Help Okay - Computer Upgrade is finished. Can I get some Monitor advice, please?

[Bobby]

Hey all! I'm back. After finishing the upgrades Inactionman suggested for me a while back here and beefing my machine up considerably (thanks for that, I.M!), I figure it's time to get a new monitor.

But! I'd like to be a bit specific about what I'm hunting for, and my google-fu just isn't strong enough to find anything without a sense of expertise or personal knowledge that the FH techies seem to possess. Ya see, I'd ideally like to get a PC monitor - that'll double up as my gaming TV for consoles (360/Wii etc). So we're talking 1080p resolution, Component Video & Audio input, HDMI - the whole works.

Currently, I just use VGA inputs for my computer from my graphics card - I don't know of any of the other inputs myself (as explained in my previous help topic, I'm not massively tech-savvie) or how they work, so I've just stuck with what I know. Essentially, it seems to boil down to the following criteria for the monitor:

PC Aspects:

1680 x 1050 resolution or higher.
VGA Input (If needed, alternatives appreciated - I've heard of something called DVI-HDCP before - an explanation would be appreciated).

Gaming TV Aspects:

1080p HD Resolution Support
HDMI Input
Component Video AND Audio Input (I seem to find plenty of monitors that do Component video without the audio - is it worthwhile if it can't hear the audio alongside it? Maybe I'm missing something here with my lacking knowledge of such things!)

I think that's about it for now... would appreciate not having to spend stupid amounts of money. Budget is £300 or less, I think. If you go £50 over, I'll still look at it.

Well, that concludes this cry for advice. Thanks in advance, FH Techie Repliers!

- Bobby

 

[Bodhi]

Sony Bravia KDL26EX302U 26-Inch Widescreen HD Ready LCD: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

Yes I know it's a telly, but probably the easiest way to get the inputs you need. This one has 4 HDMI's, Component and VGA, along with 2 SCARTS and variosu audo inputs. 1080p too.

 

[Raven]

I wouldn't bother with the Sony telly tbh, it's going to be £50 more than it ought to be anyway. Get yourself a Samsung or Dell monitor, most of them have HDMI ports these days and will be far better at being a PC monitor. The Dell one is probably better suited to your needs as it has the audio in/out too.

Samsung SM2494HS 24" TFT Monitor 1920x1080.. | Ebuyer.com < The one I am planning on buying come xmas

or

Dell SP2309w 23" Monitor 2048x1152 80000:1.. | Ebuyer.com

 

[Bobby]

Yes I know it's a telly, but probably the easiest way to get the inputs you need. This one has 4 HDMI's, Component and VGA, along with 2 SCARTS and variosu audo inputs. 1080p too.

Is there a problem if it's a telly rather than a monitor by default? I mean, if it does both, is that an issue? Is it a bit worse off at being a monitor in favour of being a TV or something? It seems to have all the inputs I wanted and is 1080p, although I can't tell if it has component audio input from the tech specs. Any idea what resolution it is? As in, computer-wise.

I wouldn't bother with the Sony telly tbh, it's going to be £50 more than it ought to be anyway. Get yourself a Samsung or Dell monitor, most of them have HDMI ports these days and will be far better at being a PC monitor. The Dell one is probably better suited to your needs as it has the audio in/out too.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/158381Samsung SM2494HS 24" TFT Monitor 1920x1080 < The one I am planning on buying come xmas

or

Dell SP2309w 23" Monitor 2048x1152 80000:1

Thanks for the two suggestions, but they both seem to be missing component video/audio input - which is something I was kinda hoping to get.

 

[TdC]

would it be a good idea to get a surround amp for your component audio needs?

 

[Bobby]

would it be a good idea to get a surround amp for your component audio needs?

Well, as I explained in the first post, I am no techie - so I'm actually not familiar with what a surround amp is. Care to educate me?

 

[Bodhi]

I wouldn't bother with the Sony telly tbh, it's going to be £50 more than it ought to be anyway. Get yourself a Samsung or Dell monitor, most of them have HDMI ports these days and will be far better at being a PC monitor. The Dell one is probably better suited to your needs as it has the audio in/out too.

Samsung SM2494HS 24" TFT Monitor 1920x1080.. | Ebuyer.com < The one I am planning on buying come xmas

or

Dell SP2309w 23" Monitor 2048x1152 80000:1.. | Ebuyer.com

The Sony telly is £50 more than the Samdung monitor you posted, yet the Samdung doesn't have the component input the OP asked for, and it's also 2" smaller.

'Grats.

Anyway bobby, what do you actually use the PC for? If it's for hardcore coding or image manipulation a telly probably won't be ideal, but if it's just for a bit of web browsing and some gaming, it will be perfect. I use my 37" LG downstairs for these without an issue. A PC Monitor might have an extra nth degree of sharpness, however if it doesn't have the inputs you need to run all your kit through it, it's about as much use as a yo-yo to a dwarf. From your post I'm guessing gaming and other "leisure activities" are the priority, in which case I would say telly, every single time.

 

[Ch3tan]

Be careful with tv's used as monitors. They look shockingly bad sometimes. If you can test the TV with your PC it would be best.

 

[Raven]

The Sony telly is £50 more than the Samdung monitor you posted, yet the Samdung doesn't have the component input the OP asked for, and it's also 2" smaller.

'Grats.

Relax...anyone would think I insulted your girlfriend...

 

[Bobby]

Anyway bobby, what do you actually use the PC for? If it's for hardcore coding or image manipulation a telly probably won't be ideal, but if it's just for a bit of web browsing and some gaming, it will be perfect. I use my 37" LG downstairs for these without an issue. A PC Monitor might have an extra nth degree of sharpness, however if it doesn't have the inputs you need to run all your kit through it, it's about as much use as a yo-yo to a dwarf.

I just use it for gaming and web browsing, to be honest. Word processing from time to time. But gaming is definitely the primary focus - recently picked up some titles like mafia II and dragon age and thoroughly enjoy the ultra-level of detail and graphics quality.

From your post I'm guessing gaming and other "leisure activities" are the priority, in which case I would say telly, every single time.

Leisure activities in quotation marks makes me sound suspect. Oo-er missus?

 

[inactionman]

An AV receiver will allow you to switch between multiple input and output to a monitor/speaker system. They are normally used in home cinema system (I have one connected to my xbox, blu-ray player and STB).

Depending on the receiver they can take any of your inputs and output them to HDMI (or DVI with an adaptor) with the sound going to your speakers.

Looking on richer sounds, the cheapest I can see is about £120, which is a fair bit from your budget!

A good TV may be a good idea, because the monitors in your budget tend to only have HDMI/DVI. Most of them don't have speakers either.

 

[TdC]

Well, as I explained in the first post, I am no techie - so I'm actually not familiar with what a surround amp is. Care to educate me?

An AV receiver will allow you to switch between multiple input and output to a monitor/speaker system. They are normally used in home cinema system (I have one connected to my xbox, blu-ray player and STB).

Depending on the receiver they can take any of your inputs and output them to HDMI (or DVI with an adaptor) with the sound going to your speakers.

Looking on richer sounds, the cheapest I can see is about £120, which is a fair bit from your budget!

A good TV may be a good idea, because the monitors in your budget tend to only have HDMI/DVI. Most of them don't have speakers either.

what Inactionman said. tbh I am not entirely sure why you'd ever want audio over component these days, unless you're using some kind of camera or something like that for whatever reason.

 

[inactionman]

I don't think Wii's do HD teedles. No HDMI or anything. Which is a pity as HDMI switches aren't too expensive (3 ports for £40 ish).

 

[Bobby]

An AV receiver will allow you to switch between multiple input and output to a monitor/speaker system. They are normally used in home cinema system (I have one connected to my xbox, blu-ray player and STB).

Depending on the receiver they can take any of your inputs and output them to HDMI (or DVI with an adaptor) with the sound going to your speakers.

Looking on richer sounds, the cheapest I can see is about £120, which is a fair bit from your budget!

A good TV may be a good idea, because the monitors in your budget tend to only have HDMI/DVI. Most of them don't have speakers either.

Forgive my ignorance again, Inactionman (thanks for helping me out again, by the way!), but - what's an AV receiver? By your description it almost sounds like an input switchboard of sorts, actively choosing where the input is directed to (speakers/television etc). Is it much like that, or..? Again, forgive my lack of technology knowledge.

what Inactionman said. tbh I am not entirely sure why you'd ever want audio over component these days, unless you're using some kind of camera or something like that for whatever reason.

