also, its almost about right I feel.
http://s3.carltonbale.com/resolution_chart.html

Dunnersfella

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#558228 15-Dec-2011 11:24

The UA40D6000 will still have a glossy panel, whereas the LG will match the finish of your Sony... except the LG has an IPS panel, meaning the off-axis viewing will be better.
As you're sitting quite close, a 40" will be fine, but frankly, get your source sorted first by moving up to HDMI.

stevenz

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#558670 16-Dec-2011 12:48

I was using an older Sony 32" V-series as my main monitor for a few weeks about 4 years back, it was perfectly workable, albeit completely overkill. Do NOT plug a VGA cable into ANY LCD screen if you can avoid it, or it will look like crap. Any videocard made in the last decade should have a DVI output on it, and anything in the last 2-3 years probably has HDMI and if you're lucky will pipe audio down it as well meaning 1 less cable.

LG's seem to be the best value for money, Samsung's tend to look the best (to my eyes anyway, YMMV) and Sony's just carry a bit of a premium due to the badge on the front, they're still good screens though.

My main screen is the Samsung UA40C6200 and it's very nice bearing in mind that I got it for a very good price at the time. It does get used as a computer monitor owing to the fact that there's a Mac Mini plugged into it on HTPC duties and it works admirably.

@KnightNZ

bfginger

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#558767 16-Dec-2011 17:38

There are some LCD TVs that will accept 1080p over VGA. They can sometimes look better from VGA because there's no television processing going into the signal. But usually they won't accept anything higher than 768x1366 which won't look nearly as good as 1080x1920 on a Full HD TV.