(https://www.electronicshub.

org)


Home (https://www.electronicshub.org)
Monitors (https://www.electronicshub.org/previews/pc/monitors/), PC & PC Accessories
(https://www.electronicshub.org/previews/pc/)

How To Use Computer Monitor as TV?

May 17, 2024 By Ravi Teja(https://www.electronicshub.org/author/raviteja/)

We sometimes use our TVs as computer monitors. The benefit of such setup is that you get
a large screen display with high resolution and relatively good set of speakers. But some of
you might have wondered the possibility of the other way i.e., can you use a monitor as TV?
In this guide, let us take a look at some basics of a computer monitor
(https://www.electronicshub.org/fix-power-save-mode-in-computer-and-monitor/) and a
television. We will also see how to convert a Monitor as TV.

Outline

Can You Use Monitor as TV?

As long as you don’t need a cable tuner, yes, you can technically use a Monitor as TV. In
case you want a cable tuner, then you have to invest in a decent external tuner module.
But why would you want to use a Computer Monitor as a television?

For instance, you have an old but good monitor and you don’t want to throw it away. Then
you can use this monitor as TV. Another example is you don’t have enough room/budget to
buy a new TV and want to use the same monitor for both your PC and as a TV.
The reason can be anything, if you have a good monitor at your disposal, you can do

anything with
 it such as using it to watch TV Shows or stream movies, with little or no
(https://www.electronicshub.org)
investment.

How To Convert a Monitor into A TV?

The main purpose of TV is to watch TV shows, movies and news among other things. With
this in mind, let us different way in which you can convert your monitor in a TV.

Use a TV Tuner
Monitors generally don’t come with tuners. So, if you want to use your old monitor to
watch cable TV that relies on TV’s tuner, then you have to buy a TV Tuner Kit/Box. They cost
anywhere between $30 to $200 or more depending on brand, features, etc.

Look for a tuner that has HDMI Out so that you can easily connect it to the HDMI port of
your monitor.

Connect with any HDMI Source

Another way to convert a computer monitor as TV or just as a video output device is using
any HDMI Streaming Devices such as Chromecast, Fire Stick, IPTV Boxes
(https://www.electronicshub.org/best-iptv-boxes/) or Android TV Box.

Some internet service providers even bundle media boxes with their packages. All you
need is a display unit with HDMI Input.

Using a Set top Box / Satellite Dish

If you have a satellite connection, it usually comes with a receiver or set top box. These
units usually output using HDMI. So, you can easily hookup a set top box with HDMI output
to your Monitor.
Differences Between Computer Monitor and TV
(https://www.electronicshub.org)

In a broad sense, both TV and Computer Monitor are display units that present us with
visual information. But we often view a TV as TV and a Monitor as Monitor.

TVs are usually large displays with sizes (https://www.electronicshub.org/monitor-size-

compare/)starting from 42 – 43 inches (there are smaller TVs but in case of TVs, bigger the
better) and go all the way to 82 inches or even more.

Coming to computer monitors, earlier in the days of CRTs and first-generation LCDs, we
used to consider a 15inch to 19inch monitor as a decent size one. Now-a-days, the 24-inch
monitor became the bare minimum and you can also get them in 27-inch and 32-inch sizes
as well.

Resolution is another important property of any display, be it a monitor, a television or a

mobile phone’s display. 4K UHD i.e., 3840 pixels × 2160 pixels became the standard
resolution for TVs. You can get lower resolution (usually Full HD i.e., 1920 × 1080 pixels) TVs
but 4K TVs are becoming so affordable.

In case of monitors, Full HD is still a popular resolution but you can get monitors with
1440P (2560 × 1440 pixels) and 4K resolution but the price jump from 1080P is significant.

Refresh Rate of the display determines how many times it can draw an image in one
second. Some high-end TVs such as LG C2, Sony A95K, Samsung S95B etc. come with
maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. But the common value is 60Hz for majority of TVs.

This is not the case with monitors. You can easily get monitors with 144Hz, 165Hz and even
240Hz refresh rates.
 Parameter TV Monitor
(https://www.electronicshub.org)


Screen Size Easily available in large Usually, computer

sizes. Some popular TV monitors are available in
Screen Sizes are: 42”, 55”, small screen sizes such as
65”, and 75”. 24”, 27” and 32”.

Resolution 4K UHD (3840 × 2160) is a Full HD is still popular but

very common resolution there are several
in TVs. monitors with 1440P and
4K resolutions.

Aspect Ratio Almost all modern TV Monitors come with all

have 16:9 aspect ratio. types of aspect ratios,
16:9, 16:10, 21:9, wider
aspect ratios for wide
screen monitors and
even narrow aspect
ratios for box shaped
displays.

