How I Use a 4K TV as a Monitor for Productivity

[@HelloDavid]

Will Super Ultrawide or 16:9 Big Screen TVs be the future of Computer Monitors? I wonder...

[@davidhrzenjak]

I think for certain usecases smaller LG oleds are superior to anything on the market

[@MurchyMurch]

Not at today’s pricing. I can’t justify a high end 49” UW display at the same price of a 65 Sony 900 Series FALD TV or 48” OLED.

[@tne9748]

I really want a big screen like that, but maybe not OLED? Isn't this the perfect recipe for burn-in? Windows always in the same zones. The middle ones are used the most. Tabs in the same place every time. Text in the same place. Task bar in the same place. Do you think 42" would be better then the 48?

[@KJ-ib4mh]

What would you say the seating distance sweet spot is for this size of monitor? I have a 29in desk.

[@jasongenovatrooper]

Hi David, are you going to do an upgraded embody video? I assume you’ve been using it for a few months now and it would be cool To know how it’s going

[@Loachie90]

He’s expanding his resume from rearranging desks to rearranging his desktop

[@arush.27]

Ctrl+shift

[@anthonycbrown1952]

Thank you David for your curated technology and lifestyle videos. The quality of your videos illustrates the value of fewer but very topical content. All the best to you and your family during the holiday season.

[@AnalogX64]

I've been using 40" 4K TV's as computer displays since last year and its the best thing ever. Its the perfect time to start thinking about using them, prices are very affordable. and Microsofts Power Toys with Fancy Zones is a great pairing.

[@johhny.d.]

Are you using it for some kind of work or almost for playing games and watching movies?

[@robertwilsoniii2048]

@@johhny.d. Why not all the above. That's one of the main perks. May as well hook up a playstation on the side.

[@fontexstudios]

@@robertwilsoniii2048 are you using 2-horizontally paired 40" 4K LED TVs?

[@tk-qg5mm]

This is the tip I really need in my workflow. Thanks!

[@jzee100]

I clicked on this being skeptical at first but I get it now. Using a huge monitor can be very cool 🙂

[@mateusssssss567]

It feels like I'm getting out of breath when he takes too long to say "hi I'm David"

[@peterwilkinson1975]

I just bought the lg for a content creation monitor, and I was literally writing a comment about what software you use. Then I saw this video thanks so much!

[@Lam]

Great video, I just learned I can drag a window to multiple sections in power tools. Game changing.

[@Sloimer]

The narration makes me feeling like I’m drowning while slowly sinking to the bottom of an ocean of anesthesia

[@funtikthewobblycat]

Better than ASMR

[@Shadow38PL]

Windows should have this builtin. I think tabs were promissed 2 years ago but still nothing

[@postskeetclarity]

Agreed

[@MrWanted000]

This tool is developed by Microsoft developers

[@shway1]

@@MrWanted000 powertoys yes, but not groupy

[@liam4184]

@@MrWanted000 not the tab app.

[@sjheeta]

this was a very impressive and informative video - thanks for your continued useful shares

[@AurelTristen]

I've had all kinds of setups, from ultrawides to 2x, 3x and the ol' every-monitor-I-have-because-why-not? Then I bought a CHEAP 32 inch 4k TV and it's the best monitor experience yet. I have it set up almost exactly the same (Fancy Zones, Groupy) and I don't really miss having a second monitor. This is the cheapest and best upgrade I've ever made, and I wish I'd have done it sooner.

[@sagaryerguntala909]

Can you tell me the name of the 32inch 4K tv

[@wnose]

Approx how far away are your eyes from the TV? And how deep is your desk?

[@AurelTristen]

@@wnose 30" from screen. Desk edge is 20" from the screen. Using Freedom Units because I somehow ended up with a tape measure that doesn't include cm. Also, update: I now use a second monitor turned vertically. Email and Discord live over there full-time.

[@AurelTristen]

@@sagaryerguntala909 Oops, I guess it's a 42". Model is un43tu7000fxza.

[@wnose]

@@AurelTristen Thank you - not very different from my present laptop setup. Waiting for Black Friday Sales to see what comes up.

[@Gnaboaix]

I'm using my 55inch TV now thanks to you! It has been collecting dust. So happy to use it again! Making the money worth~~!

[@kdcyp]

Thank you so much for enlightening me as to how to organise my Windows! This is such an efficiency tool, especially when used with shorcuts! 🙏

[@tomioka.6703]

In a couple of years... David be like: *How I use a 8K TV as a Monitor for Productivity*

[@armanke13]

I'll bet in months, not years..

