Plasma TV as PC Monitor?

[Red Dragon]

My question is simple, and as per the title...do any plasma TV's come with a VGA input to connect a PC monitor cable so it can be connected directly to a PC as a secondary monitor (like we do with our present Pansonic TX-37LZ80) or is it only LCD TV's that allow this ?

Incidentally, looking at 42" TV's with a view to upgrade, and love our present Panasonic...so what would be the next logical upgrade step for us...not looking for 3D or internet connectivity (in view of the above query) but it must have a VGA connection and be full HD...oh, and not cost a rediculous amount...any suggestions ? Thanks for any assistance...

 

[Paul.]

Plasmas dont tend to be recommended for pc screen due to pixel burn in.

You can buy HDMI-VGA adapters and cables, so I wouldn't worry about finding one with a VGA connector.

 

[nads]

I would think that VGA will be available on all TV for quite some time. But if your PC has HDMI out then get a TV with a few HDMI ins as you will get sound aswell.

 

[markyd]

I had to hook up a compuer to a Panasonic 42v20 at work yesterday through the vga input. It was a server and the rubbish built-in graphics didn't support the TVs full 1920x1080 resolution, so it defaulted to 1348x768 (or something similar @ 16:9) - but looked suprisingly good. Excellent in fact.

As aprimary display, I would be concerned about long term screen burn if a screensaver wasnt set with a very short interval - but for occasional use, it would be ok.

My mate has had his mac hooked up to his samsung plasma as a secondary monitor wit a dvi-hdmi cable and has had no long term burn issues - though as a secondary monitor it is not on all the time.

 

[Red Dragon]

Thanks guys, unfortunately PC is pre-HDMI so that's not a possibility, and I was wondering if plasma technology is just not suited to being used as a PC monitor for the pixel burn in reason or whatever else...doesn't seem that many (if any) come with a VGA monitor input...

We are still keen on some of the larger Panasonic plasma's but also see that Panansonic are planning some larger LCD TV's this year too so will see what inputs/outputs they come with...