Can a TV be used as a PC Monitor?

If you want your computer’s screen to be larger, you can connect it to a TV and use it as a monitor. Newer TVs can be easily connected to most modern computers via HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) or DP (Display Port) cables. To use the TV as a computer monitor, you need to connect them with an HDMI or DP cable. Make sure the TV is on the correct input/source and that the resolution of the computer is the same as the resolution of the TV.

Before planning whether you want to buy a TV or monitor, first you need to figure out what is the purpose of your usage. There are many factors that affect your daily use, but mostly it can be categorized into two types of users – regular PC users or entertainment users. The regular PC users have work which includes everything from sending a few emails to working in Photoshop throughout the day, whereas entertainment means that you spend most of your time watching movies or playing games.

Regular PC User

Those who spend a lot of time on the computer searching for articles on the Internet, reading emails, writing text or similar content, the biggest problem faced by larger HDTV screens is resolution. Resolution plays an important role in monitors. A 32-inch HDTV can have the same resolution as a 27-inch screen (assuming both are 1080p), but with an additional 5 inches. On the other hand, a 42-inch 1080p screen lacks clarity and sharpness.

Another problem is the ergonomics and the large size of the HDTV. You would want your horizontal line of sight to be two to three inches below the top of the monitor. Unless you are tall, it is difficult to do this with a large screen.

Entertainment Purpose

If you want to play games or watch movies on a monitor converted to HDTV, there are a few other options. More importantly, you may want to consider using a 4K TV as a second monitor in a dual monitor setup.

In this way, you can keep the main screen in daily use, which means that you can still have a great experience browsing the web, working with spreadsheets, sending emails, or doing any other operation. When you switch to movie or game mode, you can dismiss them on a nearby huge TV. Assuming you can drag the keyboard and mouse (or controller) long enough, this hybrid form will be more reliable than with a 42-inch or larger TV on your desk.

Depending on what you’re watching (or the size of the text in the game), you can even get rid of TVs that have lower specs than we previously determined. You won’t have to stare at the small text on the screen, so maybe the Chroma subsampling of the device isn’t that important. If you only watch a lot of movies, you might not mind the input lag or the refresh rate of the TV.

Conclusion

If you try to connect your computer to the TV, first check if it works for you. Those who want value for money, then HDTV may not save you money compared to monitors. In fact, if you are buying a new screen, I strongly recommend that you use a tried and true computer monitor. On the one hand, smaller, cheaper HDTVs usually have 720p resolution instead of 1080p, and similarly priced displays are almost always 1080p. Therefore, if you are looking for products less than 27 inches, then HD TVs may be more expensive and have lower resolution.