Refresh Rate 60Hz is a very standard Even in basic monitor,

refresh rate for TVs. Ther 60Hz refresh is still
are some high-end TVs popular. But you can
that come with 120Hz easily get them with
refresh rate. 144Hz, 165Hz and even
240Hz refresh rates.
 Response Time It is the time taken by the Even entry level monitors
(https://www.electronicshub.org)
 display to change the have from reputable
pixel’s color (usually black brands have decent
to white or vice-versa). response time of 5 – 8ms.
TVs generally have slow You can easily find
response time, tens of monitors with even
milliseconds. quicker response times.

Speakers Almost all TVs, Speakers in monitors are

irrespective of the size, very rare. Even if some
come with a decent pair monitors have them, they
of speakers. sound mediocre.

Ports HDMI is the most VGA, HDMI and

common port in TVs. All DisplayPort are the
TVs come with 2 – 4 HDMI popular ports in case of
Ports with additional monitors. Coming to
features such as HDMI audio, monitors usually
ARC or HDMI eARC. Some have audio jacks (3.5mm)
other ports are Optical but it is very rare to find
Audio Out, USB and any other audio output.
Ethernet.

Wireless Since all modern TVs are Monitors doesn’t come

“Smart”, wireless with wireless
connectivity is almost a connectivity.
necessity now-a-days. TVs
usually have support for
high-speed wireless
networks.
 Price From a display size Monitors are usually
(https://www.electronicshub.org)
 perspective, TVs are expensive when we
usually cheaper. You can compare to TVs. A 32” 4K
a decent 4K 55” TV in the Monitor from a good
price range of $350 to brand will cost you
$500. anywhere between $300
to $350.

As we often sit very close to monitors (usually at an arm’s length), the text should be very
clear and colors should be very accurate. Hence, most people still prefer a monitor over TV.

Other Important Things to Consider

There are some cases where your monitor is slightly old and it doesn’t have an HDMI Input
port but rather it has a VGA Port. In situations like this, you need to invest in additional
converters (HDMI to VGA Converters) to connect modern streaming, media and set top
boxes.

Another major issue with using Monitors as TV is with respect to audio. Monitors usually
don’t come with speakers and even if they have a pair, the sound quality will be very bad.

To solve this, you have to buy HDMI Audio Extractors. They are tiny boxes, that have an
HDMI Input, an HDMI Output, Optical Audio Out, RCA Audio Out (coaxial audio) and also
3.5mm audio jack.

You can connect the HDMI Source such as a Fire Stick or a Set top box to the HDMI input of
the extractor unit and connect the HDMI Out of the extractor to the monitor. Using any of
the audio ports, you can connect a decent set of speakers or sound bar.

Also Check: How to Change Primary Monitor on Windows & MacOS?

(https://www.electronicshub.org/how-to-change-primary-monitor/)
Conclusion
(https://www.electronicshub.org)

Even though monitors and TVs are both display devices, there are some differences
between them. We often see people using a TV as a computer monitor
(https://www.electronicshub.org/use-tv-as-computer-monitor/) but very rarely the other
way i.e., a monitor as TV. In case you are one of those few people who want to use an
old/spare monitor as a TV, then this guide is for you. We saw how can we convert a
Monitor as TV using simple methods. We also saw workarounds on some common
problems.

Related Posts:
Leave
Can YouaUse
Reply
a TV as a Computer Monitor? (https://www.electronicshub.org/use-tv-as-
computer-monitor/)
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
1280x720 Vs 1920x1080 - Which One Better?
(https://www.electronicshub.org/1280x720-vs-1920x1080/)
Comment *
DisplayPort to HDMI not Working (https://www.electronicshub.org/fix-displayport-to-
hdmi/)
How To Setup Dual Monitors? Complete Information on…
(https://www.electronicshub.org/dual-monitor-setup/)
Dual Monitors Vs Ultrawide - Find the Difference?
(https://www.electronicshub.org/dual-monitors-vs-ultrawide/)
Monitor Size Compare - Which One Should you Choose?
(https://www.electronicshub.org/monitor-size-compare/)
Name *

Email *
 Website
(https://www.electronicshub.org)


Post Comment

About Advertise with us

(https://www.electronicshub.org/about/)

Contact
(https://www.electronicshub.org/contact/)

Affiliate Disclosure(https://www.electronicshub.org/affiliate-disclosure/)
Disclaimer(https://www.electronicshub.org/disclaimer/)
Terms and Conditions(https://www.electronicshub.org/terms-and-conditions/)
Privacy Policy(https://www.electronicshub.org/privacy-policy/)

Copyright © 2024 Electronicshub.org