PC LCD Monitor vs LCD TV

satanboy

satanboy

Psychonaut seven
Joined
Sep 13, 2007
Messages
112,649
Reaction score
28,785
Location
Gods are Digital
A colleague wants to buy a PC LCD monitor instead of a LCD TV as monitors are cheaper. He wants to hook it up to a DStv decoder.

Is this possible? Are there any issues with this plan?
:confused:
 
Well does the DSTV decoder have HDMI? Also don't forget that he will not get sound through the monitor so he needs to split the sound off. Its the same concept as plugging in a console or DVD player.

EDIT: What size screen is looking for? Reason why I ask is that anything above 26" then the LCD TVs become cheaper. I looked into this when getting my 32" for home and setting up a digital sign for my wife at her business.

For the 32" we went LCD TV but for the digital sign we went 23" LCD Monitor
 
Last edited:
They aren't really cheaper per at the same size. But if he's looking for something in the 22" region, then sure.

It's possible, but the monitor either needs to have a tuner (making it a TV anyway), or have inputs that match the outputs of the DSTV decoder. In the case of HDMI, the monitor must be HDCP enabled.
 
Dont forget the dot pitch! - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot_pitch

LCD/LED TV's have a larger(wider spaced) dot pitch, in short, the RGB dots that produce the image is further for one another, meant for further viewing where it wont be visible (aka "10 foot user interface"), where as a computer monitor, they are close to one another, meant for close up viewing, in both, if you get too close, you will see pixelation, google that, only with computer LCD's, that isnt visible until you get less than <10cm close, obviously, LCD TV's are not meant to be viewed at 1 meter or less.

Another aspect to look at, is the resolution, sure, playing a game or watching a movie will be awesome on a large display, but things like word processing, or reading small text, is going to suck(again, that darn pixelation), thats where Kylo browser comes in, for web surfing at least.
 
PC monitors don't have remotes...got to get out of bed to switch on/off.
 
What about this from Mustek ... just an LCD Panel , no tuner , no TV Lic needed to purchase but you will still require one if you have a DSTV decoder , connects directly to DSTV decoder.

42T51-T Mecer 42" 16:9 Full HD 1080P LCD Flat Panel , *1920 x 1080 *2 x HDMI, 1 x VGA, 2 x S-Video, 2 x RCA, 1 x USB , *Built-in Speakers (10W x 2) *Includes Pedestal + REMOTE

@ +- R 5200.00 incl VAT
 
Mecer 42” LCD Flat Panel [42T51-T]
http://shop63.co.za/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=94
R4,895

Faaaark... I want one! Just wonder what the picture quality is like. Then again, these days all LCD's are more than adequate for normal viewing. My 47" Sinotec LCD is still going strong. Will upgrade again one day after OLED has hit the market and become more affordable.
 
Last edited:
RaptorSA said:
Mecer 42” LCD Flat Panel [42T51-T]
http://shop63.co.za/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=94
R4,895

Faaaark... I want one! Just wonder what the picture quality is like. Then again, these days all LCD's are more than adequate for normal viewing. My 47" Sinotec LCD is still going strong. Will upgrade again one day after OLED has hit the market and become more affordable.
Click to expand...

It's going to struggle with SD/SD TV/sport, that's for sure. For anything high def, it'll be great.
 
PostmanPot said:
It's going to struggle with SD/SD TV/sport, that's for sure. For anything high def, it'll be great.
Click to expand...

True. But let's be honest here, the day SD looks good on a 30"+ Full HD or bigger screen will never come :D
 
RaptorSA said:
True. But let's be honest here, the day SD looks good on a 30"+ Full HD or bigger screen will never come :D
Click to expand...

Ag, who really needs full HD? ;) Na, just kidding, it has its uses, like for connecting to PC, or sitting <2m from the screen when you actually have full HD media...

Anyway, the Samsung PS50C550 50" full HD plasma at ±R11,000 is fantastic for SD.

I'd rather get the PS50C430 HD plasma though, at R8,000. I don't need full HD. The tried, tested and trusted HD plasma, fantastic for anything you throw at it.

Most experts cannot even tell the difference between HD and full HD from viewing distance... Food for thought.
 
homeless said:
PC monitors don't have remotes...got to get out of bed to switch on/off.
Click to expand...

If you're just using it for DSTV, then the decoder's remote is all you need. Switching the decoder off instead of (or with) the screen should help the hard drive in the PVRs last much longer too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X