Remember squinting at a tiny screen for hours? Maybe you’ve tried using your big TV for computer work and found the text blurry or the lag annoying. In today’s digital world, our screens work hard for us, from gaming marathons to video editing sessions. But when your computer monitor feels too small, the TV in the living room starts looking like a tempting giant upgrade.
Choosing a TV to use as a computer monitor sounds simple, right? Just plug it in! However, it’s not always that easy. You might worry about strange colors, slow response times that ruin your games, or text that’s hard to read all day long. Finding the sweet spot between a huge, vibrant display and a practical workspace can feel like a puzzle.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will show you exactly what features matter most when pairing a TV with your PC or console. You will learn how to spot the best sizes, check for the right connections, and avoid common pitfalls so you get a fantastic dual-purpose screen. Keep reading to turn your living room TV into the ultimate command center!
Top Tv As Monitor Recommendations
- INSTANT ACCESS TO YOUR FAVORITE STREAMING CONTENT: Stream content directly from your monitor, or tune into Samsung TV Plus to get live channels and on-demand content.¹
- OPTIMALLY TAILORED VISUALS WITH AI: Experience optimal picture quality adjusted to your needs.² AI Picture Optimizer adapts the visuals to help you work on documents with comfort, get fully immersed in games with deep and rich blacks.
- SIMPLE CONTROL FOR YOUR SMART HOME: See your smart home devices in a 3D Map View and manage them with ease.³ You can also check the energy usage and cost by device, and save money by putting them in energy-saving modes.
- YOUR PRIVACY. SECURED ON SAMSUNG MONITORS: Keep your monitor data safe and confidential with Samsung Knox.⁴ Its robust, multi-layered security and tightly controlled access also enhance the security of your IoT connections made through your Smart Monitor.
- ENJOY YOUR CONTENT IN VIVID DETAIL: Watch your content come to life with incredible clarity.⁵ 4K UHD resolution enhances even fine details in images and videos, making worlds feel more vibrant and realistic.
- ALL-EXPANSIVE VIEW: The three-sided borderless display brings a clean and modern aesthetic to any working environment; In a multi-monitor setup, the displays line up seamlessly for a virtually gapless view without distractions
- SYNCHRONIZED ACTION: AMD FreeSync keeps your monitor and graphics card refresh rate in sync to reduce image tearing; Watch movies and play games without any interruptions; Even fast scenes look seamless and smooth.
- SEAMLESS, SMOOTH VISUALS: The 75Hz refresh rate ensures every frame on screen moves smoothly for fluid scenes without lag; Whether finalizing a work presentation, watching a video or playing a game, content is projected without any ghosting effect
- MORE GAMING POWER: Optimized game settings instantly give you the edge; View games with vivid color and greater image contrast to spot enemies hiding in the dark; Game Mode adjusts any game to fill your screen with every detail in view
- SUPERIOR EYE CARE: Advanced eye comfort technology reduces eye strain for less strenuous extended computing; Flicker Free technology continuously removes tiring and irritating screen flicker, while Eye Saver Mode minimizes emitted blue light
- INSTANT ACCESS TO YOUR FAVORITE STREAMING CONTENT: Stream content directly from your monitor, or tune into Samsung TV Plus to get live channels and on-demand content.¹
- OPTIMALLY TAILORED VISUALS WITH AI: Experience optimal picture quality adjusted to your needs.² AI Picture Optimizer adapts the visuals to help you work on documents with comfort, get fully immersed in games with deep and rich blacks.
- SIMPLE CONTROL FOR YOUR SMART HOME: See your smart home devices in a 3D Map View and manage them with ease.³ You can also check the energy usage and cost by device, and save money by putting them in energy-saving modes.
- YOUR PRIVACY. SECURED ON SAMSUNG MONITORS: Keep your monitor data safe and confidential with Samsung Knox.⁴ Its robust, multi-layered security and tightly controlled access also enhance the security of your IoT connections made through your Smart Monitor.
- ENJOY YOUR CONTENT IN VIVID DETAIL: Watch your content come to life with incredible clarity.⁵ 4K UHD resolution enhances even fine details in images and videos, making worlds feel more vibrant and realistic.
