Monitor vs TV: What's the Difference?

When it comes to displays, having the right display device can completely transform your gaming and viewing experience. Gaming monitors are made to give you super smooth gameplay with high refresh rates and quick response times. They've got cool tech like G-Sync or FreeSync to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering. On the other hand, TVs can give you a more intense experience, especially with larger screens with 4K resolutions. Lots of new TVs also come with gaming features like Adaptive-Sync, high refresh rates, and fast response times which is why they're so popular with console gamers. So, whether you go for a gaming monitor or a TV depends on what you like, your gaming setup, and your budget.

Here are the most essential features to be considered when shopping for a gaming monitor or TV:

The simple rule is that the higher the resolution, the better the picture quality. A display resolution is defined as to how many pixels the display has in width x height format, such as 1920 x 1080, also commonly known as 1080p. A monitor's resolution is one of the features that will make your games look great—a higher resolution comes with more pixels on the screen, which results in better clarity and details in your game's graphics.

The most popular gaming monitor resolutions:

• 1080p (1920 x 1080)
• 1440p (2560 x 1440)
• 4K (3840 x 2160)

TV resolution, like that of monitors, also affects how clear and detailed the images and videos look. Like monitors, higher resolution means sharper and more lifelike visuals, especially on larger screens. Lots of 4K content is available now from streaming services, gaming consoles, and Blu-ray discs, so many people are going for 4K TVs for a more immersive viewing experience.

The most popular TV resolutions

• 1080p (1920 x 1080) (Full HD)
• 4K (3840 x 2160) (Ultra HD)
• 8K (7680 x 4320) (Ultra HD-2)

The most widely used TV resolutions are Full HD (1080p) and Ultra HD (4K), but with content now being produced on 8K, it will soon become the standard.

Many people believe that a bigger screen is always better, but this is not always the case when it comes to PC monitors. Most people sit about 3-4 feet away from their monitor so that a smaller screen may be the optimal choice. When choosing a monitor size, it's important to consider how you will be using it. For gaming, monitor sizes typically range from 24 to 35 inches, but the best size for you depends on your specific needs and preferences.

It's a different story for TVs. Size does matter, as it can significantly impact the viewing experience. Higher resolution, such as 4K, provides finer details and sharper images, especially on larger screens. This means that larger TV screen sizes with higher resolution can help maintain image quality and clarity, resulting in a more immersive and visually appealing experience.

Like TV and monitor resolution, the same rule applies to refresh rate: the bigger the number, the better. Refresh rate is one of the specs you want to keep an eye on when shopping for a gaming monitor, which is measured in hertz (Hz).

In a nutshell, refresh rate refers to how quickly the screen updates or refreshes the image per second. A higher refresh rate results in smoother transitions between images and less choppy visuals, which can enhance the look and feel of your games and make them more responsive. A higher refresh rate gives you an edge in competitive gaming, as you can see opponents more clearly before they appear on a traditional 60Hz display, allowing for quicker reactions.

The same principle is true for TVs; a higher refresh rate translates to more fluid motion, which is beneficial for fast-paced content like sports or action-packed video games. Typical refresh rates for TVs are 60Hz, 120Hz, and even 240Hz. A higher refresh rate contributes to a more immersive viewing experience because it reduces motion blur and provides crispier images, especially with high-resolution content. For gaming, a higher refresh rate leads to more responsive and enjoyable gameplay, making it an important factor to consider when choosing a TV for gaming purposes.

You will see 120Hz refresh rates on most midrange and high-end TVs, which are effective; you shouldn't expect a significant performance boost from refresh rates of 240Hz and higher. At that level, it doesn't offer real benefits unless you're a dedicated gamer.

The response time of a display refers to how quickly each pixel changes from black to white or from one shade of gray level to the next (also known as GTG response time). Response time is measured in milliseconds (ms). For gaming, it's best to aim for a response time below 5 ms. Ideally, you want to achieve 2 ms or even 1 ms for the best performance.

Monitors with a fast response time will consistently display sharp images. If a monitor has a fast response time along with a high refresh rate, it will significantly enhance your gaming experience. These are typically the features that distinguish a true gaming monitor.

TVs typically have slightly higher response times, usually ranging from 5ms to 8ms, although this can vary depending on the TV model and technology. It's important to note that for TV and movie watching, you probably won't notice much difference in response time. But for competitive gaming or professional design work (if you are using a TV as a monitor), you may want to get a TV with a lower response time.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) is one of the features that is starting to become a standard feature in TVs and monitors. Rightfully so, because HDR does affect the overall image quality, whether you are watching or gaming. Monitors and TVs equipped with HDR will be able to represent color with great accuracy, providing a much more realistic picture. At this point, HDR is a must-have feature if you really want to take your viewing and gaming experience to the next level and really lose yourself in it.

HDR technology in TVs and monitors amplifies colors and contrast for better image quality. This means realistic visuals, with the finer distinction between dark and bright spots. Watching HDR content feels immersive and exciting, whether it's movies on TVs or games on monitors. It's all about the deep blacks and lighting details at night and the vibrant colors and textures in any content. HDR simply makes everything look better, as it enhances visual quality on both TVs and monitors.

For years, the two GPU manufacturer giants, NVIDIA and AMD, have been trying to figure out how to resolve the issue that's been pestering gamers for years, which is called screen tearing. To address screen tearing in gaming, NVIDIA developed G-Sync, and AMD introduced FreeSync. Essentially, two identical Adapative-sync technologies with very similar methodologies to try and eliminate screen tearing and stuttering without compromising your PC's performance.

Monitors are more likely to offer adaptive sync support, especially those designed for gaming or professional use, such as the CORSAIR XENEON gaming monitors. Monitors with adaptive sync technology can synchronize the display's refresh rate with the frame rate of the PC's graphics card, resulting in a smoother and more responsive gaming experience.

On the TV side, some high-end TVs now feature adaptive sync support called VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), which utilizes NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technology—however, the TV needs to have HDMI 2.1 to support this feature. VRR on high-end TVs is on the rise due to its demand because the number of competitive gamers who use TV as a display is increasing. That said, if you're looking for adaptive sync capabilities, especially for gaming, monitors offer a wider selection of options compared to TVs.

This feature is relatively straightforward, but it is just as important as the other features. In-and-out inputs are something you need to consider when you're looking for a gaming monitor or TV, as they allow you to connect a wide variety of systems to your display.

These are the most common ports you'll find on a gaming monitor.

TVs typically have a variety of inputs and outputs to accommodate different devices and accessories. Standard inputs include HDMI ports, which are used for connecting cable boxes, PCs, gaming consoles, and streaming devices. Some TVs also feature USB ports for connecting external USB devices (cameras, speakers, USB drives) or peripherals like keyboards and mice.

When comparing TVs and gaming monitors, consider that gaming monitors offer faster response times, higher refresh rates, and advanced adaptive sync technologies, making them ideal for competitive gaming. TVs, on the other hand, have larger screen sizes and are optimized for an immersive viewing experience, suitable for console gaming, movie watching, and general entertainment.

In the end, it really boils down to your preferences, specific use cases, and available space. For competitive gaming and fast-paced action, a gaming monitor like the XENEON 34WQHD240-C gaming monitor with high refresh rates and low response time would be ideal. However, for a more cinematic and immersive experience, especially in a living room or entertainment setup, a TV with HDR support and a larger screen size may be a more practical option.