Do you enjoy watching TV series and movies but love gaming at the same time? What to do when you’re into the idea of making a home theatre but can’t live without playing games? Here comes another question, when you have money to buy only one: A monitor or a TV? Take a deep breath and relax. We are here to answer all your questions, one step at a time.
Monitor Vs. TV
When discussing a monitor or a TV, it is significant to note that both are screens that you use to display a high-resolution picture or video. What differences are there between both types of screens? When monitor display is better than a TV and vice versa? We’ll cover that for you below.
Display Size
You might think that a big display size equals better image quality but in reality, the mechanism operates differently. The role of high resolution and type of panel determines how high the quality of the image would be shown on the screen.
The latest and biggest resolution supported by TV screens and monitors is 4K UHD. So, if you are planning to buy a new TV, you would get a resolution of 4K with a 50” screen size. On the other hand, you could get a 27” inches monitor with 4K UHD for the same amount of money.
It seems like a 50 inches television screen size with a 4K UHD resolution sounds like a better option than a 27 inches monitor. Nevertheless, let’s see what other factors we should account for before making a decision.
Screen Resolution
While you get 4K UHD resolution on television, monitors offer 2560×1440 pixels known as QHD, which shows a crisp, colorful, high-quality image. Some ultra-wide monitors offer 21:9 and 32:9 aspect ratios for a more involving experience of watching.
Pixel density determines higher resolution by calculating the number of pixels per inch on a screen. A 1920×1080 resolution, when applied to a 32-inch TV screen, would provide the finest image quality.
On the other hand, the same resolution would not work on a 32-inch monitor. You cannot expect to have the desirable results on any monitor wider than 24 inches.
The reason behind this lies in the pixel density. The low pixel density on a large screen appears blurry and could give you a headache.
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
You are bound to find HDR in a wide variety of TVs, especially in a high-grade and costly 4K TV that allows you to watch compatible content in a more immersive view.
As compared to HDR TV, you can now also find HDR monitors in the market. But, there isn’t much HDR-compatible content available for monitors, not to mention, Microsoft Windows isn’t fully successful in running the HDR on PC.
Features Available
When it comes to enjoying TV series and movies, it is a known fact that watching on TV would be an elevating experience in comparison to the monitor.
You are not obliged to watch on-air shows or scheduled episodes since you can connect your TV to your smartphone, laptop, or PC and stream anything you want to watch directly from the internet.
You could also consider buying a smart TV with built-in internet access that allows a Wi-Fi connection and provides direct browsing.
Gaming
When it comes to gaming, which one is better, monitor vs. TV? We know that monitors beat TV in the aspect of gaming. Due to numerous reasons, monitors are far better for gaming but that doesn’t mean that you can’t go for a TV to play a game. Let’s compare in detail.
Input Lag
Monitors offer a very low input lag of 10 milliseconds that makes it an ideal choice for gamers. However, modern televisions offer a “game mode” feature that decreases the input lag considerably to have a good console gaming experience.
It is a known fact that console gaming was first introduced for playing on TV, yet monitors by offering a lower input lag have allowed passionate gamers to choose them over a TV.
Response Time
When we discuss response time, whether the TV has a better response rate or a monitor, it depends on the panel.
- The TN panel is best suited for enthusiastic gamers who are ready to compromise on the picture quality for the sake of quick response.
- The IPS panel is best for those who prefer high-quality images over response time.
- The VA is best when you have both, great picture quality, plus considerably good response time.
Here, you would need to research and find out which panel is incorporated in the TV and monitor to choose your preference.
Refresh Rate
Monitors have a faster refresh rate offering up to 360 Hz, whereas TVs offer up to 120 Hz. So, monitors offer a high response rate and fast-paced gaming compared to TVs that negatively affect the gameplay because of the lower refresh rate.
OLED
OLED is an improved and latest panel in the gaming world that provides an ideal response rate, refresh rate, pixel density, and input lag. OLED monitors are very few and overly expensive, whereas OLED televisions are more affordable for gamers.
If you are habitual of playing on PC, you might find a 48-inch OLED TV too big, but it is your best option.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a TV or a monitor, the choice is yours, depending on your preferences. Even if you are a gamer who has no interest in watching movies, an OLED TV display is still your best option. However, it’s up to you to make the final decision.