All important things to check whether or not a TV can function as monitor are missing: 1) Does the TV support RGB HDMI? Most TV's ask the computer for 4:2:2 chroma subsampled HDMI, looking terrible on static text with colour. 2) Does the TV offer fast-boot and auto-input-select? It sucks pretty badly if it does not look on which input the active signal comes in. 3) How does the TV behave on monitor-sleep situations. You don't want complete Android TV to boot after a wake-from-sleep. 4) Can improvement algoritms been turned off? Most TV's default to serious sharpening resulting in halo's on contrasty edges. Also they tend to over-contrast, resulting in white-crush and black crush. Not to mention the high amount of motion algoritms. One thing possitive about TV's is that for media creation they often support 24/25/30/50/60p natively, so it is easier to view video at the native refresh rate than on a monitor.
SOLVED: BLURRED TEXT ON TV! I had blurry text (and images) on my Roku TV (viewing laptop HDMI) The Solution: • Set the Sharpness to ZERO (0)... it was 50 originally This made a huge improvement!! It got rid of a weird "ghosting" around text and other content. Now the TV feels more like a Monitor and Text is very clear.
I have a lot of friends that use tv as a monitor and never heard anyone complain, the best part is watching films on a large tv is such a charm comparing to standard monitors.
One of my computers has a 43" OLED TV as a monitor and I absolutely love it. It seems extremely crisp and I use it regularly for spreadsheets and graphic design, which needs to have clear readable type. My other computers have BenQ 32" monitors with 4k resolution. I am pretty happy with them.
I beg god's of TH-cam that you will get notification and answer my question. I work as a software developer and have 2x27 inch qhd monitors + 2 monitors in my laptop. I want to swap all of it for 1 43 inch 4k TV, following the logic that if I split it into 4 I'll have 4xFHD monitors. So I'll be able to have browser, code , terminals and other programs on one screen. Do ya think it's a good idea? How's your neck after whole day of wondering around 43 inch screen with your eyes? How are your eyes themselves? I guess that will be less issue for me as code editors and terminals have black background, but still it's 43 inch panel lighting straight onto you all day. What do ya think about my idea? Will one 4k 43 inch TV replace 4xfhd monitors?
@@devilanty4430 Seems like you need an ultrawide instead, but a 4k tv above 40 inches can and will help with a proper tiling manager (linux usually wins in this regard but there are good free tools for mac; you can do it easily in windows by default). OLED tvs are perfect for black backgrounds because they don't emit light at all but those panels have burn-in problem (there are ways to prevent it but using it as a monitor is like asking for it).
@@devilanty4430hi there, have you found out about having 4 windows on a 43" monitor? I'm planning to get one and do so and I might want to sit a bit taller with the middle of the screen positioned right in front of my line of sight to lessen eye and neck strains.
@@hans6304 it sort of worked for me. It's much easier to work with 43 inch TV than 2x24 or 2x 27 inch monitors. On Linux and windows it works perfect, you can just drag applications to the corner of the screen and system will resize the app into quarter of the screen size. Unfortunately it doesn't work so nice with MacBook. You need to pay for 3rd party app (around $2) to do so as Mac natively can split screen only into 2. the menu of all programs is always at the top of the screen (not the app) which is annoying. I have problems with rendering fonts and sometimes the text is unreadable. Apple m processors also have problems with external monitors, for example all dark backgrounds are flickering (it doesn't seem it happens to everyone, but I'm one of those people who have this problem). There is also plenty of stupid artifacts on the screen like thin elements are losing colour. So it works as long as I'm using windows or Linux, but MacBook is completely broken experience.
Part of the problem with TVs is that they are designed to make video look nice, and all kinds of settings for interpolation, smoothing, scaling and video colour are on by default which make computer output (especially text) look terrible. On the cheaper TVs you might not even be able to turn this stuff off.
Not just text and not just on cheaper tv / gaming monitors. I just bought a 55” Odyssey. It suffers from lag, except in game mode, but then all colours look over-saturated and for example the desktop icons lose all subtle shadows and gradients. 😕
@@SimonWoodburyForget Meanwhile, I suspect my old computer was the culprit. You probably were right, except that it was not the monitor but my measly gpu.
It seems to me, that most of the benefits you mentioned, apply mainly to Macs. I'm not necessarily expecting a PC monitor to be a USB hub, unless it's an all-in-one display. My phone does 4k resolution. It does look crisp, but it's not useful to me, for computer work. It is, however, easier on my eyes than cheaper phones. PPI is important, but it isn't everything. Otherwise, I could be happy with a 12" HD monitor. ALSO, especially for PC's, when you switch to higher resolutions, like 4k, some apps don't scale, so all a higher pixel density will get you, is tiny text. With a TV, you can get higher resolutions and a bigger size, which at the very least can make things easier to read. Sure, TV's often have extra processing & stuff, but you can turn that off in many cases. One of the nice things about a TV, is it typically has multiple inputs. Many monitors have one, because they aren't designed for switching. TV's allow you to connect 2 or more computers & switch them with a remote. They can also give you a nicer, more immersive experience by just saturating your field of view. The main specs to worry about are the refresh rate, and a lot of TV's are getting better about that. Another side effect you get from a TV is that it might have better speakers, so you don't need cheap computer speakers. They are typically compatible with some good sounding and powerful soundbars, as well. Of course, just like with the Samsung monitor, sometimes the browser interfaces for the streaming sites aren't as nice as the smart TV app. It can be nice to switch to the smart TV mode, once the computing is done. A wireless control setup & a 55" TV can be a nice combination.
So the only downside you mentioned for a TV is the refresh rate... Well not a gamer, so I don't care. And the point you mentioned about easier to read? Well that applies just very well. For me, coming from a 12" and 13" macbook, it would open up a whole new world to have a huge tv screen where I can have 4 to 5 things open at the same time instead of switching trough different screens/desktops all the time. Thanks to the maker of the video. You made some things very clear, but actually your arguments convinced me even more to change, rather then not to. 👍
Just bought a Hisense 43 E7K 4K TV and am using it as my main monitor after being stuck with an old DELL 27 inch 1080p monitor....I have to say...this thing blew all my expectations out the water. I'm highly impressed and so chuffed.
I used to think the answer was no because the types of tvs I grew up using looked absolutely horrible at close range. I just picked up the LG C2 42 inch and boy my opinion has changed. It is easily the best screen that I've ever owned or even looked at. The clarity and colors are outstanding and PPI is perfect. If you're in the market for 4K, save for an OLED or QD OLED. I was really worried that the size was going to be a problem, but it was actually the solution to a problem I didn't know I had. Using a monitor that takes up your entire viewing angle, without you needing to turn your head, is so much better for productivity and gaming. You'll want a lot of desk space, but I found my 24 inch deep desk to be all I needed. I was going to move some shelving behind it to put the tv on that instead, but as soon as I booted up windows it was already so natural to me that I wouldn't put it back any further if I could.
@@theinjured4686 The only con so far is that I feel like it could be brighter at times. It's by no means a dim display and the viewing angles are so much better than any monitor I've had in the past, but sometimes I wish there was just a little bit extra. I still keep it on standard at 90% pixel brightness almost all of the time and that's comfortable for any time of day. I think my last monitor was actually too bright and it would often hurt my eyes, which is not the case with this tv. Surprisingly, I've found that the text clarity is way better and it's much more easy on the eyes. Another thing you should know about is the ASBL. It's a hidden burn-in protection function that basically adjusts brightness levels when the TV thinks you're not using it. A lot of people blow it out of proportion as some huge problem, but I've only noticed it happen once while I was typing something out. You can disable it with a service remote, but this apparently voids the LG warranty. I went with the 5 year Best Buy protection, which I feel is much better anyway and there are no worries about voiding warranty with it. If I notice ASBL bothering me then I will probably turn it off, but it hasn't really been an issue and having those OLED protections is good for longevity. I found it much more important to turn off energy saver in the regular settings because its something that could actually be a problem
I've been using a 43" LG 4K HDTV as a computer monitor. I sit infont of my PC for more than 10 hours a day. My TV monitor is amazing, I can read fine text. Graphics and colour are amazing and it's also good for gaming. All this FPS stuff you keep hearing about and thinking you're missing out, you not. Your eyes and brain can't process that fast to notice much of a difference. I don't experience blurring. I sit about an arm lengths away from my monitor. This is the best purchase I've made in a lot time. Before you do buy a HDTV, I suggest you go and and see a working model of it, and pay attention to text and details and how crips it is. I spent around $350 -$400 on my LG 43" 4K HDTV, anything more it just wasteful. Forget about QLED, you don't need it, but if you want to piss away you money then it's up to you. My blacks are fine. I don't sit sorrunded with natural light washing out my display. So there is no need for QLED.
You didn't mention ABL. Using TV as monitor means that the TV will pay attention to the ratio of dark pixels to light pixels on the screen, and dynamically limit the backlight accordingly. I've used a Hisense H9G as a monitor for almost two years now, and feel incredibly spoiled and charmed by it, but according to measurements from rtings, it will fluctuate from about 750nits output to 1500nits output depending on what's on the screen. This makes color tweaking for photo and video just amazingly unreliable. It also inflicts a certain ache that I can't get the image to be able to swing a full 1500nits output at all times. That said? I think my next monitor will also be another UHDTV. When it's great, it's glory.
