You need to consider factors such as input lag, refresh rate, resolution, color accuracy and viewing angles when choosing a TV monitor. In this article, we will review some of the best TV monitors in 2024 that can deliver a great desktop experience without compromising on picture quality or functionality.
Top Choices
The best TV monitors in 2024 are:
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Samsung QN90B QLED: The best TV monitor overall. It has a stunning 4K display with high brightness, wide color gamut and excellent contrast. It supports HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four ports, allowing you to enjoy 4K @ 120Hz with full chroma 4:4:4 support. It also has low input lag, variable refresh rate (VRR) support and an ergonomic stand that lets you adjust the height and tilt of the screen.
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LG 27LQ600S-WU: The best budget TV monitor. It has a decent 27-inch Full HD display with smart webOS features and built-in speakers. It has two HDMI ports that support HDCP 2.2 and ARC (Audio Return Channel), making it easy to connect your PC and other devices. It also has a low input lag mode and a game optimizer mode that enhances the gaming performance.
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Dell SE2719HR: The best value TV monitor. It has a good 27-inch Full HD display with IPS technology that provides wide viewing angles and accurate colors. It has one HDMI port and one VGA port that support HDCP 1.4 and DDC/CI (Display Data Channel/Command Interface), allowing you to control the monitor settings from your PC. It also has a flicker-free backlight and a comfort view mode that reduces eye strain.
Buying guide
When shopping for a TV monitor, you need to consider several factors such as:
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Screen size: The screen size of a TV monitor depends on your personal preference, available space and viewing distance. Generally speaking, larger screens provide more immersive experiences but also require more room and power consumption. A good rule of thumb is to choose a screen size that is about one-third of your viewing distance (e.g., if you sit three feet away from the screen, choose a screen size of about one foot).
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Resolution: The resolution of a TV monitor refers to the number of pixels (dots) that make up the image on the screen. Higher resolutions provide sharper images but also require more processing power and bandwidth from your PC or other sources. The most common resolutions for TV monitors are Full HD (1920 x 1080), Quad HD (2560 x 1440) and Ultra HD or 4K (3840 x 2160). For most purposes, Full HD is sufficient but if you want more details or plan to use your TV monitor for gaming or content creation, you may want to opt for Quad HD or Ultra HD.
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Refresh rate: The refresh rate of a TV monitor measures how many times per second the image on the screen is updated. Higher refresh rates provide smoother motion and reduce motion blur but also require more processing power and bandwidth from your PC or other sources. The standard refresh rate for most TVs is 60Hz but some models offer higher refresh rates such as 120Hz or even up to 240Hz for gaming enthusiasts.
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Input lag: The input lag of a TV monitor measures how long it takes for the image on the screen to respond to your commands from your keyboard, mouse or controller. Lower input lag provides more responsive gameplay and reduces the delay between your actions and their effects on the screen. The average input lag for most TVs is around 30ms but some models can go as low as 10ms or even lower. To reduce input lag on your TV monitor, you can try the following tips:
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Turn on Game Mode: This is a setting that optimizes a TV’s performance for gaming by reducing unnecessary processing and enhancing contrast and color.
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Turn off any reduction features: These are settings that aim to improve the picture quality by reducing noise, blur, judder or artifacts but also increase input lag. Examples include noise reduction, motion interpolation, edge enhancement and dynamic contrast.
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Turn off motion enhancement modes: These are settings that create artificial frames between the original ones to make motion appear smoother but also increase input lag. Examples include motion smoothing, motion flow and auto motion plus.
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Color accuracy: The color accuracy of a TV monitor refers to how well it reproduces the colors of the original source. Higher color accuracy provides more realistic and vivid images but also depends on your personal preference and ambient lighting conditions. The most common way to measure color accuracy is by using a color gamut, which is a range of colors that a device can display. The most widely used color gamuts for TVs are sRGB (standard RGB), DCI-P3 (Digital Cinema Initiatives) and Rec.2020 (Recommendation 2020). For most purposes, sRGB is adequate but if you want more vibrant colors or plan to use your TV monitor for content creation, you may want to opt for DCI-P3 or Rec.2020.
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Viewing angles: The viewing angles of a TV monitor refer to how well it maintains its picture quality when viewed from different angles. Wider viewing angles provide more consistent images across the screen but also depend on your seating arrangement and room layout. The most common way to measure viewing angles is by using degrees from the center of the screen (e.g., 178° means you can view the screen from up to 89° on either side). The viewing angles of a TV monitor depend largely on its panel type.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about TV monitors:
Q: What is the difference between a TV monitor and a regular monitor?
A: A TV monitor is a device that can function as both a TV and a PC monitor. It has larger screen sizes, higher resolutions and more connectivity options than regular monitors. A regular monitor is a device that can only function as a PC monitor. It has smaller screen sizes, lower resolutions and fewer connectivity options than TV monitors.
Q: Can I use any TV as a PC monitor?
A: Technically, yes, you can use any TV as a PC monitor as long as it has an HDMI port or another compatible port that can connect to your PC. However, not all TVs are designed or optimized for use as PC monitors. Some TVs may have high input lag, low refresh rate, poor resolution scaling or other issues that can affect your desktop experience.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained how to choose the best panel type for your TV monitor based on your needs and preferences. We have also shown you how to connect your PC to your TV monitor using an HDMI cable and how to adjust some settings to optimize the display quality and sound output. By following these tips, you can enjoy a better viewing experience on your TV monitor whether you are watching movies, playing games or working on your PC. We hope you found this article helpful and informative. Thank you for reading!