Help me choose a monitor

[iamaelephant]

I'm looking at getting a 20" widescreen monitor to replace my aging dual CRT's. Here are the options I have come up with (don't choke, these prices are in NZ dollars)

http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=7656
http://c1com.co.nz/shop/step1.php?number=7657
http://dellstore04.dell.com.au/public/c...configurator.jsp?prd_id=469860&sr_no=1

Which of these monitors would you go for, taking into consideration price, bang-for-buck and specs. I am mostly going to be watching DVDs and playing games on it.

 

[Fadey]

VX2025WM - i own one and its great. Although that site seems abit expensive there only like $500 - 550 in aus..

 

[tuteja1986]

Go with samsung one

 

[atybimf]

Go with the VX2025WM.

 

[xtknight]

The 205BW isn't up to par with the VX2025WM. If it were the 215TW that would be another story.

 

[Sarphram]

The Dell link doesn't work for me, is it the 2007WFP?

 

[TheRyuu]

Originally posted by: atybimf
Go with the VX2025WM.

 

[redbox]

Originally posted by: Sarphram
The Dell link doesn't work for me, is it the 2007WFP?

same here. If it is the 2007fpw check out this Thread

The pics could be better and I think he is going to work on that. From my experience I like the viewsonic alot. Some of them have backlight bleeding in the corners pretty bad though. I have heard Dell is getting better with their banding problems. I haven't really heard of too many problems with the Samsung 215TW I don't know how much that one is where you live but it gets my vote. It has more connections than the russian mob, more flexable than Mongolian contortionists, and has a pretty picture.

Samsung 215TW FTW!

 

[Sarphram]

Well, since he hasn't specifiied, I'm going to assume it's the 2007...

I got a 2007WFP a couple of weeks ago, only problem I've seen so far is a minor screen door effect when watching movies (only if I'm within about 2 feet of the screen) and one stuck pixel. I also looked at the Viewsonic a lot, and it came down to that monitor, or the Dell. Main reason I went with the Dell was the extra inputs as well as the adjustable stand. I was also turned off to the Viewsonic slightly by how one looked when I saw it in Office Depot: the colors seemed a little washed out and dull to me, however this could be due to improper set up by the employees (ie just plugging the monitor in and leaving it).

The banding issue is almost completely fixed with the new revision. I can't see any banding (on DVI, haven't checked d-sub), but my eye might not be trained enough to notice minute banding. Overall I'm happy with my purchase.

 

[iamaelephant]

For clarification, yes it's the Dell 2007WFP. I'm still not totally sure, but the Dell is on special with $300 off at the moment, however I'm not sure if I will have the money by the time the deal ends. If not I will definately go for the VX2025, otherwise I will have to make a decision. Thanks for the feedback guys! I'm a little worried about the Dell banding issue which will likely sway my decision.

The Samsung 215TW looks mighty good but it's a bit out of my price range. Maybe if I can get the cash together I will pick it up, I'm selling a car at the moment so it all depends on how much I get for it.

 

[Sarphram]

The Dell was on sale for about as long as I had been looking at it before I bought it (about 2 weeks), although that may have been their attempt to unload the old revisions. Given that it is still on sale, I don't think you'll miss the discount any time soon.

Something I forgot to mention in my other post was that the HDPC aspect on the Dell gave me a slight nudge towards it, somewhat because I don't want to have to get a new monitor soon after buying this one just to get that aspect if I needed it.

Give me a minute, and I'll take some pictures of full screen gradients so you can get a better idea.

 

[Sarphram]

Sorry about following my own post, but anyway...the pictures aren't perfect but they should show a lack of banding. The wavy lines and white grid like things aren't visible on the monitor, they're probably there due to how close I was when taking these pictures.

Full Screen
Lower Left
Lower Right
Upper Left
Upper Right

You'll want to view them as expanded.
edit: Blech, Upper Left is kind of bad, apparently I didn't hold the camera still enough. I can replace it if needed.

 

[kmmatney]

Those pictures show little or no :banding" which is good. Looks like they fixed the issue. I tested out my father-in-law's 2007FP which he ourchased a few months ago and it was horrible, This is amzingly better.