Could you recommend...

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BellaCroix

[H]ard|Gawd
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Mar 25, 2004
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Okay... I'm pretty happy with my 19" KDS CRT that I've had for 5 years but I'm looking to make the plunge into LCD (maybe).

I'm wondering what everyone's suggestions would be. I'm considering going with a 22" Widescreen panel. Currently my machine is running a single XFX 9800 GT although I'm probably going SLI w/in the next few months.

I'm a fairly avid gamer and do some video and photo editing. I understand that means I should be concerned with refresh rate but I'm also concerned because I hear LCDs don't always reproduce colors that well. I'm not too concerned with DVD playback since I've already got a pretty nice LCD TV to take care of that.

I'm also confused with all the different types of display materials (TFT, TN, WSXGA, WSXGA+, etc.)

I'm looking around the $300 - $450 range and don't care about built-in speakers. Any suggestions of items I should take a look at, avoid (I hear I should run from ViewSonics), look for?

Thanks a bunch!
 
If you are worried about color reproduction you should steer clear of any 22 inch monitors since they are all TN panels. you will wnat to look at S-IPS, P-MVA, and S-PVA panels for good color reproduction with S-IPS being the best.
 
Yeah, I've heard the TNs are pretty cheap... but there's a couple on NewEgg that are WSXGA+'s... is that just another way to say TN?

Initially I was looking at 19" widescreens until I really looked at one in person and realized the screen height barely matched a 17" CRT. That's whn I started looking at the 22s. Should I just pass on the widescreen and go with a 4:3 format screen instead? Maybe a 20" square or something?
 
All LCD's are TFT
WSXGA stuff merely describes the resolution. Here's a list.

TN, MVA, PMA, IPS are the types of LCD panel, for more information read the sticky or this excellent although dated xbitlabs article. Most LCD's are TN, you can tell this by seeing that the viewing angles are 160 or less.


You can get 20" TN for about $250

22" TN starts at $300, so far all 22" monitors are TN

Viewsonic 2025vm is a 20" PVA monitor, ~$340

Dell 2007wfp is 20" IPS monitor, ~$350 after coupon and tax, if you get unlucky you'll get a PVA

Then there's 21" Samsung and Gateway, those are $400+ VA

All these are 1680 x 1050. I have a Dell 2007wfp and it's arguably the best choice. It has a fully adjustable stand, 4 usb ports, s-video, composite, pip, pbp, 1:1, 4:3, fill, pretty much every feature possible except component.

I also have a 20" TN BenQ. It lacks extra features and has odd color/lower contrast at unnatural angles. But otherwise I can't really tell how the picture quality is inferior to my dell. This is of course just my unprofessional opinion and most forum members will tell you otherwise.

I can tell you that 20" widescreen isn't big at all, 22" would be nice.

All LCD's refreshes 60Hz or 75Hz but probably is actually 60Hz. Response times and Input lags should be non-issues with all new LCD's except maybe the Samsung 21" and >24" monitors.
 
Anyone else with input or suggestions?

Widescreen 22" just not worth it right now? How bad is TN really? What about a 170 degree by 160 degree viewing angle? How "off" are the colors on a TN display?

Should I just skip the Widescreen and stick with a 4:3 monitor? Maybe a nice 19" or 20"?

Should I save my money and blow it on an iPod or something instead? I really don't have any problem with my 19" CRT except that it's HUGE and heavy and I'd like a little more real estate to work with.
 
For what its worth I love my S-IPS 2007WFP. Picture is darned near perfect, at least to my eyes.

The ergonomics and features are pretty much second to none, as well. I'd say its definately worth losing an inch to get an improved panel and generally better package.

Of course, there is the whoel "panel lottery" cropping up.
 
First off..

BellaCroix said:
Currently my machine is running a single XFX 9800 GT although I'm probably going SLI w/in the next few months.
Click to expand...

Where can I get one? :p

BellaCroix said:
I'm looking around the $300 - $450 range
Click to expand...

Dell 2007WFP
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-4688
S-IPS (Good Viewing Angles and no colour distortion upon looking at any angle - specifically looking from below, TN film monitors distort usually when viewed from the bottom. Thus, allowing for the monitor to be rotated 90 degrees so you get a tall, portrait like monitor... Uses for that?... reading documents I guess) These Dell monitors are very flexible too... it can be rotated, tilted, and swiveled. Wait for coupons or deals as they come around often for this monitor at dell.com.

Depending on what you are used to, the viewing angles of many recent TN panels might not bother you. They're pretty good now (with the exception of viewing a TN panel from the bottom on most monitors)... but left and right is very acceptable - unless you're really really picky. You can save yourself quite a bit if you decide to go with a TN panel.

Personally, I'm also looking for a widescreen monitor and willing to spend more on an S-IPS panel, specifically the Dell 2007WFP, for the viewing angles, adjustability (height), flexibilty, and colour reproduction as I have heard it's very good. Hoping for it to last a few years, so I want to make a good investment and I definately don't want to look back.
 
BellaCroix said:
Anyone else with input or suggestions?

Widescreen 22" just not worth it right now? How bad is TN really? What about a 170 degree by 160 degree viewing angle? How "off" are the colors on a TN display?

Should I just skip the Widescreen and stick with a 4:3 monitor? Maybe a nice 19" or 20"?

Should I save my money and blow it on an iPod or something instead? I really don't have any problem with my 19" CRT except that it's HUGE and heavy and I'd like a little more real estate to work with.
Click to expand...

22" widesceens in your budget range (actually aren't they all?) are WSXGA+, just like many 20". Screen realestate wise, it is the same whether you decide to buy a 22" or a 20" - everything will just look... bigger. And sometimes bigger is better.

Many many 17" and 19" 4:3 monitors are SXGA (meaning 1280x1024). There may be some 19" models that offer one resolution up: SXGA+ (1440x1024 i think) or even higher: UXGA (1600x1200)... but at the end of the day, an affordable 17" or 19" will tend to have the same realestate. Again.. everything on the 19" will just be... bigger... and depending on your circumstances.. it might be good or bad.
 
mojoRT said:
Where can I get one? :p
Click to expand...

Ooops, 7900 GT... Heh.

I'm going to the Dell store this week to take a look at the monitors there, then I'll hit MicroCenter to see what they've got. Last time I was there all they had was ScanSonic or ScanTronic or whatever and a couple Acer... maybe they'll have gotten something new in.

My 19" is running 1280 x 1024 (anything higher than that and things started getting way too small and refresh rates started dropping off with my old video card). Figured with a larger monitor I could jack the resolution, make tool bars smaller in graphic, video, or audio editing apps but still have a larger workspace because of the higher resolution.

Right now I'm considering going with a quality 19" LCD for workspace and games and a seperate (cheaper) 15" for toolbars, pallets, mixing, etc. Gotta find out if these apps will allow me to set up something like that first.

The quest goes on...
 
Just remember that LCD Monitors are fixed pixel displays; and unlike CRTs, LCDs look optimal at only one resolution.
 
Okay... how about this one?

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0229441

They don't list a manufacturer but the item number looks like a Gateway Display. 21", 1000:1 Contrast, .270 pitch, 300 cd/m brightness, 178 degree angle... looks really good. It's more than I was looking to spend but if this is a good monitor I'd be willing to drop a couple extra bucks maybe.

Anyone know what the actual hight and width of a 21" wide is?

What'cha think?
 
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