If you are considering using a TV screen as a computer monitor, you should be aware that TVs and monitors have been designed for different purposes. In this post, we answer the question: is it bad for your eyes to use a TV as a computer monitor.
TV Screens vs Computer Monitors
TVs are designed for viewing experiences and therefore can be super bright and full of vibrant colors. Computer monitors on the other hand are made for extended usage at an up-close distance. Therefore, their colors are toned down and don’t get too bright in order to be easier on your eyes.
Disadvantages of using TV as computer monitor
If you use a TV as a monitor, it would most likely be a temporary affair or for emergency purposes. This is because the contrast is high and all the vibrant greens, reds, and yellows, will strain your eyes rather quickly. This is especially true if you are using the TV screen up close. Remember how yo mama used to say “Dont sit too close to the TV!”. Now you are deliberately doing it and beginning to understand why. It really is bad for your eyes to use a TV as a computer monitor
How to properly use a TV as a monitor and protect your eyes
The only to practically use a TV screen as a monitor is by sitting far away from it. Get yourself a long HDMI or display cable and hook up your laptop or PC to the screen sitting at least six feet away from it, the same distance you would sit at when watching TV.
For this to be effective, the TV should be rather large and you can comfortably read text or this article at a distance. If you are using a small TV, say about 17 inches or less, then you will have to sit up close in order to read anything.
Given the above concerns about TV screens, you can still use them as monitors but will have to tweak the picture or display settings a bit if you plan to use it extensively. Specifically, you will have to tone down the brightness and contrast, and the color temperature. Most modern LCD TV’s come with display presets such as dynamic, Cinema, Sports, Warm, Soft etc. I found that for the “Soft” setting works best for this situation.
In conclusion, its okay to use an LCD TV screen as a monitor, though you have to either:
- Tone down the colors and brightness for up close usage
- Keep it far away from your eyes
- Use it in a well lit room so that you are not focusing on the brightest object
If you use the TV as is, chances are that your eyes will get tired very quickly and you wont even need to read this article to decide whether it was a good or a bad idea.
