Can an HDTV Be Used As a Computer Monitor?
Every time I go to buy a new computer monitor, I ask myself the same question: why am I doing this? Why not just stream it all over the huge monitor I already own, otherwise known as my hefty TV?
Transferring your computer’s image through a TV may seem like the best solution on paper, but there are some considerations you need to take into account before you cross a “brand new desktop monitor” off your shopping list. This does not mean that you cannot do it or do it well; it’s just not a perfect solution that works in all cases.
What are you using your computer for?
To figure out if you should be connecting your computer to your HDTV, first think about what you usually do on your computer. Lots of variables affect your day-to-day use, but chances are you fall into one of two main categories: the general PC user or the entertainment user . A daily routine can include everything from sending a few emails to working in Photoshop all day, while entertainment will mean that you spend most of your time watching movies or playing games.
Now that you’ve found a moment to introspect, let’s dive deeper into what HDTV means to these two types of users:
Regular old computer user who doesn’t play games or stream
If you spend most of your computer time browsing the Internet, reading email, writing, or something similar, the biggest problem you will face with a large HDTV screen is its resolution. Remember, when it comes to monitors, resolution matters the most . A 32-inch HDTV can have the same resolution as a 27-inch monitor (assuming both are 1080p), but increased by another five inches. This makes everything a little fuzzy and not conducive to reading. Climb to a 42-inch 1080p display and you will hate what you look at – it will lack clarity and clarity, and you will question your life choices.
Another issue is the ergonomics and sheer size of the HDTV. As we noted earlier, you want your eye level to be about two to three inches below the top of the monitor. This can be tricky with a large screen unless you are very tall or sit particularly high. Put a 44-inch TV on your desk and you pop out your eyes and head around to see everything on your digital desktop, which can be very annoying and very fast.
However, there are many cases where YouTube observers and programmers are equally treated to an HDTV instead of a traditional computer monitor, and enjoyed it. Here’s what they usually look for:
- 4K resolution, minimum
- Refresh rate 60 Hz, minimum
- Chroma 4: 4: 4 downsampling support (to avoid blurry text)
- HDMI 2.0 (and matching cables ) to achieve all of the above
- Low input lag – the fact that you can really test yourself just by tuning your TV. Either read a bunch of reviews of what you’re about to buy, or find a seller with a tough return policy if the delay in things like mouse movements is driving you crazy.
- VESA mount. If you are placing a giant TV on a table, you may want to be able to place it in a better position rather than sitting on a stand (which may require you to raise your head a little).
- Built-in speakers. This is optional, but having built-in speakers never hurts if you don’t have an alternative sound setting for your computer.
On the PC side, you need to ensure that your system can output 4K resolution at a minimum frequency of 60Hz. Your system should be able to do this if you have a 7th or 8th generation Intel processor (if you’re using integrated graphics) or a decent discrete graphics card – just check the specs and see what it can do (what the connectivity is for). You will most likely be using HDMI for this, as I did not expect most modern TVs to come with DisplayPort connectivity, as most TV manufacturers do not assume that you are going to connect it to your computer. If you only have DisplayPort on your desktop or laptop, you probably need an active adapter .
Entertainment
If you want to play or watch movies on your HDTV monitor, you have a few additional options (and considerations). Most importantly, you may want to consider using your 4K TV as a second monitor in a dual-monitor configuration. Listen to me.
That being said, you can leave your main monitor for day-to-day use – which means you can still get great experience for browsing the web, working with spreadsheets, sending emails, or whatever else you do. When you switch to movie or game mode, you can download them to your giant nearest TV. Assuming you can drag your keyboard and mouse (or controller) to a point far enough away and don’t mind the experience, I think you’ll enjoy this hybrid approach even more than clicking a 42+ inch TV. on your table.
Depending on what you’re watching (or the size of the text in your games), you might even opt for a TV with lower specs than what we identified earlier. You are (hopefully) not looking at tiny text on your screen, so perhaps the Chroma set’s downsampling might not be as critical. If you’re just watching a lot of movies, you might not give a damn about the input lag or the TV’s refresh rate (for example, if it can’t play 4K @ 60Hz).
If you’re playing, you definitely care about input lag and your kit refresh rate – I can’t think of two more important specs because you’re going to want the most accurate experience possible. You may also find that some games are better for watching on your TV than others, so be prepared for potential frustration if your favorite game doesn’t perform as well as you expected for any reason – for example, slightly blurry text.
Since your picture quality is more important when you’re watching John Wick or playing Doom Eternal than when you’re working with a spreadsheet, you might also want to consider a TV (and video card / HDMI 2.0a setup) that can support HDR10 for more gorgeous and accurate colors.
This story was originally published on 10/2/12 and updated on 10/17/19 with more up-to-date information.