- Discover all your favorite streaming apps lined up in one place. Browse and watch content directly from your monitor with ease.
- Tune into various free channels, including Samsung TV Plus channels, to watch news, sports, movies, kids’ shows and more — all on your Smart Monitor. With new content added continuously, there’s always more to explore.
- Access the ultimate gaming realm. In the Samsung Gaming Hub, you can play the biggest games from top streaming partners, with no PC or console needed. Discover new games or replay old favorites all in one place
- Immerse yourself in the scene with true-to-life audio. Adaptive Sound uses audio scenic intelligence to analyze scenes in real-time and optimize the sound based on content type.
- Effortlessly stream your content on the big screen. Easily connect and enjoy content from your mobile — videos, photos and documents — on your Smart Monitor.
- CRISP CLARITY: This 22 inch class (21.5″ viewable) Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- 100HZ FAST REFRESH RATE: 100Hz brings your favorite movies and video games to life. Stream, binge, and play effortlessly
- SMOOTH ACTION WITH ADAPTIVE-SYNC: Adaptive-Sync technology ensures fluid action sequences and rapid response time. Every frame will be rendered smoothly with crystal clarity and without stutter
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
- CRISP CLARITY: This 23.8″ Philips V line monitor delivers crisp Full HD 1920x1080 visuals. Enjoy movies, shows and videos with remarkable detail
- INCREDIBLE CONTRAST: The VA panel produces brighter whites and deeper blacks. You get true-to-life images and more gradients with 16.7 million colors
- THE PERFECT VIEW: The 178/178 degree extra wide viewing angle prevents the shifting of colors when viewed from an offset angle, so you always get consistent colors
- WORK SEAMLESSLY: This sleek monitor is virtually bezel-free on three sides, so the screen looks even bigger for the viewer. This minimalistic design also allows for seamless multi-monitor setups that enhance your workflow and boost productivity
- A BETTER READING EXPERIENCE: For busy office workers, EasyRead mode provides a more paper-like experience for when viewing lengthy documents
- IMPORTANT: Remove protective film (with date code) from panel surface before use. This film protects against shipping scratches.
- 27-inch IPS digital monitor for office and entertainment
- Crystal clear 1080P high definition picture and graphics relay
- Built-in speakers deliver clean, clear audio performance
- Additional specs include VESA compatibility and max 100Hz
- VERSATILE MONITOR: 32 Inch Full HD (1920x1080p) IPS monitor with thin bezels and 75Hz refresh rate
- ENHANCED VIEWING COMFORT: Flicker-Free technology and Blue Light Filter for reduced eye fatigue
- NO IMAGE TEARING: Variable Refresh Rate enables smooth frame rates to aid you in battle
- OPTIMIZED VIEW SETTINGS: Offers “Game,” “Movie,” “Web,” “Text,” and “Mono” presets
- FLEXIBLE CONNECTIVITY: The VA3209M supports laptops, PCs, Macs and more with HDMI and VGA inputs
Choosing Your Next Screen: A TV as a Monitor Buying Guide
Many people wonder if they can use a big, beautiful TV as a computer monitor. The answer is yes! Using a TV for your PC or gaming console can give you a huge screen for work or play. But not all TVs work well for this job. This guide helps you pick the right one.
Key Features to Look For
When buying a TV to use as a monitor, some features matter more than others. Think about what you will use the screen for most often.
Resolution Matters Most
- 4K (UHD): This is the standard today. It offers sharp, clear pictures, perfect for reading text and detailed work.
- 1080p (Full HD): This is fine for basic tasks or if you sit far away. But text might look slightly fuzzy up close.
Screen Size and Distance
Bigger isn’t always better for a desk setup. A 32-inch to 43-inch TV often works best if you sit close. If you want to sit back like in a living room, you can go bigger, like 55 inches.
Input Lag and Refresh Rate (For Gamers)
These two things make gaming smooth. Input lag is how long it takes for your mouse click to show up on screen. You want this number to be low—ideally under 20ms.