I don't think Wii's do HD teedles. No HDMI or anything. Which is a pity as HDMI switches aren't too expensive (3 ports for £40 ish).

This is indeed as Inactionman has said - the nintendo Wii does Component Cable as it's only form of HD. They seem to despise HDMI for some reason, although this hasn't stopped a company in hong kong making a HDMI converter for the Wii video input.

 

[Ch3tan]

Hold on, the wii does NOT do HD. It offers you progressive scan at 480 over component. worth it purely for the better colour, contrast and sharpness.

for the 360 you can get a VGA cable if it's not a HDMI enabled jobby.

Not all A/V receivers will allow output of component over HDMI, so check it carefully (also what modes it will output, 720, 1080 etc)

 

[ford prefect]

I have a media box plugged into a bravia via DVI - I've tried VGA too, and to be honest the picture isn't great. I'd personally use the proper tool for the job and spend a few hundred on a decent monitor if it is going to be your main machine for gaming/surfing.

 

[Raven]

Exactly. And there are even sony ones if you dont want to upset the fanboy by buying a different brand, though again you would be paying more for less.

 

[Raven]

Edit timer,

From reading the reviews of the Dell one I posted, people do use it for PC/360/PS3 gaming. To quote "VGA for my 360, HDMI for my PS3 and DVI for the PC input."

It has audio in and out, though no mention of speakers, in saying that the money saved on getting a far superior display can be put towards a sound system. It is worth checking out on the Dell site or even calling them to find out.

 

[inactionman]

Yup, an AV receiver is an input/ouput switch for audio/video. They also incorporate an amplifier, normally for at least stereo sound (5.1 or better if you spend more). As Ch3t says it depends on the receiver, but some will take any input and put it over HDMI, but they may be out of your budget.

Anyway, Samsung do a line of monitors that are also TVs, here's one: Samsung P2470HD 24-inch Full HD 1080p Widescreen LCD TV/Monitor with Freeview (5ms, 1000:1, HDMI, Black): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

You'd be best off using a DVI cable to connect it to your computer, less digital to analogue/analogue to digital conversions then.

 

[Bobby]

Hold on, the wii does NOT do HD. It offers you progressive scan at 480 over component. worth it purely for the better colour, contrast and sharpness.

Sorry, wrong use of term. It's highest-quality (Not HD) is over component, as you say.

Yup, an AV receiver is an input/ouput switch for audio/video. They also incorporate an amplifier, normally for at least stereo sound (5.1 or better if you spend more). As Ch3t says it depends on the receiver, but some will take any input and put it over HDMI, but they may be out of your budget.

Anyway, Samsung do a line of monitors that are also TVs, here's one: Samsung P2470HD 24-inch Full HD 1080p Widescreen LCD TV/Monitor with Freeview (5ms, 1000:1, HDMI, Black): Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

You'd be best off using a DVI cable to connect it to your computer, less digital to analogue/analogue to digital conversions then.

That looks pretty promising, I.M - all the inputs I want, 1080p HD and 1920 x 1080 resolution, DVI input to hook up the PC. I don't think there's anything missing from what I wanted on that monitor/TV. Well within budget, too. This looks like my most solid bet - the 3 star review on amazon also doesn't really effect me in any way, given I don't much care for dust issues and don't really need it to tilt to be a desktop monitor/gaming TV. Unless there's any particular reason I shouldn't, I think I'll follow up on this one.

 

[inactionman]

It's just the first one I found, you may want to look at other ones.

 

[Bobby]

It's just the first one I found, you may want to look at other ones.

Hm, alright. I'll have a snoop about. If anybody else has anything similar to put forward, it'd be appreciated!

 

[inactionman]

Had a brief look, the feedback on AVforums is pretty good. The only problems you may have are that it only has one HDMI, the speakers are a bit crap (but you can use the headphone out to connect directly to some stereo speakers) and you'll need to buy a DVI cable (about £4), as it doesn't come with one.

 

[Bobby]

Hey Guys,

I put in an order for the monitor/TV combo that Inactionman recommended - I'll give a review once I've had time to check it out. Should get here on thursday. Thanks again to everyone who offered me suggestions and otherwise educated a country bumpkin - you're awesome for taking out some of your time to give me a hand.

- Bobby