Sinotec 32" LCD tv as PC monitor

[Voicy]

Hi guys

I bought a 32" sinotec LCD tv for R5k from Game on sunday (and got the obligatory free dvd player along with it)

The resolution is only 1080x720 or around there which isn't very nice for browsing etc. and the text is somewhat blurry if not set 100% correctly.

What I've done is set up a 17" crt on the side to use for normal web / pc browsing and then use the 32" for my gaming screen as well as my xbox1 and general tv usage.

What I'd like to know is if anyone has one of these in a similar setup and how it's working out for him. As well as if the lcd tv will be fine for gaming (so far it's amazing), but I don't want to damage the screen either. To avoid burning on the lcd panel from icons that are stationary during gameplay I shuffle between TV and pc output every hour or so...

I'm going to be taking it back anyway due to 2/3 dead pixels on the screen - as well as dark grey patches that appear when the screen is off or in black screensaver mode .... is that normal? When I take it back (within 7days) I'll have to decide whether I want a replacement or just a refund....Any advice?

 

[sn3rd]

You say the screen is blurry. What resolution are you using? Native resolution?

You don't get "burn" on LCDs. What you MIGHT get are stuck/dead pixels. These can sometimes be fixed by softly massaging them or using software to alternately turn the pixels on and off very quickly. Are the pixels DEAD or just stuck? 2/3 dead pixels may not be covered under the warranty, so bear that in mind.

Dead pixels are pixels that partially or completely remain off. When you show a white background, they show as plain black dots, or red, green or blue dots (or a combination).

Stuck pixels are pixels that partially or completely remain on. When you show a black background, they show as white dots, or red, green or blue dots (or a combination).

 

[Voicy]

Nope ... these are 3 pixels that remain green and clearly visible on a black background - straight from the box.

I managed to clear the blurriness by changing the res a bit - but its still difficult to read text in higher res modes.

What causes the greyish clouds forming on the corners of the screen as well as in certain areas whenever the screen shows a black background? I recall seeing old laptop screens doing the same thing. Should I worry about it?

 

[sn3rd]

The greyish clouds could be backlight bleed. This is usually most noticable when the screen is not displaying an "image" (sometimes, the screen may be displaying black, which is different to it being on and not displaying an image). This, if it's severe enough, could be covered under warranty. Post a pic? It's caused because the backlight of the LCD is shining through the panel. It is unfortunately a reality of many LCDs, but can be minimized. Does the problem seem worst when booting the computer (and it shows console)? You should try create a black image and display that, then see if the problem seems better at all. If there is still significant bleed, you might be able to make a warranty claim.

The stuck pixels may be fixable using a program, as mentioned above, as well as the methods that can be found at
http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Stuck-Pixel-on-an-LCD-Monitor

Often this works (it has for me numerous times in the past on various monitors).

You could use something like Powerstrip to precisely tune the output resolution of your display adapter to the correct native resolution of the monitor. Then, at the correct refresh rate, the monitor should look great.

 

[Voicy]

The greyish clouds could be backlight bleed. This is usually most noticable when the screen is not displaying an "image" (sometimes, the screen may be displaying black, which is different to it being on and not displaying an image). This, if it's severe enough, could be covered under warranty. Post a pic? It's caused because the backlight of the LCD is shining through the panel. It is unfortunately a reality of many LCDs, but can be minimized. Does the problem seem worst when booting the computer (and it shows console)? You should try create a black image and display that, then see if the problem seems better at all. If there is still significant bleed, you might be able to make a warranty claim.

The stuck pixels may be fixable using a program, as mentioned above, as well as the methods that can be found at
http://www.wikihow.com/Fix-a-Stuck-Pixel-on-an-LCD-Monitor

Often this works (it has for me numerous times in the past on various monitors).

You could use something like Powerstrip to precisely tune the output resolution of your display adapter to the correct native resolution of the monitor. Then, at the correct refresh rate, the monitor should look great.

thanks man ... very interesting. I only have background knowledge of fixing CRT's - I got out of it before the large scale introduction of lcd's.

I went to speak to them today and they've agreed to let me take the tv back on saturday in return for a new one. yay

 

[sn3rd]

Great news!