2nd Monitor setup?

By JoeyF
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JoeyF

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My current computer has a single LCD monitor attached to it. Additionally, I have an old CRT TV attached to my satellite receiver. My computer has a TV Tuner in it which would allow me to connect my receiver to it and watch TV on. Recently, my TV has been going out, and needs to be replaced soon. In addition, I want a second monitor on my computer, as that will make a number of projects I do (especially web design) easier.

Since I have a TV tuner, I was just thinking of just getting rid of the TV, adding a second monitor to my PC, and whenever I wanted to watch TV I would just open Media Center. However, it's been suggested to me that I instead get an LCD TV that has DVI/VGA inputs, and connect my satellite receiver directly to that instead. So when I wanted to watch TV, I switch it to the TV input, and when I wanted to use it as a second monitor, I switch it to PC input. My receiver is a DVR, so I have no desire to record video onto my computer.

So, basically, I have two scenarios to pick from:

Monitor Scenario

setup: two monitors attached to computer, satellite receiver connected to TV tuner on computer, use software to display tv feed.

pros: always have two monitors available (just watch TV in windowed mode), use computer's DVD player

cons: need computer on to watch TV, heavy processor load may cause video lag

LCD TV Scenario

setup: one monitor and LCD TV connected to computer, satellite receiver connected directly to TV.

pros: computer can be off while watching TV, video isn't lagged by software, bigger screen

cons: switching to TV mode will set me back to one monitor, need to buy a DVD player

So both possible setups have pros and cons, and I can't decide which way to go. I was wondering if anyone had any similar setups (two monitors + tuner, or monitor + connected TV), and could provide any feedback? Or does anyone know any other potential advantages/disadvantages to either setup?

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https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/848288-2nd-monitor-setup/
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