Visual display
Also, being based on TN panel technology, the display suffers somewhat from rather narrow viewing angles, especially in the vertically direction. This is something you may well notice if you’re viewing the monitor from up close.
Appealing for its simplicity and size
Setting up as a TV is simple using the remote control, which gives you access to a large, clear menu system. Select ‘Setup’ and then ‘Installation’. From here you can kick off the auto tuning procedure which takes a couple of minutes to find analogue, digital and radio channels for you.
Despite its less than brilliant results, the 221TE2L still a quite watchable and in fact rather likeable TV. It’s certainly designed for convenience more than anything else and in this respect it definitely delivers.
Verdict
At £209, the 221TE2l costs around double what you’d pay for a similarly specified LED monitor without the built-in tuner. With the money you save, you could easily afford a superior set-top box or a plug-in TV tuner for your PC complete with extra goodies such as FreeviewHD support and the ability to record TV. Yet, despite its shortcomings, this display is a very convenient and effortlessly simple way to add digital TV capability to your PC or for use as a lightweight portable telly. ®
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40-42in net connected HD TVs |
Philips 221TE2L 21.5in monitor and Freeview TV combo
COMMENTS
Re: I don't get it
"All modern TVs can function perfectly well as a computer monitor"
Exactly. So what is the point of this?
Stereotyping
In the picture of the heterosexual couple watching TV, I'll bet you can easily guess which person holds the remote control...
Because...
"It supports full HD 1080p resolution – not normally required on a TV of this size, but great for PC use"
This.
So far as I have seen, a "PC" input is commonplace on most modern TVs. Do they not work well as monitors, or something?
Just buy the appropriate cable
Eg on ebuyer.com, a DVI -> HDMI 1.4 cable is £4, DVI-DVI is £5 and HDMI -> HDMI is £6.
Most budget video cards these days include an HDMI output. For instance, you can get a Palit Geforce 8400GS with HDMI for £21 inc VAT. This would support fully accelerated 1080p H264 playback on MythTV, using vdpau.
Most motherboards with onboard graphics usually now have HDMI as well, eg Asus P7H55-M (£62) or Biostar TH55B (£55) (the two cheapest Socket 1156 mobos on ebuyer).
Expecting to find cheap components on the high street is unrealistic, although you may be able to find cheap HDMI cables in QD/poundland etc.
