LCD Buyer's Guide

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Malikhan
So what is the story on the twinkling effect with the NEC 20WGX² in movies?
Is this a serious issue? I know basiaclly what the twinkling effect is but I've yet to encounter it.

I wish I could tell you I knew what they were talking about. Alas, I really don't, because I've never seen it on any monitor. They claim it happens on all LCDs. Supposedly either by dithering or overdrive. I've never seen it.

 

[Talcite]

I'm interested... what convinced you to upgrade the 90GX2 and 70GX2 to top 5 rating in general use? I'm considering purchasing a 70GX2 because of the attractive price, and the better dot pitch. I'm concerned about the 70% RTC error in some transitions. What does RTC/overshoot errors translate to in real life use?

great guide btw, a huge help.

Oh and the 90GX2 is reviewed by xbit labs here : http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/19inch-4_14.html

I noticed you didn't have it listed in the reviews section

 

[supastar1568]

I just ordered a 20WMGX2-BK from pagecomputer

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Talcite
I'm interested... what convinced you to upgrade the 90GX2 and 70GX2 to top 5 rating in general use? I'm considering purchasing a 70GX2 because of the attractive price, and the better dot pitch. I'm concerned about the 70% RTC error in some transitions. What does RTC/overshoot errors translate to in real life use?

It's almost always hardly noticeable. There are some particularly bad ones like the Samsung 730BF that hits 200%+ IIRC, some still claim they have don't notice it. It's almost never mentioned in reviews though.

Oh and the 90GX2 is reviewed by xbit labs here : http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/other/display/19inch-4_14.html

I noticed you didn't have it listed in the reviews section

The reviews section hasn't been updated in a while now. It's mainly an archive of reviews of old LCDs. I'm always keeping up on reviews of new LCDs though so you guys don't have to worry.

 

[DangerDave]

xtnight, do you have any new info about the Viewsonic VX2235wm?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: DangerDave
xtnight, do you have any new info about the Viewsonic VX2235wm?

Nope not other than what's on http://www.lcdresource.com/

We really have all the specs, now we just need reviews. I still don't know about HDCP though.

 

[Budarow]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Budarow
Hi peeps,

I'm pretty much a newb with respect to LCD monitors for PCs and need some easy answers so I can pick my boy up a LCD for his "modernized" bedroom (i.e., he's 8 years old now and ready to turn in all the kid toys for some "older boy" toys)

Anyway...thanks to this handy guide, it looks like the following monitor is a good choice for performance and price. The monitor will mostly be for movies and gaming.

20.1"NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2 1680x1050 (16:10)

If you can afford it, that's the best monitor money can buy if the glossy screen is suitable. Great response time, stunning color reproduction, and CRT viewing angles.

I do seem to have 1 issue. My son's video card (see sign.) does not seem to support a resolution of 1680x1050 (the monitor's native resolution). EDIT...nVidia added support for 1680x1050 to their newest driver

I've read video card (with in the drivers for the video car itself?) resolutions can be "hacked" to include "custom" resolutions. Can some peeps comment on this issue? Is the process a "one time deal" or does it have to be done for each application (every time another game is loaded or another movie is started)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Budarow

If your son has a 7800GT then he should certainly be able to use 1680x1050. You shouldn't need to do any hacks, it should appear in the standard resolution enumeration (either under Windows's resolution slider or NVIDIA's resolution slider).

For games you may have to change to the config to support the extra Field of Vision (FOV) of the widescreen monitor. Otherwise you'd have to use black bars or have it scaled which reduces quality significantly. If you had to do either I'd go for the black bars. In the best case scenario the game would support the extra FOV with a little tweaking. This site has all you need to know and more on widescreen monitors: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/

Thanks for the "extra" info xtknight And my son has a 7800GT "now". I asked him which of 4 PCs he'd like in his room and of course he picks my favorite PC (and not even my latest build). It sure doesn't take "kids" long to determine a quality PC from somewhat lessor PC.

 

[JETninja]

Any info on this new Westinghouse Bestbuy has in todays ad?

22" WS
5 ms responce
700:1 Contrast
1680x1050
DVI-D input


Model# LCM-22W2

$80 off...$399.

Was thinking for my PC, Lots of gaming and general stuff. Not much into movies, thats what my HT is for.....

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: JETninja
Any info on this new Westinghouse Bestbuy has in todays ad?

