Yes, a 1080p TV can be used as a gaming monitor, but there are some things to consider. Firstly, 1080p TVs usually come with a higher refresh rate which can be beneficial when playing fast-paced games. They also have aspect ratios that can benefit competitive gamers, like a 16:9 ratio which is the same as competitive gaming monitors. Additionally, 1080p TVs often have better picture quality than monitors due to their deeper blacks, better backlighting, and wider colour gamut.
However, before you decide to purchase a 1080p TV for gaming, consider that most modern games need to be run at higher resolutions. Some newer titles might struggle to run at 1080p, or even at lower resolutions. If this is the case, you’ll need to invest in a gaming monitor with a higher resolution – usually 1440p or 4K.
A gaming monitor will also typically provide more input lag than a TV, meaning that your display’s response time will be slower. This can be a significant disadvantage when it comes to competitive gaming titles. As such, you should be sure to choose a gaming monitor with a low input lag. Dedicated gaming monitors also support different picture modes, such as ‘RTS’ or ‘FPS’, that can optimize the monitor for the gaming title you’re playing.
Finally, TVs usually have sub-par sound quality when compared with dedicated gaming monitors. If you want great sound, you should invest in a gaming monitor that has built-in speakers, or invest in a gaming headset. Investing in a good monitor and sound system can significantly enhance your overall gaming experience.
Advantages of Using a 1080p TV for Gaming
Using a 1080p TV for gaming offers several advantages. For a start, most 1080p TVs come with features like higher refresh rates and wider aspect ratios that can improve your gaming experience. On top of that, they also have better picture quality due to their deeper blacks, better backlighting, and wider colour gamut. Additionally, 1080p TVs are generally more affordable than dedicated gaming monitors, making them ideal for budget gamers.
Furthermore, 1080p TVs come with several ports and inputs that make it easy to hook up all your devices. This includes modern consoles, PCs, and other gaming accessories such as headsets and webcams. As such, most would agree that 1080p TVs are a great choice for console gaming.
In addition, most dedicated gaming monitors don’t come with video inputs, meaning that you won’t be able to hook up consoles like the PS4 or Xbox One. If you want to game on a console, a 1080p TV is the way to go.
Finally, many TVs come with smart features like internet browsing, streaming apps, and more, which can enhance your overall gaming experience. This might be especially appealing for gamers who are interested in both console and PC gaming.
Disadvantages of Using a 1080p TV for Gaming
Using a 1080p TV for gaming isn’t without its drawbacks. The main one being that most modern games have to be run at higher resolutions, such as 1440p or 4K, which can be difficult or impossible to achieve on a 1080p display. This cuts down the number of games that can take advantage of a 1080p TV’s features.
Another major disadvantage is that TVs usually have higher input lag than dedicated gaming monitors, making them unsuitable for competitive gaming. Additionally, TVs typically have poorer sound quality than dedicated gaming monitors, so if you’re looking for great sound you’ll need to invest in a gaming headset or dedicated sound system.
Finally, 1080p TVs don’t come with the same selection of post-processing features as dedicated gaming monitors. This includes built-in presets, such as ‘RTS’ or ‘FPS’, which are designed to optimize the display’s settings for different genre of games. This means you may not get the best performance out of your games.
Conclusion
Overall, 1080p TVs can be used for gaming, and offer several advantages, such as better picture quality, wider aspect ratios, and more input ports than dedicated gaming monitors. However, they also have some key drawbacks that should be taken into consideration, such as higher input lag and a limited selection of post-processing features. Additionally, the majority of modern games need to be run at higher resolutions, which could be an issue with a 1080p TV.
Alternatives to 1080p TVs for Gaming
If you want to use a display for gaming, then there are some other alternatives to 1080p TVs. Dedicated gaming monitors come with features like low input lag, better sound quality, and a selection of post-processing features that can significantly improve your gaming experience. Furthermore, many gaming monitors come with higher resolutions than 1080p, such as 1440p or 4K, which can help you get the best performance out of modern games.
Additionally, many modern TVs come with higher resolution than 1080p. This includes models such as 4K TVs, which offer better picture quality and wider aspect ratios than 1080p TVs. However they still come with the same drawbacks, such as higher input lag and limited post-processing features.
Finally, you could also purchase an HDMI capture box. This allows you to capture and play console games directly from your TV, bypassing the need for a gaming monitor or dedicated graphics card. However, this does come with some restrictions, such as limited video resolution and a lack of post-processing features.
What Is a Good Refresh Rate for a Gaming Monitor?
When choosing a gaming monitor, one of the most important features to consider is the refresh rate. This refers to the amount of times per second the display refreshes its image, and is measured in hertz (Hz). Most gaming monitors will have a refresh rate of at least 144 Hz, but some higher-end models can support refresh rates up to 240 Hz.
The higher the refresh rate, the better the overall gaming experience. This is because higher refresh rates mean less motion blur and a smoother gaming experience. Additionally, if you are playing competitive games such as first-person shooters, then a higher refresh rate will give you a leg up on your opponents, as it will make it easier to spot and react to opponents quickly.
Furthermore, gaming monitors usually come with adaptive sync technology, such as NVIDIA’s G-Sync or AMD’s FreeSync. These technologies help reduce screen tearing, stuttering, and input lag, and can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
Finally, it’s important to note that not all games require a higher refresh rate. Some slower-paced genres, such as turn-based strategy games and role-playing games, might not benefit as much from higher refresh rates. In such cases it might be better to invest in a monitor with a lower resolution, such as 1080p.
