If you’re serious about sim racing, you know that one of the most important things is having a great setup.
That means not only having a great steering wheel and pedals, but also making sure you have a good monitor (or TV) to race on.
But which are better for sim racing – TVs or monitors?
Spoiler alert: whether using TV or a racing monitor comes down to preference, though most sim racers tend to prefer the monitor option (triple screens especially) as they feel it performs better overall.
Having said that, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of TVs and monitors for sim racing.
We’re gonna go through some of the main aspects that influence this heavily debated decision including:
- Price
- Graphics quality
- FOV & Realism
- Device Compatibility
- Actual space required
- Ease of use
- Driving Performance
Table of Contents
Are TVs good for sim racing?
Yes, though they’re not so popular among sim racers since they’ve got overall less performance as well as a narrower viewing angle when compared to monitors and VR headsets.
That said, there are some good TVs out there that would do the job just fine for sim racing, and they can be cheaper as well.
Just make sure that you get a model that has either a good refresh rate (at least 120Hz) which will help reduce screen tearing and stuttering.
Alright so let’s now have a look at each of the main aspects in more detail to see how TVs and monitors compare.
Price
When it comes to prices we have to say that monitors tend to be slightly more affordable than TVs.
Here’s a quick summary of what you can expect to find:
Monitors:
You can find a good racing monitor for around $250 – $300 from brands like Samsung and Xiaomi.
TVs:
A good quality (4K) TV can be purchased for as low as $400 from brands like Xiaomi and LG.
Graphics quality
When it comes to graphics, they’re both pretty similar.
However, monitors usually have a better pixel density which means that the image will be a bit sharper than TVs.
TVs on the other hand might have a slight advantage when it comes to colors and contrast ratios.
FOV & Realism
The field of view (FOV) tends to be the main difference between monitors and TVs when it comes to realism.
Especially with triple screen setups, monitors offer a much wider FOV which gives you a more immersive experience.
Of course, those come at a higher price though they’re usually worth every penny.
Device Compatibility
In terms of device compatibility, both TVs and monitors will work with any sim racing wheel and pedals.
However, if you’re planning on using a VR headset then you’ll need to make sure that your PC has an appropriate graphics card that’s compatible with the headset.
Actual space required
As far as the actual space required, both are pretty similar.
TVs usually need a bit more space on the side as they tend to be a bit taller, but monitors are a little wider so you might need to adjust the height of your racing cockpit.
Of course, if we take the triple screen monitors into account then that space requirement goes way up though it won’t be exaggerated.
Ease of use
When it comes to ease of use, both monitors and TVs are pretty easy to set up.
However, monitors might have a slight advantage as you won’t need to worry about connecting any HDMI cables (usually).
Driving Performance
If your main priority is driving performance then you should definitely go for a monitor over a TV.
This is because monitors usually have a lower input lag which means that there will be less delay between your actions and what you see on the screen. Moreover, they also tend to have a higher refresh rate which can further reduce that input lag.
However, if you’re just starting out with sim racing then your existing TV might be good enough for you to drive without spending extra money.
Is it better to race on TV or monitor?
Monitors. If your priority is driving performance then you should definitely get a monitor as they usually have a lower input lag. Plus, they also have a higher refresh rate which can help to reduce screen tearing and stuttering.
Is a curved TV better for sim racing?
Curved Screens always help to provide a wider viewing angle, better immersive gaming experience, and make you feel closer to the action. So, if you are looking for a more realistic experience either a curved TV or a curved monitor is the way to go.
Conclusion:
So here were the main differences between TVs and monitors when it comes to sim racing.
Overall, monitors are the better choice if you’re looking for the best driving performance.
However, if you’re just starting out or you don’t have a lot of extra spare cash to buy a monitor, then your TV will be good enough for you to start.
Hope that was helpful, good luck with your racing! 🙂
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