I use a 48 inch Samsung 4k tv on on my Windows 11 gaming laptop...biggest takeaways....Scaling issues, which can be fixed in Windows...60hz is fine if you are good with lower frame rates. Overall I am happy with it cos I was not going to spend 2000 for a equivilant gaming monitor with high refresh rate
The only thing I got out of this is that, monitor or TV doesn't really matter, what matters is pixels per inch. Larger 4K screens might have lower pixels per inch vs smaller 4k screens dependant on the mfg and model. The more ppi, the better.
I was waiting for you to mention chroma subsampling - 4:4:4 vs 4:2:2 vs 4:2:0. From my experience, that can make a big difference if you are working with text, especially smaller text.
Another problem is that many TV's today use a BGR subpixel layout as opposed to a RGB sub-pixel layout that's found on all monitors. This presents problems as most operating systems and software applications are designed to be run on displays that use the RGB sub-pixel layout. When run on a BGR layout display, fine lines commonly found in spreadsheets and desktop publishing applications often appear blurry with a completely lack of detail. This can not only be incredibly frustrating for the user but also lead to eye fatigue and eye strain over the long term. The absolute first thing to look for when purchasing any TV to be used as a monitor is one that has a RGB sub-pixel layout. Make sure you have that issue addressed first, then worry about everything else that needs to be considered.
There needs to be more ( in my opinion) videos about this topic. I've been using TVs as monitors for about 17 years. My first, a sony wega allowed me to play World of warcarft and watch netflix and youtube on a 50 inch screen. My second, a cheaper Vizio 32 in, has horrible black levels ( that final season Game of thrones episode where everything was dark was a nightmare, but im used to it) but also fits the bill. Now im looking into step into 1080p+ resolutions and I was wondering , other than burn in if there are things to look out for. you gave a very good break down and now I feel comfortable moving forward. I just need to go into the store and see what these screen technologies look like up close and personal.
I'm a gamer. I was a console gamer up until six months ago and wanted to continue having a similar experience with my PC. So instead of having the typical desk and monitor setup I went with a Gaming TV and have my keybord and mouse on the coffee table of when I need them and use an XB controller for gaming. It's worked out sweet for me, my games look and play fantastically.
I have a Mac Studio (overkill for my needs, but I love it) connected to my 85-inch Samsung TV. So I can sit on my couch and watch TV or watch TH-cam or other things on my Mac. It is my home computer and when I go somewhere, I bring my iPad Pro 😃
Seeing how Tv evolved i think TVs are starting to win fairly easily. They pretty much equal Pc monitor quality at cheaper prices or equivalent but having 65 inch vs 34 inch. Also since you already need a TV at home i guess it's win-win and takes less space. Also when you watch content and movies you will enjoy a big quality Tv. I'm seriously considering it for my next setup.
@@SimonWoodburyForget ye I use a 4k led 60hz 50 inch TV. Works perfectly fine, is reliable and upgradable unlike QLED and OLED TVs. Great for viewing content aswell
U missed the main point, monitor are built for static content whereas TV are built for dynamic content. If we use TV as monitor then the static content can cause pixel burnout on TV.
I use different setups for different reasons. At the office, I use three 55” LG UHD TVs connected to a Caldigit TS4 and powered easily by an M1 Max Pro that sits open on a stand. The multi-functional versatility and resolution are superb. My work in marketing and for school requires switching between internet research, Creative apps, documents, plus more. My desk sits 60” from each screen. However, on a set, my camera is usually tethered to the M1, and a couple of 70” TVs-the designer, director, and staff can review. Large screens make any obvious imperfections easier to catch and correct on the spot. The story changes in editing and retouching where a high res color calibrated monitor’s are the commercial standard. For most, it’s an individual decision. Thankfully, Apple designs its products to work with the versatility of its users, the scenarios, and more.
I use a 50” 4K television for my display for my purposes. I got a 4K Apple TV box for the television streaming option and TH-cam etc. And then I’ll switch it to the M1 mini and still have a 120 hz 4K display. Television is a 4K 50” Smart .
Most work setups I have seen have laptops (macs) with second screens. I usually make purchases for the newcomers and I have by accident been buying small 24 inches tv instead of monitors. Only noticed the difference when a tech guy arrived (I work remote, so I would have noticed if I had received them). NOBODY else has nothing anything. I do believe that monitors add an edge when doing something creative or you need the sharpness but for 90 percent of time a tv is more than enough
I'm looking for a tv to use as a computer monitor. And being technology illiterate, I decided to check out a few yt videos. Yours is the 2nd I've watched and liked to say thanks. 👍🏾 I don't feel nearly as ignorant about all things tech related as I did before watching your video. You're informative and concise which is easier to hope for than pull off. So props to you and thanks bro. God bless you.
I bought a 48" 4K 120hz LG C1 OLED at $899, a few months ago and it's been fantastic as my photo editing/gaming monitor. My head is about 4 feet from the screen. I do all my work on a separate work supplied laptop connected to two 27" LG 4k monitors so any issue at TV would have with font rendering isn't an issue for me.
I think the biggest reason televisions are cheaper than monitors is because of the economies of scale. Most people have multiple televisions and manufacturers sell WAAAAYYY more televisions than they sell monitors. By the way I am a software architect / computer hacker, I use Linux 75% of the time, MacOS 20% of the time and Windows about 5% of the time. I don't use my computers to play games AT ALL. The applications I use mostly all day long, are development IDEs, terminals, and tools like wireshark, Postman, etc... All text all the time. As such, I am plenty happy with 60Hz native refresh rate, though I wouldn't kick 120Hz out of bed; so take my advice for what it cost ya'. Native 120Hz would be nice, I just don't need it. A big benefit of using a big 4k TV as a monitor is, at 100% resolution you have the equivalent of four 1080P monitors. If you scale it up to 150%, you lose 25% of your 4K screen real estate compared to 100% scaling. To keep all of your screen real estate, you have to go bigger without going overboard. 55" is the sweet spot IMHO. I understand the desire to go with a smaller television as a monitor because a 55" just SEEMS too big, but its not. If you imagine four 1080P monitors arranged in a four-monitor array, it should be about 55" or 60". At 4k, televisions bigger than 60" start to need more pixel density, so for a 4K computer monitor, I wouldn't go bigger than 60". I find a 55" 4K television at 100% scaling to be perfect for working with text all day long. Mine is a 55" Samsung and is perfect. I NEVER use it as a television. Also, with a 55" 4K TV, the 100% resolution doesn't make the text too small like it does on a smaller 40" to 45" television so you don't have to scale it. If you're going to use a 4K television as a monitor, I recommend getting at least 50", but 55" is better. Don't go larger than 60". I have a 55" Samsung as my main monitor on my Linux desktop machine, with two widescreen curved monitors mounted to the side (three displays total). I use a 50" TCL as the main monitor for my Macbook Pro M2 laptop, because I just so happened to already have it. It also has a widescreen curved monitor mounted at the side (so two displays not including the laptop's display). I do use the 50" TCL as a television to play the news while I work, when I am not using my Macbook Pro.
Xbox and pc is better on a monitor then TV when u think of a monitor u think of Microsoft company Tvs are good for switch and bluray players and apps all for entertainment
I use my 35" LG Monitor in my office as my TV too. I do not use cable ... just streaming services. This works just fine. I also have a Panasonic Smart TV (45") in my living room. I have used that, doubling as a computer monitor, and TV. That worked OK, but viewing at a distance of about 10', some adjustments had to be made to discern text and small icons.
I kept waiting for the real difference in image quality between TVs and monitors and am disappointed that you never mentioned it. What I mean is, is there real differences in terms of color depth, brightness, dynamic range, refresh rates, etc. between the two displays. The things you mentioned such as resolution and pixel density and connection are obvious and both displays have overlaps in those areas.
Right now, I'm using an early 2000's Samsung 40" LED tv as my computer monitor. My PC is a 2015 vintage gaming rig and at my desk where my eye is at 36"-48" away from the screen (depending on my level of chair slouch) they work well together for my use: Star Citizen, Elden Ring, interweb surfing, AppleTV watching. The field of view offered by the screen size at this distance is wonderful. But now, I'm ready to pull the trigger and upgrade all of my hardware. Probably a 4090 gpu. I don't want to change to a curved or ultrawide screen. I just want to upgrade to a display that will be a large improvement in every way for all of my use cases listed. If a tv, I accept that it may not be able to take advantage of all of the gaming-centric features, but still be a massive upgrade in brightness, resolution, etc. If a monitor, I accept that the cost will be high ONLY if there are NO downsides. For instance, great framerates/ contrast/ smoothness when gaming, but weird bugs while viewing text when web browsing. Navigating the field of large gaming monitors that sacrifice nothing for other applications has been especially murky. What would you recommend?
tvs made maybe 5-10yrs ago used as a pc monitor was a bad idea. im using a walmart samsung 40-50 something as a monitor (maybe spent $350) and cant realllllyyy say anything negative about it. i also have a samsung pc monitor on the side which i hardly ever use. sometime i just use it for youtube videos in the background. im thinking of buying another tv for the other pc i have at home. i have no issues with the tv looking at detailed images like documents or pictures like i did with past tvs. everything looks crisp.
I have an ATYME 46" 4K TV. Using it as a monitor, there are two main issues. 1. As with most TVs, it has a plastic panel which increases contrast and brightness but is very reflective. 2. Text is not sharp. I can see an outline around characters.
