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If you want to be a serious gamer, playing on the right screen is important. But just which type of screen is better for gaming – a TV or a monitor?
Console gamers have traditionally played on TVs, while PC gamers have long played on monitors. Nowadays, both can be used interchangeably. However, that doesn’t mean that both types of screen are the same. While the technology has grown more similar over time, TVs and monitors do still have their differences, which can make each one better suited to different situations.
This post delves more into the differences between the two screens to help you decide which is better for you.
Which has less lag?
Monitors are often designed to have a faster response time, lower input lag and a faster refresh rate.
This allows the image to load faster on the screen so that you can react more quickly to what’s going on – which can make a big difference when gaming. Your average monitor has a response time of 10 ms and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. High performance monitors can have a response time of less than 5 ms and refresh rate of up to 360 Hz.
TVs on the other hand have a more delayed picture as a result of using technologies like upscaling and motion smoothing (which can enhance movie and TV experience). TVs typically have a response time of 20 to 30 ms and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Some high performance TVs are quicker than this, but often don’t rival high performance monitors.
Which has a sharper image?
Monitors are often designed to have a higher resolution than TVs. This can result in a much sharper image – which can make games more realistic.
That said, you can get 8K monitors and 8K TVs. These both have the same amount of pixels and therefore the same amount of sharpness. The difference is that monitors often still have better color accuracy. For games that require you to distinguish small details, this can matter.
How close are you to the screen?
If you sit close to the screen while gaming, a monitor is likely to be better suited. The higher resolution is better suited to close range gaming, because you’re more likely to be able to notice the pixels. Monitors are also smaller in size than TVs – allowing you to take in the whole screen when sat up close. Choose anything over 32 inches, and you’re unlikely to be able to view the whole screen at once at a distance less than 5 feet.
If you sit further away from the screen, a TV is likely to be better suited. The lower resolution of some TVs is unlikely to be noticeable from a certain distance. The bigger screens of TVs are also necessary if you’re sitting further back.
What’s your budget?
It’s important to consider your budget when choosing between a monitor or a TV. Monitors tend to be more expensive than TVs, which can result in some gamers choosing a TV instead. This is particularly the case with high end gaming monitors.
There are companies that allow you to hire esports equipment including gaming monitors.
This can make monitors more accessible for those on a budget. Just be wary that it could be more expensive to hire a screen long term than to buy it.
What about for purposes beyond gaming?
Monitors may be regarded as the best option by many gamers because of their reduced lag and sharper image, but they may not be as satisfying for watching movies or TV shows. The faster refresh rate and lack of motion smoothing on a monitor can lead to a juddering effect on gaming monitors when watching movies.
Therefore if you’ve a cinephile and a gamer, you may find that a TV is still better for allowing you to enjoy movies and gaming.