LCD TV as Light Source

Firstly, I've been reading through the forums for a while, but rarely post. I want to thank the posters for the wealth of information that you provide.

I searched the forum, but couldn't find anything like I am about to ask.

Would an LCD or LED TV or monitor (32-37") provide enough to use as a light source for a small indoor grow? LCD and LED TVs are dropping in price, and wouldn't get nearly as hot as some other sources of artificial light (I know they do heat up, but I don't think it would heat up a small room too bad).

Would switching from veg to flower be as simple as changing the hue of the screen from a whiter light to a more yellow light? I am semi-experienced, and familiar with the basic concepts involved with indoor hydro growing. Any information you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks!

lol ive never thought of that... kinda crazy
to be honest i havnt grown indoors before and plan on just starting it up myself.
BUT from what i've read, that would be much too weak, i cant really see it workin. if you try it, show us results though cos id be curious.
just my 2 cents! peace

No, pretty sure that won't work.

just put a small cfl next to the lcd tv, and ask which is giving off more light
not so much plugging for cfl's, it's just an easy comparison

No man it wouldnt be worth it because a tv is rated in how many hours it can be on untill it burns out just like a hid the tv would be more expensive and harder to change plus there very likley to get damaged from humidity. lcd's get very hot

Wow man thats one heck of a ideal ..i see you do a lot of thinking ..dont know what else to say...

Yep, I'm a thinker. I was just trying to look up he specs on my no name 37" monitor. Can't find them. I figure you all are right about it not working, but thought I'd do the math on it to see what type of output you could expect to get from one or two. I've had the monitor and another like it for years and they've seen some consistent use. If I thought it might work I wouldn't really worry too much about the Vs themselves. It's probably a "pipe dream" though.

it will work but only if u make a video of some nice fat plants then your plants will get jealous and want to grow better

I guess if you play a DVD of an awesome plant light, then maybe... but probably not.

I think I will wait for Hortilux to come out with a special Grow DVD before I try it....

haha ya and i just learned the hard way that it isn't good to leave the t.v. on for too long or bulbs and what not will burn out (and they cost a decent amount to replace) plus you could get a dank light/reflector/ballast/cooling system for much cheaper than a 800 dollar t.v.


"pipe dreams" keeps us moving forward so keep up the "outside the box" thinking!!!

"smart kids smoking weed...honor roll" -drake

fabfun said:

it will work but only if u make a video of some nice fat plants then your plants will get jealous and want to grow better

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lol! true that, good plan.

fabfun said:

it will work but only if u make a video of some nice fat plants then your plants will get jealous and want to grow better

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I must spread some Reputation around before giving it to fabfun again.


reminds me of that guy that was on here not too long ago and his sig said something along the lines of: "I grew 10 pounds off of one plant with nothing but a flashlight and a picture of the sun"

haha i seen that guys post that cracked me up
i got a better ideal will plants are in vegg make a video of u chopping males with a machete then your plants will be to damn scared to be anything but females but u might need to throw a short clip of a hermie being tortured just to be safe

and a clip of bugs getting killed too so those little fuckers will ran like hell

damn mista phuck u mean u aint repped anyone in days since u repped me lol
its ok i know u would if u could , i will remind u in a few days jk how about PMing me a IOU i owe fabfun rep just kidding

Dinosaur Bone said:

I guess if you play a DVD of an awesome plant light, then maybe... but probably not.

I think I will wait for Hortilux to come out with a special Grow DVD before I try it....

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Or maybe a DVD that's just a video of the sun.

fabfun said:

damn mista phuck u mean u aint repped anyone in days since u repped me lol
its ok i know u would if u could , i will remind u in a few days jk how about PMing me a IOU i owe fabfun rep just kidding

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that's pretty queer

thats what i thought when i read that im still wondering lol
all i can say is thanks for contributing

jwop said:

that's pretty queer

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LED and LCD monitors work by shining a light source through a LCD panel. The difference between the two are the type of light source that illuminates the screen. LCD monitors typically use florescent lighting around the edges while LEDs use small LEDs throughout the monitor. Therefore it would make more sense to just bypass the whole tv idea and just get some leds or flouros. It'll be much cheaper and much brighter. I would guess $10 in cfl bulbs would be brighter than one tv costing $1000.