LCD Buyer's Guide

[imported_ST]

Just a quick note for those who are interested in the larger 1080p HTPC displays:

- Sceptre 37" : There is a revision 2 set out now. While there is minor cosmetics and user changes (remotes, EPG, etc.), many owners are reporting issues with juddering with video playback. There seems to be a workaround by lowering the refresh rate to ~53Hz, but no real fix at this time

- Westinghouse 37": There is also a rev. 2 version of this set that just made it to the stores. The main difference seems to be new contrast ratio increase from 800:1 to 1000:1. No word on whether this was a panel change or any other differences yet.

 

[xtknight]

New LCDs at CES 2006:

SyncMaster 970P Combines Design Beauty With Top-Notch Performance and Functionality
Feature-Rich SyncMaster 960BF Combines A Sleek and Sexy Portable DesignWith 4ms Response Time and Superior Technology
SAMSUNG Offers Multifunction Versatility With New HDTV-Ready Widescreen LCD Monitor With Built-In TV Tuner
SAMSUNG Offers Advanced Two-Millisecond Response Time LCD Monitors Ideal For Gamers And The Multimedia Community

http://gear.ign.com/articles/679/679387p1.html

 

[Luddite]

I am assuming the Samsung 2ms LCDs are TN panels?

That's interesting about the new LG folding LCD monitors.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Luddite
I am assuming the Samsung 2ms LCDs are TN panels?

Very likely TN+ODC (OverDrive Circuit), yeah. I bet they'll have some motion artifacts due to it though. The 960BF especially, since the 760BF had awful ODC results.

 

[techronin]

I decided to get a Viewsonic VX922 but saw this review at Newegg:

"5Eggs - Trade off... but worth it.

Pros: Response Time; Bright & Vibrant Colors; Killer Looks & Great cable management; Games play very smooth; Minimal Ghosting (very minimul but its still there).

Cons: 0.294 Pixel Pitch is LAME! If you own this monitor, look at your taskbar for example from very close up... then do the same on a CRT or another LCD with a better Pixel Pitch & you will clearly see what I'm saying. Another great example is to download the King Kong demo, and play the level as Kong. After you finish off the first V-Rex and you go to open the door, stop and really look @ Kong's fur... it gives games a look like there is a "grid" over everything.

Other Thoughts:
I have a Dell E172FP, the Dell 2005FPW & this VX922. All these people that are saying this is the best LCD ever etc., notice that most of them are saying this b/c this is either their first LCD or they are moving from a smaller sized LCD with poor response times. I have these two "titans" side by side and let me tell you the Dell has a better picture quality hands down.
With its 0.258 Pixel Pitch images are much clearer & Smoother on the Dell. BUT the reason I picked up this VX922 was b/c of the killer 2ms response times( Dell sports a 12ms). I have used all the latest & greatest games to compare these (COD2,Q4,FEAR,HL2,UT2K4) and there is no doubt that they all play much smoother on the VX922.
So in the end its a trade off, you get smoother performance, but the picture quality is significantly affected by the poor 0.294 Pixel Pitch. If you ask me Viewsonic was able to achieve this ultra low response time just b/c of the higher pixel pitch."

As this is my first LCD, I have no idea what the pixel pitch difference between .258 and .294 looks like - Should I be concerned/consider the 2005 instead?

Thanks for all the previous help.

 

[xtknight]

If you ask me Viewsonic was able to achieve this ultra low response time just b/c of the higher pixel pitch.

Yes, that is part of the equation, but a very small part of it. Most of the reason was because they sacrificed color quality by going to a TN panel. There are other reasons like Overdrive and backlight toggling techniques to reduce the ghosting effect.

When you say the Dell looked better, which Dell? Probably the 2005FPW looked better than the VX922? That's because you're comparing IPS panel and TN. IPS panels can always display more colors than the TN ones, at least in any practical situation.

I've gone from dot pitch .264 (17") to .294 (19") and it's not that bad in my opinion.

 

[dalearyous]

so where does the apple cinema displays fit in? im looking at the 23" now for gaming. good idea or no?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: dalearyous
so where does the apple cinema displays fit in? im looking at the 23" now for gaming. good idea or no?

I wouldn't say so. First since there is so little competition, those displays are expensive and probably inferior (in things other than size, like response time) to 21" screens. Second of all, can you graphics card drive that? Can it even drive it in 2D? Don't the Apple Cinemas have a resolution that requires dual-link DVI at 60/75 Hz?

