An option for a new tv - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

pmartel1 · 2011-09-04, 03:45 PM

Hi;

I'm not sure where this should go, so feel free to move this.

At some point I am considering a new tv as I have a 10 year old CRT 27 inch JVC.

Living in small quarters it takes up a ton of space BUT has a truly stunning pict as one of the first tv's to be rated at 720 even though 4:3

As I do not have cable or satelllite, I already have a DTV OTA box.

My option is to consider a 24 inch computer monitor and connecting my OTA DTV box to it via a VGA adapter

Why am I thinking this route?? Already have the DTV box, so why get rid of it and besides a 32 inch tv is still too big in a 246 sq ft apt.

Has anyone had experiece doing this??

hugh · 2011-09-04, 04:29 PM

Lots of people use Monitors for TV screen so long as you have an external tuner. Search around especially in the HTPC forum.

pmartel1 · 2011-09-04, 04:44 PM

Recommendations on best way to connect the tuner as it uses std RCA connections and Most monitors use DVI or VGA??

JamesK · 2011-09-04, 06:23 PM

^^^^
Does that tuner have 3 RCA connectors, one for each primary colour (component video)? If not, you'll be limited to composite video, which means no HDTV. If it does support component video, then you'll need some sort of adapter to convert to whatever the monitor can handle. My monitor can do VGA, DVI and HDMI. I have the HDMI input connected to a cable STB, the DVI is for my computer and the VGA is for some other computers, connected via KVM. It works fine for TV, but I also had to provide a stereo connection to an audio receiver. Some monitors have built in speakers and may be able to take audio from an HDMI connection. Failing that, amplified speakers or other audio amp will be required. Don't rule out smaller TVs though. There are some available that are smaller than 32" and may result in less hardware being required in the small available space. Many can also be used as a computer monitor.

DTVGuy · 2011-09-04, 06:29 PM

When I was looking for a TV for my Dad's room, I found a 22" Samsung that seems like a computer monitor, but it's a TV, with everything built in (VGA/HDMI/Composite/Digital Tuner). It came in a 26" size as well, but it seemed like a bit much for his room. Yes, you can find a decent computer monitor that'll take a converter input (composite video), but why not find something that'll take everything, and enjoy the digital channels on your new flat screen for about the same price, without the need of a converter box?

One last thing to consider - a 27" CRT is BIG in size, for many reasons, so you'll probably find that a 32" flat screen, regardless of maker, is not going to seem all that big.

JamesK · 2011-09-04, 06:36 PM

^^^^
Quite so. A 32" HDTV actually has slightly less screen area than a 27" CRT, but takes only a small fraction of the space due to the depth of CRT sets vs flat screens. LED back light sets are only about an inch thick.

EdT · 2011-09-04, 07:31 PM

Scrap that idea !
Today most 24"-27" HDTVs are cheaper than the simple PC monitors at the size range plus you won't get HD signal with a converter box and you have to connect the audio to an amp and speakers !

majortom · 2011-09-04, 08:01 PM

i was lookin for a pc monitor not too long ago, and wound up with a 22" LCD TV up to 1080p resolution, With an ATSC Tuner, 2 HDMI inputs, VGA Input for the PC, so on..

2011-09-04, 03:45 PM	#1
pmartel1 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 15	An option for a new tv Hi; I'm not sure where this should go, so feel free to move this. At some point I am considering a new tv as I have a 10 year old CRT 27 inch JVC. Living in small quarters it takes up a ton of space BUT has a truly stunning pict as one of the first tv's to be rated at 720 even though 4:3 As I do not have cable or satelllite, I already have a DTV OTA box. My option is to consider a 24 inch computer monitor and connecting my OTA DTV box to it via a VGA adapter Why am I thinking this route?? Already have the DTV box, so why get rid of it and besides a 32 inch tv is still too big in a 246 sq ft apt. Has anyone had experiece doing this??

2011-09-04, 04:29 PM	#2
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,492	Lots of people use Monitors for TV screen so long as you have an external tuner. Search around especially in the HTPC forum. __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2011-09-04, 06:23 PM	#4
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,039	^^^^ Does that tuner have 3 RCA connectors, one for each primary colour (component video)? If not, you'll be limited to composite video, which means no HDTV. If it does support component video, then you'll need some sort of adapter to convert to whatever the monitor can handle. My monitor can do VGA, DVI and HDMI. I have the HDMI input connected to a cable STB, the DVI is for my computer and the VGA is for some other computers, connected via KVM. It works fine for TV, but I also had to provide a stereo connection to an audio receiver. Some monitors have built in speakers and may be able to take audio from an HDMI connection. Failing that, amplified speakers or other audio amp will be required. Don't rule out smaller TVs though. There are some available that are smaller than 32" and may result in less hardware being required in the small available space. Many can also be used as a computer monitor. __________________ The following program contains immature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.

2011-09-04, 06:36 PM	#6
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,039	^^^^ Quite so. A 32" HDTV actually has slightly less screen area than a 27" CRT, but takes only a small fraction of the space due to the depth of CRT sets vs flat screens. LED back light sets are only about an inch thick. __________________ The following program contains immature subject matter. Viewer discretion is advised.

2011-09-04, 07:31 PM	#7
EdT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Montreal, QC Posts: 299	Scrap that idea ! Today most 24"-27" HDTVs are cheaper than the simple PC monitors at the size range plus you won't get HD signal with a converter box and you have to connect the audio to an amp and speakers ! __________________ OTA CM4228HD CM3410 CM4040

2011-09-04, 04:44 PM	#3
pmartel1 Rookie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 15	Recommendations on best way to connect the tuner as it uses std RCA connections and Most monitors use DVI or VGA??

2011-09-04, 06:29 PM	#5
DTVGuy Join Date: May 2009 Location: Edmonton Posts: 203	When I was looking for a TV for my Dad's room, I found a 22" Samsung that seems like a computer monitor, but it's a TV, with everything built in (VGA/HDMI/Composite/Digital Tuner). It came in a 26" size as well, but it seemed like a bit much for his room. Yes, you can find a decent computer monitor that'll take a converter input (composite video), but why not find something that'll take everything, and enjoy the digital channels on your new flat screen for about the same price, without the need of a converter box? One last thing to consider - a 27" CRT is BIG in size, for many reasons, so you'll probably find that a 32" flat screen, regardless of maker, is not going to seem all that big.

2011-09-04, 08:01 PM	#8
majortom Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2,558	i was lookin for a pc monitor not too long ago, and wound up with a 22" LCD TV up to 1080p resolution, With an ATSC Tuner, 2 HDMI inputs, VGA Input for the PC, so on.. __________________ uhf/vhf combo rotor chimney mount homebrew vhf hi hpf ap-8700 preamp 4way split lg lcd dtt901 pctuner mythtv

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