It's the TV you got with respect to text. I have a 43" LG 4K HDTV and my small text is fine and crisp. Before I bought I went into a store where they displayed all the 4K TVs and I paid attention to the text. Some of the TVs were horribly bad, while a few where really nice and crisp when displaying text and fine details up close.
Most PC monitors today have a plastic panel as well. The issue with text is really down to either a strange sub-pixel layout or it could be the fault of the TV's image processing.
You didn't mention this, but if you use your smart tv as a monitor, don't you have to use the tv remote and settings to show the source as HDMI port? I'm afraid I won't have the tech know-how.
I used a Sony Bravia LCD TV as a monitor for 10 long years without any input lag and response time issue but when I recently switched to a Samsung 4k UHD Smart TV, these issues have popped up and it just seems to be something that I cannot get rid of!! Any suggestions??
Really only very cheap TV's are "poor monitor" replacements. Most TV's of a reasonable quality, really ~$300 for a 4k 50" TV upwards, have a reasonable feature set to match a monitor, viz 60Hz refresh minimum, PC input selectable (ie RGB input may be selected) For a correct ergonomic setup, a monitor will typically be used with a viewing distance of ~3 ft. A "Full HD" monitor with a 26" diagonal is right on the resolution limit of 0.3mm/pixel, and is why you would not really wish to us a big HDTV as a monitor. A 4k monitor can be ~twice as large for the same spacial resolution. So a 50" 4k monitor which has ~43.5" wide screen (=1105mm) and 3840 pixels (=0.29mm/pixel). This also exceeds the resolution of the eye of 0.3mm at 1m (or roughly 3ft) viewing distance. A 50" diag 4k TV viewed at one metre is maximising the optical system, ie what the display can produce is the what the eye can resolve (or just slightly beyond what the wye can resolve), though a 55" 4k TV is closer to the limit This this spacial resolution converts to~88ppi at 1 metre. Any monitor exceeding this does not really provide any more observable detail, unless you get closer, and is effectively a waste of money. This is why a phone screen needs to be ~270ppi so you don't see the pixel structure at the closest typical usage distance. Think about WHY we had to have computer monitors back in the day... 1) TV's had analog inputs 2) TV's resolution was ~640x480, or worse! 3) No real colour calibration on consumer TV's 4) No high refresh rates on TV's 60Hz max, and this was interlaced... 5) No progressive scan signal input So all in all no compatability, unlike today. I use a cheap TCL 4k 50" as a monitor, though I'll upgrade soon to something with a better colour space coverage and 120Hz panel. It is at least as good in picture quality as a $1200 22" iiyama monitor that I had back then which had a 0.25mm dot pitch and did 1920x1440 resolution @75Hz, and I got it for
Well, if these companies ever stopped holding back the creation of new technology due to their fear of cannibalizing/killing their current products, then this wouldn't even be a discussion. They try so hard to separate certain features into multiple products when in reality all those features could be combined into one product. For example, this is likely the reason we haven't yet seen an Apple Macbook with a touchscreen, or an iPhone with Apple pencil support, or the iPad Pro support MacOS apps despite having an M1 chip, and why they'll (Apple) likely wait years before releasing an iPhone with an expandable/flexible screen; all of which would likely lower the sales of various products and even make some obsolete. That said, we should already have computer monitors with built-in smart TV operating systems and vice-versa, but once again these companies don't want to give us what we really want/need. And when they do introduce these types of products, they always make them absurdly expensive to almost intentionally create a negative opinion among consumers. Just think about when they first introduced the BFG TVs with 120 FPS and GPU support... and how ridulously expensive they were, not to mention not having the picture quality nor all the features you'd expect of a product in that price range.
I'm using an Amazon Omni TV 4K 44" , has built in Camera and mic as well, though haven't tried - usually use my lap top for that - at half the recommended 300% magnification as well. This is working well with my Beelink and Yoga laptop - I haven't a complaint so far.
TV (then go for a 55” or above at an LG C1 model standard) colors are amazing and the hz maxes out at 120hz at low latency. 4K Monitor (literally anything with 144hz at 27” or above) but visuals are going to be blurrier but faster at latency. 1440p or 1080p
Hey buddy just a correction. The M8 32inch doesn't support Apple AirPlay 2, it only support Apple AirPlay 1. That was one of the downgrades they made from the M7 monitor
Bottom of the barrel TVs have way better picture quality than a high-end monitor , so I recommend TVs as monitor alternative . TVs tend to have a glossier coating , tend to be better calibrated out of the box and has picture quality improving features such as dolby vision .
Simple answer would have if you watch alot of videos on the computer go with a television, if you read alot text, emails documents web surfing, get a basic monitor
Thanks for this.... I struggle with a 22 inch monitor now due to being short sighted, my resolution is 1366x768 and I struggle. I was using a 27 inch until it died and was looking at a 32 inch but I might just get a TV now I think as good graphics n high resolution is wasted on me haha. I have a spare 52 inch TV but I don't think I'm quite there yet, it's coming though I'm sure.
I use a TV+ 2 monitors connected to my PC. The TV, an Oled LG is perfectly fine for most tasks, like everyday TH-cam watching, gaming, Spotify etc. My dual 27 inch monitors are used for recording music with Cubase (A Daw). I get more horisontal screenspace and there would also be problems with space for a big TV where the Synths/Studio is placed. I can't feel any difference for high refresh rates for games. The TV has 4:4:4 Chroma subsampling so text looks good on it, although it still looks better on the monitors. The blacks on the TV makes for much better video and gaming experiences. I am not too sensitive for lagging and it is still good enough on the TV for gaming. Also the thing about "retina display" and "pixel density" : I think it is not important if you sit at a good distance to the display. And I do that for the TV... It can be measured for "visual acuity" (the distance where you begin to take notice of the individual pixels) with home theater calculator spreadsheets..
Andrew, we're not very tech savvy. we're older, 60+ & 80+ and were thinking of using our old Hisense 40 in HDtv as a monitor. we don't do a lot of things on the computer besides email, facebook, and my Husband checks out lots of sports sights. would we be able to use it as a monitor?
The largest reason is price. There are so many 4k tvs that are used and can be bought for under $100, where as not very many 4k monitors can be bought under that price range.
Interesting and informative. I use a 49 inch monitor for editing and a TV for programme display - which means I can view on a screen that many viewers will use. David
I had a 32" 4k Monitor and it really just didn't do it for me. I couldn't get the contrast settings the way I liked, plus I wanted to go bigger. so I ended up with a 40" Samsung Crystal 4k tv and I wouldn't go back, and been using it every day for over a year now. The picture quality is well maintained even at monitor viewing distances. 4K imagery and video looks very sharp and crisp. For my needs, I haven't had any problems with the TV
Currently using a Samsung 4k 75 inch Smart TV, with my Mac mini connected by HDMI and it works great, but I am sitting 7 or 8 feet back, with wireless keyboard and magic track pad. I was thinking about upgrading my Mac, but thanks to your input I think I will upgrade my TV to an 8K too. Thanks for the great video an information. Oh just a foot note, I got the idea to use a TV from a gameshow, they gave away a Mac mini with a 50 inch flat screen TV as a prize.
This is the exact setup I'm planning on doing in the very near future. I'm also approximately 8 ft. away from where I would place my TV and planning to buy the Mac Studio. I've already got a wireless keyboard and track pad. Do you feel the 4K just isn't good enough?
@@frankhenderson3959 with your current setup, how are the quality of letters/words on your screen? Do the edges of the words look blurred / pixelated or is it sharp and crisp?
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I have an “old” 42” 1080p TV laying around and I was thinking about using it to create a bedroom office scenario. But I’m worried that all the stuff on screen just become too “in my face”…
2K monitors aren't bad but they just aren't as common. I tried to stock with the common resolutions while explaining how resolutions and PPI compare. That way if someone encounters a 2K display, they know where it fits in the lineup and how it compares.
Photo editing check list: 1) What you see is what you send to the printer. 2) No image sharpening that is not in the file that's sent to the printer. 3) No color space weirdness or enhancements that are not in the file sent to the printer. 4) See number 1.
Okay what if all I wanna do is hook up my iPad to a TV and use stage manager and have some monitor support? And maybe just watch some TH-cam videos and edit some basic ass videos? Would the TV be OK for that?
If I were you, I'd get a cheaper USB-C display for that. A TV would work, but if you go with a monitor it will be thinner and more compact without costing a bunch.
I use a Samsung curved monitor as my main monitor. I use a Samsung monitor as a second monitor for things where image quality doesn't matter as much. So basically, emailing, spotify/music, etc goes on the 24" monitor. The 27" monitor is for videos, gaming, etc.
I prefer using a gaming monitor over a TV for my gaming sessions. The monitor's performance is just so much sharper and smoother, not to mention the lower display lag. Plus, the monitor's design is just so much sleeker and sexier than a boring old TV. So yeah, when it comes to gaming, I'd go with a good old 1080p monitor any day.
