Can you use a 4k TV as a computer monitor?

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#4k #computer #monitor

[edsterling]

Well done. I also use a tv as a DAW monitor, and 99% of the YT vids on this topic are from a gamer-centric stance. Us composers have very different evaluation criteria. TY again.

[josephcope]

I've been using my 65 inch 4K LG TV as a monitor and am delighted with the result. One thing I bought it for is to play my drone videos on it. When viewed close up it gives an eerily perfect illusion that I'm in an aircraft flying over the landscape. Needless to say, I'm extremely pleased with it.

[mrbilllollar]

I made the leap into using TV monitors about 5 years ago. Currently, I have two 32" televisions on an M2 Mac Mini: one is a Sharp and the other is a TCL Roku television. They are mounted on a dual-arm monitor stand clamped to the back edge of my motorized standing desk. Now that I have an M2 Mini, I am considering a larger, single screen, that can handle 4K. I'm nearly 70 and love the larger images!

[garbuckle]

I did a ton of research. I wanted a larger monitor with a higher refresh rate, but they are all pretty expensive. I ended up with a 55" Hisense U7G for $500 US. It has local dimming and 120hz, which is what I wanted for gaming. I then bought two 50" models for surround gaming (I like simulators). I've been happy with my decision, but the notes you make are true.
One word of advice if you're looking at a TV for a monitor: make sure you have the proper cable. I had to upgrade to high bandwidth 8k cables in order to support 4:4:4 at 4k 120hz

[paulbigelow]

Informative. Thank you. I have been using an LCD TV 35 inch for 10 years, I have had none of the problems you listed.

[clockcycle]

As a content consumer, I too appreciate large real estate. Watching videos and live streams, participating in live chat. Being able to see it all and more without squinting at tiny text is amazing. You ref DZ and I agree, once on 40+, going back to 27-32" monitors or laptop screens is just too small, cramped as you put it. Great video, thanks for sharing. Note, microsoft powertoys fancy zones is great for managing Windows, as DZ suggests.

[johnman]

Been using a 50 inch Hisense TV for about 3 years now and love it. Video card is currently an RX-6600 set to 60Hz and 8 bit RGB. Used this for displaying schematics and PCB art work and love having the large space for working in. Never had any issues as far as scaling goes and the edge of the window matches the screen edge perfectly.

[concatena]

You just did the perfect review that i was expecting. Its impressive, your concerns and thoughts are same as mine. You also did somehting that no one did on many reviews i wathced, the usage of a entry (cehap) version of 4k tv. Good work! Thanks for this video

[christinehughes]

I've been using HDTV's as monitors for years. I love it. For me, a 42/43 inch is the right size for my desk.

[ronnyb]

thanx for this elaboration David, i was thinking of using a TV, after seeing this i'm considering it

[mikepearson]

I use my LGC165 OLED as a tv/monitor and IT IS AWESOME. Low latency, perfect blacks, tons of screen to work with. Just toggle your desktop icons on/off once in awhile and put all your popular programs in the taskbar and use black screen as wallpaper and you'll never see any burn in. Plus its a great tv with lots of great apps.

[mikeserago]

Great information, thank you for the key points to consider.

[dplj]

Thank you for a detailed, but concise reference.

[flashbashergaming]

I bought the 50" TCL UHD4k and it was $300 at the time (1 year ago) I have no complaints at all. Gaming is awesome and watching movies is amazing. I would recommend a TV as a monitor more today than I would 5 years ago.

[stevehall]

One difference he didnt mention is that TVs tend to me glossy and reflective of lights, monitors tend to be matte and non-reflective.
That said, I love my 43 inch TV as a monitor, and cant justify the extra cost to get a dedicated monitor.
Also, built in speakers is a bonus, as well as being able to watch normal tv if you want to.

[fatihaslan]

This was very helpful, thank you so much.

[RangerDOS]

I am 68 years old, and have difficulty sitting at my desk for extended periods of time, and my eyesight is not quite what it was. I set up a 75" Samsung Q90 and a very cushy reclining chair, and I use a laptop tray to hold a key board and mouse. It works very well, except I have to use a timer to make sure I get up once an hour to get exercise 🙂
It is a game changer. Gaming is fantastic.
Drawback, fine print can be difficult to see in a setup like this as appose to sitting in front of a monitor that you can lean toward.

[GateKommand]

Thanks mate I have found this video quite informative!

[tommymandel]

Thanks, David, as usual!
I'm running DP 11.11 with an older Vizio 37" VO370M, and I really like it. I use MacOS 10.13.6's Spaces feature to keep 4 discreet virtual screens a key-combo away. it's only 1080p HD, but using it in 1600x900, the letters are so big that the minimum fuzziness is more like text smoothing. No glasses necessary. Luxurious, agreed! And I wouldn't want to work without it.

[mdd]

had an 85" Hisense 4k TV mounted on the far wall in my living room, and, connected to either of two computers (4k or 1080P), it looks fantastic!(Seated about 9-10 feet away and using a wireless mouse/keyboard from the couch, it is just perfect!