- Refresh Rate: Look for 60Hz minimum. If you play fast-paced games, aim for 120Hz. This keeps motion looking fluid.
Panel Type
LED/LCD TVs are common. Newer technologies like OLED offer perfect blacks, which looks amazing for movies and dark games. However, OLEDs can sometimes cost more.
Important Materials and Connections
The physical parts of the TV determine how well it connects to your computer.
Connections (Ports)
You need the right plugs. HDMI is the standard connector. Make sure the TV has enough HDMI ports for all your devices.
- HDMI 2.0 or 2.1: Newer versions support 4K resolution at higher speeds (like 120Hz). If you have a modern gaming PC or console, HDMI 2.1 is very important.
- DisplayPort: Some high-end TVs include this PC standard port, which is a big bonus.
Screen Finish
TV screens usually have a glossy finish. This makes colors pop, but it also shows reflections easily. If your room has bright windows, a matte finish (sometimes found on specific monitors) is better, though rare on large TVs.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What makes a TV a great monitor, and what makes it terrible?
Improving Quality: Monitor Mode
Many modern TVs have a specific setting you must turn on. This is often called “PC Mode” or “Game Mode.” Activating this mode usually turns off extra picture processing (like motion smoothing). This processing looks nice for movies, but it adds input lag, which hurts computer use.
Reducing Quality: Overscan and Text Clarity
Some TVs try to “zoom in” slightly on the picture, cutting off the edges of your screen. This is called overscan. You must turn this off so you see every pixel clearly. Poor text rendering (blurry letters) is the biggest complaint when using a TV as a monitor. Check reviews specifically for how well the model handles tiny text at 4K resolution.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the screen changes what you prioritize.
Productivity and Work
For spreadsheets and writing, resolution is king. A 4K TV lets you fit many windows on the screen. Look for good color accuracy (sRGB coverage) so documents look correct. Low input lag is not a major concern here.
Media Consumption and Casual Gaming
If you watch lots of Netflix or play slower games, you will love the large size and vibrant colors of a TV. Look for strong HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for the best movie experience.
Competitive Gaming
If you play fast shooters, low input lag and high refresh rates (120Hz via HDMI 2.1) are essential. A TV that supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) will prevent screen tearing when gaming.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use any TV as a computer monitor?
A: Yes, you can plug most modern TVs into a computer using HDMI. However, the picture quality and responsiveness might not be as good as a dedicated monitor.
Q: What is the most important setting to change on a TV used as a monitor?
A: You should always turn on “Game Mode” or “PC Mode.” This reduces input lag significantly.
Q: Will text look blurry on a large TV?
A: If you choose a 4K resolution on a TV smaller than 43 inches, the text should look very sharp. On smaller TVs or lower resolutions, text can look fuzzy.
Q: Do I need a special cable?
A: Usually, a standard HDMI cable works fine. If your TV and PC both support 4K at 120Hz, you need a certified HDMI 2.1 cable.
Q: What is input lag, and why does it matter?
A: Input lag is the delay between when you move your mouse and when you see that movement on the screen. Gamers need low lag for fast reactions.
Q: Are TVs good for color accuracy for photo editing?
A: Mid-range TVs are often okay, but professional photo editors usually need a monitor specifically calibrated for color work. Check reviews for sRGB coverage scores.
Q: Is HDR on a TV better than on a monitor?
A: Many large TVs have excellent HDR performance because they are brighter and bigger than most standard monitors. This makes movies look fantastic.
Q: What is refresh rate, and what number should I look for?
A: Refresh rate is how many times the screen updates per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Look for at least 60Hz, but 120Hz is much smoother for gaming.
Q: Can I use the TV’s built-in speakers instead of computer speakers?
A: Yes, TVs have built-in speakers. However, dedicated computer speakers usually offer better sound quality than most thin TV speakers.
Q: Do I have to sit far away from a large TV monitor?
A: While you can sit further back, with 4K resolution, you can sit quite close (about 2-3 feet) to a 40-inch screen and still see everything clearly without straining your eyes.