The only thing is response time will be considerably longer with TV panels as opposed to monitors. Refresh rate tends to also be lower but not necessarily. A TCL Q7 would probably blow away any computer monitor in its price range as long as you got the graphics card to run one.
can i hook my security cam box to my pc? i bought the adapter but it wont recognize it. my tv monitor seems to have boxes blocked. and i see no settings to adjust the tv ratio
I used OLED TV‘s as main „monitors“ for the last 5 years. And can say that Windows PC’s didn’t had any problems with it. Nowadays the lack of HDMI 2.1 steal me all the joy with Mac‘s…
Is it compatible to use LG QNET tv as monitor on mini mac M2 for trading set up and to split the screen in to three different app two from mini mac and one from Mac Pro lap top
In the past, monitors have specific connector that fits with computers, along with the resolutions and refresh rate to match and the color accuracy and adjustments (mostly for printing). Nowadays, all modern computers and computers/notebooks have (almost) universal connector like HDMI, high resolution (FHD and 4K is now common), high-refresh rate, and no need for printing too. So, either a computer or a monitor can be used almost interchangeably. Only exception would be if you are into games and require very high refresh rate (120fps and above), then only higher-end computer/gaming monitors will do. Main thing to consider is just the size that fits your viewing preference, and your budget. For example, if you want really large size (like 42-inch or above), then a TV is most certainly your only choice.
Switch bluray player apps will be better on a sony Samsung lg tvs when think of that u think of entertainment Pc and xbox series x will be better on a hp acer dell monitors when think u that u think of Microsoft Xbox.
Could the RetroTink 4K be used in series with any hookups between a computer and most 4K TVs and basically be an adapter that makes most 4K TVs the right “utensil”?
I use a 75" TV as a monitor, which meant I had to figure out why the Bluetooth on the Mac mini doesn't work well (hint, the Mac mini doesn't have standard Bluetooth, it has a Broadcom Bluetooth Low Energy module and most mice don't work). I got my mouse to work well for games 10' away from the mini.
I’m using a tv as a monitor for years now, and the most annoying shortcoming about that “and it maybe a differentiating one” is that I can’t adjust brightness, I use a dark picture mode and had made some adjustments to the color profile, but with the first look at it you will know it’s bad. Now I am looking for a smart LG or Samsung tv maybe.
@@AppleInsider I know that's off topic, but I want to ask if there is a way to view AppleInsider's Editorials, I was enjoying them in the past, and I think you sadly stopped doing them, if that's the case can you suggest a good alternative?
I have two monitors connected to my 16” MBP. One is the Studio Display, which is what I use for reading since my eyes aren’t very good. I also have a 42” LG C2 TV as another monitor attached. I use that for gaming since I’m a World of Warcraft player The only problem I see with TV’s is that they have pretty low pixel density, so I don’t use it when I want to read something (e.g. web browsing or email). I also have a PS 5 and an Xbox Series X attached to the TV as well. TV’s are much better for gaming and the OLED screen makes things look great. The OLED also helps with watching videos. While videos look good on a Studio Display, watching on a TV makes it that much better. Each “monitor” has a different purpose. When using a TV, though, make sure your desk is deep enough to not give you headaches from watching too close. That’s why I waited until high-end TV’s got down to 42” versus 48”, which I think is too big.
Switch bluray player apps will be better on a sony Samsung lg tvs when think of that u think of entertainment Pc and xbox series x will be better on a hp acer dell monitors when think u that u think of Microsoft Xbox.
Why would I get a 32-inch monitor or a 32-inch TV for my laptop when I got a 72-inch TV? I got a wireless mouse and keyboard. Now, instead of a gaming chair at a desk, I got the couch to chill on.
So here's my problem I had a 24inch monitor 2k and it broke a few days ago so I had to start using a 32inch tv i bought a month ago, people were telling that I shouldn't use it because it can damage my eyesight even if I sit 2 to 3 feet away from it. Should I keep on using it or should I just get a new monitor?
my monitor went out. Mom had a 50 inch tv with a vhs outlet. Hmmm So treated Mom to a 65 inch tv for her room and I now have a 50 inch monitor. We are both in a lil slice of heaven...
Switch bluray player apps will be better on a sony Samsung lg tvs when think of that u think of entertainment Pc and xbox series x will be better on a hp acer dell monitors when think u think of Microsoft Xbox.
So I use a Sony 42 inch X85K as a monitor for computer engineering which I love all the space I have for remote sessions and being able to do all with no compromising. I also love having HDMI 2.1 for 4k 120 for my gaming PC & for My XSX. So if you need alot of space get a Mini QLED Tv or a Oled( I was not paying $1100 for something im mainly using for work and for my XSX lol) I am going to buy the 32 inch Samsung G7 only for the 240hz to play FPS games on but everything else will be on this TV. So just depends on what you are doing. My text looks amazing and thats coming from a 1440p 160hz LG monitor.
My tv keeps “Losing signal” and say make sure my pc is on. While I’m in the middle of a game it just goes black then says that (as if my HDMI cord disconnected)
It's 2023 and i think all screens should be tv monitor hybrids by now. I got a Samsung hyrid back in 2009 and it was ahead of It's time. Displaying clean 1080p at 28" when all the tvs its size back then only displayed 720p and looked considerably worse.
Well, B&H Photo Video in America sells 55-inch size computer monitors. So wouldn't those be a bit LARGER than the mentioned 32-inch size computer monitor models? 1080p resolution monitors -- "are the most common?" In August of 2022? Wow.... I did not even know that. When was this "review" recorded.... in August of 2012?
My PC has no HDMI and my TV has no VGA. Tech guy connected PC Display Port to TV HDMI. It works, but TV manual claims that only VGA TV must be used as a monitor for PC. Is it wrong if I use my TV as a monitor the way I connected it? - TV HDMI to PC Display Port.
When the comments are more helpful than the main video
Exactly. 😅…
5 minutes in……I just went to the comments for information…
TLDR? Monitor or TV?
Thank you for your comment. I'll go to another video.
And this is why I miss the dislike button. 😓
All important things to check whether or not a TV can function as monitor are missing:
1) Does the TV support RGB HDMI? Most TV's ask the computer for 4:2:2 chroma subsampled HDMI, looking terrible on static text with colour.
2) Does the TV offer fast-boot and auto-input-select? It sucks pretty badly if it does not look on which input the active signal comes in.
3) How does the TV behave on monitor-sleep situations. You don't want complete Android TV to boot after a wake-from-sleep.
4) Can improvement algoritms been turned off? Most TV's default to serious sharpening resulting in halo's on contrasty edges. Also they tend to over-contrast, resulting in white-crush and black crush. Not to mention the high amount of motion algoritms.
One thing possitive about TV's is that for media creation they often support 24/25/30/50/60p natively, so it is easier to view video at the native refresh rate than on a monitor.
SOLVED: BLURRED TEXT ON TV!
I had blurry text (and images) on my Roku TV (viewing laptop HDMI)
The Solution:
• Set the Sharpness to ZERO (0)... it was 50 originally
This made a huge improvement!! It got rid of a weird "ghosting" around text and other content.
Now the TV feels more like a Monitor and Text is very clear.
I have a lot of friends that use tv as a monitor and never heard anyone complain, the best part is watching films on a large tv is such a charm comparing to standard monitors.
He's probably gets bribes from Apple .
Nahh I had a bad experience after using the tv as a monitor.. some capacitors of tv became bloated.. not recommended
This is the comment!, I'm sold.
Yh
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks there's too much unnecessary information. Get to the point already!
One of my computers has a 43" OLED TV as a monitor and I absolutely love it. It seems extremely crisp and I use it regularly for spreadsheets and graphic design, which needs to have clear readable type. My other computers have BenQ 32" monitors with 4k resolution. I am pretty happy with them.
I beg god's of TH-cam that you will get notification and answer my question. I work as a software developer and have 2x27 inch qhd monitors + 2 monitors in my laptop. I want to swap all of it for 1 43 inch 4k TV, following the logic that if I split it into 4 I'll have 4xFHD monitors. So I'll be able to have browser, code , terminals and other programs on one screen. Do ya think it's a good idea? How's your neck after whole day of wondering around 43 inch screen with your eyes? How are your eyes themselves? I guess that will be less issue for me as code editors and terminals have black background, but still it's 43 inch panel lighting straight onto you all day. What do ya think about my idea? Will one 4k 43 inch TV replace 4xfhd monitors?
@@devilanty4430 Seems like you need an ultrawide instead, but a 4k tv above 40 inches can and will help with a proper tiling manager (linux usually wins in this regard but there are good free tools for mac; you can do it easily in windows by default). OLED tvs are perfect for black backgrounds because they don't emit light at all but those panels have burn-in problem (there are ways to prevent it but using it as a monitor is like asking for it).
@@devilanty4430hi there, have you found out about having 4 windows on a 43" monitor? I'm planning to get one and do so and I might want to sit a bit taller with the middle of the screen positioned right in front of my line of sight to lessen eye and neck strains.
@@hans6304 it sort of worked for me. It's much easier to work with 43 inch TV than 2x24 or 2x 27 inch monitors. On Linux and windows it works perfect, you can just drag applications to the corner of the screen and system will resize the app into quarter of the screen size. Unfortunately it doesn't work so nice with MacBook. You need to pay for 3rd party app (around $2) to do so as Mac natively can split screen only into 2. the menu of all programs is always at the top of the screen (not the app) which is annoying. I have problems with rendering fonts and sometimes the text is unreadable. Apple m processors also have problems with external monitors, for example all dark backgrounds are flickering (it doesn't seem it happens to everyone, but I'm one of those people who have this problem). There is also plenty of stupid artifacts on the screen like thin elements are losing colour. So it works as long as I'm using windows or Linux, but MacBook is completely broken experience.