[@tomioka.6703]

@@armanke13 Haha bet!

[@daniel_960_]

He definitely wishes it to be 8k. The pixel density with 4k at this size isn’t really great.

[@tomioka.6703]

@@daniel_960_ Definitely true..

[@cheukyin810]

couple weeks you mean. In couple year it will be: How I use 4 8k TV as my tabletop.

[@FiR3Dr4g0n]

that is the exact setup am using for ultrawide monitor, but am using displayfusion instead. i divided my screen into two (2/3 and 1/3). in that way i don't need any shortcuts/keybinds. when i double click, the windows maximises into the exact dimensions of the "virtual screen" that is placed. so in a way my ultrawide monitor acts as if i have two monitors.

[@sammy10001]

you are the king of doing nothing important, but making it seem important.

[@Evolved-]

I purchased the CX 48" a couple weeks ago to use as a computer monitor and this video is incredibly useful! Thanks!

[@BouncingSoulR6]

Omg! This is exactly the video I needed, just bought an LG C1 and my old setup is two display for gaming and productivity. My biggest issue was not losing this type of multitasking moving to a single and much bigger display, I often play games and have my second monitor either playing a video or having a web browser open or discord. I also do video editing so having a second monitor is excellent for this, and having watched a few other videos no one ever talks about multitasking on an OLED it’s mostly about games and content. Thanks for making this video, it has re-affirmed my decision to go ahead and try this setup for myself.

[@iereshpandey6638]

Did you bought it? I wanted to know your thoughts. I plan to use a big 4k tv only for trading (three windows/tabs), story games on pc/ps5 and for movies.

[@BouncingSoulR6]

@@iereshpandey6638 I am currently using the tv as my monitor, not much to complain about. I had to get use to the size of the display at first, but once I was use to it it’s been great. Multitasking wise, I wish it was better at it but it still doable. I saw that the new C2 has a function for running picture by picture to use it as two monitors.

[@iereshpandey6638]

@@BouncingSoulR6 thanks for replying

[@nagib2847]

YOOO NOW I CAN FINALLY SPLIT MY VERTICAL SCREEN HORIZONTALLY

[@jamesmacleod8388]

lol, exactly what I was happy to find too!! I'm going to try both two and three bands for it - what has worked for you?

[@nagib2847]

@@jamesmacleod8388 tried 3 and 4 bands. The spotify app cant be made smaller then a certain LxW for some dumb reason. Because of that I had to use 3 bands since 4 bands was just to small. But 4 bands is like the sweet spot I find. So I now use discord and spotify in 2 bands (2x2 bands each) and otherwise I split it like 3/1 1/1/1/1 or 2/2.

[@nagib2847]

@@jamesmacleod8388 2 bands is what I use right now.

[@complicated-antihero]

I just got FancyZones for a new Ultrawide Monitor and I had never heard of the spanning across zones feature. Thank you!

[@dougstead1956]

Polished and professional, no hesitation what-so-ever recommending this informative video as well worth your time.

[@AngelPl4y3r]

This videos showed us enough tips and tricks that you might not get a pain in the neck while using a 48” monitor... thanks David

[@cientifico]

I have similar setup, and after using fanzy zones, the setup I am more happy with is to reduce vertical resolution (so big black bars in the top and button) and to use windowgrid where you move the window in a grid.

[@AfdhalAtiffTan]

Thank you for the ctrl + shift tips on the Powertoys!

[@hwhack]

Awesome! I'm an embedded systems engineer so this video is right up my alley. I'm looking to use a 43" TV as a monitor.

[@Google_Does_Evil_Now]

Those TV and Computer stores should have this video playing on a loop with these software products for sale nearby. They could sell the monitor and the software together. This video is a perfect sales video. I like the steady paced talking too. I don't feel I'm being sold to. I'm just being educated on potential useful ways to get the most from the TV.

[@CYBRHKR]

@David Zhang May I ask which application was used for the live wallpaper in the background?

[@JoLuna2406]

I bought a 55 inch TV mainly for gaming and some virtual machine stuff, and it's awesom, with this apps i can't go back to dual monitor, thanks!

[@airwolf...]

Hi David, would you be so kind as to share what the name of that wallpaper engine background is in the video thumbnail?

