LCD Buyer's Guide

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: 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.

Welcome to the forums.

This is the easiest one I've had in a while. The Samsung 940BF (even if it was the most expensive)! Make sure that's the 940BF and not the 940B though. The FP93G X may be 1% better but I prefer the Samsung brand myself. Plus I've heard a user saying it was comparable to the CRT where I've not heard anything about the FP93G X except from a pro review.

 

[michal1980]

Originally posted by: 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.......

Best buy supposdly has coupon in the computer dept for up to 30% off computer accesories. (the packs have differnt % off coupons 10, 20, or 30%) some people managed to get 30% off the this sale monitor price.


But I confirmed with westinghouse, this is a 6bit TN panel.

I think I'll wait for the viewsonic. even though those inputs on the panel would have been nice.

 

[exitous]

I bought the Westinghouse 22" monitor today and its going back tommorow. Its not a bad monitor.. there was hardly any backlight bleeding, just a small line at the top and bottom (not a huge x shape like my Viewsonic vx924) and the colors looked fine for a 6bit panel. It doesnt have any height adjustment at all though which apparently is now a problem for me. There is a shelf above my desk so I couldn't get it high enough to actually see the screen properly even after stacking things under it (my Samsung 215tw works fine in the same space). Just something to keep in mind for anyone interested in it.

 

[Faceless Man]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Welcome to the forums.

This is the easiest one I've had in a while. The Samsung 940BF (even if it was the most expensive)! Make sure that's the 940BF and not the 940B though. The FP93G X may be 1% better but I prefer the Samsung brand myself. Plus I've heard a user saying it was comparable to the CRT where I've not heard anything about the FP93G X except from a pro review.

Yep its the BF model thats available. One thing though, if the BenQ is better, albeit even slightly, why recommend the Samsung over it? Is it just that you prefer the latter brand in general? As for reviews I've only read two, one was glowing while the other was fairly lacklustre.

And then of course theres the roundup at X-Bit Labs which is rather favourable whereas the one for the Samsung isn't as good...Thoughts?

Note, I'm currently using the slightly older BenQ FP71E+ which I'm pretty damn happy with. Since I'll be using both in a dual monitor setup I guess I just want to keep them the same brand.

 

[zoolap]

Dell 2007FP

Would the Dell 2007FP be good for use as a gaming/regular use monitor?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Faceless Man

Originally posted by: xtknight
Welcome to the forums.

This is the easiest one I've had in a while. The Samsung 940BF (even if it was the most expensive)! Make sure that's the 940BF and not the 940B though. The FP93G X may be 1% better but I prefer the Samsung brand myself. Plus I've heard a user saying it was comparable to the CRT where I've not heard anything about the FP93G X except from a pro review.

Yep its the BF model thats available. One thing though, if the BenQ is better, albeit even slightly, why recommend the Samsung over it? Is it just that you prefer the latter brand in general? As for reviews I've only read two, one was glowing while the other was fairly lacklustre.

And then of course theres the roundup at X-Bit Labs which is rather favourable whereas the one for the Samsung isn't as good...Thoughts?

Note, I'm currently using the slightly older BenQ FP71E+ which I'm pretty damn happy with. Since I'll be using both in a dual monitor setup I guess I just want to keep them the same brand.

I think Samsung has a better rep overall but if you're using a BenQ right now and you love it then I see no reason to not get the FP93GX. The Samsung did have better gamma curves than the AUO-based FP93GX. Samsung also has the MagicTune software. To BenQ's credit the FP93GX has less RTC error than the Samsung.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: zoolap
Dell 2007FP

Would the Dell 2007FP be good for use as a gaming/regular use monitor?

Yes it should be good. It has a pretty decent response time. The S-IPS/S-PVA panels used in the 2007FP are high quality as well.

 

[Mystiqq]

Quick question. Is the so called "screen door" effect the same for all types of panels?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Mystiqq
Quick question. Is the so called "screen door" effect the same for all types of panels?

