Can modern TVs screen used as Computer Monitors?

cepheus

I was thinking of buying a flatscreen TV to replace my ailing CRT. However, could it be used as a computer monitor as well? What sort of connections should I be checking?

Regards

Guardsman

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Connect-your-computer-to-a-TV

macman

All modern TV's have HDMI sockets, but the more important issue is whether your computer has an HDMI output. If not, you'll need to run separate video and audio connections, assuming that you want sound as well as vision.

Johnmcl7

You need to check what connections you have on your PC, you're likely to have one of the following:

D-sub/VGA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector
DVI - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvi
HDMI - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi
Displayport - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displayport

When you say CRT I'm assuming it's an older PC and more likely to be using VGA/D-sub which you can get fairly easily on HDTV's but you need to check as not every TV has one. This type of connection will only carry video, you'll need a separate cable to carry audio to the TV.

If you've got hdmi then it's usually straightforward as it's standard on HDTV's pretty much and the cable can carry the audio as well. If you have displayport or DVI, you can also connect these to an hdmi port but may have to run audio separately.

John

cepheus

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

You need to check what connections you have on your PC, you're likely to have one of the following:

D-sub/VGA - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VGA_connector
DVI - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvi
HDMI - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hdmi
Displayport - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Displayport

When you say CRT I'm assuming it's an older PC and more likely to be using VGA/D-sub which you can get fairly easily on HDTV's but you need to check as not every TV has one. This type of connection will only carry video, you'll need a separate cable to carry audio to the TV.

If you've got hdmi then it's usually straightforward as it's standard on HDTV's pretty much and the cable can carry the audio as well. If you have displayport or DVI, you can also connect these to an hdmi port but may have to run audio separately.

John

No the CRT is just the old TV I am dumping forget that.

It is a 1 yr old Toshiba satillite C660 modern laptop I wish to link up, it has a blue D connector VGA. So I may be able to use visual but not audio by the looks of it, unless the TV has an audio input.

Johnmcl7

cepheus wrote: »

No the CRT is just the old TV I am dumping forget that.

It is a 1 yr old Toshiba satillite C660 modern laptop I wish to link up, it has a blue D connector VGA. So I may be able to use visual but not audio by the looks of it, unless the TV has an audio input.

Audio should be fine it's just it would need a separate cable from your headphone port, the TVs usually have a 3.5mm or red/white phono inputs for the audio to go with the VGA signal although it's worth double checking.

John

cepheus

Correct me if I'm wrong but VGA isn't mentioned on either of these

1st TV possibility has this
Product Features

• Resolution-1024x768

• LG 32" HD Ready LCD TV
• Built-in Digital Freeview ensures that you are ready for the digital switch-over with access to over 40 TV and radio channels
• 2x HDMI ports for a high definition experience with BluRay or your games console
• USB port for further connectivity options and DIVX HD Playback
• Perfect for general viewing

Technical Details


Display
Screen size (in.): 32
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1366 x 768
Motion Clarity Index: 50Hz
Video
Triple XD Engine: Yes
Aspect Ratio Correction: 8 Modes (16:9/Just Scan/Original/Full Wide/4:3/14:9/Zoom/Cinema Zoom1 )
Picture Wizard : Picture Wizard II
Audio
Mono/Stereo/Dual (MTS/SAP): Yes
Audio Output: 5W + 5W
Speaker System: 1 Way 2 Speakers
Dolby Digital Decoder: Dolby MS10
Surround System: Infinite Surround
Sound Status Mode: Standard//Music/Cinema/Sports/Game
Mute: Yes
Clear Voice: Yes (Clear Voice 2)
USB
USB Version: v2.0
Moving Picture Playback (SD/HD/Plus HD): DivX HD
JPEG: Yes
Audio Codec: AC3(Dolby Digital),EAC3,HAAC, AAC, Mpeg, MP3, LPCM
Special Features
Intelligent Sensor: Yes
EPG(SI): Yes
Quick View: Yes
Input Labeling: Yes
E-Manual: Yes
E-Streamer: Yes
Key Lock: Yes
Jack Pack (Side)
USB 2.0: 1
CI slot: 1
Jack Pack (Rear)
RF In: 1 (T/C) or 2 (T/C, S2) or 1 (T2/C)
Full Scart: 1
Component in (Y,Pb,Pr) + Audio: 1
HDMI 1.4: 2
Cabinet Description
Swivel (angle): Yes
VESA Compatible: Yes
Power
Voltage, Hz: 100V ~ 240V, 50/60Hz
Dimensions - WxHxD (mm)
SET (w/o stand) (mm): 794 x 504 x 73.5
Including stand (mm): 794 x 565 x 207.0
VESA Dimensions (mm): 200 x 100
Weight (Kg)
SET (w/o stand kg): 8.0
Including stand (kg): 9.0
Eco
ErP Class: Class C
On Power Consumption (IEC62087 Edition 2) (W): 76.0
Stand By (W): 0.30
Luminance Ratio (%): 65
Mercury Content (mg): 35.0
Presence of Lead: Yes - This television contains lead only in certain parts or components where no technology alternatives exist in accordance with existing exemption clauses under the RoHS Directive


Second is this


Technical Details


Screen size (in.) - 32
Display Type - LCD
Full HD (1080p) - Yes
Resolution - 1920 x 1080p
Contrast Ratio - 60-000:1
Aspect Ratio - 16:9
HDMI - 2
Scart - 1
Picture Wizard - Yes
Audio Output - 10W + 10W
Clear Voice - Yes (Clear Voice II)
Smart Energy Saving Plus - Yes
USB 2.0 (MP3-/Jpeg) - Yes
Award - isf Certification
Slim Depth & Narrow frame - Yes
SET (w/o stand) (mm) - 799 x 506 x 73.5
Including stand (mm) - 799 x 555 x 207
VESA Dimensions (mm) - 100 x 100
SET weight (w/o stand kg) - 8.1
Including stand (kg) - 9.1

Johnmcl7

I'm not seeing it on either although the name isn't consistent so it's sometimes worth checking actual pictures of the TV to see if the rear panel has a VGA connection.

John

macman

No HDMI output on the Tosh C660, VGA only.

cepheus

In fact type VGA and the larger TVs don't seem to mention them.

cepheus

LG CS460

5.00
5.0 from 1 review

Latest Review: It has only 1 HDMI port and no audio output for surround sound system. I was disappointed by lack of input. No VGA input. It has built in HD...



may as well get this cheapie

http://www.tesco.com/direct/technika-32-56-32-inch-widescreen-hd-ready-lcd-tv-with-freeview/210-7084.prd
PC Input Dsub (VGA)