[@alexandrubaginean7369]

That app that divides the screen its such a power tool, awesome. I also will buy a 4k monitor for developing

[@MB-wu9uq]

I replicate this minus the monitor arm and light. I love it. I usually am an alt tab over users but groupy is pretty slick just using mouse. Thanks for the video.

[@Joker25076]

Thanks for the tip with Fancy Zones! Use it but didn't know about the multiple zones feature so far.

[@johhny.d.]

David tnx for sharing your experience. I think 40-43 inches would be sweet spot with 4k resolution at 100% scale for productivity, but 8k in that size range with 200% scale would be ideal even for your case with 48 inches. 4k here makes picture not so smooth as we expect especially in comparison with retina in phones and Apple displays.

[@mjwmontgomery]

Me too. And it is great! 43 inchs is optimal in my view.

[@gepardtilly]

I have been using this screen as a computer monitor for a couple of days. It works, but is far from optimal. The PPI is 0.96, which is far away from the optimal 110 PPI. Everything is very soft. Text is "fuzzy" even with a 60Hz RGB signal, full working days on the screen were painful. The optimal size for 4K at 110 PPI would be 40", to avoid any scaling. I think a good resolution for 48" would be 5120 x 2880, at 122 PPI, and 125% in Windows 10. Burn in is a major issue, who wants to work with hidden icons and hidden taskbar? That is a total productivity killer. As for the soft/fuzzy text, especially in white backgrounds like Gmail and web pages, do I have some wrong settings? Or you have a similar experience? Thx!

[@25566]

try game mode on the tv, and tuning windows clear text might help

[@warrenlipton833]

This video is very well thought-out and informative. I think I may be in the market for a big 4K monitor now!

[@lilkwarrior5561]

Great tips to get Windows as productive on my 48" CX & Pro Display (I quick swap with an ergotron quick detach mount ) as my MacOS set-up via Magnet.

[@RyuKyu316]

Nice vid. Thanks for all the recommendations. Will be getting a 39 inch 16:9 monitor soon and these tips will help a lot.

[@thomaskhaleel8853]

this man using a whole tv for a monitor while im using a 13 in laptop 😂😂

[@jeromerusselldemusicologist]

This just inspired me to get a 4k TV as my next computer monitor...

[@harsha1908]

Planning on buying the 48in OLED when it trickles down to decent price, these tools will helpful.

[@MrWanted000]

Did u end-up getting this monitor?

[@offendershuffle9386]

Hey, in summer the 42 inch LG C1 OLED will come out. Are you planning on getting a review unit or getting one to replace your LG CX?

[@FallenArtemie]

FancyZones is amazing for this monitor. I copied your 12 zones but then split the center row into half to make 16 zones. This allows me to put windows in quarter size of the monitor too. I also have a super ultrawide that I used only for work. The TV was for my gaming computer but I ended up liking the tv more since it can be used for work and gaming and consolidated both desk setups into one with two regular monitors flanking it for aux programs like music or Slack.

[@alllaurel10]

Thanks for the tips. As always, your videos are informative. Keep it up.

[@GuniBulls]

I loved that flow!! Looks beautiful and even though im on an ultrawide + qhd, there's a bunch in there I want to do. So I think I might finally move on from displayfusion...

[@scoubydoodle]

I am using 43 inches smart TV as a monitor too. It is fantastic!

[@RichardServello]

I'm considering getting a 65" 8K screen for productivity (essentially 4 4k screens). This really helped me determine if it makes sense.

[@mtrg]

Soooooooo amazing video!! Thank you for sharing. I've been using my 40ish inch TV as my monitor for months now but regret not finding your video earlier :( So helpful!! Please share more cool tips you find on the internet!

[@mopnem]

This guy is my go to for window management tips for sure lol. Some nice suggestions here

[@INFRAMAZE]

Great video MannnN! I immediatley used your backgrounds! Love em!

[@ferpeo]

You are a fucking Genius! You have just showed me the light, oh Productivity God 🙇🏻‍♂️

[@thegallery]

Gotta say you're really using it more like an ultrawide. It doesn't seem you take advantage of the top and bottom areas much; but like you said, for coders, or when you want to use as an actual TV, those options are available. I want a 4k for a work-from-home setup. However I won't have permissions on the Work Laptop to install the PowerToys, so my options for managing windows will be limited to programs that don't require registry entries. So now my debate is do I want a 43" or 65", or somewhere in-between? Seeing as how I'll be sitting a few inches further away and seeing how most of the productivity will still be in the centre of the screen, I think I may opt for the larger size. But it also depends how lowI can put the TV so my eyes are in line with the centre.

[@topsecretnk2929]

Where did you get your wallpaper from?

[@io2112]

Groupy looks neat. I'm going to try it out.

[@sucram65]

Interesting apps. I wonder if there are any Mac equivalents. I work in DevOps and work on a number of different platforms and OSes. What I have on screen are virtual machines that I switch among depending on what I’m doing. I have the 55” CX. Lots of room to work with a multitude of monitors presented on one pane of glass.

[@scottdelinger8169]

Magnet for MacOS

[@iamdedlok]

Thanks David ! Great video! I am a software developer and I am looking to buy a monitor which will let me have multiple browser windows, chat apps, terminals, editors open without needing to click too much. Your monitor along with the apps are a perfect fit. Cheers mate!

[@idonotcomplyrevolution]

this is a fantastically useful video! didnt know about these softwares, thanks!!!

[@Mixx10]

Great stuff. I have this same tv ordered and being shipped to me now. I’ll be using this software. Looks very useful

[@MrWanted000]

What’s ur feedback on the screen so far?

[@Mixx10]

@@MrWanted000 I ended up returning the TV. Loved how it looked, but it was just too big for my space and was giving me headaches. I use an ultrawide monitor now

[@MrWanted000]

@@Mixx10 what was the distance between you and the screen? I really don’t know if I should get it or not, I like big area spaces to multitasking on

[@Mixx10]

@@MrWanted000 I was siting about 40 inches away. I wanted to love it, but the screen fatigue causing headaches was a deal breaker for me. But it doesnt effect everyone that way, so you may be fine. I now have a 38 inch Ultrawide and love it

[@MrWanted000]

@@Mixx10 which screen do you have now? If I may know

[@igorvain]

Thanks your video helped me to manage the windows on my 49 inch display.

[@cristiana9713]

Tell me please, do you feel any eye strain from using TV over a regular monitor? Thx.

[@vkumarnegi]

It varies from person to person. I have LG CX48, using as monitor and I don't feel any strain but my wife does.

[@cristiana9713]

@@vkumarnegi thank you for answering. I have managed since then to find an answer of my own, and that is I need a 'flicker free' screen, or at least 1000Hz PWM Dimming Frequency, for my eyes to function fine while working 12H/day. Unfortunately one needs to dig for this information and it's usually not in the specs. Also this better apply to office work, not so much for gaming, that it's different discussion. Hope this post may help someone out there.

[@Niksorus]

This is some next level Alt+Tab

[@lx2203]

Hi David!! I just wonder isnt the screen dangerous for your eyes if your gonna sit so close to it. Its still a TV. Just wondering bcs of thinking of buying one but I don't want to hurt my eyes over time. :D

[@dinocro111]

Same as a monitor. Same as a wall actually when your eyes are concerned.

[@surbahns]

Great video. You aware of any Mac based apps for similar functionality?

[@scottdelinger8169]

Magnet for MacOS

[@ganantharaja]

Spot on and timely need David, Thanks

[@NewToneProducer]

I've tried using a TV before as my computer monitor, but it was very uncomfortable for my eyes. Was this because of the refresh rate or something else? If so, what TV specs would you recommend when using as a computer monitor?

[@shot69]

Hi i am a professional photo editor, in order to use a TV comfortable as a computer monitor, you need two settings - characteristics: 4:4:4 chroma subsampling and flicker free, hope that helps.

[@NewToneProducer]

@@shot69 thank you!

[@shot69]

@@NewToneProducer A decent input lag would be desirable as well, but nothing to get crazy about it.

[@QiuShanBeiKun]

Exactly the software im looking for. Thanks for this video

[@justinlucas1829]

how did you get that background? Thanks!

[@Patelivision]

I've been looking to have something that allows me to fullscreen a video (so I don't have to see the rest of the browser) within a portion of the desktop. I think displayfusion has something like this to create virtual desktops split on one monitor. An add-on on firefox call 'KZbin Full-Windowed' allows this for youtube videos but that's it. Do you know of anything similar?

[@AnzorKhawaj]

just got a 32' inch monitor and this thing is huge, can't imagine using 48' jeesus

[@NOCLUEinvalid]

whoa i mainly use a 34 inch ultra wide but i never know how to divide up my screen and i always do it manually. definitely going to check out your recommendations. tysm!

