LCD screen or HDTV for computer & Dish 722 use?

[silvanthalas]

I'm looking at replacing my 15" monitor with something 22" and widescreen. The intent would be to hook up the new monitor or HDTV to my Dish 722 as well.

Should I just go with 22" LCD monitor or 22" HDTV (probably just 720p)?
I know either would be fine for computer use, but what would be the advantages and disadvantages of an LCD monitor over an HDTV for TV use?

 

[BuddyBoy]

I'm not sure I agree with you that an HDTV would make a good computer monitor. It would depend on your viewing distance for each function (computer monitor and TV viewing).

A 22" HDTV is going to have lower resolution than a 22" computer monitor, so your pixels are going to be bigger. Can you live with blockier looking text? TVs typically have much higher peak light output than a computer monitor. Can you turn it down far enough so that it's comfortable to use as a computer monitor?

I'm really anal about computer monitors, probably because I stare into one for so many hours each day at work and at home. That's why I'd pay the extra to get an IPS display rather than a cheaper TN. I wouldn't want to use the 26" Sharp LCD HDTV hanging on my office wall as a computer monitor.

Edit: I see that it isn't necessarily true that the 22" TV is lower resolution. My 26" Sharp TV is 1366x768, but I see their 22" models are 1680x1050, same as the typical computer monitor in that size.

 

[silvanthalas]

You bring up some good points I hadn't really considered, BuddyBoy.

I guess I'm curious to hear from those who have used their monitor for TV viewing, which is something I've never done before. As in, actually hooking up their Dish receiver to the monitor. I really don't want to have a separate TV and computer monitor here in my office.

 

[TheKrell]

Save yourself the added expense of the ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuners and go with the monitor.

 

[Smith P.]

Best model, IMO, Dell 2408FPW, 1920x1200 and support 1080p, HDCP, HDMI, 2xDVI, Component, Composite, S-Video; you can connect two PC thru DVI, 722 to HDMI, TR-40 to Composite, etc. It have PIP also. You could add native Dell stereo speaker - works with HDMI.

 

[silvanthalas]

Thanks, P Smith, for the suggestion. My current computer is a 5.5 year old Dell Dimension 8300, with a 15" Ultrasharp monitor - all these years of abuse, and it's only got a couple of dead pixels. So I'd be more than willing to go with another Dell Ultrasharp.

Unfortunately, the 24" you suggested is almost $700. The connections are nice though.

I do see that Dell has their 22" for like $200 right now, and although it lacks the connections, 22" truly is as large as I want to go. I'm already going to be cramped for space with a monitor that large.

So, one final note: I didn't mention before that the computer I'm building - and would like to get this new monitor for - has an HDMI port already in the motherboard. The MB has got decent onboard graphics, which I tend to use for the time being until I can pick out a video card.

So, would I be able to watch stuff if I connect the 722 to my motherboard or a video card?

 

[Smith P.]

Well, if you will connect 722 to the future monitor, you should use HDMI port - then your monitor must support HDCP and have 1920x1080p resolution also. I would avoid 1600x1xxx monitors.
You cannot connect 722 to MB HDMI - it's an output to a monitor.

 

[JimK2]

Thanks, P Smith, for the suggestion. My current computer is a 5.5 year old Dell Dimension 8300, with a 15" Ultrasharp monitor - all these years of abuse, and it's only got a couple of dead pixels. So I'd be more than willing to go with another Dell Ultrasharp.

Unfortunately, the 24" you suggested is almost $700. The connections are nice though.

I do see that Dell has their 22" for like $200 right now, and although it lacks the connections, 22" truly is as large as I want to go. I'm already going to be cramped for space with a monitor that large.

So, one final note: I didn't mention before that the computer I'm building - and would like to get this new monitor for - has an HDMI port already in the motherboard. The MB has got decent onboard graphics, which I tend to use for the time being until I can pick out a video card.

So, would I be able to watch stuff if I connect the 722 to my motherboard or a video card?

People seem to like their Samsung SyncMaster T220HD - 22 ($250-$300)

 

[silvanthalas]

Well, if you will connect 722 to the future monitor, you should use HDMI port - then your monitor must support HDCP and have 1920x1080p resolution also. I would avoid 1600x1xxx monitors.
You cannot connect 722 to MB HDMI - it's an output to a monitor.

Hmm, that makes sense.

Considering the size and price of monitors right now, it looks like you won't get anything beyond VGA and DVI connections until you get bigger than 22". I think at this point a 22" widescreen will have to suffice, and if I'm stuck without an office tv for awhile longer, so be it.

Thanks for all the info. This is definitely a constant learning experience.

 

[BuddyBoy]

Unfortunately, the 24" you suggested is almost $700. The connections are nice though.

That's because it is a PVA display, comparable in display picture quality to an IPS display. The $250 22" monitors are TN displays - not something I'd want to use for more than a couple hours a day, or for critical viewing.