TV as a computer monitor?

Is there anything complicated for this or do you just need a few cables? We got a brand-new TV set so that shouldn't be an issue, I'd like to be able to manage this if I can.

Yes it should be pretty simple. If you got the right tv. it should have an input for your computer.

It's pretty common now though not sure if everyone else appreciate it.

Depends on the computer and TV.

I've got a 26" Samsung HDTV and couldn't use it as an HD monitor for my old MacBook Pro so I had to go the VGA route. With the new one, I can use it via HD (HDMI).

Check the TV first. It should be in the manual - mine had a note about how all of the TV of my model that were built after a certain date had a certain little difference, while those before couldn't. The difference was the use of the TV as an HD monitor for a computer.

Other than that, it should be simple. If it has multiple HDMI ports, chances are only a specific one will allow you to use it as a monitor (mine is that way). Then it's just plugging things in.

Its a simple cable that you can pick up anywhere online for like $10. DVI-D to HDMI is what you need. Unless your TV has a VGA or DVI port build into already.

Or you could go the S-video route if your computer and TV both support that.

I know It can be done, but it's NOT advised. Screens that stand still tend to hurt your TV.

If your TV has a Monitor connection on it then that's all you need, but if you want a higher resoloution, you'll need a better graphics card, and a HD graphics card would e better for utilizing the resources of a HD TV.

also the screen refreshrate might be different, my monitor is 5ms which is decent I think, im pretty sure tv's have a larger ms refreshrate.