Hey there! With televisions and computer monitors converging in features and performance, choosing the right display for your needs can get confusing.
You may be wondering:
- Can I substitute my TV for a high-end monitor to step up my gaming rig?
- Is a monitor paired with a streaming box just as good for watching movies?
The answer lies in understanding the core differences between these two device categories and matching use cases to their strengths.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare everything from display technology guts to refresh rates and connectivity across monitors and televisions. I’ll offer tips to ensure you select either the perfect monitor or TV tailored specifically to gaming, entertainment and work needs.
A Brief History of Monitors and TVs
Let’s first travel back through time to the early days of both devices…
Television Emerges as Broadcast Entertainment Medium
Televisions have reigned as the world’s dominant entertainment platform since commercialization first began in the late 1920s out of research labs like RCA’s.
Early TV prototypes relied on mechanical spinning disc systems limiting resolution to just 30 lines of video. But the introduction of all-electronic CRT displays drove rapid improvements yielding 360 line sets by 1941.
Television ownership exploded in the 1950s as nationwide broadcast networks like CBS, NBC and ABC beamed content over the public airwaves to millions of homes. By 1960, almost 90% of American households owned at least one black and white TV.
The analog CRT television remained largely unchanged for over 50 years until LCD, plasma and LED displays emerged in the late 90s bringing the advantages of digital formats, flatter form factors, HD resolutions and larger screen sizes.
Computer Monitors Evolve as Data Visualization Tools
Computer monitors tracing back to the 1960s served primarily as output devices displaying data from mainframe systems to desktop PCs.
Early computer monitors relied on CRT tubes similar to televisions but prioritized responsiveness and image sharpness rather than entertainment viewing. The late 90s saw CRTs displaced by LCD panels which were smaller, more power efficient and capable of higher resolutions.
In the 2000s, new monitor innovations specifically around gaming included lightning fast refresh rates to prevent motion blur and ultra-wide aspect ratios for immersive play.
Recent advances like curved displays, 4K and 8K resolutions offer computer users and gamers visual fidelity rivaling consumer televisions.
Now let‘s zoom back and explore how modern monitors and TVs compare…
Monitor vs TV Spec Comparison
High-level display characteristics clearly show monitors prioritizing responsiveness while TVs emphasize screen size and streaming convenience:
| Spec | Monitor | Television |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | Smaller, better for desktop use. Typically 15 to 34 inches | Larger screens for long distance movie watching. Ranges from small 32 inches models up to massive 85+ inch TVs |
| Resolution | Densely packed pixels for ultra sharp visuals. 720p up to 8K resolution standards supported | HD, 4K and even 8K models available but lower pixel density means less clarity than equal resolution monitors |
| Refresh Rate | Blazing fast 360 Hz variable refresh rate for hardcore gaming | Standard 60Hz, 120Hz max for most. Adequate for casual gaming |
| Color Quality | Vital for design work. Accurately renders wider DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB gamuts | Still good color but less critical given TV view distance. Usually supports sRGB only |
| Integrated Apps | Lack built-in smart platforms beyond built-in speakers | Baked-in streaming apps for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ are standard |
| Aspect Ratios | Flexible choice including ultra-widescreen 32:9 for surround views | Typically fixed 16:9 widescreen standard. Some offer 21:9 cinema modes |
source: HP, LG, Samsung, Sony
Now let’s analyze key monitor versus TV performance factors like refreshed rates, display technology, sound and more.
Refresh Rate and Responsiveness
Refresh rate dictates how quickly your display updates with new image data and is measured in hertz (Hz).
The faster the refresh, the smoother fast motion graphics will appear without tearing, judder or blurring. This translates into highly responsive experiences vital for gaming and video production applications.
For example, a 60 Hz television refreshes 60 times per second. That can make quickly panning scenes or fast action sequences appear staggered.
Compare that to cutting-edge 360 Hz gaming monitors that refresh 6x times more rapidly for ultra fluid visuals keeping up with lighting fast game dynamics.
Panels with variable refresh rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync or Nvidia GSync compatibility dynamically adjust refresh rates in real time matching the frame rate output of GPUs. The end benefit? Buttery smooth visuals and lag-free input response.
If you want to experience AAA games or competitive esports titles like Fortnite, CS:GO or Doom Eternal at their blistering best, a 360 Hz gaming monitor is my top recommendation.
For movie watching and streaming video which has slower motion, standard 60-120 Hz televisions still suffice. Though gamers will still benefit from at least a 120 Hz display.
Display Technology – LCD, LED and OLED
Both monitors and TVs rely on a range of underlying display panel technologies with their own advantages and disadvantages:
LCD
LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors and TVs make up the majority of affordable displays on the market. An LCD panel contains a matrix of tiny color pixels illuminated by an LED backlight.
By manipulating this backlight brightness in zones, LCD displays can produce deep black levels almost rivaling OLED. However, the image still can’t reach OLED pixel-level precision.
LED
LED TVs are actually just a subset of LCD panels. They simply use advanced LED backlighting systems to boost brightness and local dimming capabilities. Quantum Dot LED built on nano-crystal technology like in Samsung’s QLED TVs offer even wider color gamuts.
OLED
OLED (organic light emitting diodes) represent the pinnacle of display technology. Each pixel contains special organic compounds that illuminate independently. That allows perfect black since deactivated OLED pixels output zero light. HDR content really pops on OLED with color and contrast that has to be seen to be believed.
Thinking of splurging on a premium monitor or TV? I suggest one upgraded with OLED or QLED technology to enjoy the best color reproduction, viewing angles and black level performance the industry offers.
