Using A Pc Monitor As A Tv

07-23-05, 01:07 PM

Has anyone ever tried to use a PC LCD Flat Panel monitor as a TV without connecting it to a PC? PC monitors are alot cheaper than the same size TV LCD monitors. I understand that the PC monitors does not include a tuner. I assume that I can connect say a VCR with a tuner to the PC lcd monitor.
By the way, I do not have a PC monitor (use a laptop) so I can't really try it at home.

joedoe101 · 07-23-05, 01:56 PM

Im not sure...You can use your pc as a tv with a tv tuner tho

07-24-05, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by joedoe101

Im not sure...You can use your pc as a tv with a tv tuner tho

What I really want to do is avoid watching TV using the PC but use a PC LCD monitor as a standalone TV since in general they are cheaper for the same size.

WisdomWolf · 07-25-05, 04:02 AM

What you need is a VGA box. At least that's what most people call it. I never used it with an LCD monitor, but I picked up a 20" CRT monitor at a computer show real cheap and bought a VGA box in order to use it as the main TV in my room. You will need to get a seperate set of speakers most likely, but that will allow you to do exactly what you are talking about. There are several different types, some with simply composite connections (like the cheap one I got off ebay), some have S-Video, and the better ones have component connections for HD.

07-31-05, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by WisdomWolf

What you need is a VGA box. At least that's what most people call it. I never used it with an LCD monitor, but I picked up a 20" CRT monitor at a computer show real cheap and bought a VGA box in order to use it as the main TV in my room. You will need to get a seperate set of speakers most likely, but that will allow you to do exactly what you are talking about. There are several different types, some with simply composite connections (like the cheap one I got off ebay), some have S-Video, and the better ones have component connections for HD.

Thanks for the info. I'll do a google search and see what comes up. I try to avoid Ebay. I think they are too big and greedy for their own good. I use to sell on half.com and they delisted all my items and trying to force me to use ebay instead.

kilthro · 07-31-05, 08:19 PM

I have an hd dvr cable box that has a dvi connection and i hooked the plama computer monitor directly to the dvi outlet and i had a picture. Just keep in mind what you are going to do with sound.

07-31-05, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by kilthro

I have an hd dvr cable box that has a dvi connection and i hooked the plama computer monitor directly to the dvi outlet and i had a picture. Just keep in mind what you are going to do with sound.

I will keep that in mind. Some PC/LCD Monitors have speakers built in so hopefully that wont be a problem. A 20 PC/LCD is cheaper than a same size with a tuner built in. But I guess if you factor in the composite to VGA tuner it might end up the same. I found one on tigerdirect.com but i cant seem to find any reviews on it.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...P=OTC-CNETFEED

derekivey · 07-31-05, 11:30 PM

Yeah, there are TV Tuner boxes that you can buy, some require a PC but there are some that don't.