Flat panel TV as monitor?

[wmw999 2,589]

Back in the olden days, you could use a TV as a low-quality monitor.

Well, I'm looking to help my father replace his 21" monster-sized monitor with a flat panel, because he's moving to a smaller place. But man, 21" is really expensive. He's visually impaired, and uses that baby at 640X480, so a really top quality resolution isn't that important.

He's old, so something that requires training is also not a really great idea; he's used to looking for a couple of things (mainly the current status of his stock account, and addresses), and he knows where they are on his current monitor.

So -- anyone know if a TV (which is a lot easier to find used than a flat-panel big monitor) can still be used as a monitor? Or should I keep looking at monitors?

thanks
Wendy W

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[CrazyIvan 0]

Your best bet is to go to a 'computer show' in your area, there you can find new/used monitors very cheap, I go religiously to them once a month, even if I'm not buying anything, just to check the new goodies and prices.

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[quade 4]

Oh, you can definately do it.

It's going to depend a lot on the computer system you already have, but most computer stores sell little black boxes that convert most computer monitor signals into s-video, composite video or even RF (like channel 3 on a TV set).

Just know what kind of signal your computer is putting out and what kind of connector it's using before heading off to the store. I would recommend a local Radio Shack so that if the black box you get doesn't work, you can immediately return it and try again.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[OmriMon 0]

I was looking into in b4 when i was thinkin about doing the same thing u mentioned, and as quade said ur gonna need to either buy that lil converter or a special card for ur computer that does the same thing, i'm sure that if u go to a computer store or even Radio Shack they could help u out.

[PhillyKev 0]

Royal pain in the ass, at least ours has been. We have a 50" Sony XBR plasma screen hooked up to a computer. It's highly dependent on the computer, the video card, and the specs for the tv. After much screwing around trying different settings we finally got it to work but only at one resolution which is a little too small of a font. We're going to hire an A/V specialist to figure it out for us. Also, the picture sucks except through the DVI connection. Tried S-video and it was grainy.