Dedicated monitor vs LCD w/PC input

[jmc]

Hello,

Any disadvantages of using an LCD or Plasma TV with a PC input instead of a dedicated PC monitor? This will be mostly for CAD.

Thanks,

John

 

[radioflyertoo]

The only downside would be resolution and refresh rate. With a plasma or LCD tv you will probably get unacceptable jagged lines for angled lines. Typically an LCD or plasma tv is ~1350 X 720 pixels (unless it's HD - 1920 X 1080) were as a standard 3 x 4 format LCD monitor can be as high or higher than 2048 X 1360 (I've seen 4096 X 1720 awesome but $$$$). The higher refresh rate available on a monitor avoids possible screen flicker.

Compatibility with the video card inside the computer may also be an issue.

Bob

 

[jinman]

What Bob said...and also the fact that your LCD TV will probably have a coax and maybe component inputs instead of the 15-pin "D" connector used by most computer monitors. You may be able to find a monitor with all the correct connectors, but it will be quite a bit more expensive than the average TV monitor.

 

[dmccarty]

AND, while some TVs have the connector to connect to a PC video card that use of the connection may not be supported. My TV has a connector on my video card but the TV manual says that this is not supported. I bumped into so Internet conversation where someone tried to connect my TV model to a PC and it did not work.

Home Audio and Video is going to digital but it aint quite there yet. I don't think I will ever buy another stereo receiver. It will be a HTPC.

Later,
Dand

 

[texasjohn]

Comments above are correct....

I recommend, strongly, for CAD that you use a standard monitor... and, if you spend much time in front of the display, that it be as large as possible. Lately, evereybody has been going to LCD's, thus there have been 21 inch monitors, fully functional, at the local Goodwill computer store for about $75.
I have purchased two this way. Takes up desk space, but visual quality is excellent.

 

[LMTC]

Can't comment on the technical factors, but monitors are really inexpensive compared to 5 years ago. I just bought a very nice 17" LCD from Newegg for $185 with shipping.

Our middle son became interested in CAD in Jr. Hi, and freshman year (2000) we bought him a 20" Mitsubishi CRT monitor USED from Monitorman: Used and Refurbished Monitors, Laptops and Computer Systems for around $200. It was really beneficial to him to be able to work on his drawings on that large screen. A current 17" LCD has about as much screen as that 20" CRT.

I just looked and they have P780 Dell Ultrascan P780 17 Inch Flat Screen Monitor for $40.00

 

[jmc]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the help. Looks like I'll be better off going with the conventional monitor.

John

 

[dmccarty]

I did not catch the CADD usage. One thing that might help is to use TWO monitors if you card supports two. I use this at work and its really Really REALLY convienient. Wndows allow you to set the two monitors up so that they act like one big screen. Its easy to have the CADD program on one screen and move you browser to the other. This is really helpful if there is something you need to read/copy from the browser to the CADD.

CRT are cheaper and in many ways "better" but they do take up alot of space.

Later,
Dan