[@kiran6014]

Dude! This video solved my problem in minutes. Awesome.

[@funtikthewobblycat]

Dude you have such a calming voice

[@ParkasOne]

U need 20/10 vision for this

[@thaik56]

Not necessarily, you most likely watching this on a small screen.

[@wargames2195]

That's just crazy, basically turning the TV into an ultra wide screen.

[@LifeofLevTech]

Thanks for the useful tips! Looking forward to the next one!

[@rocked10]

David: How i use my 4k tv as a monitor. Also David: why you shouldn’t use a 4k tv as a monitor

[@craigman7262]

gotta make money

[@solutionxero]

hold up. powertoys fancy zones

[@Pixel_FX]

Thank you for this, i was searching for a software to do exactly this. Just got a 4K TV to use as my monitor because i think ultrawide gaming monitors are a waste of money. Big 4K TVs are basically two ultrawide monitors on top of each other 😂😂 only downside would be i wont have variable frame rate or 144hz and low input lag. But i can still melt them at 60hz :V

[@XinYu-Xi]

Mhhh... Thanks to you I bought this TV. You encouraged me to try it. Thank you for that. I am very happy you did. Work got so much easier and gaming is also fun. I think it is not to big when knowing how to use it. I think 16:9 is better to use than ultra wide-screen monitors. I had one before and was not comfortable with it. The vertical space was missing.

[@starwatcher73]

how close are you sitting ?

[@XinYu-Xi]

@@starwatcher73 about 80 cm. I put the TV on the wall which saves a bit space at the desk and put it at a good distance to work.

[@jonoh404]

brilliant never knew of any of these features and apps..... thanks for sharing!

[@thehomesteadconsultant]

That was super helpful, thanks!

[@alenopsar]

thank you for sharing these David.

[@AX-fx7ng]

Can you please share the exact distance & height dynamics of yourself w r t Desk and TV - A diagram with measurements would really help understand the Ergonomic positioning, distances, lengths, heights, elevation and Field of View.

[@Cl-hm3tz]

i was using a 55" 4K as a PC monitor. the problem is the neck posture when looking at the screen. I noted ur TV is tilted and set sitting low on the desk which I believe makes it easier to use wrt to the posture of the neck. Can I ask how did you set the TV this way? Also the segmentation for the worksheets is truly useful, as I need to move and align worksheets about manually which can be a fuss. Thanks

[@bobmaerten]

Great applicative setup!

[@sanandraandrade2001]

Amazing tips, dude!! Thanks a lot!

[@jacobrommel]

Seen a bunch of videos bu this convinced me

[@MrClouderhyd]

Fantastic! This video helped me a lot! Thank you!

[@2lgaming741]

Wonderful, thank you so much !

[@hasansalim1868]

Thanks Dave. I liked the tools

[@traviswood6405]

Did you ever get headaches or eyestrain? I tried it for two weeks and love it for gaming but not as much for productivity plus got headaches from it.

[@starwatcher73]

this keeps me from buying it and wait for a monitor with HDMI 2.1 to also plug a PS5 into it

[@owtplayy]

I'm gonna have to find some Mac and Linux alternatives to these apps as this looks great.

[@EmmaVB82]

Magnet, Moom, BetterTouchTool, Keyboard Maestro… have been the Mac evangelist for these apps in this thread, look for my other comments if you want more detail :)

[@eder104]

Where did you find those moving wallpapers?

[@TheUrbanEpicure]

What are you using for the animated wallpaper? Wallpaper Engine?

[@johnnyg8782]

Where did you get those foam speaker / monitor 'stands'? I've been looking for something like that - maybe 5" high for my Vanatoo speakers FOREVER! (loved the video too fyi, sent it to my cousin as well!).

[@danteafkCamelotUnchained]

I got myself the samsung G9 and LG 48CX. While the picture is obviously great as it's OLED, productivity and viewing immersion in the ultrawide is king on my opinion. Sitting in front of a flat TV, with squished windows side by side just feels claustrophobic once you experienced ultrawide.

[@DriveCancelDC]

Meanwhile I went from ultrawide to the CX and while it would be nicer if this was a curved screen, it's far better than my ultrawide in terms of the usual OLED benefits and the amount of windows I can fit on screen.

[@bagasaperdana]

This is a very useful video. Thank you!

[@kollerup909]

What software are you using to have the animated background with the bubbles? It looks really great!

[@vladasss]

Search for Wallpaper Engine on Steam.