Question : Problem: TV as Computer Monitor?

Does anybody know of a graphics card on the market (or alternative means) by which I can connect a regular, 19" television set to my computer to use as a monitor? I've done some preliminary searching and have come up empty-handed.

Answer : Problem: TV as Computer Monitor?

I beleive that there are quite a few graphic cards that have composite video outputs so that you can use the video input on the tv (the same signal that is available on the back of virtually all vcrs), but I doubt that there are many with RF outputs.  The RF output is what you need if you hook up to the antenna (cable) input, so you can use a one of the "low band" channels - usually 2,3 or 4.

Many new computers come with a DVD drives and composite video outputs, so there have to be display boards on the market.

Take a look at these pages:
http://www.ati.com/na/pages/products/pc/aiw_128_pro/index.html
http://www.ati.com/na/pages/products/pc/aiw_128/index.html
http://www.ati.com/na/pages/products/pc/aiw_pro/index.html

I think that you might need a little more information about using a "regular" tv as a monitor, so here is some, and other expers may have more to add.

Televisions in general are limited to a max of about 640 X 480 resolution when used as a monitor.  Most any cheap 19" monitor will go to 1280 X 1024 and even 1600 X 1200.

A high end tv only has about 800 lines horizontal resolution.   In the vertical you are limited by the basic number of scan lines used by the local standard, which in US television is 525.  Even all of the 525 lines are not available, as a few are used for non picture data and about every tv is set up so that the picture is clipped a little at the top and bottom of the screen.  Televisions have problems in thier basic design that make them poor choices for use as a monitor.  If the standard tv picture tube could work as a monitor, you would now see $300 - 500 32" monitors, but that's not the way it works, there is a totally different type of tube used in monitors.

Yes, you can buy a 19" television for $100, but you can find a decent 17" monitor for $200 - $250, and a 19" for $300 and up.  

Sort of comes down to the old cliche, the right tool for the job.  You  can cut down a 16" diameter tree with a  pruning saw if you can spend the whole day, or use a chain saw and do it in 30 seconds.

John