So you are out shopping for a new TV. You notice that the LCD selection on the shelves supplies both a monitor and a TV version in the size that you are looking for. Now you have to ask yourself, what exactly is the difference? Why would there be two different versions of practically the same functioning unit.

The secret lies in the fact that there is a difference.
Some businesses have been sporting large format LCDs for use in industry related areas such as within boardrooms and reception areas. Retailer use LCDs for surveillance as well as internal advertising. Quite often there is confusion between whether these areas should be utilizing an LCD information display panel, also recognized as a ‘monitor’, or an LCD TV. To the average layperson, an LCD TV is an LCD monitor with the addition of a TV tuner, and people are often surprised to find that an LCD monitor may cost more than an LCD TV. Let’s make some sense out of this.

There are a few relevant differences between the LCD monitor and the TV, so depending on what function you want your LCD to perform, you will make your choice accordingly. If you are viewing data, and not only images, you will want to sway towards an LCD monitor. An LCD TV does not produce the same resolution as an LCD monitor; the quality a monitor produces is of much higher quality and has higher brightness and contrast levels as well. Most common LCD monitors have a lifespan of 50,000 hours or more. An LCD monitor can also be operated around the clock, whereas an LCD TV is designed for 6-8 hours of continuous operation. A fact that most LCD TV owners are unaware of! Monitors can be connected to a network and remotely controlled and monitored. Further networked LCD monitors allow for remote content management and scheduling, which is an added advantage for big businesses.

For the retailer, an LCD Monitor can be easily connected together to create a video wall. The gap between the monitors can be minimalized, and there are connection outlets in the LCD monitor so that an image can be displayed across monitors to seem as one large image. This cannot be done in an LCD TV. LCD Monitors can also be connected in a mirror image format, so that the same image appears in all the monitors at the same time. You have seen both of these functions on TV sales floors.

So, the differences are quite unique, and you as a consumer simply have to understand what function you wish to secure for the life of your LCD. If you need an extra little help, there is also the factor of energy consumption. The energy consumed by an LCD monitor is considerably less and since the electro-magnetic radiations emitted are also less, it is also less hazardous to health.