I’m in the market for a new monitor and I really don’t want to go for an ultrawide screen, they just don’t do it for me, I want to stick to 16:9 4k res. But my question is
What is the difference to a 39" computer monitor vs 43" 4k TV
The price tag of a large computer monitor is much greater than a TV, so want to know what I’m paying for.
No real difference, but you need to ensure that the TV has a “game/PC mode” = turning off all artificial image enhancers on selected inputs. I’ve been using a LG C2 42’’ OLED as my main monitor for the last year and I’m very happy with it. 8-10 hours of daily work (programmer, home office) + some gaming in the evening if I have the time.
Previously I had a reasonably good quality IPS 43’’ as my main screen and it doesn’t compare.
Colors on the OLED are amazing (I’m using 38% brigness to not burn my eyes out). Black is real black. 120Hz with G-Sync and the lowest response time you can have (OLED, well below 1ms).
Plus I can watch some Netflix or whatever, with great quality, in the evening in my office if I want to without having to turn on my monster PC.
No issues with the dreaded OLED burn in yet. But 1. I don’t run it very bright (no need because it’s close), 2. I turn it off when I leave my desk, 3. I regularly do the OLED “cleaning” procedure.
Last I checked comparable PC monitors are actually quite (50%+) more expensive. Probably because they’re much less popular.
Needs 2.1, VRR, 120HZ+. OLED’s a safe bet, on a budget and if you shop carefully Hissense has some very fast LED TV’s(make sure it has the specs), but the viewing angles will be horrid, perfectly fine if the TV is ‘just for you’ front and center.
Any of the quality ‘QLED’ or whatever nonsense costs the same(or more) as OLED. A Hisense fast/gaming TV model is about half the price of the OLED.
So if you want the 4090 and the wife’s already complaining, get the Hisense, the overall visually quality of MSFS is not ground-breaking as far as games go. The higher spec/refresh just unleashes the GPU, do not waste your time with a 60hz TV. If anyone else is going to watch the TV as a TV, you can not go wrong with OLED, it can always find a place in a bedroom later.
If you can pull your desk RIGHT up to the TV(I have mine articulated to meet the desk or driving rig or just be pushed back to the wall), the 48" OLED is not to bitter a pill to swallow. Around 48-55" gives you the ‘life size’ experience for cockpits(if it’s close). 65 is too big. 55" to the back of the V1 Yoke(or Fanatec Clubsport).
Note for a dedicated TV monitor that’s not on the desk itself, height is a bit different than what a traditional couch mount would be. I had to mount this slightly lower for the racing rig, just got an adjustable desk/legs from Ikea as standard desks are about 2" too tall for both. I can put everything away in trunks to a regular ol’ basement TV in 5 minutes.
(I accidentally put it back 2" too high in this pics and pre TB pedals-hadn’t put the butt-kicker back on the chair yet either). The new PC will either go under the shelf or be behind the wall.
Funny that you asked that question (funny for me at least). I have always been looking at ways to improve my MSFS experience, better gaming computer, super widescreen curved monitor, etc. Probably pre-covid, I tried using my large screen TV with a “ho-hum” result. Well naturally TV’s are getting better and being asked to do more so I had purchased a 65" LG TV loaded with way more that I realized. A few months ago I had an “epiphany” moment regarding what that TV could do. I pulled my gaming computer from the Den and hooked it up to the family room TV. BLEW ME AWAY. The TV had a NVIDIA card and was perfect for MSFS! Sitting up somewhat close to a 65" monitor made the whole experience so much better. Landing “depth perception”, in particular, was much closer to reality (I have a private pilot license so this was always a big gripe of mine). Well now it’s time for a new gaming computer (and excuse, right?) and a mobile FS platform (need it out of the way for movies, etc.). I also decide to go crazy and get some RealSimGear G1000 hardware and a “chart” monitor to the side. I’ve attached 2 pics, one with everything off to the side for regular TV viewing, and the other set up and running for the FS experience. This is all on a mobile workbench that rolls & adjusts up and down. I use the Honeycomb Alpha and Bravo equipment designed with a quick-release setup for swap-out with the Thrustmaster gear on the left. It takes less than 3 minutes to transition from either setup.
