Buying an LCD TV as a monitor. Need help!

[Brookie]

I got into a discussion about this some months ago, but I'm actually about to go through with it here.

I'm trying to buy a 32" LCD TV to use as the focus for my entertainment center (both computer and TV).

What are some stats I should look for when taking PC gaming into perspective (not just MMO's but lets consider FPS too)?
What resolution?
What refresh rate?
Whats the most important to consider?

Pretty clueless on this, any of you guys with super rigs able to give a tip...it'd be appreciated.

[Smoooth]

The important thing on resolution is that the LCD has a native resolution that your video card can output and your setup can handle at a decent FPS. Wikipedia has a good example of using a non-native resolution here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_resolution

Also don't overlook what inputs the TV has. If you are using for HDTV also you are going to want 2 DVI inputs or 1 DVI and 1 VGA. Just make sure it has enough for what you need as reaching back there everytime you want to change the input is really a pain.

[Brookie]

Hmm, thanks for the article... its raised suspicions on my behalf now, but for the life of me its not any clearer.

I was looking for at a 1366x768 Samsung.
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-LN32B460-32-Inch-720p-HDTV/dp/B001U3Y8MW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1242060917&sr=8-2

I was liking the looks...6ms, a "gaming mode" to increase response time, etc etc. But then at the bottom I saw the abnormal resolution.

My computer can do a 1360x768 resolution (6 pixels off???) but I really am lost as to how much of a change this will make.

[Sam DeathWalker]

No difference. Just a unseeable black line at the top or bottom.

You might not be satified with 1366 X 768 (this is standard for tv's by the way) for gaming though. I run at 1600 X 1200 on main and 1280 X 960 on alts. You better check if wow will output a 16:9 format though. Probably does though cause I have aslo ran at 1920 X 1200. Things will look a bit different at 16:9 vs. 4:3. I use 4:3 on main so that I dont have to redo the UI moving to the alts.

Try and set your current monitor at something near that resolution and see if you find it ok. Seems kinda low resolution to me.

Also don't forget:

"The closer you sit to the monitor the larger it becomes." SDW '09

[Smoooth]

No difference. Just a unseeable black line at the top or bottom.
This is not true. I use a 1366x768 LCD. The six extra pixels will be "phased" in horizontally evenly across the tv. So at six different spots a pixel from the computer will use up 2 pixels on the tv. It will be blended across the screen so basically there will be slightly blurry spots looking at text.

Fullscreen I have no problem reading text but if you try to show 4 WoWs the text can be completely unreadable in places. I run my main WoW fullscreen on the tv and with antialiasing it looks great.

If you want to look at more than 1 game on the tv at a time look for a 1920x1080 tv. They are pretty cheap nowadays anyway.

[Starbuck_Jones]

Do not buy a tv for a monitor that is less than 1080p.

[Moorea]

I second the 1080p (ie 1920x1080 native resolution) recommendation - you shouldn't buy anything new lower rez than that - it's been reasonably priced for years now and I wonder how they get away with selling 720p or x768 anymore

[Brookie]

well it comes down to this...

I can afford one feature, or the other...but not both.
1080p
or
120hz

Which one should I go for? From the sounds of it, you guys make it seem like the 1080p for sure...but I've heard some people say that doesn't matter on a TV less then 40 inches (and this is 32)?
Others say the 120hz is absolutely needed for any gaming?

[Moorea]

I'd say 1080p - I doubt anyone *needs* 120Hz on an LCD unless you're doing 3D (60fps is fast enough for gaming imo; at least it's faster than what you'll do mboxing) while watching a bluray or other HD material at lower resolution than max/native is a crime :-)

[Sam DeathWalker]

Ya 1080p is more needed then 120HZ.

Like yur going to have 120 fps anyway lol ....

[Quix]

My suggestion in order of importance depending on how much money you have to spend:

1. Larger screen to 42"
2. 1080p
3. 120hz

LCD TV's are great for watching movies, OK for gaming, Horrible for text work.

It really doesn't matter which type you buy. TV's don't compare favorably to Computer monitors due to pixel pitch and response time.

There's a good reason why a 30" Monitor costs more than a 32"tv.

120hz or 1080p marketing wont fix it.

In fact I would bet at 32" you would be hard pressed to tell the difference from 8ft away playing wow.

I have a nice 42" 1080p TV that I use as a backup monitor for one of my multiboxing alts, but I couldn't imagine trying to do any text work on it or trying to play with it on my Main (Currently using a 24" 1920x1280 monitor)

I have seen 32" at 720p and 1080p used as computer monitors and personally couldn't see much difference. Both had Blocky ugly text IMO compared to a real monitor.
Some people think the text looks fine, but I would be willing to bet they would also be fine with a 720p set at 32".

[Moorea]

I have a 47" 1080p lcd (cheapo westinghouse) and it displays my computer desktop as well if not better than any other monitor I've used - not sure where you got that big 1080p lcd don't display text well - maybe you you connect them with bad cables or using analog input ?