Please suggest a LCD/CTR

[Tar]

Hello people of the [H]ardOCP

Long time reader (have posted in the past but the account seems to be gone).

I need some help with buying a new display.

I’ve had my CTR for almost 10yr’s now (about the same time I started reading OCP actually). Although she’s done me good, 1600 max resolution will not cut it for a new system I’ve ordered. So I’m looking for a new gaming display. I’ve been reading up on all the new LCD’s and reviews, but there’s still one thing that bothers me. Yes, LCD’s have improved over the years but I keep reading about how they display blackness in a shady way

I’m a big Si/Fi, Horror fan. Most of the games and movies I watch are very dark. I really don’t want to see the ‘gray’ depths of space..

So, to any fans of the darkness out there (and anyone who has some good advice), is there any LCD around 20 to 22” that can display black as pitch black on a high end system for gaming at high resolutions(or at lease, what is the best one)? If not, do you know where I can get a high resolution CTR (in Canada)? I’ve tried looking for a CTR without luck.

Regards,
Tar.

 

[450]

I think you meant CRT (cathode ray tube) not CTR .

Assuming you mean 1600 x 1200 isn't enough, then a 20-22 inch LCD won't help since those have a resolution of 1680 x 1050. If black levels are your thing then avoid most 20-22 inch LCD's since they have TN panels which can only display 262k colors at once, 16.7m colors is only by dithering. S-IPS are the best type of LCD panels, however MVA, PVA, and IPS are also good (can do 16.7m colors without dithering).

A 24" like the new Dell UltraSharp's (MVA panels) should be ideal, with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and not too much bigger than 22".

 

[Tar]

Yah, CRT, working over night. Brains a little fuzzy now

LCD's can do non-native resolutions, cant they? Or is it not recommended?
A 24' is ok though.

 

[silent-circuit]

...if you can find one, a Sony GDM-FW900 would be awesome, but it might also take up half your room. It's a 24" widescreen CRT that'll do 2304x1440 and has absolutely perfect black levels (like all CRTs). It also weighs near to 100 lbs, so here's hoping you can lift a good bit and have a desk capable of supporting several small children at once. Downside is, they're difficult to find and there's no such thing as a new one, and you may end up paying $350+ with shipping... cause again, it's huge, and heavy.

$450-$550 or so will get you a nice P-MVA based 24" LCD that'll do 1920x1200, though, so if you have a bit higher budget (or space constraints, or concern over buying a used CRT, all valid reasons) that's a good option as well.

 

[Tar]

If I can find that Sony somewhere local, I would get it (after adding some support to my desk), but it looks like I'm stuck getting a 24" LCD

If so I remember reading about a BenQ for 400-450$ that is apparently good. Cant remember the model # though.

Question: I don’t like the image to be stretched, will I be having any issues with that and widescreens? Never had a widescreen before

 

[ecat]

I really don’t want to see the ‘gray’ depths of space..

Oh how I agree !

I recently set out on a similar quest and I'm now back to my old 22" crt. In general CRT's like dim/dark rooms, this is how I use mine. LCD's like (need?) ambient light in order to perform anywhere near their potential.

I used a Dell 2408 for short while, amongst LCD's this monitor has good blacks ( http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/dell_2408wfp.htm , see also http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hazro_hz30w.htm for some comparative figures ). My opinion is 'it's ok', I could put up with it if necessary. Rated at 0.18cd/m2 black level, I'd be looking for something at least 10 times darker - with current LCD tech. this does not exist (?)

You mention wide screen stretching, here's a useful site covering the pro's con's and issues of many games:
http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

 

[Tar]

Thanks for all the info.

I got lucky and found a local place that sells CRT's new and Refurbished.

I have a choice of:

HYUNDAI CRT 21-INCH F230 2048X1536
NEC FP2141SB-BK-R 2048X1536 22IN
HP P1230 22IN CRT 2048X1536
NEC P225FB-6-REF 2048X1536 22IN
VIEWSONIC G220FB-REF 2048X1536 21IN


Any suggestions on which one I should get?