I’m currently satisfied with my 65" LG TV, which offers 4K resolution. However, I’m considering upgrading to a cheaper 8K TV later this year, along with replacing my PC.
Once the RTX 5090 becomes available, I’ll be “future-proofed” with an 8K TV that offers almost a 1:1 viewing ratio, particularly beneficial for cockpit experiences. Since I struggle with VR, this setup would be the next best option for me. The text on the PFD/MFD of my current 4K TV is a little too blurry for my aging eyes, so transitioning to an 8K TV should resolve this issue by providing higher pixel density.
After the upgrade, my current TV will find its place in the living room, where I’ll be watching Top Gun Maverick!
One thing to keep in mind is that the cheapest TV’s will not have the gaming features you need like freesync so you’ll probably want to go upmarket a little with a Qled/Oled TV. I made this mistake and ended up buying another TV after about 12 months.
Key features to consider:
At least 120Hz-144Hz refresh rate
HDR10+ minimum
HDMI 2.1 and/or Display Port v1.4
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Freesync
Auto Game Mode (ALLM) with low inut lag
I currently have a 55" Qled TV with the features above and it’s a game changer. Don’t worry about sitting too close as it’s a non-issue. If you feel like it’s too much in front of you an eye/head tracker type product will solve that problem quickly.
75" QLED main and 40" secondary, both Hisense. They are both only 60Hz as they are 5+ years old but they look magnificent, have game mode on the main and it performs smoothly even at just 60 FPS.
My Optometrist didn’t have any issues with me sitting 24" away from the TV. He made me specific glasses that helps me to see at that distance from the monitor/TV. He even used special coatings on the lenses to help with glare. He was very interested in “simming” once I showed him my setup.
I started sitting this close to monitors when I was on iRacing where FOV is very important. The closer you sit, the higher the FOV will be. And, in racing cars FOV is ultra critical.
I do wear blue-light cancelling glasses if I am flying after 6:00pm to help with blue-light sleep issues. If you aren’t doing this then start. It may help you to sleep better at night.
One thing to bare in mind is that PC monitors typically have a higher pixel density than a TV screen of similar resolution. Pixel density and resolution are not the same thing. PC monitors also tend to display a better range of colours, though modern TV’s are far better these days. Particularly expensive ones.
If all you’re using the screen for is flight simming then a TV is the probably the way to go. Certainly if you want to go large.
If it’s budget, the U7 series form Hisense are always about 1/2 the price of a 55" LG OLED(standard C version). Now 2023+ they’re QLED, 144hz 2.1 freesync, VRR capable, HDR full low lag game mode etc. If you have XBSX every green check mark will be available.
Other than that go OLED. Brand name QLED TV’s are the same price as OLED(sometimes more) for some unknown reason, hand over fist profit?
Excellent point! When I had my eye check up last year I mentioned to my Optometrist that I sit in front of my monitor quite a bit so he asked how far away and then wrote me a perscription for bifocals. The upper part focuses perfectly on my 55" Qled TV about 3ft in front of me and the lower half of the glasses focuses on my desktop where I read and use the keyboard. I only use these glasses when I’m sitting at my desk and they work perfectly for what I need.
It really was no big deal for the Optometrist to write this prescription for eye glasses and I’ve been happy ever since!
You should be able to send either 1K or 2K to your TV, and it will Up-convert it to its native 4k
Will not quite be the same as sending it 4K, but close, and far less strain on your Video card & system resources.
Get the TV from somewhere you can return it, and see if it meets your needs.
And really, do you need more than 60Hz for a flight simulator ???
How many times have you watched a TV movie and though – "this is not watchable, it is destroying my Immersion, it’s only running 60 Hz "
The normal cinema film frame rate is 24 frames per second (fps). In contrast, IMAX theaters typically project films at a higher frame rate, often 48 or 60 frames per second, for a smoother and more immersive viewing experience.
