PC Monitor as a TV

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GPSJane

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So we thought about buying a new TV, only they're too damn expensive. Then we realised that we don't need tv so much as just a screen. We don't need speakers, a tuner (we think) or even a remote really. What we need is decent quality for standard def TV and media.

So instead of paying for stuff we don't need is it ok to use a plain monitor? I have some questions though:

1. I don't think a TV tuner is necessary but I am not sure. Does a DSTV input need a tuner or not? My understanding is that a tuner is for decoding signal broadcast on public frequency and DSTV is a tuner in itself. This could be quite important.

2. I understand the practical difference between LCD and LED but is LED worth it? Is it really better?

3. I gather I need at least 1280x720 and that full HD is probably not necessary?

4. What other specs do I need to look at? Response time seems to be listed on all the Samsungs. Frequency? Anything else?

It has to be wall-mountable and the absolute minimum size is 24 inch but 27 or 30 inch is better. It also has to go off and on automatically when the input is switch off and on because obviously there is no remote.

Any suggestions for a model?
 
get a 24"+ full HD LCD with at least HDMI input (most of them do). I would suggest LG, but Samsung also good. You will need an HD-PVR decoder to watch DSTV (only the HD PVR has HDMI out). If you have normal decoder, you need a composite video to VGA or DVI convertor unit (little box. +- R400), which you can then plug into the screen. Its pointless looking for specifically wall mountable screen because that decreases your choice. I would suggest using some DIY googling of how to hang a non-mountable screen.

Response time on or below 5ms is good. LED worth it if you going to watch lots of movies at night in a dark room. you can also plug a computer into it, get xbmc (xbmc.org) and use your android or iphone or blackberry as remote control over wifi.

happy hacking!
 
What Stricken said. :)

Im using a Samsung 24" (think its the 2450H with 2ms response time) at the mo & its more than good enough. Its got HDMI, DVI & VGA inputs. Got my PS3 hooked up to it to watch blu-ray movies. You might wanna go for a 27" one, or 3D one. ;)

Like Stricken said, get a HD PVR, plug in into the display via HDMI and you're good to go.
 
I got a 27" Samsung P2770H from take2 a while ago for about R2,300. Will make a pretty good tv I think.
 
Just make sure you get a RCA → HDMI converter as running DSTV/SD TV to a PC LCD (TN panel) looks quite kak over RCA.

Also bear in mind that all PC LCDs have been subject to a new tax where they've increased in price by ±30%. That means Samsung 24" LCDs are now going for R2,200+. This comes really close to the price of 32" LCD which is much better as it has your TV card (R500) built in, as well as much better panels (generally PVA/IPS instead of TN), as well as more inputes, speakers, etc..

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/311063-DSTV-on-PC-LCD?highlight=
http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/216403-TV-cards-again...-For-DSTV/
 
Ok so I think I should have included this information. What we already have:

1. Old standard DSTV decoder with component/composite (plus SCART). We're not fans of the huge cost of DSTV but this doesn't mean we won't upgrade in the future. Actually we'd probably get the full account but not buy a a new decoder until this ones breaks.
2. WDTV media player
3. Sound system
4. I have a composite to DVI cable

I gather from the links that you can't plug DSTV straight into a monitor? It needs a tuner? Is that the same as the converter?

@stricken, @kingrob: But if I get an HD decoder I can plug it in directly?

I'm really wondering if this is worth it. I can get a decent Sony Bravia BX300 26" for R3000 and to be honest unless I can just buy a monitor for about R1500 or so and not have much expenditure over that it's not worth it. Plus I don't want more boxes to clutter up my life!
 
For R3,000 you can get a branded 32" 720p TV if you shop around... IMO anything else is too small.

Anyway, AFAIK with normal decoder you will need a TV card/set top box (like the one dudewotevr got from me in the thread I linked) as well as the RCA to HDMI adapter if you want better picture quality.

Not sure if you will get a HDMI 23"+ LCD for R1,500 after the tax increase...
 
PS I really thought the tax was on TVs. But if you go to a supplier who knows how to circumvent the tax (like Mustek: PC monitor tax: It can be avoided (legally)) perhaps I can get a good deal.

Oh and it's not 30% according to this article: It's 7%. Even if that's just on importing and there is another markup at the dealer it would still be 7% of the total mark-up price.
 
GPSJane said:
PS I really thought the tax was on TVs. But if you go to a supplier who knows how to circumvent the tax (like Mustek: PC monitor tax: It can be avoided (legally)) perhaps I can get a good deal.

Oh and it's not 30% according to this article: It's 7%. Even if that's just on importing and there is another markup at the dealer it would still be 7% of the total mark-up price.
Click to expand...

Saw some smaller lcd tv`s at game today.. for very much the same price as an lcd pc monitor. u`ll be saving in the long run with licences though..
 
-- THE FOLLOWING IS NOT INTENDED TO START A DEBATE OVER THE MERIT OF TV LICENSES --​

Do keep in mind that using a monitor to display a DSTv picture does not absolve you from the legal requirement of having a valid television license.
 
