OT lcd monitors, what do you look out for.

  • Thread starter Thread starter smithy
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smithy

Hi off topic, but i've noticed that lcd monitors are coming down in price,
just like any technology, however I'm wondering, what are the things to look
out for when purchasing one of this critters?

Thanks in advance

smithy
 
smithy said:
Hi off topic, but i've noticed that lcd monitors are coming down in price,
just like any technology, however I'm wondering, what are the things to look
out for when purchasing one of this critters?
Click to expand...

- High brightness
- High contrast ratio (700:1)
- Low refresh (16ms)
- Native resolution at the same as you normally run your desktop at
(1280x1024)
- DVI input
- LOW dead pixel warranty. Low bright pixel warranty.
- DVI cable included
 
- High brightness
- High contrast ratio (700:1)
- Low refresh (16ms)
- Native resolution at the same as you normally run your desktop at
(1280x1024)
- DVI input
- LOW dead pixel warranty. Low bright pixel warranty.
- DVI cable included
Click to expand...
The problem with some of the above is the fact that a lot of online
retailers don't list all of those features. There are plenty of places
that don't even list if DVI is available.
I just bought a Sony 17" from newegg, the only way I could tell that it
had a DVI cable included was by looking at the picture gallery.

There are two 17" Sonys at newegg that are pretty nice, both around $400.
 
Depends on what you want to do with the thing. As
a gamer, I think they totally suck, and I MEAN THAT.
The resolution is garbage. The color has no range ..
looks like a Disney cartoon. The best ones have a
brightness rise time of 16 msec .. a crt is about 1 to
2 msec. If your game has a resolution NOT native
to an lcd, the picture blurs. They cost nearly 3 times
what they are worth. The picture size is controlled by
the number of pixels in the array which is fixed. Sales
types will tell you that in going from a 17 inch to a 19
inch lcd, the pixel size must increase ... not the number
of pixels ... so the picture gets grainy, and you must
compensate by pushing the monitor farther away from
you. A 17 inch 2 feet away, is the same as a 19 inch
3 feet away. That is why they up the brightness of
the 19s. I suppose you should put a 21 inch about
5 feet away so the picture will look sort of OK.
If you stand 7 or 8 feet from one, it will fool you into
thinking that the picture is smooth and clear. It ain't.
I'm going to wait until either they get a lot better, or
a lot cheaper. No way will I pay more than $200 for
a 19 inch lcd when I can get a flat screen .21 dot pitch
19 inch crt.

johns
 
Thats really good, I'll definately look at a crt 19 or 21".

I've heard that there is no depth to gaming etc, and watching dvds etc, is
quite crappy.

smithy
 
Well I suppose there's some good info in the rant below, but a lot of it is
bollocks.
Depends on what you want to do with the thing. As
a gamer, I think they totally suck, and I MEAN THAT.
Click to expand...

We hear you!
The resolution is garbage.
Click to expand...

Like 1600x1200 is garbage? How so?
The color has no range ..
looks like a Disney cartoon.
Click to expand...

Only on crap LCD's. The better ones are fine.
The best ones have a
brightness rise time of 16 msec .. a crt is about 1 to
2 msec.
Click to expand...

And your point is? 16msec is not *worse* than 2ms, just different. 16ms
still means 60+ fps which is more than enough for any game.

If your game has a resolution NOT native
to an lcd, the picture blurs.
Click to expand...

True. Best to play at native resolution then eh? Its not hard to do.
They cost nearly 3 times
what they are worth.
Click to expand...

What price flat screen, perfect geometry, rotatable, crisp text etc etc. ?
Or do you want to price your monitor by weight? "This CRT only cost me
50c/lb" LOL.
The picture size is controlled by
the number of pixels in the array which is fixed. Sales
types will tell you that in going from a 17 inch to a 19
inch lcd, the pixel size must increase ... not the number
of pixels ... so the picture gets grainy, and you must
compensate by pushing the monitor farther away from
you.
Click to expand...

1280x1024 is plenty of pixels for a 19" or less. All 20" LCDs are 1600x1200
which is also plenty. Running 1600x1200 on a 19" or less is just plain
silly = you need a magnifying glass to see anything. To say a 1280x1024 19"
LCD is "grainy" means you have never seen one.
A 17 inch 2 feet away, is the same as a 19 inch
3 feet away.
Click to expand...

Only its further away. Yawn.
That is why they up the brightness of
the 19s. I suppose you should put a 21 inch about
5 feet away so the picture will look sort of OK.
If you stand 7 or 8 feet from one, it will fool you into
thinking that the picture is smooth and clear. It ain't.
I'm going to wait until either they get a lot better, or
a lot cheaper.
Click to expand...
No way will I pay more than $200 for
a 19 inch lcd when I can get a flat screen .21 dot pitch
19 inch crt....
Click to expand...

And a hernia. And headaches from the wonky lines, focus problems, moire,
colour registration problems. etc. CRT's are crap too, you know.
johns
Click to expand...

Chip
 
smithy said:
Thats really good, I'll definately look at a crt 19 or 21".

I've heard that there is no depth to gaming etc, and watching dvds etc, is
quite crappy.

smithy
Click to expand...

Did you even 'read' the other posts? Just curious.
 
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