A lot of people mix up display monitors with TVs. They donโt know the difference, and they may wind up with bad picture quality or missing features. Not knowing that difference can kill their work or entertainment joy. When you understand the differences, you can make the right decision for your situation.
Whatโs the key difference between a display monitor and a TV?
The core difference between a display monitor and a TV lies in their primary function. Display monitors are optimized for close-up activities like computing, where image sharpness and responsiveness matter. TVs, on the other hand, are made for viewing from a distance, with a focus on size and built-in entertainment features.
How do monitors provide better precision?
Using a TV, however, can lead to blurred videos or a lackluster experience when you need to do something quickly like shoot a bad guy in a video game. Or you may miss out on enjoying details in a photo. A monitor has higher pixel density and refresh rates to help you do things precisely and quickly.
Monitors have more pixels per inch so they give you a cleaner picture. Itโs perfect to do something โclose upโ like edit a video or play a video game. Those faster refresh rates will also help reduce input lag when you have to be fast. TVs are wonderful for watching movies, but they often do not have those characteristics needed to do something โclose upโ or to do something with fast motion.
Can a TV be used as a computer monitor?
You may be tempted to use a big-screen TV as a monitor to experience stuff in a better way. Doing this, however, can lead to things like blurry text, delayed response times, and bad scaling that make things feel off and act disappointingly. Yes, you can technically use a TV as a monitor, but it wonโt do those detailed jobs very well.
TVs often have lower pixel density, so when you get up close to them, text and detailed images can look fuzzy. Many TVs also have input lag, particularly non-gaming models, so you could get frustrated because theyโre slow, and you need to do something. If you need it to work right or work quickly, you should get a monitor.
Why are monitors better for multi-device setups?
If you want to hook up a bunch of devices, such as a game console, a computer, or a laptop, a TV might not support all your devices well. Most TVs donโt have the input options and configurability that monitors provide. Consequently, switching devices with a TV can be a pain in the butt. Monitors have a bunch of input options and are designed for hooking up multiple devices.
Most monitors have several different options to plug devices into, such as DisplayPort, HDMI, USB-C, and more. Itโs easy for you to switch between devices. Itโs perfect for your professional setup or multi-purpose workstation. TVs, on the other hand, typically have a few HDMI inputs and may not support professional inputs that allow you to hook up multiple devices.
What entertainment features do TVs have that monitors lack?
Monitors are great for you to be productive, but they donโt have all the entertainment things that come on a modern TV. Without these built-in features, you might need to lug around more devices or set up more things to get the same entertainment experience. Why? Because TVs include speakers, tuners, and streaming apps. That means they are an easy way to consume different media stuff.
Most TVs are designed for the home and come equipped with speakers, apps, and the ability to do smart TV things. It is great for home consumption. Monitors are generally made for getting work done and do not have any of that built-in stuff. This means you will need to buy extra things to get more stuff done at home.
Conclusion
To summarize, display monitors and TVs are different. Monitors are designed for you to do work such as game, design, or be professional. TVs are great for you to relax and consume media with a big screen and a bunch of media things already built-in. When you know the differences, you select the right tool for your needs.
