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LCD TV - as a monitor?

Hi everyone - my current monitor is nearing its slow death - just realised theres a spare samsung 15inch LCD flatscreen TV - lying around in the house - can it be hooked up to a PC as a normal monitor?

many thanks in advance
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Comments

  • Mat_Lock
    Mat_Lock Posts: 2,386 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If it has a 15 pin VGA socket on the rear then you should be ok.
  • Mat_Lock
    Mat_Lock Posts: 2,386 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Or even better a DVI output, but then you need to know your PC graphics card has DVI output too.
  • raz_uk
    raz_uk Posts: 252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    OK im not sure about DVI output (how would I check??) but it has a 15 pin socket on the back with PC (D-SUB) written above it. Promising??
  • Mat_Lock
    Mat_Lock Posts: 2,386 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    yeah that is your standard VGA connection.

    This handy image will help with other connections...
    http://www.cs.unc.edu/Research/stc/FAQs/Video/dvicon.gif
  • raz_uk
    raz_uk Posts: 252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Excellent!! Right now I believe I need a cable that has a 15pin VGA plug either side to connect into the PC and the back of the LCD TV - what would that cable be called and where could I purchase one?

    thanks
  • I've just connected a TV to PC using one of these.
  • nononononononono. no.

    A TV is not built for use as a monitor for so many reasons. The brightness will give you headaches. The resolution will not be anywhere near good enough for anything other than very basic needs. The refresh rate is not up to the task. etc etc etc...

    That said, give it a try it might work for you. Though i suspect you will be looking for a better solution before too long
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • raz_uk
    raz_uk Posts: 252 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Ohhh your kidding bouncyball!! Argggh I knew it was to good to be true - no point in buying the cable then - I just want to save as much money as possible - and having a spare LCD tv lying around the house,I thought why not -- hope im not making a bad mistake here :( any other opinions on this matter raised by bigbouncyball?
  • 15" is a bit small (for a monitor)

    Got to be worth a loan of a cable of someone to try it though and that ebay link price also make it worth a punt

    Refresh rate is not relavent on a LCD

    Brightness - I'm sure it would be adjustable to suit
  • jghal
    jghal Posts: 129 Forumite
    Done this a few weeks ago with a new 19" lcd.

    As already advised, the resolution is not as good as a standard monitor, but if you are not a power user, and only want to perform simple browsing, word processing etc etc then it certainly does the trick for me.

    Also have a freeview box connected up and can easily switch between tv and pc with the remote control

    :beer:
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