TV vs monitor: Which is the better display for playing racing games?

With a monitor, I can continue using a table to mount the steering setup

Mr.Bentley recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

To all the more experienced folks, which display device is better for Sim racing? A TV, or a Monitor?

I’m used to racing on (my PS5 + G29) a TV (Samsung 43in UHD TV). Recently, a colleague left his (LG UltraGear) Monitor with me and I’ve been using it for racing since a month. Now, that’s a great monitor and it really found itself an extra edge for me to incline on. And a month later, I had to return the monitor.

If I want to buy a monitor of similar level, I really need to spend some big ones (25k) for it. Instead, I’d buy a stand for my G20 (steering) and I’m good to go racing on my TV.

Just to cross this dilemma off, I wanted to know what veterans think of TV vs a Monitor for racing.

For me,

TV:

+ Bigg screen

+ Flexible audio setups available (bluetooth headsets / direct speakers)

+ I could use the space (where I would setup a monitor for PS5) for something else! haha

+ Can use the resources to add a steering mount

– Not so sharp video feed

– Need to setup everytime I wish to play

Monitor:

+ Sharp display

+ Dedicated place to play

– Pricey (I could buy a stand for that price!)

– Limited audio flexibility (if monitor has a 3.5mm jack, its little better. If not, I’ll have to attach a wired headset to the PS5 controller)

– Continue using a table to mount the Steering setup.

Disclaimer:

I wanted to buy only one item since it would feel refreshing to add new things periodically, rather than whole setup at once (and its financially light on the pockets too!).

Here’s what BHPian starke had to say on the matter:

I have had a similar scenario, but I went with investing in a dedicated cockpit setup as the advantage of having proper seating highly over weighs to a monitor.

A dedicated monitor does help to have less lag due to a higher response rate and higher refresh rate, you would feel smoother, but again you will have to pay a higher premium to get enough real-estate of screen.

Here’s what BHPian IshaanIan had to say on the matter:

I’d say stick with the TV a high end gaming monitor does offer much better response times and vastly higher refresh rates but both those stats only really matter in First Person Shooter type of games. For racing, a 42inch TV like yours is perfect

Here’s what BHPian three10 had to say on the matter:

The LG48GQ900 matches your requirement to a T.

HDMI 2.1 ports for consoles, DisplayPort 1.4 for PC’s. 120 Hz refresh rate with a 0.1 ms gray-to-gray. This is a 4K Display.

On a good day, you might find it on amazon for approx 1 lakh.

Refresh rates on TV’s are not so great – in what ever limited time I get to play, I find it too distracting.

Will probably be jumping to this next year, assuming I sell of my existing monitors.

Here’s what BHPian TheM0nk had to say on the matter:

Have you tried the new PS VR2. Supposedly Sim racing and Virtual Reality is a match made in heaven. No monitor/TV can give you that experience.

Here’s what BHPian wooka had to say on the matter:

OLED! I bought an LG C1 48 incher a year back and it’s a hoot to play on. I manage CSGO 21:9 and it’s amazing what I can now see out of the corner of my eye.

It also doubles up as a work monitor and quick YouTube panel. The angles, color, response and sharpness are amazing.

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