@@devilanty4430so have you switch to 43inch 4k tv. If yes then what's your suggestion for others?. can you please share.
Part of the problem with TVs is that they are designed to make video look nice, and all kinds of settings for interpolation, smoothing, scaling and video colour are on by default which make computer output (especially text) look terrible. On the cheaper TVs you might not even be able to turn this stuff off.
That's the main issue. Your comment is more meaningful than this entire video.
thats exactly the problem i have rn saving up for a monitor
Not just text and not just on cheaper tv / gaming monitors. I just bought a 55” Odyssey. It suffers from lag, except in game mode, but then all colours look over-saturated and for example the desktop icons lose all subtle shadows and gradients. 😕
@@SimonWoodburyForget Meanwhile, I suspect my old computer was the culprit. You probably were right, except that it was not the monitor but my measly gpu.
I also think TVs even OLEDs are not really good for crisp texts
After 10 mins of watching this video, I dint feel the video did any justice to point the reason of choosing monitor over tv
Thank you for saving my time.
I think he gets paid by the word. I finally had to bail about halfway through.
Me 2
Agreed
It seems to me, that most of the benefits you mentioned, apply mainly to Macs. I'm not necessarily expecting a PC monitor to be a USB hub, unless it's an all-in-one display. My phone does 4k resolution. It does look crisp, but it's not useful to me, for computer work. It is, however, easier on my eyes than cheaper phones. PPI is important, but it isn't everything. Otherwise, I could be happy with a 12" HD monitor. ALSO, especially for PC's, when you switch to higher resolutions, like 4k, some apps don't scale, so all a higher pixel density will get you, is tiny text. With a TV, you can get higher resolutions and a bigger size, which at the very least can make things easier to read. Sure, TV's often have extra processing & stuff, but you can turn that off in many cases.
One of the nice things about a TV, is it typically has multiple inputs. Many monitors have one, because they aren't designed for switching. TV's allow you to connect 2 or more computers & switch them with a remote. They can also give you a nicer, more immersive experience by just saturating your field of view. The main specs to worry about are the refresh rate, and a lot of TV's are getting better about that. Another side effect you get from a TV is that it might have better speakers, so you don't need cheap computer speakers. They are typically compatible with some good sounding and powerful soundbars, as well.
Of course, just like with the Samsung monitor, sometimes the browser interfaces for the streaming sites aren't as nice as the smart TV app. It can be nice to switch to the smart TV mode, once the computing is done. A wireless control setup & a 55" TV can be a nice combination.
So the only downside you mentioned for a TV is the refresh rate... Well not a gamer, so I don't care. And the point you mentioned about easier to read? Well that applies just very well. For me, coming from a 12" and 13" macbook, it would open up a whole new world to have a huge tv screen where I can have 4 to 5 things open at the same time instead of switching trough different screens/desktops all the time. Thanks to the maker of the video. You made some things very clear, but actually your arguments convinced me even more to change, rather then not to. 👍
Just bought a Hisense 43 E7K 4K TV and am using it as my main monitor after being stuck with an old DELL 27 inch 1080p monitor....I have to say...this thing blew all my expectations out the water. I'm highly impressed and so chuffed.
I use a 43" 4K TCL as a monitor and it works great. I have no issues reading small text. I play some casual games. I even do a bit of image editing.
may i know the model you are using ?
I used to think the answer was no because the types of tvs I grew up using looked absolutely horrible at close range. I just picked up the LG C2 42 inch and boy my opinion has changed. It is easily the best screen that I've ever owned or even looked at. The clarity and colors are outstanding and PPI is perfect. If you're in the market for 4K, save for an OLED or QD OLED. I was really worried that the size was going to be a problem, but it was actually the solution to a problem I didn't know I had. Using a monitor that takes up your entire viewing angle, without you needing to turn your head, is so much better for productivity and gaming. You'll want a lot of desk space, but I found my 24 inch deep desk to be all I needed. I was going to move some shelving behind it to put the tv on that instead, but as soon as I booted up windows it was already so natural to me that I wouldn't put it back any further if I could.
Im also gonna buy LG C2 this year. Do u have any problems with it? I saw a lot of pros of that tv but what are the cons in daily use?
@@theinjured4686 The only con so far is that I feel like it could be brighter at times. It's by no means a dim display and the viewing angles are so much better than any monitor I've had in the past, but sometimes I wish there was just a little bit extra. I still keep it on standard at 90% pixel brightness almost all of the time and that's comfortable for any time of day. I think my last monitor was actually too bright and it would often hurt my eyes, which is not the case with this tv. Surprisingly, I've found that the text clarity is way better and it's much more easy on the eyes. Another thing you should know about is the ASBL. It's a hidden burn-in protection function that basically adjusts brightness levels when the TV thinks you're not using it. A lot of people blow it out of proportion as some huge problem, but I've only noticed it happen once while I was typing something out. You can disable it with a service remote, but this apparently voids the LG warranty. I went with the 5 year Best Buy protection, which I feel is much better anyway and there are no worries about voiding warranty with it. If I notice ASBL bothering me then I will probably turn it off, but it hasn't really been an issue and having those OLED protections is good for longevity. I found it much more important to turn off energy saver in the regular settings because its something that could actually be a problem
is there problem with burning? As i heard. Oled burned after 2-3years if work 8+ hours on oled
I just picked up the 42" C2 a couple of weeks ago to use as my monitor and I feel the same way. Easily the best screen I've ever used.
I've been using a 43" LG 4K HDTV as a computer monitor. I sit infont of my PC for more than 10 hours a day. My TV monitor is amazing, I can read fine text. Graphics and colour are amazing and it's also good for gaming. All this FPS stuff you keep hearing about and thinking you're missing out, you not. Your eyes and brain can't process that fast to notice much of a difference. I don't experience blurring. I sit about an arm lengths away from my monitor.
This is the best purchase I've made in a lot time. Before you do buy a HDTV, I suggest you go and and see a working model of it, and pay attention to text and details and how crips it is. I spent around $350 -$400 on my LG 43" 4K HDTV, anything more it just wasteful. Forget about QLED, you don't need it, but if you want to piss away you money then it's up to you. My blacks are fine. I don't sit sorrunded with natural light washing out my display. So there is no need for QLED.
You didn't mention ABL. Using TV as monitor means that the TV will pay attention to the ratio of dark pixels to light pixels on the screen, and dynamically limit the backlight accordingly. I've used a Hisense H9G as a monitor for almost two years now, and feel incredibly spoiled and charmed by it, but according to measurements from rtings, it will fluctuate from about 750nits output to 1500nits output depending on what's on the screen. This makes color tweaking for photo and video just amazingly unreliable. It also inflicts a certain ache that I can't get the image to be able to swing a full 1500nits output at all times.
That said? I think my next monitor will also be another UHDTV. When it's great, it's glory.
I use a 48 inch Samsung 4k tv on on my Windows 11 gaming laptop...biggest takeaways....Scaling issues, which can be fixed in Windows...60hz is fine if you are good with lower frame rates. Overall I am happy with it cos I was not going to spend 2000 for a equivilant gaming monitor with high refresh rate
The only thing I got out of this is that, monitor or TV doesn't really matter, what matters is pixels per inch. Larger 4K screens might have lower pixels per inch vs smaller 4k screens dependant on the mfg and model. The more ppi, the better.
I was waiting for you to mention chroma subsampling - 4:4:4 vs 4:2:2 vs 4:2:0. From my experience, that can make a big difference if you are working with text, especially smaller text.
Exactly, doesn't mention the important aspects
Another problem is that many TV's today use a BGR subpixel layout as opposed to a RGB sub-pixel layout that's found on all monitors. This presents problems as most operating systems and software applications are designed to be run on displays that use the RGB sub-pixel layout. When run on a BGR layout display, fine lines commonly found in spreadsheets and desktop publishing applications often appear blurry with a completely lack of detail. This can not only be incredibly frustrating for the user but also lead to eye fatigue and eye strain over the long term. The absolute first thing to look for when purchasing any TV to be used as a monitor is one that has a RGB sub-pixel layout. Make sure you have that issue addressed first, then worry about everything else that needs to be considered.
@@michaelbeckerman7532 Thanks. One of my needs for a large screen is to work on large spredsheets. Just the comment I needed.
There needs to be more ( in my opinion) videos about this topic. I've been using TVs as monitors for about 17 years. My first, a sony wega allowed me to play World of warcarft and watch netflix and youtube on a 50 inch screen. My second, a cheaper Vizio 32 in, has horrible black levels ( that final season Game of thrones episode where everything was dark was a nightmare, but im used to it) but also fits the bill.
Now im looking into step into 1080p+ resolutions and I was wondering , other than burn in if there are things to look out for. you gave a very good break down and now I feel comfortable moving forward. I just need to go into the store and see what these screen technologies look like up close and personal.
@@thomase907 is there problem with burning? As i heard. Oled burned after 2-3years if work 8+ hours on oled
@user-ug9mj7iz5y I use mine for 12+ hours a day and I'm over a year into it and I have no issues to report.
@@thomase907 and after even more time? Iread that w/ oled’s it’s a mix of initial quality and luck of the draw….
@TSPhotoAtlanta still running strong! Not a single problem thus far.