HDR Support
HDR or high dynamic range expands the color and contrast range substantially over standard dynamic range content. With HDR, bright peaks reach up to 1,000 or even 10,000 nits compared to just 100 nits in SDR. That gives incredible luminance highlights across the sun, flames, sparks and more.
Deep black levels also help HDR images pop thanks to OLED panel technology on premium monitors and TVs. Plus, quantum dot filtration in leading LED/QLED televisions enables DCI-P3 or Rec 2020 color spaces for ultra vivid, saturated hues.
Pretty much all midrange and high-end monitors and TVs now come HDR-ready. Just ensure the set supports HDR10 or Dolby Vision standards to enjoy streaming and Blu-Ray movies mastered in HDR.
Audio – Build Speakers vs Sound System
Here’s an oft-overlooked distinction between monitors and televisions – integrated audio.
The vast majority of monitors lack any built-in speakers, instead expecting users to provide either external computer speakers or headphones.
Televisions on the other hand almost universally come equipped with stereo or even simulated surround sound speakers. While these TV speakers fall short of providing premium room-filling audio, they suffice for everyday entertainment viewing.
Of course connecting a sound bar or real multichannel home theater audio system will vastly improve cinematic sound immersion. But out of the box, TVs supply adequate integrated sound to hear dialogue, effects and soundtracks without any added equipment.
If sound matters at all to you, the fact televisions ship with speakers makes them more hassle-free and budget-friendly alternatives to monitors needing costly add-on equipment for audio.
Connectivity and Ports
External gadgets like gaming PCs/consoles, streaming boxes and Blu-ray players connect to displays through input ports. Television manufacturers cram inputs onto their models considering their role as central home entertainment hubs.
You’ll typically find at least 3 HDMI ports even on budget TV models with mid-range sets packing 4 inputs. This allows simultaneously connecting a steaming device or two, a gaming console, antenna/cable box and AV receiver.
Computer monitors focus more on enabling a single high performance video feed from the host computer. So you’re more likely to end up limited to just HDMI and DisplayPort on monitors.
Do you need to plug in lots of external media devices? A TV with plentiful HDMI ports makes connecting everything seamless. Monitors require standalone docking stations or HDMI switches to avoid constant unplugging and swapping cables.
Aspect Ratio and Curved Displays
Let’s also touch on aspect ratios and curved screen options you’ll encounter when shopping displays.
Aspect Ratio – The width to height ratio of visible screen dimensions. Television standardized early around the widescreen 16:9 or 1.78:1 ratio well suited to cinema and filmed content.
Monitor makers offer more variable options better catering to PC usage. Ratios range from classic 4:3 up to ultra-wide 21:9 and even 32:9 configurations providing surround views in games and allowing stacking document windows side-by-side.
Curved Display – Screens with a subtle concave curve along the horizontal plane. This matches the natural shape of human vision for potentially more immersive viewing. Curves also minimize visual distortions towards the screen edges.
Curved screens appear most frequently on gaming and high-end monitors rather than mainstream televisions. Though manufacturers like Samsung have experimented with curved TV models as well.
If you face monitor eye strain over long computing sessions or want truly immersive gaming perspective, experiment with an ultra-wide and/or curved monitor. Just be aware curved displays come at a price premium over conventional flat screens.
Monitor vs TV Pricing
With their elaborate smart platforms and giant screen sizes, televisions have historically cost more than monitors of equivalent display dimensions.
However, price gaps have narrowed with monitor capabilities advancing to cater to gaming and professional imaging needs. When it comes to budget displays:
- Sub $300 price point favors TVs
- High-end 4K/8K models are similarly priced
For equivalent screen real estate, a monitor at the same price as a TV will deliver better all round imaging performance. But you sacrifice built-in streaming/apps and audio.
If your budget can tolerate some flexibility, I suggest the following display spending ranges to meet different needs:
1080p Displays
- Basic Monitor: $100 to $250
- Basic TV: $200 to $400
4K Midrange Displays
- Strong Gaming Monitor: $300 to $800
- Quality Smart TV: $400 to $1,000
High-End 4K/8K
- Best-in-Class Gaming Monitor: $800+
- Premium Smart TV: $1,000+
Remember, monitors amortize higher upfront costs through boosted productivity and performance gains. For general home entertainment, value-packed smart TVs offer plenty of bang for buck.
Monitor vs TV Buying Advice
Let’s wrap up with my quick personalized recommendations on choosing either a computer monitor or television tailored to common usage scenarios.
For PC Gaming
All about speed, visual fidelity and responsiveness. Go monitor unlocked to max capabilities:
- 360Hz refresh rate
- 1ms GtG response times
- Nvidia GSync / AMD FreeSync Premium
- Curved or ultra-widescreen models
For Console Gaming
Consoles can’t fully exploit elite gaming monitors. Instead get:
- Budget 4K TV with 120Hz refresh
- Low input lag under 15ms
- HDMI 2.1 ports
- ALLM auto low latency modes
For Video Streaming
Televisions thanks to integrated smart platforms and larger screen real estate:
- 55-85 inches 4K models
- Smart OS with all streaming apps
- Future-proof HDMI 2.1 ports
- High efficiency LED backlight
For Graphics Design and Video Editing
Creative work demands color accuracy and precision:
- 4K 27 inch monitor minimum
- Wide color gamut 95%+ DCI-P3
- Calibrated Delta E < 2 out of box
- Brightness over 300 nits
Those are my top tips for picking the right monitor or television. Let me know if you have any other questions!