A small dot pitch mitigates the effect. It does depend on what they use as a separator for the cells in the panel as well. OptiClear/glossy coating can help mask the effect.

I don't believe that because MVA panels have multiple domains that they are any worse than TN. This is a cell-level thing. The sole factor in charge is the lining and spacing of the panel itself.

 

[Excal78]

This is a very useful guide, in fact the best I have found on the internet. Thanks.
I got some questions.
In the last version the viewsonic vx2025wm widescreen was among the first ranked monitors on several categories and often above the vp930b but now isn't in any category ranked. Does someone know why? Could it be because it has lost some points or something? How come?

I'm looking forward to purchasing that monitor and I'm just wondering why is that with the ranking.

Also, have anyone heard of the new Viewsonic vx2535wm 22" widescreen? It's suposed to be on sale by the middle of august. Probably the price will be in the range of $100 more than the vx2025wm or maybe a little less.
Here are some of its specs:
- Screen: 22"
- 1680 x 1050 (WSXGA) Optimum Resolution
- 16.7 Million Colours
- 700:1 Contrast Ratio
- 5ms Response Time (gtg)
- 300 cd/m2 Brightness
- One Analogue Input
- One DVI Input
- Built-In Rear Speakers
- VESA mounting compatible
- 0.282mm pixel pitch

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/newscontent.htm#vx2235wm
According to tftcentral this is using a 22"WS Chi Mei Optoelectronics S-MVA (M220Z1-L01) Panel.

Maybe I'll wait to get this one instead of the vx2025wm, I'm not sure yet if it is worth it.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Excal78
This is a very useful guide, in fact the best I have found on the internet. Thanks.
I got some questions.
In the last version the viewsonic vx2025wm widescreen was among the first ranked monitors on several categories and often above the vp930b but now isn't in any category ranked. Does someone know why? Could it be because it has lost some points or something? How come?

I had to pull it because too many people were having DVI issues with it. (google vx2025wm dvi) However not everybody has the problem, supposedly. Two people on this very forum had problems with it. There's a program called 'dvi recover' that might fix it.

I'm looking forward to purchasing that monitor and I'm just wondering why is that with the ranking.

Also, have anyone heard of the new Viewsonic vx2535wm 22" widescreen? It's suposed to be on sale by the middle of august. Probably the price will be in the range of $100 more than the vx2025wm or maybe a little less.
Here are some of its specs:
- Screen: 22"
- 1680 x 1050 (WSXGA) Optimum Resolution
- 16.7 Million Colours
- 700:1 Contrast Ratio
- 5ms Response Time (gtg)
- 300 cd/m2 Brightness
- One Analogue Input
- One DVI Input
- Built-In Rear Speakers
- VESA mounting compatible
- 0.282mm pixel pitch

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/newscontent.htm#vx2235wm
According to tftcentral this is using a 22"WS Chi Mei Optoelectronics S-MVA (M220Z1-L01) Panel.

Yep, except I was under the impression that it was a HannStar panel.

 

[Excal78]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Excal78
This is a very useful guide, in fact the best I have found on the internet. Thanks.
I got some questions.
In the last version the viewsonic vx2025wm widescreen was among the first ranked monitors on several categories and often above the vp930b but now isn't in any category ranked. Does someone know why? Could it be because it has lost some points or something? How come?

I had to pull it because too many people were having DVI issues with it. (google vx2025wm dvi) However not everybody has the problem, supposedly. Two people on this very forum had problems with it. There's a program called 'dvi recover' that might fix it.

In other words, it would be still at the same position in the ranking if it wasn't for the DVI problem? I have heard also about that problem and about the program you mentioned which indeed has solved that on some ocassions.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Excal78
In other words, it would be still at the same position in the ranking if it wasn't for the DVI problem? I have heard also about that problem and about the program you mentioned which indeed has solved that on some ocassions.

Yeah, it is otherwise a very good monitor for the price.

 

[Excal78]

Thanks for the info, xtknight.

