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Just wondering, why LCD/LED-backlit TVs cost more (almost double) than LCD/LED-backlit monitors for same screen size?

Because I guess that TVs and Monitors, both use almost same technologies and both nowadays support some common connectors (HDMI/D-Sub/DVI etc).

And since a Monitor has much higher resolution than a TV for that size, and they are used more closely than TVs, Monitors probably require more engineering effort. So, Monitors are supposed to be costlier than TVs, right?

Ex: A ViewSonic (or any) 22"/26" monitor supports Full-HD resolution at 1080p (WSXGA+-1680×1050, WUXGA-1920×1200), while all 22"/26" HDTVs support HD-ready 720p (WXGA-1366x768) only, which is also the resolution of my Notebook's 15.6" screen.

UPDATE: I think cost(monitor+tuner) != cost(tv), cost(monitor+tuner) is still much less than cost(tv). Also I've brought around 5 monitors in past 1 year (for me and others), and all of them have integrated speakers and (of course) audio decoders.

Today (June, 2010) a 22" monitor starts from INR.9,000/- while a 22" LCD TV around INR.17,000/-

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Size (inches) is not equal or scalable to resolution. Though it is absurd that people find 1080p so amazing. – Josh K Jun 3 '10 at 16:32
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closed as off topic by Nifle, Sathya♦ May 23 '11 at 12:07

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4 Answers

up vote 4 down vote

As mentioned they have built in Tuners. There's also the size aspect. How many monitors do you see at 42"? It doesn't come cheap, even if the resolution isn't as high as a standard monitor.

There are also other built-in components like speakers, logic boards for close captioning, multiple inputs / outputs, sound processing , etc. Integrating these into a device does cost money.

Another reason could be build quality. I don't know about some brands, but I've had flat panel monitors crap out within weeks. You get what you pay for.

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up vote 1 down vote
  1. Marketing
  2. Tuners
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Please expand your answer. – Josh K Jun 3 '10 at 16:29
TVs are priced for to "what the market will bear". – Chris Nava Jun 3 '10 at 16:32
@Chris Exactly. Televisions are marketed over expensive mediums, i.e. television and print. This cost is passed on to the consumer. Prices are also tested for market sensitivity; people are more likely to pay good money for a TV than a monitor. Also, televisions generally have on-board tuners that make watching TV possible, monitors are just displays. – TheDudeAbides Jun 3 '10 at 16:38
It's mostly the marketing. Adding a tuner adds very little to the manufacturing costs as a percentage of the total. – BBlake Jun 3 '10 at 18:00
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up vote 0 down vote

TVs have a built in Tuner to process signals. Monitors don't. To watch a TV signal on a monitor, you'd need a special graphics card with an onboard tuner.

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up vote 0 down vote

A monitor display is any day better than a TV. Monitors have better refresh rate, higher frequency, higher color range and importantly the final image looks better on a monitor. Agreed monitors don't have a tuner, but your STB has it, and you don't need a tuner. One thing I have observed is TVs have higher luminosity than monitors (pictures look brighter).

The cost of TVs includes the cost of advertising. Also people are not so tech savvy. They want a TV, a good one so are ready to pay anything for it. Don't you think you must be the one who is paying for the galaxy of stars promoting your TV.

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