[Request] Combo PC Monitor and TV - Advice and price

strombone

Hi there,

I have bought a PC (without monitor) for use in our kitchen. Currently we have a 14" TV in there that the kids watch CBEEBIES on (signal is via an wireless A/V sender from the Sky box in the living room). They occasionally watch VHS tapes on it too.

I am looking for advice (and pointers on price) for a screen (17" to 20") that will serve as the monitor for the PC and will also be able to display the tv picture and sound (and, if possible, the VHS signal).

I won't be pushing the envelope on functionality (i.e. won't be doing any gaming or want HD on the TV). Having read up a bit, my working assumption is that I need an LCD TV that has a PC input.

But is this necessarily true. That is, since I won't be using a tuner within the monitor for the TV signal (because it's sent wirelessly using the AV sender) do I necessarily have to purchase a LCD TV with PC input, as opposed to a PC monitor, which is presumably cheaper? I suppose I mean is there some way I can get the A/V sender's signal into a PC monitor (it outputs through composite AV cables, or scart)? and if so, how will the sound be input/output?

Any advice re. best solution and pointers to reasonably priced/reliable monitors will be gratefully received. Thanks!

xbox-man

i have a 17" samsung in the kitchen was about 500euro a couple of years ago,
they are cheaper now, dixons have good LCD's!

Spocker

Try one of these Sony jobbies - I *think* they're somewhere in around the €550 mark

Wertz

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000A6EXFM/ref=br_lf_ce_13/026-1162563-1794002

Looks like it might do the job for ya...hard to find out what kind of video input it has besides VGA, but the list of contents includes an Audio/Video cable so I imagine that's composite and a pair of RCA phonos for the sound...now it really depends on how your AV sender output's it's sound.

There may be cheaper options or slightly better specced monitors out there with integrated speakers, but I've not come across too mnay without a tuner that have remote control...

[edit] I was checking the price including delivery from them and it says they won't deliver to ireland? WTF? I've bought electronics stuff off them that came in bigger boxes than this would with no problems. Odd.

xbox-man

Ummm wertz i think that's a pc only monitor he wants an LCD not a TFT!!

Wertz

xbox-man wrote:

an LCD not a TFT!!

...

An LCD IS a TFT...the op asked if he/she could use a pc monitor instead of opting for the TV since they don't actually require the tuner, a monitor is cheaper.

cygnet

Needs to have a scart input ! I cant see one on that !

Wertz

The OP reckon's his sender uses composite OR scart...I assume since the product has an included AV cable (as well as a VGA cable) that it has either an S video or a composite input.

Man, instead of picking holes in my recommendation, you's come up with more solutions...christ

strombone

Hi guys,

Thanks for your responses. I posted a similar query at the Satellite forum on received this input which seems categoric - i.e. irrespective of not needing a tuner, I'll still need to buy a TV and not a monitor:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054896433