Computer pro's: If you've got a moment, I've got a question!

I am considering the purchase of a new video card (RADEON 9200SE 128MB). It comes with a "TV Out" jack. Does this mean that I could use a standard TV as my computer video monitor? And if so, what are the +'s & -'s to using a TV as a monitor?

Thanks in advance for your answers (:

Hornito

TV out is useful for things like watching movies or doing presentations, or possibly playing video games, depending on your setup.

Doing any sort of computing with lots of text is unpleasant on a TV.

n/t

The + is if you have a TV card, you can watch TV on your TV set (but I watch TV on my computer monitor and it's just fine). The - is that your TV set has a much lower resolution than a computer monitor, so it isn't great for doing anything involving high-res graphics.

processing, and watching DVD movies, rarely using it for high-res work (like digital photos). Would TV resolution be OK for those uses? If so, I guess I could always plug in my regular monitor for high-res stuff.

The reason I am asking these questions, is that it seems a less expensive way to go (using a video card and a TV) to enable me to have a large screen (to watch DVD movies), a TV, and a computer, all in one set up, rather than having to purchase a video card, a TV card, and a larger monitor. Is this the best way to go, or is there another, more cost-effective way to "have it all"?

The poor resolution and the low refresh rate make reading (as in mails and the net) neither eye-friendly nor enjoyable.

Using the TV as secondary screen for movies is a pretty good idea, however many video cards have a poor signal quality. Also PCs tend to be pretty noisy .

If you can life with the noise, using a normal screen and the TV at the same time is no problem. Another option is a cable from one room to the living room.
One possibility is a shielded video cable (using higher quality cable is very important after a few feet) and normal audio cable for the sound.

Another way to get the movies on the TV (not using a graphics card) is using a network box (wireless is a little more expensive). The advantage is the better picture quality and the ability to use a remote control, the major downside is the price (about as expensive as the Radeon 9200).

What I'd really like to have, is the video card (the one I have is the very basic built-in Intel type, and it sucks), a TV card (stereo, with a remote), and a new 18" LCD monitor. Then, I could "have it all". Cost? For the whole setup, around $650, which is why I am trying to explore acceptable alternatives.