 

[JETninja]

Anyone know anything about this Acer:

Acer AL1916Fbd 19" LCD Monitor 2ms 700:1 1280 x 1024 300cd/m2 brightness RGB/DVI - 3 Year Warranty - Black - ET.1916B.0DF

Buy.com has it for $222 shipped free.......

Manufacturer Acer Inc.
Standard Warranty 3 Year(s) Limited
Color Black
Resolution 1280 x 1024 Native Resolution
Input Voltage 110 V AC or 220 V AC
Actual Screen Size 1 x 19"
Parts Warranty/Labor 3 Year(s)
Dimensions 17.0" Height x 16.6" Width x 6.9" Depth
Manufacturer Part Number ET.1916B.0DF
Interfaces 1 x 15-pin D-Sub / 1 x DVI-D (Digital)
Viewable Screen Size 19"
Additional Information Kensington Lock
Projection Technology Active Matrix TFT
Product Line Value
Weight 12.3 lb
Product Name Value Line AL1916 Fbd LCD Monitor
Dot Pitch 0.294mm
Input Signal RGB (Analog) / DVI
Contrast Ratio 700:1
Brightness 300 Nit
Monitor Response Time 2 ms
Viewing Angle 150° Horizontal 135° Vertical
Product Type LCD
Product Model AL1916 Fbd
Mountable Wall-mountable VESA

Acer 19"

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: JETninja
Anyone know anything about this Acer:

Acer AL1916Fbd 19" LCD Monitor 2ms 700:1 1280 x 1024 300cd/m2 brightness RGB/DVI - 3 Year Warranty - Black - ET.1916B.0DF

Buy.com has it for $222 shipped free.......

Manufacturer Acer Inc.
Standard Warranty 3 Year(s) Limited
Color Black
Resolution 1280 x 1024 Native Resolution
Input Voltage 110 V AC or 220 V AC
Actual Screen Size 1 x 19"
Parts Warranty/Labor 3 Year(s)
Dimensions 17.0" Height x 16.6" Width x 6.9" Depth
Manufacturer Part Number ET.1916B.0DF
Interfaces 1 x 15-pin D-Sub / 1 x DVI-D (Digital)
Viewable Screen Size 19"
Additional Information Kensington Lock
Projection Technology Active Matrix TFT
Product Line Value
Weight 12.3 lb
Product Name Value Line AL1916 Fbd LCD Monitor
Dot Pitch 0.294mm
Input Signal RGB (Analog) / DVI
Contrast Ratio 700:1
Brightness 300 Nit
Monitor Response Time 2 ms
Viewing Angle 150° Horizontal 135° Vertical
Product Type LCD
Product Model AL1916 Fbd
Mountable Wall-mountable VESA

Acer 19"

Sorry, I haven't seen any reviews on it to be sure. Buy.com also has the FP93GX for $250 and it's worth the extra for peace of mind.

 

[nyllefjun]

I pretty much decided to go for the NEC 20.1" WS monitor when my friend said, hey why not a non-ws 20-22" which is another possibility that I have completely ignored to look at.

The ViewSonic VP2030b look nice after some brief browsing around, are there any other good allround monitors in that size (20-22" non-ws)?

How does it stack up to the NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2?

 

[zoolap]

Thanks xtnight

Do you need to look out for the revision number of the dell 2007fp like with wfp? Also, how can you be sure what rev you're getting?

Thanks.

zoolap

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: nyllefjun
I pretty much decided to go for the NEC 20.1" WS monitor when my friend said, hey why not a non-ws 20-22" which is another possibility that I have completely ignored to look at.

The ViewSonic VP2030b look nice after some brief browsing around, are there any other good allround monitors in that size (20-22" non-ws)?

How does it stack up to the NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2?

The NEC is still tops in everything by a large amount (image quality, viewing angles, slightly better response time).

Originally posted by: zoolap
Thanks xtnight

Do you need to look out for the revision number of the dell 2007fp like with wfp? Also, how can you be sure what rev you're getting?

Thanks.

zoolap

I think that's the case with all of the Dell **07 monitors. Dell really shouldn't be selling anything older than Rev A02s by now. The service menu will tell you what rev you have.

