New TV? Flat screen and what do I need to know?

Question

I am thinking about getting a new tv. I don't want it too big because I am a Senior in High school and next year I will be going to College and I plan on bringing it with me. I have a buddy that has his setup so he can watch tv on one setting and then he switches it to use it as a computer monitor for his computer. Is there a special name that they call that? or is it just a different set of cables you buy to plug your computer in?

Answer 1

A set which is marketed to do both TV and computing will likely have a VGA input as well. The manufacture will proclaim the thing's dual use on the box, but in truth, standard LCD TVs will also work fine if you have a DVI out on your computer and are okay with quirky screen resolutions. If you don't have a DVI out, a thirty buck video card like an 8400gs adds it to most desktops.

Look for a good picture with wide viewing angles, little grain and tiling, and strong performance on analog standard definition signals. Brands won't tell you quality, companies like Sony rebrand other people's sets, and the actual panels are only made by a few companies,