I needed screen real estate so bought an LG CX 48” tv and it’s been amazing, definitely made a real difference to my workflow
Because I saw this comment, I'll put my smart tv to good use
I'm a gamer. I was a console gamer up until six months ago and wanted to continue having a similar experience with my PC. So instead of having the typical desk and monitor setup I went with a Gaming TV and have my keybord and mouse on the coffee table of when I need them and use an XB controller for gaming. It's worked out sweet for me, my games look and play fantastically.
Xbox and pc is better on a monitor then TV when u think of a monitor u think of Microsoft company
I have a Mac Studio (overkill for my needs, but I love it) connected to my 85-inch Samsung TV. So I can sit on my couch and watch TV or watch TH-cam or other things on my Mac. It is my home computer and when I go somewhere, I bring my iPad Pro 😃
Seeing how Tv evolved i think TVs are starting to win fairly easily. They pretty much equal Pc monitor quality at cheaper prices or equivalent but having 65 inch vs 34 inch. Also since you already need a TV at home i guess it's win-win and takes less space. Also when you watch content and movies you will enjoy a big quality Tv. I'm seriously considering it for my next setup.
Yep. And most 4k oled TVs have a 120hz boost mode which is more than enough.
@@Careditinghub yeah at 750$ usd you can get a 55 hisense U8k with 144hz and great image quality
@@SimonWoodburyForget ye I use a 4k led 60hz 50 inch TV. Works perfectly fine, is reliable and upgradable unlike QLED and OLED TVs. Great for viewing content aswell
U missed the main point, monitor are built for static content whereas TV are built for dynamic content. If we use TV as monitor then the static content can cause pixel burnout on TV.
Led burnouts?
I keep reading about people using their oled tvs as monitors and this issue is what I'm worried about.
I use different setups for different reasons. At the office, I use three 55” LG UHD TVs connected to a Caldigit TS4 and powered easily by an M1 Max Pro that sits open on a stand. The multi-functional versatility and resolution are superb. My work in marketing and for school requires switching between internet research, Creative apps, documents, plus more. My desk sits 60” from each screen. However, on a set, my camera is usually tethered to the M1, and a couple of 70” TVs-the designer, director, and staff can review. Large screens make any obvious imperfections easier to catch and correct on the spot. The story changes in editing and retouching where a high res color calibrated monitor’s are the commercial standard. For most, it’s an individual decision. Thankfully, Apple designs its products to work with the versatility of its users, the scenarios, and more.
For a Mac mini, what are your thoughts on editing with a 55" mini led tv?
I use a 50” 4K television for my display for my purposes.
I got a 4K Apple TV box for the television streaming option and TH-cam etc. And then I’ll switch it to the M1 mini and still have a 120 hz 4K display.
Television is a 4K 50” Smart .
Most work setups I have seen have laptops (macs) with second screens. I usually make purchases for the newcomers and I have by accident been buying small 24 inches tv instead of monitors. Only noticed the difference when a tech guy arrived (I work remote, so I would have noticed if I had received them). NOBODY else has nothing anything.
I do believe that monitors add an edge when doing something creative or you need the sharpness but for 90 percent of time a tv is more than enough
Hi, what model have you been getting?
I'm looking for a tv to use as a computer monitor. And being technology illiterate, I decided to check out a few yt videos. Yours is the 2nd I've watched and liked to say thanks. 👍🏾
I don't feel nearly as ignorant about all things tech related as I did before watching your video. You're informative and concise which is easier to hope for than pull off. So props to you and thanks bro. God bless you.
I bought a 48" 4K 120hz LG C1 OLED at $899, a few months ago and it's been fantastic as my photo editing/gaming monitor. My head is about 4 feet from the screen. I do all my work on a separate work supplied laptop connected to two 27" LG 4k monitors so any issue at TV would have with font rendering isn't an issue for me.
Very popular option for a TV as a monitor!
Well aren’t you special
@@anthonyr1479 Why?
@@anthonyr1479 hahahaha
is there problem with burning? As i heard. Oled burned after 2-3years if work 8+ hours on oled
I think the biggest reason televisions are cheaper than monitors is because of the economies of scale. Most people have multiple televisions and manufacturers sell WAAAAYYY more televisions than they sell monitors. By the way I am a software architect / computer hacker, I use Linux 75% of the time, MacOS 20% of the time and Windows about 5% of the time. I don't use my computers to play games AT ALL. The applications I use mostly all day long, are development IDEs, terminals, and tools like wireshark, Postman, etc... All text all the time. As such, I am plenty happy with 60Hz native refresh rate, though I wouldn't kick 120Hz out of bed; so take my advice for what it cost ya'. Native 120Hz would be nice, I just don't need it.
A big benefit of using a big 4k TV as a monitor is, at 100% resolution you have the equivalent of four 1080P monitors. If you scale it up to 150%, you lose 25% of your 4K screen real estate compared to 100% scaling. To keep all of your screen real estate, you have to go bigger without going overboard. 55" is the sweet spot IMHO.
I understand the desire to go with a smaller television as a monitor because a 55" just SEEMS too big, but its not. If you imagine four 1080P monitors arranged in a four-monitor array, it should be about 55" or 60". At 4k, televisions bigger than 60" start to need more pixel density, so for a 4K computer monitor, I wouldn't go bigger than 60". I find a 55" 4K television at 100% scaling to be perfect for working with text all day long. Mine is a 55" Samsung and is perfect. I NEVER use it as a television.
Also, with a 55" 4K TV, the 100% resolution doesn't make the text too small like it does on a smaller 40" to 45" television so you don't have to scale it. If you're going to use a 4K television as a monitor, I recommend getting at least 50", but 55" is better. Don't go larger than 60".
I have a 55" Samsung as my main monitor on my Linux desktop machine, with two widescreen curved monitors mounted to the side (three displays total). I use a 50" TCL as the main monitor for my Macbook Pro M2 laptop, because I just so happened to already have it. It also has a widescreen curved monitor mounted at the side (so two displays not including the laptop's display). I do use the 50" TCL as a television to play the news while I work, when I am not using my Macbook Pro.
that true my 1080p moniter was overprice
Xbox and pc is better on a monitor then TV when u think of a monitor u think of Microsoft company
Tvs are good for switch and bluray players and apps all for entertainment
I use my 35" LG Monitor in my office as my TV too. I do not use cable ... just streaming services. This works just fine. I also have a Panasonic Smart TV (45") in my living room. I have used that, doubling as a computer monitor, and TV. That worked OK, but viewing at a distance of about 10', some adjustments had to be made to discern text and small icons.
I kept waiting for the real difference in image quality between TVs and monitors and am disappointed that you never mentioned it. What I mean is, is there real differences in terms of color depth, brightness, dynamic range, refresh rates, etc. between the two displays. The things you mentioned such as resolution and pixel density and connection are obvious and both displays have overlaps in those areas.
Ended up pausing the video because distributing me when reading comments
Comments are very helpful
Right now, I'm using an early 2000's Samsung 40" LED tv as my computer monitor. My PC is a 2015 vintage gaming rig and at my desk where my eye is at 36"-48" away from the screen (depending on my level of chair slouch) they work well together for my use: Star Citizen, Elden Ring, interweb surfing, AppleTV watching. The field of view offered by the screen size at this distance is wonderful.
But now, I'm ready to pull the trigger and upgrade all of my hardware. Probably a 4090 gpu. I don't want to change to a curved or ultrawide screen. I just want to upgrade to a display that will be a large improvement in every way for all of my use cases listed. If a tv, I accept that it may not be able to take advantage of all of the gaming-centric features, but still be a massive upgrade in brightness, resolution, etc. If a monitor, I accept that the cost will be high ONLY if there are NO downsides. For instance, great framerates/ contrast/ smoothness when gaming, but weird bugs while viewing text when web browsing. Navigating the field of large gaming monitors that sacrifice nothing for other applications has been especially murky.
What would you recommend?
tvs made maybe 5-10yrs ago used as a pc monitor was a bad idea. im using a walmart samsung 40-50 something as a monitor (maybe spent $350) and cant realllllyyy say anything negative about it. i also have a samsung pc monitor on the side which i hardly ever use. sometime i just use it for youtube videos in the background. im thinking of buying another tv for the other pc i have at home. i have no issues with the tv looking at detailed images like documents or pictures like i did with past tvs. everything looks crisp.
I have an ATYME 46" 4K TV. Using it as a monitor, there are two main issues. 1. As with most TVs, it has a plastic panel which increases contrast and brightness but is very reflective. 2. Text is not sharp. I can see an outline around characters.
It's the TV you got with respect to text. I have a 43" LG 4K HDTV and my small text is fine and crisp. Before I bought I went into a store where they displayed all the 4K TVs and I paid attention to the text. Some of the TVs were horribly bad, while a few where really nice and crisp when displaying text and fine details up close.
Most PC monitors today have a plastic panel as well. The issue with text is really down to either a strange sub-pixel layout or it could be the fault of the TV's image processing.
You didn't mention this, but if you use your smart tv as a monitor, don't you have to use the tv remote and settings to show the source as HDMI port? I'm afraid I won't have the tech know-how.
I've been using TV's as monitors since 1997 and it's great. Now have mini PC on my 60 in screen in my living room. Good enough for most people
Hey are you also into coding, or use monitors for what work ?
