LCD TV's as computer monitors?

[Ziggy]

DVI-I... DVI-D ...DVI-A

now you've lost me.

For what ever reason, they decided to make different DVI cables. They look identical at first glance, until you examine the pins. What a horrible idea, in my opinion. Should have made the plugs distinguishable or something.



edit: Give me a sec to look through those links.

[fastbilly1]

Odds are you dont have DVI-A. I and D just have different pinouts. You should be ok.

[Ziggy]

All of these are available at the BB near me... Thoughts on these anyone:

Gateway 23" HD LED - has VGA, DVI, HDMI - $180
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Gateway+-+2 ... Id=1757344

Dell 21.5 LED - has VGA, DVI, HDMI - $180
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+21.5 ... Id=1375073

Acer 23" LCD - has VGA, DVI, HDMI - $190
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Acer+-+23%2 ... Id=9183224

LG 21.5" LED - has VGA, DVI, HDMI - $190
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/LG+-+21.5%2 ... Id=2074657

I personally think it's hard to judge a monitor just by it's specs (when comparing similar models). If you have the time, I would go down to the store and check them all out to compare them if possible. That being said, I've had a Dell monitor and TV for a while now, they've been pretty solid. I got an Acer a year or two ago and it's been great. So this is where my brand loyalty is. The Acer you linked has built in speakers, if that'll do anything for you. They probably don't sound very good though (I would imagine) but I'm a little bit of an audiophile.

[opticledilusi0n]

i use a 42" 720p lcd tv as a computer monitor ... from the couch, attached to a mac mini .

text is just fine (but i use Control ++ to increase font size until i can read it from 6' away) but i get no headaches

[CRTGAMER]

HOWEVER a hook is that I'd like whatever I buy to be available through Best Buy, as I have some gift cards from my bday that I'd like to use toward this.

My condolences, Best Buy tends to be over priced. Gaaaah why don't relatives just give cold hard cash, its the same freaking value! "Oh I proved I went shopping and got this special gift card for you." Ah well, still nice to receive a gift.

Anyhoo, agree with what others have posted. A dedicated computer monitor will give you the best pic. A good indicator is look at not the 1080p capability but the screen resolution thru the VGA or DVI connection. Computer monitors tend to have higher resolution at a better price point.

Also if you have or eventually will get a Dreamcast be sure it supports 640x480 resolution.

[noiseredux]

I personally think it's hard to judge a monitor just by it's specs (when comparing similar models). If you have the time, I would go down to the store and check them all out to compare them if possible. That being said, I've had a Dell monitor and TV for a while now, they've been pretty solid. I got an Acer a year or two ago and it's been great. So this is where my brand loyalty is. The Acer you linked has built in speakers, if that'll do anything for you. They probably don't sound very good though (I would imagine) but I'm a little bit of an audiophile.

I'll probably go and try to compare the Dell and Acer side by side. The Acer's a little bigger, which is nice. Do you have any preference of LED vs. LCD one way or the other?

[jeffro11]

Go for the acer. You will not be dissapointed. Acer may make shitty laptops. But their screens are hard to beat at these price points..

[elmagicochrisg]

In case you buy a 1920 x 1200 screen (or any other 16:10 screen), make sure it has 1:1 pixelmapping. Otherwise current gen consoles with 16:9 output will be slightly stretched to match the 16:10 screen. Something that bothers me a lot with my 26" iiyama screen. It's the only downside to this screen though. Strangely the screen reproduces the 4:3 Dreamcast through VGA perfectly with 2 very small borders left and right of the picture. Weird, but nice. Especially for a Dreamcast nut like me...

By the way, why not look for a good second hand screen?... You'll get more bang for your buck. Vouchers or no vouchers...

Come to think of it. It's about time the 360 and PS3 have some decent 1920 x 1200 / 16:10 support...

[noiseredux]

In case you buy a 1920 x 1200 screen (or any other 16:10 screen), make sure it has 1:1 pixelmapping. Otherwise current gen consoles with 16:9 output will be slightly stretched to match the 16:10 screen. Something that bothers me a lot with my 26" iiyama screen. It's the only downside to this screen though. Strangely the screen reproduces the 4:3 Dreamcast through VGA perfectly with 2 very small borders left and right of the picture. Weird, but nice. Especially for a Dreamcast nut like me...

the Acer says it's 16:9 ...I think I'm sold.

[CRTGAMER]

In case you buy a 1920 x 1200 screen (or any other 16:10 screen), make sure it has 1:1 pixelmapping. Otherwise current gen consoles with 16:9 output will be slightly stretched to match the 16:10 screen. Something that bothers me a lot with my 26" iiyama screen. It's the only downside to this screen though. Strangely the screen reproduces the 4:3 Dreamcast through VGA perfectly with 2 very small borders left and right of the picture. Weird, but nice. Especially for a Dreamcast nut like me...

the Acer says it's 16:9 ...I think I'm sold.

Another cog in the wheel. The Dreamcast Lightgun also works in VGA, but only on CRT monitors.