22" WS
5 ms responce
700:1 Contrast
1680x1050
DVI-D input


Model# LCM-22W2

$80 off...$399.

Was thinking for my PC, Lots of gaming and general stuff. Not much into movies, thats what my HT is for.....

Good find. That could very well be the first wave of HannStar's new 22" TN panels. I have heard pretty good things about them so if I were you I wouldn't hesitate to try it. In general, TNs are great for gaming.

 

[joshw10]

Can anyone offer advice on a 23-24" LCD, 1920x1200 of course?

There are 2 options I'm considering.

One is the Dell 24" 2407FPW, which probably has 99% of the PC enthusiast market for a 1920x1200 desktop LCD. Their prices are so good (can get a new one for about $700 shipped if on sale) that it seems nobody even bothers to consider anything else due to the price difference.

I have the 20" 2005FPW right now, and while I've been happy with it, I have to wonder whether there is another level of image quality I'm not experiencing. There is the Sony SDM-P234 ($960 at newegg) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824006084

So for an additional $260 am I going to get a monitor that really does have better image quality than the Dell?

 

[michal1980]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: JETninja
Any info on this new Westinghouse Bestbuy has in todays ad?

22" WS
5 ms responce
700:1 Contrast
1680x1050
DVI-D input


Model# LCM-22W2

$80 off...$399.

Was thinking for my PC, Lots of gaming and general stuff. Not much into movies, thats what my HT is for.....

Good find. That could very well be the first wave of HannStar's new 22" TN panels. I have heard pretty good things about them so if I were you I wouldn't hesitate to try it. In general, TNs are great for gaming.

would this be the same panel that is going into the new veiwsonic, vx22(something something) models.

I hear people getting to use the 30% accersories coupon, and getting one of these for 300 bucks, which is a steal. And if its the same panel, would there be a differance between the viewsonic, and the westing house?

There has to be? I like this model better, due to more inputs.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: joshw10
Can anyone offer advice on a 23-24" LCD, 1920x1200 of course?

There are 2 options I'm considering.

One is the Dell 24" 2407FPW, which probably has 99% of the PC enthusiast market for a 1920x1200 desktop LCD. Their prices are so good (can get a new one for about $700 shipped if on sale) that it seems nobody even bothers to consider anything else due to the price difference.

I have the 20" 2005FPW right now, and while I've been happy with it, I have to wonder whether there is another level of image quality I'm not experiencing. There is the Sony SDM-P234 ($960 at newegg) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824006084

So for an additional $260 am I going to get a monitor that really does have better image quality than the Dell?

According to Tom's Hardware Guide, the Sony SDM-P234 is better than the 2405FPW. I don't know about the 2407WFP. It might have higher contrast.

Dell 2405FPW
Sony SDM-P234

I'm probably going to add the SDM-P234 to the recommendations but I have yet to hear any user reviews of it (no positive but no negative). It got a very good review at THG.

The backlights of Dells have never been very uniform and the Sony is great in that category.

The Dells (both 24xx) are very bright and thus aren't suited well for photo-editing. They would be better in bright conditions but the Sony SDM-P234 would have a nicer and more balanced image (more CRT-like).

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: michal1980
would this be the same panel that is going into the new veiwsonic, vx22(something something) models.

My guess would be yes.

I hear people getting to use the 30% accersories coupon, and getting one of these for 300 bucks, which is a steal. And if its the same panel, would there be a differance between the viewsonic, and the westing house?

There certainly could be. The manufacturer still gets to choose the DSP (interpolation, OSD, response time compensation, refresh rate management) and controls.

 

[michal1980]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: michal1980
would this be the same panel that is going into the new veiwsonic, vx22(something something) models.

My guess would be yes.

I hear people getting to use the 30% accersories coupon, and getting one of these for 300 bucks, which is a steal. And if its the same panel, would there be a differance between the viewsonic, and the westing house?

There certainly could be. The manufacturer still gets to choose the DSP (interpolation, OSD, response time compensation, refresh rate management) and controls.

upon more research, its hard to figure out what panel it is.

the best buy specs, support the 8bit panel.

wheras the westingouse site suggests a 6bit panel, specifing 16.2 million colors. which would make it appear to be more of a tn panel.

But the best buy light output spec at 300cmd does not match westinghouse's 280cmd.