GPSJane said:
Ok so I think I should have included this information. What we already have:

1. Old standard DSTV decoder with component/composite (plus SCART). We're not fans of the huge cost of DSTV but this doesn't mean we won't upgrade in the future. Actually we'd probably get the full account but not buy a a new decoder until this ones breaks.
2. WDTV media player
3. Sound system
4. I have a composite to DVI cable

I gather from the links that you can't plug DSTV straight into a monitor? It needs a tuner? Is that the same as the converter?

@stricken, @kingrob: But if I get an HD decoder I can plug it in directly?

I'm really wondering if this is worth it. I can get a decent Sony Bravia BX300 26" for R3000 and to be honest unless I can just buy a monitor for about R1500 or so and not have much expenditure over that it's not worth it. Plus I don't want more boxes to clutter up my life!
Click to expand...

This is not hard to do but I can see that you are new to some of the concepts.

Just make sure that what ever you do the pannel you get has all the inputs. The only real difference between a computer screen and a TV is the tuner part (coax Arial), just make sure that the panel you get can take the outputs you have.

Also remember that HDMI can be converted to DVI (all new PC screens have this). So your media player will work, its just that you need to find some way of attaching the old DSTV with its RCA connectors if the screen does not have those connections.


I was looking at doing the same for my self... I have been looking at the Mecer screens as they have everything : RCA, Composite and HDMI
 
@PostmanPot

Yeah I think you're right. Plus I HAVE to have a wall-mountable (easier with TVs) and the best I can find is the Samsung P2570HD . Add the converter and I might has well spend R3000 on tv.

Although I think we will go for smaller than 30". Using our current (tube) TV's height we can go anywhere from 24" up.
 
remember to check the viewing angle. Some pc lcd screens tend to turn funky grey when viewed from the wrong angle. So if you sometimes watch stuff on tv from a matress that you dragged into the living room, check at the shop what the screen looks like from that angle.
 
GPSJane said:
@PostmanPot

Yeah I think you're right. Plus I HAVE to have a wall-mountable (easier with TVs) and the best I can find is the Samsung P2570HD . Add the converter and I might has well spend R3000 on tv.

Although I think we will go for smaller than 30". Using our current (tube) TV's height we can go anywhere from 24" up.
Click to expand...

32" right?

Good choice.
 
Jabberwocky said:
remember to check the viewing angle. Some pc lcd screens tend to turn funky grey when viewed from the wrong angle. So if you sometimes watch stuff on tv from a matress that you dragged into the living room, check at the shop what the screen looks like from that angle.
Click to expand...

This is why a LCD TV is better - they use PVA/MVA/IPS which are tenfold better that PC TN panels. Better colours, blacks, viewing angles...
 
stricken said:
get a 24"+ full HD LCD with at least HDMI input (most of them do). I would suggest LG, but Samsung also good.
Click to expand...

I'd take Samsung over LG any day - Got 3 LED 24" LG's at work and they suck in comparison to our older 23" and 27" Samsung monitors.
 
genetic said:
I'd take Samsung over LG any day - Got 3 LED 24" LG's at work and they suck in comparison to our older 23" and 27" Samsung monitors.
Click to expand...

+1 although my beef isn't about quality, it's about after-sales service where Samsung wins.
 
GPSJane said:
So we thought about buying a new TV, only they're too damn expensive. Then we realised that we don't need tv so much as just a screen. We don't need speakers, a tuner (we think) or even a remote really. What we need is decent quality for standard def TV and media.

So instead of paying for stuff we don't need is it ok to use a plain monitor? I have some questions though:

1. I don't think a TV tuner is necessary but I am not sure. Does a DSTV input need a tuner or not? My understanding is that a tuner is for decoding signal broadcast on public frequency and DSTV is a tuner in itself. This could be quite important.

2. I understand the practical difference between LCD and LED but is LED worth it? Is it really better?

3. I gather I need at least 1280x720 and that full HD is probably not necessary?

4. What other specs do I need to look at? Response time seems to be listed on all the Samsungs. Frequency? Anything else?

It has to be wall-mountable and the absolute minimum size is 24 inch but 27 or 30 inch is better. It also has to go off and on automatically when the input is switch off and on because obviously there is no remote.

Any suggestions for a model?
Click to expand...

I have a Samsung P2750 (I think), anyway its a 27" LCD, as a PC monitor. I have used it with the DSTV HD decoder before and the results where great. Viewing angles are top and you should be able to grab it for around 2.5k. So if your on a budget this may be an option. Otherwise there are some specials for a LG 32" LED TV (100Hz) for 3.5k. They had it at Hifi 2 weeks ago, for TV usage I'd say its worth the extra money.
 
P2770 is end of life.

I take it you tested DSTV via a HDMI decoder?

Reports are that via RCA, DSTV is crap on that screen. It's a TN panel ffs, lol.
 
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