[skew]

Hi all.

I have a client area in my design studio and I need to be able to show off design work to them up on a screen. In the same room I need to be able to view TV, DVD, BBC iPlayer content as well as quicktime movies and the like for research ( we develop kids TV brands).

I only have space for one screen in the room. Which way do I go to get this duel functionality? Do I put up a 30" monitor on the wall or do I put a HD TV up on the wall. Is HD TV ok for viewing design work for example and can I use it as a monitor? If so how? If not is it better to put an actual monitor on the wall and hook a mac mini up to it on the network along with Eye TV or something?

Thanks for your help. I'm looking to make a purchase over the weekend so I can get it delivered and fitted by thursday this week.

As ever, all comments welcome.

SKEW.

[mduell]

The only difference between an LCD "TV" and "monitor" is the pixel density and that the former often includes some type of TV tuner. A 30" TV is going to be ~1366x768 while a 30" monitor is going to be 2560x1600; if you don't need the extra pixels for the content you're displaying, the TV is fine. TV tuners for computers are usually pretty poor for analog TV off a cable or over the air.

Get a TV with a bunch of inputs (HDMI or DVI for a computer, svideo or component for the DVD player, etc) and you'll be fine.

[Ozzpot]

Originally Posted by mduell 

A 30" TV is going to be ~1366x768 while a 30" monitor is going to be 2560x1600; if you don't need the extra pixels for the content you're displaying, the TV is fine.

I'd go with the LCD TV approach too, but while a 720p TV is likely to be 1366x768 (which is a decent enough size for most purposes) a 1080p TV is 1920x1200 - much better, a significantly more acceptable dot pitch for use as a monitor.

1080p TVs are now very common and cost about as much as an equivalent sized 720p TV cost a year ago (i.e not too much). They tend to come in 32" minimum.

Of course, I assume a 1080p TV would be just as able to connect to a Mac as a 720p TV. That's what I'd go for.