 

[nyllefjun]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: nyllefjun
I pretty much decided to go for the NEC 20.1" WS monitor when my friend said, hey why not a non-ws 20-22" which is another possibility that I have completely ignored to look at.

The ViewSonic VP2030b look nice after some brief browsing around, are there any other good allround monitors in that size (20-22" non-ws)?

How does it stack up to the NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2?

The NEC is still tops in everything by a large amount (image quality, viewing angles, slightly better response time).

Ah, sounds great!

I've got a bit of a problem however, I have a really old gfx card, a ti4200. Can that card handle that high res/ws thing?
I'll be getting an upgrade sometime withing a few months but it would be nice knowing if I might aswell wait with the screen aswell? (altho I reaaaally want a new monitor right now)

EDIT: I meant for windows and running programs, games I can always use that nifty feature and play at a lower and non-ws resolution with black bars and since I'm pretty much only playing old games at the moment that should be no problem.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: nyllefjun
Ah, sounds great!

I've got a bit of a problem however, I have a really old gfx card, a ti4200. Can that card handle that high res/ws thing?
I'll be getting an upgrade sometime withing a few months but it would be nice knowing if I might aswell wait with the screen aswell? (altho I reaaaally want a new monitor right now)

EDIT: I meant for windows and running programs, games I can always use that nifty feature and play at a lower and non-ws resolution with black bars and since I'm pretty much only playing old games at the moment that should be no problem.

I think it should support it for Windows (find out the card's max resolution in the specs) but you're definitely going to want to upgrade for any remotely new games.

 

[michal1980]

ok monitor gurus, what can you tell me about this
lg l204wt

I saw the westinghouse 22 in best buy yesterday and would have bought it if they would have taken the 30% off coupon. but said no.

I probably would have ended up returning it, but wanted to test it. The thing has a huge frame.

and with such a large frame they hide buttons? why?

 

[wiredvibes]

I have arnd 1000 to spend.... and ive been researching this like crazy.. there are 3 monitors im looking at ... the Dell2407 the samsung 244T and the soon to be released BenQ24" .... the samsung and dell seem to have thier own set of issues ranging from banding to ghosting to dead pixels to evrything ... its almost as if u haveto be lucky to get a monitor that works right. any advise ?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: wiredvibes
I have arnd 1000 to spend.... and ive been researching this like crazy.. there are 3 monitors im looking at ... the Dell2407 the samsung 244T and the soon to be released BenQ24" .... the samsung and dell seem to have thier own set of issues ranging from banding to ghosting to dead pixels to evrything ... its almost as if u haveto be lucky to get a monitor that works right. any advise ?

Have you considered the Sony SDM-P234? It should be a little better than the 2407. Uniformity is probably better, actual response time is a tad better, and viewing angles are better. Also, it can reproduce the same saturation of color without such a high brightness, making it easier on the eyes.

I don't know about the banding stuff. I've heard some people say it still occurs on rev A02, some say its completely gone in A02. My friend just got a V1B15 2407WFP and in the service menu he can adjust the ACC (component that causes banding but increases color vibrance). He just liked it on so he left it there. He did have a dead pixel. Dell is sending him a new one and letting him use his old one until the new one arrives. The Samsung isn't bad, but it's not better than the 2407 or SDM-P234, and considering that, it's over-priced.

You don't have to be lucky to get a good one. It's just that you hear most about the bad ones. I think with Dell you can just keep asking for replacements until you're satisfied...

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: michal1980
ok monitor gurus, what can you tell me about this
lg l204wt

It's a 6-bit TN (Chi Mei I believe?) with dynamic contrast adjustment features. I've heard quite good things about it. People say they noticed a difference going from a lower dynamic contrast model (1600:1, older one like LG L203wt I think) to a higher one (2000:1, LG L204wt).

Read up on some threads about it: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=lg+l204wt&btnG=Google+Search

One person even returned their 215TW once they got their LG L204wt. If you ask me, they're crazy, but it may indeed be good. It would be better in the response time category.