My current video monitor setup is a 17” laptop screen and old 17” LCD monitor. Snagged an older 42”, 720p Panasonic flat screen TV last night for 5$. Going to give it a run as a single monitor setup. I’ve heard that’s too big and not fine enough resolution for a DAW monitor. I have some room to set it back a ways so we shall see. If it doesn’t improve my setup I will have a TV for sale at a good price soon
A friend who has a studio has a TV for a monitor. He said he left it on for a long time and now the DAW image is burned into his TV. I don't know how long it was on or if that is a problem with today's TVs. I just thought I should let you know.
PS - I can't contact him as he took a job in another state.
Back in my day the only time we started panic buying was when the bartender shouted "last call"!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
720p is not high enough resolution with such a big screen and the built-in graphics card of my laptop. The refresh rates are only 59 and 60 Hz, and it's about to drive my eyes nuts!
I also cannot adjust the displayed size of the computer screen - and it's cutting off about 1/2" on every edge. There might be a way to adjust this with the remote, but part of the 5$ price for this TV was that it did not come with a remote. There's not enough buttons on the TV to go deep into the setup.
I'm really not all that disappointed - with the exception that it's pretty heavy compared to an LCD TV of the same size, so setting it up took me some time and sweat.
Not sure if it won't work because you're on a laptop or if it could be something else. I have my 42" hooked up to my desktop and it works just fine. I'm running Windows 10 and have the screen resolution set to 1920 x 1080 which is the recommended setting. (See photos below)
I’m still trying to figure out why anybody would want a 42” screen
My 27.5” Mac display gives me a perspective of my DAW and plugins that is comfortably close to what physical equipment would look like at the same distance on my desk.
Boatloads of FWIW’s, etc.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
FWIW, I stopped using 720 years back. 1080 works much better on larger screens. That said, even at 1080, for computer display a 32" screen seems about where the trade off happens for me. YMMV
720 is like an older 1280 display laptop being enlarged on a bigger screen. Most laptops are at least 1440, and even these are fading away fast, so using 1080 minimum is a much better benchmark/standard.
Many software specs are disregarding 1280 as being fully supported these days (including web apps); it's simply getting to be old/deprecated. Thus the original $5 price tag <grin>
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
I’m still trying to figure out why anybody would want a 42” screen
My 27.5” Mac display gives me a perspective of my DAW and plugins that is comfortably close to what physical equipment would look like at the same distance on my desk.
Boatloads of FWIW’s, etc.
Bud
Well for one thing, if I have someone over to work on a song they can easily see what I'm doing sitting on the couch behind me in the studio.
Also when doing fine editing on parts like vocals where you need to take out breaths or tame some harsh consonants it makes it a lot easier to see what you are doing.
Actually, when using a (almost comically) large screen, I generally drop the resolution to 720p. This, as someone previously mentioned, enlarges everything on the screen. This is usually a comfort thing, as reading small 1080p text on a large screen three feet away can give you awesome headaches. You can adjust these things in the user setting (such as scaling), but dropping the resolution is just a quick and dirty way to do the same thing.
Be a little weary of 1440p (Or 2k) Monitors. Not every application has native 1440 support, so you might find yourself battling upscalling.
If I was to pick the next great thing for studio LCD/LED/OLED monitors, it would be the Ultra Wides. These guys will show you tracks for days, and look amazing (bonus points if you get a curved one). Unfortunately the industry as a whole is becoming a little turbulent. We were complacent with a 1080p standard for well over a decade, but now there is so many choices between 2K, 4K, Ultra Wide, HRD, 60-120Hz, curved, etc. Unfortunately when dealing with so many options, the support is not in place yet, as early adopters of 4K have found out.
Just remember, the size of the screen does not automatically equate to more content you can fit in there.
Also, just to confirm, unless you leave the exact same screen on for months or years, screen burn just is not a thing anymore.
C-sharp when you cross the street… or you’re going to B-flat.
I bought a flat screen TV last year. One of those smart TV's. I think it's 37" or there abouts.
I'm using it as my studio monitor. I use the HDMI out from the DAW video card into the HDMI 1 input. It took a bit of playing with the video settings to get it looking right but it works great now.
I can stream Netflix and Sling if I get bored, and if I want, I could put up an antenna and get the local Raleigh stations off the air.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® users: Build 904 now available!
If you're already using Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, make sure to grab the latest update! Build 904 is now available for download and includes the newest additions and enhancements from our team.
PowerTracks 2026 is here—bringing powerful new enhancements designed to make your production workflow faster, smoother, and more intuitive than ever.
The enhanced Mixer now shows Track Type and Instrument icons for instant track recognition, while a new grid option simplifies editing views. Non-floating windows adopt a modern title bar style, replacing the legacy blue bar.
The Master Volume is now applied at the end of the audio chain for consistent levels and full-signal master effects.
Tablature now includes a “Save bends when saving XML” option for improved compatibility with PG Music tools. Plus, you can instantly match all track heights with a simple Ctrl-release after resizing, and Add2 chords from MGU/SGU files are now fully supported... and more!
Get started today—first-time packages start at just $49.
Already using PowerTracks Pro Audio? Upgrade for as little as $29 and enjoy the latest improvements!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean