TFT monitor with tv tuner

swizzlebabe

Sorry to sound thick, but have been looking at a TFT monitor.

But I have young kids, so 1, is it a good idea, ie are they easy knock off-would it break?

Also seen some with a tv tuner, does this mean I can use it with my computer also watch tv on it? Or is it a stand alone thing?

Baz-Bee

swizzlebabe wrote:

Sorry to sound thick, but have been looking at a TFT monitor.

But I have young kids, so 1, is it a good idea, ie are they easy knock off-would it break?

Also seen some with a tv tuner, does this mean I can use it with my computer also watch tv on it? Or is it a stand alone thing?

Yes, some double up as a TV also if there is a tuner. But do not forget that you will need to still connct the tuner to either a co-ax aerial or satellite/cable connection to receive a picture.

puno

For a good one check the specs and look out for a low response time, if I remember right

greater than 25ms - poor screen

15-25 - ok

less than 15ms - excellent

brunlea99

puno wrote:

For a good one check the specs and look out for a low response time, if I remember right

greater than 25ms - poor screen

15-25 - ok

less than 15ms - excellent

I would also ensure that the resolution for the monitor is better than 800x600 - best to get at least 1024x768.

brunlea99

brunlea99 wrote:

I would also ensure that the resolution for the monitor is better than 800x600 - best to get at least 1024x768.

I should have mentioned that I've just purchased a Samsung Syncmaster 710MP 17" TFT Monitor with TV Tuner. It has teletext and remote control and other features. It has an acceptable response rate of 25ms and a resolution of up to 1280x768. We bought it as a space saver for the lad's bedroom. It has a good TV picture and is excellent for PC graphics and overall I am very pleased.

I got it on special offer from PC World (avertised in the weekend press) at £219.99 earlier this week - down from £269.99. I believe it is available on their web site. Please note however, that when I went to the local PC World they had the monitor displayed at the non-offer rate. I had to ask them to check the price first.

lellie

brunlea99 wrote:

I should have mentioned that I've just purchased a Samsung Syncmaster 710MP 17" TFT Monitor with TV Tuner. It has teletext and remote control and other features. It has an acceptable response rate of 25ms and a resolution of up to 1280x768. We bought it as a space saver for the lad's bedroom. It has a good TV picture and is excellent for PC graphics and overall I am very pleased.

I got it on special offer from PC World (avertised in the weekend press) at £219.99 earlier this week - down from £269.99. I believe it is available on their web site. Please note however, that when I went to the local PC World they had the monitor displayed at the non-offer rate. I had to ask them to check the price first.

that's expensive..

you could have for an aria TFT with 12ms response for £130 plus a usb tv tuner for the computer (for about £50) cheaper and better!

brunlea99

lellie wrote:

that's expensive..

you could have for an aria TFT with 12ms response for £130 plus a usb tv tuner for the computer (for about £50) cheaper and better!

But less flexible - presuming that you would have to have boot up the computer to watch TV and then shutdown to switch off ?

wolfman

brunlea99 wrote:

I would also ensure that the resolution for the monitor is better than 800x600 - best to get at least 1024x768.

The size of the monitor determines the resolution. All 17" tft's will run in a native resolution of 1280x1024. 15"'s in 800x600, 19"'s in 1280x1024, and 21" in 1600x1200. Anything outside of the native resolution and the screen will blur, tft's don't work in the same way crt's do.

Also, a lower response time doesn't neccessarily make a good tft. Best thing to do is look around, read up on reviews. If it were me I'd go for a 17" tft, with DVI output, and a 16ms-ish response time. Get a decent brand too, it's worth the extra expense, you should be able to find something decent for around £200.

brunlea99

wolfman wrote:

The size of the monitor determines the resolution. All 17" tft's will run in a native resolution of 1280x1024. 15"'s in 800x600, 19"'s in 1280x1024, and 21" in 1600x1200. Anything outside of the native resolution and the screen will blur, tft's don't work in the same way crt's do.

Also, a lower response time doesn't neccessarily make a good tft. Best thing to do is look around, read up on reviews. If it were me I'd go for a 17" tft, with DVI output, and a 16ms-ish response time. Get a decent brand too, it's worth the extra expense, you should be able to find something decent for around £200.

I was pointing out that some Monitors with TV Tuners only have a maximum resolution capability of 800x600 - as highlighted in their specifications. Just informing the original poster to be aware of this when looking at any options.

lellie

brunlea99 wrote:

But less flexible - presuming that you would have to have boot up the computer to watch TV and then shutdown to switch off ?

true.. but worth it because it will be better quality signal (less interferance) and the monitor will be much much better.. I never turn my PC off really anyway :S heh. Plus it will give you the option to record to your PC which you wouldn't have.

T4i

17" Arianet FastXS TFT Silv - 12ms

£129.19 inc VAT.

No tuner and no speakers. Its supposed to be one hot TFT.

http://www.aria.co.uk/ProductsList.asp?Category=29&SubCat=&Name=&Page=2&SortBy=
^^ Super Special Deal ^^