LCD Monitor vs HDTV - need expert suggestion

Hello all,

I have a need for a very large format screen to run a monitoring
station... I will have a computer run several windows all tiled on the
screen, and I will need to be able to see some details clearly on the
screen from the other side of the office - around 15 ft. Many of the
applications will display text, which I can fiddle with as far as size
is concerned, but overall I will need to be able to have a reasonably
clear view of the contents of the windows.

I have an opportunity to purchase a 27in LCD widescreen computer
monitor, but there are also 32in flat-panel HDTVs that are even
cheaper than the monitor... I have been told that although the HDTV
units have inputs for computer displays, that they are not nearly as
clear for computer display as an actual computer monitor. If this is
the case, then the monitor will be a better purchase for me.

I need to know what kind of experience/specific knowledge anyone as on
the subject. I don't really care about having a television tuner in
the thing - it wouldn't hurt, and to get a larger unit for cheaper is
obviously an incentive, but not at the cost of image quality.

Please advise,
Thanks.

"Atreju" wrote in message
...
Hello all,

I have a need for a very large format screen to run a monitoring
station... I will have a computer run several windows all tiled on the
screen, and I will need to be able to see some details clearly on the
screen from the other side of the office - around 15 ft. Many of the
applications will display text, which I can fiddle with as far as size
is concerned, but overall I will need to be able to have a reasonably
clear view of the contents of the windows.

I have an opportunity to purchase a 27in LCD widescreen computer
monitor, but there are also 32in flat-panel HDTVs that are even
cheaper than the monitor... I have been told that although the HDTV
units have inputs for computer displays, that they are not nearly as
clear for computer display as an actual computer monitor. If this is
the case, then the monitor will be a better purchase for me.

I need to know what kind of experience/specific knowledge anyone as on
the subject. I don't really care about having a television tuner in
the thing - it wouldn't hurt, and to get a larger unit for cheaper is
obviously an incentive, but not at the cost of image quality.

Please advise,
Thanks.

Does it have to be 15 feet away? At that distance unless you have the eyes
of a hawk, 27" at that distance is way too small especially for reading
text. In fact I would assume the 32" may also be too small.
Sorry that I can't be of much help, but you're only options would seem to be
move the 27" monitor closer to you or shop around for a good quality larger
monitor, perhaps 42" or so.

Atreju wrote:
Hello all,

I have a need for a very large format screen to run a monitoring
station... I will have a computer run several windows all tiled on the
screen, and I will need to be able to see some details clearly on the
screen from the other side of the office - around 15 ft. Many of the
applications will display text, which I can fiddle with as far as size
is concerned, but overall I will need to be able to have a reasonably
clear view of the contents of the windows.

How many windows will be open at any given time ? Seeing multiple text
windows at 15' isn't going to be easy regardless of monitor size or
resolution.

http://www.samsung.com/Products/ProA...32BEPNBXAA.asp


I have an opportunity to purchase a 27in LCD widescreen computer
monitor, but there are also 32in flat-panel HDTVs that are even
cheaper than the monitor... I have been told that although the HDTV
units have inputs for computer displays, that they are not nearly as
clear for computer display as an actual computer monitor. If this is
the case, then the monitor will be a better purchase for me.

I need to know what kind of experience/specific knowledge anyone as on
the subject. I don't really care about having a television tuner in
the thing - it wouldn't hurt, and to get a larger unit for cheaper is
obviously an incentive, but not at the cost of image quality.


Another possible solution might be to use multiple 19" LCD monitors mounted
on a stand.

Whichever you decide upon, I'd insist on a store demo before purchase.

On Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:48:26 -0500, "ftran999"
wrote:


Does it have to be 15 feet away? At that distance unless you have the eyes
of a hawk, 27" at that distance is way too small especially for reading
text. In fact I would assume the 32" may also be too small.
Sorry that I can't be of much help, but you're only options would seem to be
move the 27" monitor closer to you or shop around for a good quality larger
monitor, perhaps 42" or so.

Most of the applications I will be running I will be making the text
VERY large. It's also graphs and tables which will be color coded.
What I really need to know is will I get as good a picture with a
computer plugged into an HDTV LCD as I would with a genuine LCD
computer monitor.

Yes it has to be somewhere around 10-15ft away.

Atreju wrote:

On Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:48:26 -0500, "ftran999"
wrote:


Does it have to be 15 feet away? At that distance unless you have the eyes
of a hawk, 27" at that distance is way too small especially for reading
text. In fact I would assume the 32" may also be too small.
Sorry that I can't be of much help, but you're only options would seem to be
move the 27" monitor closer to you or shop around for a good quality larger
monitor, perhaps 42" or so.

Most of the applications I will be running I will be making the text
VERY large. It's also graphs and tables which will be color coded.
What I really need to know is will I get as good a picture with a
computer plugged into an HDTV LCD as I would with a genuine LCD
computer monitor.

Yes it has to be somewhere around 10-15ft away.

The image you get from the TV will be just as good as an LCD monitor
running at the same resolution. However most large monitors are
capable of higher resolutions than the LCD TVs so the potential is
there for a monitor to give a better image, especially with fine
detail.

You also need to pay careful attention to the video drivers, as the
TVs and monitors use different aspect ratios and in order to get the
best image you need to have use the exact display setting that the
monitor or TV is designed for.

Monitors will be use either a 4:3 or 16:10 aspect ratio whereas TVs
will normally use a 16:9 ratio.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

On Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:15:42 -0500, Atreju wrote:

- it wouldn't hurt, and to get a larger unit for cheaper is obviously an
incentive, but not at the cost of image quality.

At a distance of 15' the res isn't gpoing to be noticable. Get the largest
monitor/tv you can get.

--
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Atreju:

Please advise,

Why not use a projector.

--
Mac Cool

On Jan 23, 9:48 pm, Mac Cool wrote:
Atreju:

Please advise,Why not use a projector.

--
Mac Cool

Yes, I worked for a company that used a projector and touch screen.
Great for presentations!