Okay...need some advice here

[benherrmann]

I am torn between a variety of emotions here regarding the use of LCD's. Up until a few months ago I was using a calibrated 21" Samsung CRT. The images on that CRT Monitor were smooth - although the depth and richness of the colors were definitely no match for what you get with an LCD monitor. But here is my dilemma and need your recommendations, observations, etc. I am heavy into digital imaging - shooting with a variety of digital cameras (DSLR's and P&S models).


1. Is it me or when looking at images on an LCD Monitor they are far sharper than on a CRT. It seems that just about all of my images appear "oversharpened" on my LCD Monitor - and even many of the images coming straight out of the camera appear highly sharpened. Yet on the CRT monitor, it appears that these images need a tad more sharpening?

2. Although LCD Monitors (mine is a 20.4" Samsung 204B LCD Monitor set at 1600 x 1200) are much sharper (sometimes drastically so), I am noticing that images don't have the smooth appearance as compared to the CRT Monitors, and what's worse (at least to my eyes), the images have a somewhat grainy (if that's the right way to describe it) look to them - and I can see that this sharpening effect gives many images a slightly noisy appearance - if that's the best way to say it. Now I've been using Samsung LCD monitors so I don't know if it's peculiar to that make or not. I did notice that HP monitors looked better IMO.

3. My video card is a nVidia GeForce 6500 with 256 Megs of RAM.

4. I keep mine calibrated using the Monaco Optix system.

What can you recommend as far as a good LCD monitor is concerned for imaging - bearing in mind what I just mentioned above. This is driving me nuts.

Thanks in advance...
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Have a great day!

Ben