Universal 24-27" IPS for PC/PS3/cable box etc.

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zenblu

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May 3, 2007
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Hi,
I'm in the market for a new monitor. The problem is, I don't have a TV and don't intend to buy one, so I plan to use the monitor for various things:

- PC
- PS3 (perhaps PS2 too)
- cable box (has component and HDMI outputs)

I feel my choice is constrained by input options on monitors, which are not too generous usually. Also, I couldn't get too much information from reading various reviews whether I would get proper compatibility and best quality/experience with all above - I imagine things like non-native resolutions, HW scaling and aspect ratios/bounding boxes/stretching - not sure what else is important...

The monitor should be universal, I'd be using it for virtually everything: programming and other work, movies, gaming and graphics.

I'm looking for good quality, so my first choice would probably be IPS. Looking at the market, my current best choices are probably Dells U2410 (not 2412, because it doesn't have inputs) and U271. Just hoping I won't be bothered by AG too much. Input lag shouldn't be a big problem, as long as reasonable.

But those are the most expensive options and relatively older models, so I've been wondering if you could recommend alternatives. I would be especially grateful for opinions from people who use their monitors for more than their PCs. Thanks!
 
The Samsung S27A850D costs 70$ more than the HP isn't caked with LG's grainy AG coating, unlike all of the 27" matte IPS panels .

From what I have read in the big HP thread [H]ere it is limited to displaying only 1280x720 with consoles while the Samsung supports 1080p. Going forward in the future you will want 1080p for your consoles and especially if you watch movies now.
 
I think HP 2740w is not an option, because of lack of inputs (not even HDMI) and no aspect ratio controls (no OSD at all in fact).

I was also looking at 2440w, which does have HDMI and aspect ratio control. But I'm not sure how well it would play with consoles and other non-standard resolution devices. Would also have contention for 1 HDMI port from 3 devices, so would have to switch manually every time. Unless those HDMI switches/splitters are worth anything? That's another thing I'm looking for people's experience with... Also does PS3 play well through HDMI on PC monitors?
 
NCX said:
The Samsung S27A850D costs 70$ more than the HP isn't caked with LG's grainy AG coating, unlike all of the 27" matte IPS panels .

From what I have read in the big HP thread [H]ere it is limited to displaying only 1280x720 with consoles while the Samsung supports 1080p. Going forward in the future you will want 1080p for your consoles and especially if you watch movies now.
Click to expand...

I've been looking at that Samsung as well, but again, it only has 2xDVI and DP... Can I connect anything else than PC to that?
 
Just use a 10$ hdmi-dvi adapter for consoles.

If you are using a CRT for your PS2 I would stick with that, low res games look awful on new TV's, just look at Call of Duty on consoles which runs @1024x600p, it looks horendous.
 
Honestly, I would go with the Samsung P2770HD. in terms of looks, the bezel is beautiful. I used it for TV since it has a TV tuner, Hdmi for console use or movies and it has inputs for Computer. However it is not a IPS. I would recommend IPS for photoshop users not so much gaming or movies because you want accurate colors when you work on a photo project and you want to print it out with accurate colors. :) good luck.
 
Go get a 2407wfp or 2408wfp. Or something similar. these can be had cheaper on the used market and are still very good monitors.
 
suiken_2mieu said:
Go get a 2407wfp or 2408wfp. Or something similar. these can be had cheaper on the used market and are still very good monitors.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your suggestions, but I was hoping for more comments and suggestions related to questions I voiced in the opening post:
- how each particular monitor works with consoles and other things
- if you recommend something that only has DVI, do you have experience with it working with PS3? Would it work with a cable box too?
- I still prefer IPS
- I am not looking for something particularly cheap
 
for it to be "universal" would it not also need to have speakers? but most/all monitors with speakers are tiny and crappy.
 
illli said:
for it to be "universal" would it not also need to have speakers? but most/all monitors with speakers are tiny and crappy.
Click to expand...

I have speakers. By universal I mean not only for gaming or work only.
 
Well, if you are near braindead stupid (according to some fanbois on [H]).... go my route, the Dell U2711.
Has HDMI (xbox360, in my case), Component input, dual DL-DVI inputs, and one D-SUB (RGB/VGA, whatever it's called) input (also one displayport input). Unfortuneately, no digital audio passthrough, otherwise, it would be the perfect monitor for me. It has a so-so analoug 5.1 audio out.

2560x1440 resolution does pose a few issues. While scaling from 720p is perfect, 1080p isn't.
 
zenblu said:
- if you recommend something that only has DVI, do you have experience with it working with
Click to expand...

I have an 850D and use it with my 360/ps3. There are no issues except sometimes mine needs to be turned off and on when switching inputs and it doesn't support Blu-Ray 24p playback with the PS3 but this is common for monitors.

uc3011.jpg


Some UC3 Ps3 pics here and GOW3 pics here

If you are considering a U2711 I would recommend smearing a very thin layer of vaseline on your current monitor and sprinkling sand all over it to simulate the effect of AG coating, or take a picture using 1600 ISO setting with a camera and see how you like that.
 
There are multiple ways to externally connect the PS3/360's sound to speakers via Optical or RCA
 
well that was pretty vague unhelpful and obscure.
i have never heard of a person connecting a pc, a ps3 and a cable box all to ONE set of speakers.
i would not have asked if i didnt want to know how it was done.
 
The information is available on both Microsoft and Sony's sites or a simple google search would have worked:), but here you go:

For the xbox you need one of these which I think come with some of the bundles:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Cable-A...5JMO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328497752&sr=8-1

and something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-40424-Stereo-Y-Cable/dp/B001B8QUS6/ref=pd_sim_vg_4

The PS3 comes with this:
http://www.amazon.com/Playstation-P..._4?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1328497872&sr=1-4

Or you can use an optical cord:
http://www.amazon.com/Basics-Fiber-...QGOK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328497957&sr=8-2
 
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