What is better for video games? Tv or monitor?

Playing video games is not the same as watching a movie or a television series, that is why many gamers ask the eternal question : What is better to play? A monitor or a television? In this article we are going to try to shed some light on this question.

Index of contents

TV or Monitor?

Choosing between a monitor or a television to play video games has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on our budget, the place where we are going to locate it and the technology that is implemented in each of them, among other factors that can make the balance from side to side.

The price

A FullHD monitor today can be obtained for between 130-140 euros with a 24-inch screen and for about 350 to 400 euros approximately it is already possible to get screens with 4K resolution in that same size. The monitors' size ranges are usually between 21 to 32 inches, which is mainly their biggest disadvantage compared to televisions.

Currently we can get a 43-inch TV for 300 euros and a 49-inch one for 400 euros. The advantage of the size of the televisions is important when deciding, but there is also a very important factor, where we are going to locate the screen and at what distance from it we are going to play.

Location and distance

If we plan to play video games in a small room and we have the idea of ​​playing sitting at a desk, a monitor is the most recommended option. Logic indicates that if we are going to play less than 70 centimeters from the screen, a 32-inch monitor would be enough for a very good gaming experience.

If, on the other hand, we plan to play sitting on a sofa approximately one meter from the screen, having a television of at least 43 inches would be an ideal option. In general, playing at that distance is recommended for those users who play on game consoles such as XBOX One and Playstation 4, where the comfort of the controller allows that type of freedom.

Technology

Although televisions have the advantage of their size, monitors for their part tend to have better technology that can make you think twice about the choice, especially for those players who usually play titles online.

Because monitors are intended for use with computers, they have lower input lag and better refresh rates than televisions. For example, the best televisions typically have 36 millisecond input lag versus monitors, which in most cases only have 5 milliseconds or less of input-lag. What does input lag stand for? It is the time it takes for the screen to reflect a command, the lower the number, the shorter the delay of our actions on the screen. This is essential when we play competitive online games, on a television we would be at a small disadvantage.

The refresh rates of 1080p televisions are typically 120Hz, while the 4K that are coming out are at 60Hz refresh rates. Today it is possible to see 1080p monitors with 240Hz refresh rates and 4K monitors with a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR technology have already been announced.

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Another factor that cannot be omitted is that of image rescaling. If you're planning to buy a 4K TV, 1080p gaming will probably look better than a monitor due to the upscaling quality of modern TVs. In addition, if you play video games at 30FPS, the interpolation technology of the televisions will give more fluid image movements than a monitor, at the cost of increasing the input-lag.

Finally, with all this data on the table, you can draw your own conclusions about which is best for video games. Monitor or TV? Tell us what you think.