[Grand Dizzy]

I'm looking to get a new 32" monitor for my PC. Must be true 1080p and has to be an LG (long story why).

Can anyone recommend an LG with great picture quality but not too expensive? I'm happy to get something a couple of years old second hand. I don't care about speakers, remote, apps, or anything except good picture quality.

[evil c]

I'm confused. Is it a TV you want or a monitor?

[Grand Dizzy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evil c

I'm confused. Is it a TV you want or a monitor?

Quite simply I want a TV to use as a monitor. I think that's pretty normal these days. Technologies are converging. More people are using TVs to access the Internet, whilst at the same time computer users are watching movies on their computers.

The only significant difference is price, which is why I opt for TVs. Large monitors have always been prohibitively expensive. That's why people started using TVs for monitors as soon as 1080p TVs came on the market.

My current monitor is a 42" plasma TV which I've had for about 5 years, but I'm down-sizing to 32" so I can sit closer to the screen and have a proper desk again, which I miss.

[evil c]

OK, I was just curious. From an online search I see that it's fine to use an HD TV as a PC monitor for entertainment but not with text. I had a look thru the Which? reviews and the Full HD LG 32LS5600 has a good quality HD picture although it doesn't really excel in other areas. Still it's just the picture you want so the rest is immaterial, right?

I don't know about where you live but where I am there's two 2nd hand TV shops. One sells TVs only and the other guy repairs and sells used hi-fi and semi-pro gear and now and then repairs and sells used flat panel TVs. They're both second generation family businesses, and they've stayed in business because the stuff they sell is good. The TV one sells ex-rental refurbs as well. I'd go to them if it was me and ask them to keep an eye out for this LG or see if they know another with a good panel.

Look for open box TVs and you may be able to get one from Richer Sound as well. They sell open box TVs in all their local branches, the downside being you can't buy online, although you can see the TVs each shop has here: http://www.richersounds.com/clearance/06/30

I just found this whilst looking on Google. KC Sound and Vision only sell factory outlet LG TVs. There's no 32 inch in stock at the moment but get in touch with them: http://www.kcsoundandvision.com/pages/about

[Grand Dizzy]

Wow, thank you very much Evil for the very helpful information! I really appreciate it.

As for the difference in clarity between a monitor and a TV, that is worth bearing in mind though I am not aware of any major difference in picture quality or clarity, some people say TVs are not as clear for text because they are bigger, but obviously I am comparing screens of equal size. I have used a wide range of monitors and TVs as a computer monitor, and I have always been very pleased with the TV picture, especially from plasmas which have a far superior colour gamut to standard CCFL LCDs. Colour is very important to me though the LG ones I'm looking at are LED so I presume they will have good colour.

The only real crucial factor I am aware of between TVs and monitors is the delay/lag. Generally TVs are much slower to show the image, especially those which use 100/120Hz processing to create extra frames. That is a minor consideration for me as I want a responsive screen, though I don't do gaming which is where lag is most crucial.

I had looked at the 32LS5600 myself and thought it was a good choice, so I appreciate your recommendation.

[fmradiotuner1]

look for one with good viewing angel to if wanting to use for movies.
I know your after a TV but first I bought an ASUS VE278Q and it was no good for this so changed to an Iiyama ProLite X2783HSU which was better. I wonder if you can get an IPS LG 32 Inch TV as these are best?

[evil c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand Dizzy

the LG ones I'm looking at are LED so I presume they will have good colour.

Reading through your post and appreciating that you have used a wide variety of monitors and TVs, one thing I have noticed, and find frustrating, are the proprietary tints that many LED TVs display, and that can't be corrected by the customer.

I wouldn't assume that the LG screens will have good colour, or shall we say the right colour for you. I'd be paying a visit or three to retailers to study the picture at close range and play with the remote. I'd also check out motion blurring and the ability of the panel and the processing to cope with fast scrolling across a high res panorama.

[Grand Dizzy]

Thanks again, Evil. All your suggestions have been taken on board.