Edit: Oh NM, the Apple Cinema 23" probably doesn't need dual-link.

 

[Navid]

Is Gateway FPD2185W an 8-bit panel?

How is its response time?

Do you have any comments on it for gaming?

 

[darXoul]

Yes, it's a full color 8-bit panel with pretty low response time which should be good enough for most gamers. YMMV though, since gaming performance seems to be a very subjective thing.

 

[Navid]

Does your frames-per-second go down as you go to larger monitors?

Does it go down as you go to more pixels?
I mean as far as I know, a 17" LCD and a 19" LCD have the same number of pixels. Is the FPS the same if you switch from one to the other?

Does the FPS go down if you switch from a 19" LCD to a 21" wide-screen (about the same vertical size but more pixels).

 

[darXoul]

There is no FPS difference between 17" and 19" if both use the 1280*1024 resolution. As for the widescreen, there will be more pixels to process (higher resolution) so of course, it will be a heavier load for the system, particularly the video card - FPS will certainly drop.

 

[xtknight]

FPS usually refers to how fast the graphics card can output scenes. Response time itself technically goes down (meaning faster) as pixels get bigger (bigger dot pitch), yes.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: xtknight
FPS usually refers to how fast the graphics card can output scenes.

And my question is if the same graphics card can output scenes at the same rate if the number of pixels go up (switching to a wide-screen 21" from a 19").

 

[xtknight]

The graphics card has more to fill, so it will be slower with more pixels.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: xtknight
The graphics card has more to fill, so it will be slower with more pixels.

Thanks xtknight.

Any comments an the Gateway monitor FPD2185W?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: xtknight
The graphics card has more to fill, so it will be slower with more pixels.

Thanks xtknight.

Any comments an the Gateway monitor FPD2185W?

That looks like a great display, especially the Faroudja deinterlacer.

 

[Navid]

xtknight,

There is a great deal for a 19" LCD (DVI) for $200.00 after rebate. This is the deal. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005

This is the thread on the deal. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1615256&enterthread=y

Is this a 6-bit monitor or an 8-bit one?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Navid
xtknight,

There is a great deal for a 19" LCD (DVI) for $200.00 after rebate. This is the deal. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824168005

This is the thread on the deal. http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=40&threadid=1615256&enterthread=y

Is this a 6-bit monitor or an 8-bit one?

That's a 6-bit TN.

 

[A5]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Navid

Originally posted by: xtknight
The graphics card has more to fill, so it will be slower with more pixels.

Thanks xtknight.

Any comments an the Gateway monitor FPD2185W?

That looks like a great display, especially the Faroudja deinterlacer.

Wish it wasn't $600

 

[speedlever]

Today Newegg has a one-day sale on the 940B - $325 plus S&H. I may have to spring for this one over the 970P due to the price diff. I doubt I'll see much difference in my usage.

Edit: but if I'm gonna spring for a 6 bit panel, I have to wonder if the $200 FujiPlus above compares favorably to the Sammy 940b for $125 more.

xtknight? Any thoughts on this comparison?

 

[Scorpion]

Still waiting on that VP2030b... Dell sure is slow getting this thing out...

It will be the weekend before I even get a chance to play with this thing.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: speedlever
Today Newegg has a one-day sale on the 940B - $325 plus S&H. I may have to spring for this one over the 970P due to the price diff. I doubt I'll see much difference in my usage.

Edit: but if I'm gonna spring for a 6 bit panel, I have to wonder if the $200 FujiPlus above compares favorably to the Sammy 940b for $125 more.

xtknight? Any thoughts on this comparison?

Personally I'd stay away from companies I haven't heard of (at least in the LCD business). You'll be happy with the 940B. If you want to spend even less than the 940b you won't have any (decent) choice.

 

[techronin]

Thanks for all the help guys. I have my Viewsonic VX922 now and could not be happier - best display i have ever owned!

 

[speedlever]

Thanks for the advice, xtknight.

I'm thinking for $250 difference, the 940b will suit my needs very well and I doubt I'll notice the difference over the 970p. It would be nice to get an 8 bit panel, but from what I've read here and elsewhere, I find myself questioning whether or not I'd really see the diff. I wish I could find either locally for a look-see, but no joy. Well, I did see a 930b at CC today. Not sure how that compares though.

I think I'm also gonna spring for a 6600GT card so I can utilize the DVI connection.

Edit for spelling.