TV as a monitor?

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1

So as the title implies I am wondering if a TV can work as a decent monitor? Why I want to know this is because I was at the store recently and spotted a 32"+ LED/LCD HD TV for pretty cheap and I thought it should make a good monitor.

Now I know that there are some disadvantages to TVs when compared to monitors like the lack of customization that monitors have, but I am just curious if the more hardware end of it like response time and refresh rate was up to snuff compared to a monitor. 

So would I be ok with getting a 32" TV or should I just go with getting a VG248QE.

3

Well I'm just talking about it as a general concept, I wasn't really able to get the specifics of the particular TV

4

Works a charm! I use this 50" as a monitor when in bed and if I wan't to 'hardcore game' or if I need to concentrate or if i'm editing music or whatever I use that bench in the right of the photo which has a 24" monitor on it.

Works a charm! I use this 50" as a monitor when in bed and if I wan't to 'hardcore game' or if I need to concentrate or if i'm editing music or whatever I use that bench in the right of the photo which has a 24" monitor on it.
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5

I'm using a Samsung Series 5 LED TV as a second monitor for my parent's PC right now. 22in 1920X1080, 120Hz.

It is fairly decent. It isn't as nice to look at close up as the 1600X900 HP 2009m next to it. However, take a step back and it looks great.

6

there's a youtube guy who has 3 samsung 46 inch LED TVs side by side and plays games on them all the time (as one screen). his name is nerdgasm something or the other.

there might be some settings you have to fiddle with, e.g. game mode or something to do with refresh rates so that you don't get input lag. i remember when i tried it on my LG LED TV (42 inch "smart/whatever") the mouse input was lagging in FPS games, but when i put it on game mode the lag went away and it worked great.

7

I use my 50" plasma as a monitor and it works pretty well.

8

I use a 24 inch 1080p samsung tv as a main monitor. (bought it so that I could use it as a 1080p pc gaming monitor and still use my xbox 360 on the same monitor) Turn on game mode, adjust a couple things, and its good to go.

9

If you can get it with comparable specs as a monitor and at a similar or lower price, go for it. If not get a monitor. 

Usually TVs are slightly more expensive due to remotes included and TV tuners, they also carry a TV license fee. Monitor in general don't have any of these things. 

11

I live in the US BTW there is not a license fee for TVs here, any broadcasts on public stations are free

12

I'm using a 42 inch HDTV at the moment. I have this monitor waiting for me in Missouri though.

You should base your decision on your circumstances and needs. Before making any hasty decisions, I recommend keeping the following points in mind:

  • Do you like small screens or large screens?
  • How far away will you be sitting from your display?
  • Do you have the space to accommodate either solution?
  • Monitors typically have less input lag compared to TVs.
  • The 24 inch monitor you're looking at has better pixel density than the 32 inch TV.

So, the short answer is: Yes, a HDTV will work just fine as a monitor. However, if you want something smaller and of better quality, the monitor you mentioned above would be a better choice.