I wish they made things easier on consumers by having a standard way and method of measuring numbers. instead of vodoo

 

[GBInterloper]

I checked out the 22" Westinghouse at BestBuy today it looked pretty sweet....I could REALLY envision it on my computer desk looking rediculously large

They had their usual "static" images cycling through so I couldn't measure performance at all. I have yet to be able to find any reviews of the panel, but at $399 it's not a bad deal for a 22" LCD if it truly performs like a 5ms response time panel.

 

[eXecutioner28]

just to keep u updated; got Hyundai L90D+ today but it had one dead pixel, tried some programs for dead pixels but nothing, now I am going to buy Samsung 940B or 940BF... ofcourse 940B is cheaper, but if 940BF is a lot better than I am going for that ( I guess)....

what is the difference in B and BF version?

btw BenQ 91GX and 91G+ are once again on the market...

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: eXecutioner28
just to keep u updated; got Hyundai L90D+ today but it had one dead pixel, tried some programs for dead pixels but nothing, now I am going to buy Samsung 940B or 940BF... ofcourse 940B is cheaper, but if 940BF is a lot better than I am going for that ( I guess)....

what is the difference in B and BF version?

btw BenQ 91GX and 91G+ are once again on the market...

The Samsung 940BF actually is a lot better than the 940B and definitely worth the extra IMO. The 940B's response time is pretty slow and the colors are a bit off compared to the 940BF (which is an extremely speedy LCD). Better than the 91GX and 91G+ as well.

 

[eXecutioner28]

but why is it better than 940B? but if u say so... the thing is that 940BF is about 60euros more than BenQ.... but I wanna enjoy my experience...

 

[xtknight]

The 940B has a 35 ms. response time (measured) and the 940BF comes out at 6 ms. The 940BF also has more accurate color gamma than the 940B.

 

[eXecutioner28]

ok, I think on friday I am coming home with a Samsung 940BF... just to find it a bit cheaper...

will post my thoughts...

 

[kuya1284]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: eXecutioner28
just to keep u updated; got Hyundai L90D+ today but it had one dead pixel, tried some programs for dead pixels but nothing, now I am going to buy Samsung 940B or 940BF... ofcourse 940B is cheaper, but if 940BF is a lot better than I am going for that ( I guess)....

what is the difference in B and BF version?

btw BenQ 91GX and 91G+ are once again on the market...

The Samsung 940BF actually is a lot better than the 940B and definitely worth the extra IMO. The 940B's response time is pretty slow and the colors are a bit off compared to the 940BF (which is an extremely speedy LCD). Better than the 91GX and 91G+ as well.

I can vouch for this.

 

[JETninja]

Originally posted by: michal1980

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: JETninja
Any info on this new Westinghouse Bestbuy has in todays ad?

22" WS
5 ms responce
700:1 Contrast
1680x1050
DVI-D input


Model# LCM-22W2

$80 off...$399.

Was thinking for my PC, Lots of gaming and general stuff. Not much into movies, thats what my HT is for.....

Good find. That could very well be the first wave of HannStar's new 22" TN panels. I have heard pretty good things about them so if I were you I wouldn't hesitate to try it. In general, TNs are great for gaming.

would this be the same panel that is going into the new veiwsonic, vx22(something something) models.

I hear people getting to use the 30% accersories coupon, and getting one of these for 300 bucks, which is a steal. And if its the same panel, would there be a differance between the viewsonic, and the westing house?

There has to be? I like this model better, due to more inputs.

Can you tell me more about the 30% off coupon? I have a 10% off rewards coupon I planning to use if I get one, its only good on the 4th-6th. Sale ends the 5th I think.

BTW, Westinghouse site: WH 22"

You can download the Manual there.......

 

[eXecutioner28]

kuya1284, you can vouch for BF being better than B or better than BenQ?

 

[kuya1284]

Originally posted by: eXecutioner28
kuya1284, you can vouch for BF being better than B or better than BenQ?

Better than B.

 

[Faceless Man]

Folks, I too am in the market for a 19" LCD. Since I'm in Europe (Ireland to be exact) my prices and availablity are slightly different however this is what I've narrowed down my choices too...

BenQ FP93GX - ?312
Samsung Syncmaster 940BF - ?309
IIyama ProLite X486S - ?319
Viewsonic VX922 - ?350

I *really* want to keep the price down so only recommend the Viewsonic if its WAY better than the others. As for what the screen is for, well its primarily for gaming and other entertainment purposes. Any videos I watch have been ripped so quailty won't be exactly DVD quality. I don't do any graphics or heavy image work either.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.