I used a Sony Bravia LCD TV as a monitor for 10 long years without any input lag and response time issue but when I recently switched to a Samsung 4k UHD Smart TV, these issues have popped up and it just seems to be something that I cannot get rid of!!
Any suggestions??
Really only very cheap TV's are "poor monitor" replacements. Most TV's of a reasonable quality, really ~$300 for a 4k 50" TV upwards, have a reasonable feature set to match a monitor, viz 60Hz refresh minimum, PC input selectable (ie RGB input may be selected)
For a correct ergonomic setup, a monitor will typically be used with a viewing distance of ~3 ft.
A "Full HD" monitor with a 26" diagonal is right on the resolution limit of 0.3mm/pixel, and is why you would not really wish to us a big HDTV as a monitor.
A 4k monitor can be ~twice as large for the same spacial resolution. So a 50" 4k monitor which has ~43.5" wide screen (=1105mm) and 3840 pixels (=0.29mm/pixel). This also exceeds the resolution of the eye of 0.3mm at 1m (or roughly 3ft) viewing distance. A 50" diag 4k TV viewed at one metre is maximising the optical system, ie what the display can produce is the what the eye can resolve (or just slightly beyond what the wye can resolve), though a 55" 4k TV is closer to the limit
This this spacial resolution converts to~88ppi at 1 metre. Any monitor exceeding this does not really provide any more observable detail, unless you get closer, and is effectively a waste of money.
This is why a phone screen needs to be ~270ppi so you don't see the pixel structure at the closest typical usage distance.
Think about WHY we had to have computer monitors back in the day...
1) TV's had analog inputs
2) TV's resolution was ~640x480, or worse!
3) No real colour calibration on consumer TV's
4) No high refresh rates on TV's 60Hz max, and this was interlaced...
5) No progressive scan signal input
So all in all no compatability, unlike today.
I use a cheap TCL 4k 50" as a monitor, though I'll upgrade soon to something with a better colour space coverage and 120Hz panel. It is at least as good in picture quality as a $1200 22" iiyama monitor that I had back then which had a 0.25mm dot pitch and did 1920x1440 resolution @75Hz, and I got it for
I use a 55 inch qd oled as a monitor and I’m never going back to traditional monitors. Next upgrade will be 8k tv when 5000 series nvidia drops
Well, if these companies ever stopped holding back the creation of new technology due to their fear of cannibalizing/killing their current products, then this wouldn't even be a discussion. They try so hard to separate certain features into multiple products when in reality all those features could be combined into one product. For example, this is likely the reason we haven't yet seen an Apple Macbook with a touchscreen, or an iPhone with Apple pencil support, or the iPad Pro support MacOS apps despite having an M1 chip, and why they'll (Apple) likely wait years before releasing an iPhone with an expandable/flexible screen; all of which would likely lower the sales of various products and even make some obsolete.
That said, we should already have computer monitors with built-in smart TV operating systems and vice-versa, but once again these companies don't want to give us what we really want/need. And when they do introduce these types of products, they always make them absurdly expensive to almost intentionally create a negative opinion among consumers. Just think about when they first introduced the BFG TVs with 120 FPS and GPU support... and how ridulously expensive they were, not to mention not having the picture quality nor all the features you'd expect of a product in that price range.
Stop complaining
@@anthonyr1479 Okay Mr. Tea Kettle.
You spoke the truth, but since it criticized Blameless Apple, you got barked at for it lol.
I'm using an Amazon Omni TV 4K 44" , has built in Camera and mic as well, though haven't tried - usually use my lap top for that - at half the recommended 300% magnification as well. This is working well with my Beelink and Yoga laptop - I haven't a complaint so far.
TV (then go for a 55” or above at an LG C1 model standard) colors are amazing and the hz maxes out at 120hz at low latency. 4K
Monitor (literally anything with 144hz at 27” or above) but visuals are going to be blurrier but faster at latency. 1440p or 1080p
Of course you could. You should do whatever you want to
Absolutely! There are just tradeoffs! You should know everything before deciding one way or the other.
Hey buddy just a correction. The M8 32inch doesn't support Apple AirPlay 2, it only support Apple AirPlay 1. That was one of the downgrades they made from the M7 monitor
Bottom of the barrel TVs have way better picture quality than a high-end monitor , so I recommend TVs as monitor alternative .
TVs tend to have a glossier coating , tend to be better calibrated out of the box and has picture quality improving features such as dolby vision .
I missed actual examples, the descriptions are good, but I needed to see it more visual
I have 75inch sony x85k as monitor, really nice experience.
Wow! Now that’s a monitor.
Here I was thinking my 43x85 was pretty nice.
Work monitor for reading text, from 6 feet away, what do you recommend?
What if I'm just getting a 24 inch screen to connect to my macbook, would an Insignia TV be fine for that?
Simple answer would have if you watch alot of videos on the computer go with a television, if you read alot text, emails documents web surfing, get a basic monitor
The video starts at 9:47 you are welcome
Thanks for this.... I struggle with a 22 inch monitor now due to being short sighted, my resolution is 1366x768 and I struggle. I was using a 27 inch until it died and was looking at a 32 inch but I might just get a TV now I think as good graphics n high resolution is wasted on me haha. I have a spare 52 inch TV but I don't think I'm quite there yet, it's coming though I'm sure.
So what was your point again?
😂😂😂😂
I use a TV+ 2 monitors connected to my PC.
The TV, an Oled LG is perfectly fine for most tasks, like everyday TH-cam watching, gaming, Spotify etc.
My dual 27 inch monitors are used for recording music with Cubase (A Daw). I get more horisontal screenspace and there would also be problems with space for a big TV where the Synths/Studio is placed.
I can't feel any difference for high refresh rates for games. The TV has 4:4:4 Chroma subsampling so text looks good on it, although it still looks better on the monitors.
The blacks on the TV makes for much better video and gaming experiences. I am not too sensitive for lagging and it is still good enough on the TV for gaming.
Also the thing about "retina display" and "pixel density" : I think it is not important if you sit at a good distance to the display. And I do that for the TV...
It can be measured for "visual acuity" (the distance where you begin to take notice of the individual pixels) with home theater calculator spreadsheets..
is there problem with burning? As i heard. Oled burned after 2-3years if work 8+ hours on oled
@@Roman-c3s No problem with "Burn-in". Had it for 3 years.
Taskbar is hidden and so is icons on the desktop.
Andrew, we're not very tech savvy. we're older, 60+ & 80+ and were thinking of using our old Hisense 40 in HDtv as a monitor. we don't do a lot
of things on the computer besides email, facebook, and my Husband checks out lots of sports sights.
would we be able to use it as a monitor?
The largest reason is price. There are so many 4k tvs that are used and can be bought for under $100, where as not very many 4k monitors can be bought under that price range.
Interesting and informative. I use a 49 inch monitor for editing and a TV for programme display - which means I can view on a screen that many viewers will use. David
I had a 32" 4k Monitor and it really just didn't do it for me. I couldn't get the contrast settings the way I liked, plus I wanted to go bigger.
so I ended up with a 40" Samsung Crystal 4k tv and I wouldn't go back, and been using it every day for over a year now.
The picture quality is well maintained even at monitor viewing distances. 4K imagery and video looks very sharp and crisp. For my needs, I haven't had any problems with the TV
Currently using a Samsung 4k 75 inch Smart TV, with my Mac mini connected by HDMI and it works great, but I am sitting 7 or 8 feet back, with wireless keyboard and magic track pad. I was thinking about upgrading my Mac, but thanks to your input I think I will upgrade my TV to an 8K too. Thanks for the great video an information. Oh just a foot note, I got the idea to use a TV from a gameshow, they gave away a Mac mini with a 50 inch flat screen TV as a prize.
This is the exact setup I'm planning on doing in the very near future. I'm also approximately 8 ft. away from where I would place my TV and planning to buy the Mac Studio. I've already got a wireless keyboard and track pad. Do you feel the 4K just isn't good enough?
@@74Kurukafa No the 4K works great, but just getting ready for the future. Looking at ordering a new Mini M2 and it can run 8k.
@@frankhenderson3959 with your current setup, how are the quality of letters/words on your screen? Do the edges of the words look blurred / pixelated or is it sharp and crisp?
I have an “old” 42” 1080p TV laying around and I was thinking about using it to create a bedroom office scenario.
But I’m worried that all the stuff on screen just become too “in my face”…
What about QHD monitors? You skipped right over that resolution. It tends to be a sweet spot and a good choice for a lot of people
QHD isn't a decent resolution even for a normal small monitor
@@thor.mukbang On monitors 27 inch or smaller, QHD is more than enough for many people and preferred over 4K for gaming
2K monitors aren't bad but they just aren't as common. I tried to stock with the common resolutions while explaining how resolutions and PPI compare. That way if someone encounters a 2K display, they know where it fits in the lineup and how it compares.
@@garoosh8172 I thought you were referring to TVs, since that's what the video is about
My dad has used tv as a monitor for years
He’s a musician and engineer
He’s also a graphic designer
He said it’s the best decision he’s ever made
Photo editing check list:
1) What you see is what you send to the printer.
2) No image sharpening that is not in the file that's sent to the printer.
3) No color space weirdness or enhancements that are not in the file sent to the printer.
4) See number 1.
Okay what if all I wanna do is hook up my iPad to a TV and use stage manager and have some monitor support? And maybe just watch some TH-cam videos and edit some basic ass videos? Would the TV be OK for that?
