TV question

[LennG]

Since I am such a moron when it comes to anything IT, even these new-fangled TVs, we are looking to replace a TV with a 4k one. It goes into a wall unit so we only need a 32-inch model. On googling what we are looking for, several sites list monitors at a more reasonable price. If I have a cable connection that is now fiber optic (which I believe is streaming) can I use a monitor as a TV also? I figure, since I don't use the TV for any channels, why can't I hook up a monitor to my cable and use my Fire Stick also to watch what I watch now?
Is this possible?

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Since I am such a moron when it comes to anything IT, even these new-fangled TVs, we are looking to replace a TV with a 4k one. It goes into a wall unit so we only need a 32-inch model. On googling what we are looking for, several sites list monitors at a more reasonable price. If I have a cable connection that is now fiber optic (which I believe is streaming) can I use a monitor as a TV also? I figure, since I don't use the TV for any channels, why can't I hook up a monitor to my cable and use my Fire Stick also to watch what I watch now?
Is this possible?

Probably possible Lenn. But I wouldn't get a monitor unless you have everything you watch going through a computer first. And you couldn't possibly pick a better time to get a TV as Black Friday is two days away, and the competition between stores trying to get rid of inventory makes TVs really inexpensive. If I was you - and I ain't - I'd look at the Samsung TVs, but that's just me. And they come in all kinds of resolution, so 4k is standard on any brand these days all the way up to the OLED models with 6k. The Samsung S90D/S90DD OLED won the "Best Picture" and "Best TV"; however, I don't think it comes in a TV so small as a 32". I can't imagine watching TV on such a small device. Personally, I wouldn't have a TV any smaller than a 48" and no bigger than a 65" (which is what I have and what I love). And the Smart TVs already connect to any streaming service you have, so you don't have to mess with a computer to watch a show

[MightyGiants]

It is possible, but consider

You will need to have a separate speaker setup as most monitors don't do sound

You will not have a remote for turning it on and off

If you have more than one input source (like a cable box and an Amazon Firestick), you will need some sort of switching setup.

The quality of the picture might not be the same (TVs often have upscaling and the like), although at 32 inches, I doubt you would notice

TVs all have a 16:9 aspect ratio.  Monitors are a bit more variable, potentially resulting in black bars.

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Oh yeah...kind of an addendum to what Rich just said. Even on the best TVs out there, sound isn't all that great because there's little room in a very thin TV to hide decent speakers...so consider a sound bar if you get a TV. It doesn't have to be an expensive one, but it should at least have a subwoofer. That way, when you are watching a western and the scene has horses running towards the camera, it sounds like they are about to enter your living room...and the tone is rich and deep like in a movie theater

[MightyGiants]

Oh yeah...kind of an addendum to what Rich just said. Even on the best TVs out there, sound isn't all that great because there's little room in a very thin TV to hide decent speakers...so consider a sound bar if you get a TV. It doesn't have to be an expensive one, but it should at least have a subwoofer. That way, when you are watching a western and the scene has horses running towards the camera, it sounds like they are about to enter your living room...and the tone is rich and deep like in a movie theater

Ric,

I have a sound system with the TV, but not all programming requires high-quality sound.  For many programs I just use the TV speakers because it's easier and the program doesn't require quality sound (like a sitcom for instance)

[Jolly Blue Giant]

Ric,

I have a sound system with the TV, but not all programming requires high-quality sound.  For many programs I just use the TV speakers because it's easier and the program doesn't require quality sound (like a sitcom for instance)

Yeah, I understand. My soundbar turns on automatically when I turn the TV on, so I haven't heard the TV speakers since the day I got it. I like the theater sound when watching movies or thriller shows...or especially anything with music. I don't have surround sound, but my small living room doesn't need it

[LennG]

 I already have a pretty decent sound bar, as I am fairly deaf and this one I have was made more for people with hearing problems as I can adjust many different tones so I can adjust it to hear better.

I never thought about a remote, that could be a problem, but the remote from Optimum should be enough to handle that??

I was upgraded on my Cable (Optimum) to their new streaming service. I do not have a cable box anymore just this little sort of pad that connects to the HMI ports. So the TV or monitor would need two ports, one for the cable connection and one for my Firestick and most seem to have that.

I understand I am limited in my size and I'm sorry Rci you will never come to my house to watch my "LITTLE" TV (You are welcome though) but as I said, that is where the TV goes and it can only accommodate a 32-inch model. We are fine with it.

I was looking at a Samsung 32 4k model (there really are a lot of them to choose from at that size) for about $400, but, as I said, a monitor with basically the same specs can be had for under $300.