Question : Problem: Technical confusion for a HDTV widescreen monitor

I am currently looking at two models, but have technical insecurity of HDTV. First, I am replacing my PC monitor. I would like to be able to also watch HDTV on the monitor WITHOUT the use of the computer (I have had an analog tv tuner in the past). The monitor that I have been considering from the reviews, ratings and price, is the Samsung T220HD widescreen monitor. This monitor (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS24TDNSUV/ZA) has a built-in 1080 capable tuner, built-in speakers, 10,000:1 dynamic contras, Dual HDMI and 5 ms response. The part I do not understand is the resolution. It states that it has a full HD 1080p tuner, but the maximum resolution for the monitor is 1680 x 1050. How can this monitor achieve 1080?

An alternate is the Samsung T240HD widescreen monitor. This monitor has the same features (Full HD 1080p tuner and dual HDMI) and has a resolution of 1920 x 1200, which is above the 1080 &right?

If the T220HD wont give me the full 1080p viewed and I go with the T240HD, is there anything problematic with the monitor at a resolution of 1200? I have read mixed articles on 1200, but confused on the whole topic.

Background: I plan on using the monitor for everyday PC work (email, Internet, gaming, office, etc.) and would like to switch over to watch HDTV (through Time Warner Digital HD Cable) even when the computer is off. I would be viewing the HDTV from my futon, which will be located between 6 to 11 feet from the monitor. The T220HD is at the right price for what I am budgeting so the alternate (T240HD) is only viable if the T220HD wont achieve my goal. This is regardless whether Time Warner has any channels in 1080p, because I am just trying to think ahead. Any other suggestions on monitors or TVs are welcome if it is clearly the better method/choice and stays within the price range. A quick look for the T220HD, prices at $359.99 at CircuitCity.com. I already have a digital DVR box from Time Warner to use to descramble the HD channels. The two monitors I mentioned have speakers and the ability to output to my stereo surround.

Key goals:
~PC monitor
~HDTV viewing without the PC from a distance of 6 to 11 feet
~1080p - a bonus if it can be achieved
~Ideal to stay under $400
~Monitor size of 22 or 24 is fine (Im use to a 27 television so no problem) &and my desk con only fit a monitor no wider than 26.5

Thank you in advance for any help/clarification on my HD dilemma.

Answer : Problem: Technical confusion for a HDTV widescreen monitor

The ATSC tuner in both models is a full HD tuner that can receive 1080p signals.   In both cases, the TV signal is scaled to the physical display characteristics of the monitors => in the 220HD's case that means it's scaled to the smaller screen with a native 1680 x 1050 resolution.  It will look FINE in both cases :-)   A 22" monitor simply has a native resolution smaller than the full HD resolution --> I watch HD material on my 22" frequently, and it looks perfect ... just as good as on my 60" HDTV (although clearly I watch it from MUCH closer than you plan to --- I think a 22" display is much too small to watch from 11 feet away ... I sit closer than that to my 60" display, which is over 7 times as large !!).

As for the "1200" question => note that both the 22" [at 1680 x 1050] and the 24" [at 1920 x 1200] have a 16:10 aspect ratio.   This is true for all widescreen monitors.   Widescreen televisions, on the other hand, use a 16:9 aspect ratio.   That's the only difference.   So if an HD program is displayed correctly on your monitor, there will be a small black space on the top and bottom to compensate for the incorrect aspect ratio -- but the program itself will look perfect.   Some viewers will slightly stretch the material to fill the screen ... and most folks don't notice that [I always prefer to use the correct aspect ratio].

Bottom line:  Either of the monitors you're considering will work just fine ... the image quality will be comparable on both; but clearly the 24" will be somewhat larger (19% larger), and will have a 1:1 match to the HD source, so it's easier to scale correctly.   But you needn't be concerned about the 22" model, if that's all you want to spend.