Of course it would
If I were you, I'd get a cheaper USB-C display for that. A TV would work, but if you go with a monitor it will be thinner and more compact without costing a bunch.
@@AppleInsider Have any good recommendations?
@@Ghost-jy9hk It depends on how big you want to go. This is a nice 16" portable one. Super slim and uses USB-C. amzn.to/3zZlFj4
I use a Samsung curved monitor as my main monitor. I use a Samsung monitor as a second monitor for things where image quality doesn't matter as much. So basically, emailing, spotify/music, etc goes on the 24" monitor. The 27" monitor is for videos, gaming, etc.
I prefer using a gaming monitor over a TV for my gaming sessions. The monitor's performance is just so much sharper and smoother, not to mention the lower display lag. Plus, the monitor's design is just so much sleeker and sexier than a boring old TV. So yeah, when it comes to gaming, I'd go with a good old 1080p monitor any day.
Hello, My TV is a Samsung 47", there is 1 HDML then 1 USB and an Earphone Jek, so can I use it as a monitor?
The only thing is response time will be considerably longer with TV panels as opposed to monitors. Refresh rate tends to also be lower but not necessarily. A TCL Q7 would probably blow away any computer monitor in its price range as long as you got the graphics card to run one.
can i hook my security cam box to my pc? i bought the adapter but it wont recognize it. my tv monitor seems to have boxes blocked. and i see no settings to adjust the tv ratio
I used OLED TV‘s as main „monitors“ for the last 5 years. And can say that Windows PC’s didn’t had any problems with it. Nowadays the lack of HDMI 2.1 steal me all the joy with Mac‘s…
is there problem with burning? As i heard. Oled burned after 2-3years if work 8+ hours on oled
@@Roman-c3s Usually about 2 years and the tv is shot. You use it as a monitor and fall asleep and wake up with burn in.
Is it compatible to use LG QNET tv as monitor on mini mac M2 for trading set up and to split the screen in to three different app two from mini mac and one from Mac Pro lap top
In the past, monitors have specific connector that fits with computers, along with the resolutions and refresh rate to match and the color accuracy and adjustments (mostly for printing). Nowadays, all modern computers and computers/notebooks have (almost) universal connector like HDMI, high resolution (FHD and 4K is now common), high-refresh rate, and no need for printing too. So, either a computer or a monitor can be used almost interchangeably. Only exception would be if you are into games and require very high refresh rate (120fps and above), then only higher-end computer/gaming monitors will do. Main thing to consider is just the size that fits your viewing preference, and your budget. For example, if you want really large size (like 42-inch or above), then a TV is most certainly your only choice.
Switch bluray player apps will be better on a sony Samsung lg tvs when think of that u think of entertainment
Pc and xbox series x will be better on a hp acer dell monitors when think u that u think of Microsoft Xbox.
Could the RetroTink 4K be used in series with any hookups between a computer and most 4K TVs and basically be an adapter that makes most 4K TVs the right “utensil”?
I just wanted to know if such a thing is possible and if so whether or not I need an adapter of some sort.
I have a Sony a9s master series 48 , is it a valid option to use with a Mac Studio ?
Does this apply on using it as a monitor while editing pictures and videos or just watching movies? Sorry I'm not a ti person lol
I use a 75" TV as a monitor, which meant I had to figure out why the Bluetooth on the Mac mini doesn't work well (hint, the Mac mini doesn't have standard Bluetooth, it has a Broadcom Bluetooth Low Energy module and most mice don't work). I got my mouse to work well for games 10' away from the mini.
What do you think about using a Samsung q60a 32inch tv?
Can someone help with that,
For my gaming console which one is ks Good to go,a 24 inch monitor or a 32 inch tv ?
I’m using a tv as a monitor for years now, and the most annoying shortcoming about that “and it maybe a differentiating one” is that I can’t adjust brightness, I use a dark picture mode and had made some adjustments to the color profile, but with the first look at it you will know it’s bad.
Now I am looking for a smart LG or Samsung tv maybe.
That's true. brightness is very important and not easy to adjust. I didn't talk about that too much in there!
@@AppleInsider I know that's off topic, but I want to ask if there is a way to view AppleInsider's Editorials, I was enjoying them in the past, and I think you sadly stopped doing them, if that's the case can you suggest a good alternative?
@@Abedoss Which ones? The weekly news roundups I did?
For spreadsheet multitasking, a TV as a second monitor for a laptop works fine.
I have two monitors connected to my 16” MBP. One is the Studio Display, which is what I use for reading since my eyes aren’t very good. I also have a 42” LG C2 TV as another monitor attached. I use that for gaming since I’m a World of Warcraft player The only problem I see with TV’s is that they have pretty low pixel density, so I don’t use it when I want to read something (e.g. web browsing or email). I also have a PS 5 and an Xbox Series X attached to the TV as well. TV’s are much better for gaming and the OLED screen makes things look great.
The OLED also helps with watching videos. While videos look good on a Studio Display, watching on a TV makes it that much better. Each “monitor” has a different purpose. When using a TV, though, make sure your desk is deep enough to not give you headaches from watching too close. That’s why I waited until high-end TV’s got down to 42” versus 48”, which I think is too big.
I want to be able to to stream or search and work on different projects at the same time or what would you recommend building my own or what
I us a XDR Display in ny studio, but I us a 65" OLED LG in my living room but there both set up with my Mac Studio M1 Max it all works very good.
is there problem with burning? As i heard. Oled burned after 2-3years if work 8+ hours on oled
Im looking for a 32 inch tv or monitor for singles player gaming, dont care about frames, what option would generally have superior picture quality?
Switch bluray player apps will be better on a sony Samsung lg tvs when think of that u think of entertainment
Pc and xbox series x will be better on a hp acer dell monitors when think u that u think of Microsoft Xbox.
Why would I get a 32-inch monitor or a 32-inch TV for my laptop when I got a 72-inch TV? I got a wireless mouse and keyboard. Now, instead of a gaming chair at a desk, I got the couch to chill on.
Thanks, Andrew, for the TV as Monitor Tutorial!
Wish u mention scaling issues(and causing fan noise) related to macbooks. 110ppi 220 ppi issue.
I have a 720p secondary monitor with 2k 180hz main monitor, so was thinking to replace 720p with tv as i have 2 tv sitting doing nothing.
So here's my problem
I had a 24inch monitor 2k and it broke a few days ago so I had to start using a 32inch tv i bought a month ago, people were telling that I shouldn't use it because it can damage my eyesight even if I sit 2 to 3 feet away from it. Should I keep on using it or should I just get a new monitor?
Who calls it 2k? Lmao. It’s 1440p. Nobody says that. It shows u dk wtf ur talking about.
my monitor went out. Mom had a 50 inch tv with a vhs outlet. Hmmm So treated Mom to a 65 inch tv for her room and I now have a 50 inch monitor. We are both in a lil slice of heaven...
Great explanation on pixel density, thanks.
a 4k 50 inch qled tv as a second monitor for 4k 60fps game, or almost, with my 2080. Tell me if im right or wrong.
Switch bluray player apps will be better on a sony Samsung lg tvs when think of that u think of entertainment
Pc and xbox series x will be better on a hp acer dell monitors when think u think of Microsoft Xbox.
So I use a Sony 42 inch X85K as a monitor for computer engineering which I love all the space I have for remote sessions and being able to do all with no compromising. I also love having HDMI 2.1 for 4k 120 for my gaming PC & for My XSX. So if you need alot of space get a Mini QLED Tv or a Oled( I was not paying $1100 for something im mainly using for work and for my XSX lol) I am going to buy the 32 inch Samsung G7 only for the 240hz to play FPS games on but everything else will be on this TV. So just depends on what you are doing.
My text looks amazing and thats coming from a 1440p 160hz LG monitor.
My tv keeps “Losing signal” and say make sure my pc is on. While I’m in the middle of a game it just goes black then says that (as if my HDMI cord disconnected)
some TV's are made with PC/console use in mind, and not all of them will cost as much a a PC display.
Can you please provide more information on wide monitors being able to display 2 different computers simultaneously?
Not all ultrawide monitors support 2 independant inputs. You'll have to check on it individually. They of course cost $1000 + USD if not $1300+
Ive got new 55 samsung wont to use a tower on it not for gaming just to look up stuff online will it burn an image on screen
It's 2023 and i think all screens should be tv monitor hybrids by now. I got a Samsung hyrid back in 2009 and it was ahead of It's time. Displaying clean 1080p at 28" when all the tvs its size back then only displayed 720p and looked considerably worse.
Well, B&H Photo Video in America sells 55-inch size computer monitors. So wouldn't those be a bit LARGER than the mentioned 32-inch size computer monitor models? 1080p resolution monitors -- "are the most common?" In August of 2022? Wow.... I did not even know that. When was this "review" recorded.... in August of 2012?
For some reason l have 120 hz on hd but my tv only work 60 if l do 120 hz and go in a game it shows black screen and for some reason l have g sync
My PC has no HDMI and my TV has no VGA. Tech guy connected PC Display Port to TV HDMI. It works, but TV manual claims that only VGA TV must be used as a monitor for PC.
Is it wrong if I use my TV as a monitor the way I connected it? - TV HDMI to PC Display Port.
What old ass tv do you know of that still has a vga connection?