LCD Buyer's Guide

[josh6079]

I don't know, a color gradient looks more smoothly transistioned on VGA than it does DVI simply because DVI is that sharp. I have yet to see an LCD that didn't produce a step latter (however slight) in a color gradient test.

Also, I'm the 2000th poster for this thread! What's my prize?

No, really good job xtknight. Longest thread (and only sticky) in Video.

 

[littlefrank]

Originally posted by: doodler85
Hmm. Well, cheers

I'll try to settle that buyer's remorse by thinking what else I could do the the $250 difference (inc. tax). ...

Don't worry - you'll love it! Also, try Dreamweaver split with the 215tw rotated ... you can have a full page of html source above the full webpage preview. If you don't like that, use your extra $250 to buy a cheap 2nd monitor & video card for even more flexibility.

Cheers!

 

[nevbie]

Hey

I have done some research about LCDs and this guide has been a nice start for it. I'm planning of buying a new LCD soon to replace my old CRT.

Important things: good image quality is always nice! certain (FPS) games probably like low response time too, but that is not extremely important.
Most important thing: Scaling. I'd like to run games etc fullscreen at lower resolutions too. Actually reviews usually lack information about scaling. I would simply like to know more about scaling. For example, can I run my games(mostly those..) fullscreen in 800x600 or 1280x1024 resolution with LCDs? *how* well do LCDs usually do the scaling job? I would prefer smaller resolutions as boxes inside the viewing area so that they preserve the aspect ratio (for example, 4:3)... that wouldn't sacriface the quality at all, would it? And an another question about scaling: If a display has a native resolution of 1600x1200, will it scale perfectly to 800x600? I would imagine that good displays make one 800x600 pixel using four 1600x1200 native pixels, but is this true for all displays or only some?

Also some specific questions about NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2, which seems to be a potential target-of-purchase. (though i'm not exactly interested in widescreens!)
Does it have problems with scaling to 4:3 resolutions so that it preserves the aspect ratio? some reviews claim that it does. some forum posts also claim that it is a ATI driver problem... a bit confusing.
And then a more newbie-ish question. It seems that 20WMGX2 has an ugly thingy called "OptiClear contrast coating". But the panel itself sounds excellent.... is it reasonable to expect more products based on that panel/technology or whatever the proper term is? perhaps an another product would not have this opticlear coating and it might be worth of waiting for?

 

[Liran xD]

Hi, I'm kinda afraid to buy LCD without seeing it but i've seen the Samsung 730B so you probably understood i'm looking forward to the 740B
is there any diffrence between these two screens? if there is what's the diffrence? and is it worth the extra 25$

Thanks in advance.

 

[doodler85]

Originally posted by: littlefrank
Don't worry - you'll love it! Also, try Dreamweaver split with the 215tw rotated ... you can have a full page of html source above the full webpage preview. If you don't like that, use your extra $250 to buy a cheap 2nd monitor & video card for even more flexibility.
Cheers!

Mmmm. that sounds delicious

I already have a second monitor, haha. I just gave my third away to my roommate... because it's way too old to even consider color reproduction (First gen, 18" Gateway LCD... back when they cost $1000).

I mean, going widescreen's not going to make anything WORSE... you still have 22 more pixels than before... it just has the potential to not get significantly better

We'll see! I'm hearing a lot of good things about the 215TW, so I'm not too worried.

Thanks!

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: nevbie
Important things: good image quality is always nice! certain (FPS) games probably like low response time too, but that is not extremely important.
Most important thing: Scaling. I'd like to run games etc fullscreen at lower resolutions too. Actually reviews usually lack information about scaling.

Well, you're right. Reviews don't generally mention this much. Personally I avoid running at low resolutions any way I can. I don't think I've ever needed to run a low resolution.

I would simply like to know more about scaling. For example, can I run my games(mostly those..) fullscreen in 800x600 or 1280x1024 resolution with LCDs? *how* well do LCDs usually do the scaling job?

Not as good as CRTs. It's pretty good considering its a digital algorithm, but it's not good enough to convince me to use a low resolution over a high resolution (with lower texture quality or higher DPI if you're running games/reading text).

I would prefer smaller resolutions as boxes inside the viewing area so that they preserve the aspect ratio (for example, 4:3)... that wouldn't sacriface the quality at all, would it?

NVIDIA has a feature called aspect ratio scaling where it scales to the resolution that matches the original aspect, nearest in pixel width x height of the desired one. Still, some quality is lost. NVIDIA also has centered mode (performed on the GPU) where the image is centered within the native resolution. No quality is lost here, but there will be black bars around the sides. ATI does not have a centered mode that can be performed on the GPU (your monitor needs to have a centered mode option to use it with ATI). I don't think ATI has aspect ratio scaling either.

And an another question about scaling: If a display has a native resolution of 1600x1200, will it scale perfectly to 800x600? I would imagine that good displays make one 800x600 pixel using four 1600x1200 native pixels, but is this true for all displays or only some?

Not really. Antialiasing just doesn't look right when it's resized, so fonts will look rather crappy.

Also some specific questions about NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2, which seems to be a potential target-of-purchase. (though i'm not exactly interested in widescreens!)
Does it have problems with scaling to 4:3 resolutions so that it preserves the aspect ratio? some reviews claim that it does. some forum posts also claim that it is a ATI driver problem... a bit confusing.

I'm not sure. I know NVIDIA cards can do it fine with every monitor because it's done on the GPU.

And then a more newbie-ish question. It seems that 20WMGX2 has an ugly thingy called "OptiClear contrast coating". But the panel itself sounds excellent.... is it reasonable to expect more products based on that panel/technology or whatever the proper term is? perhaps an another product would not have this opticlear coating and it might be worth of waiting for?

Ugly?? Are you crazy? Sure, you may notice glare (you can fix that), but other than that I'd definitely take it over standard hard coating. It increases contrast and reduces screen door effect.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Liran xD
Hi, I'm kinda afraid to buy LCD without seeing it but i've seen the Samsung 730B so you probably understood i'm looking forward to the 740B
is there any diffrence between these two screens? if there is what's the diffrence? and is it worth the extra 25$

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forums.

I'd be careful with the Samsung *40Bs. The response time on them is really slow. Are there any other LCDs you've seen or that you can go and see?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: josh6079
I don't know, a color gradient looks more smoothly transistioned on VGA than it does DVI simply because DVI is that sharp. I have yet to see an LCD that didn't produce a step latter (however slight) in a color gradient test.

Also, I'm the 2000th poster for this thread! What's my prize?

No, really good job xtknight. Longest thread (and only sticky) in Video.

Prize? Uhh...well. I don't know. Maybe we can arrange something. Or you can give me one of those three monitors.

Originally posted by: doodler85

Originally posted by: littlefrank
Don't worry - you'll love it! Also, try Dreamweaver split with the 215tw rotated ... you can have a full page of html source above the full webpage preview. If you don't like that, use your extra $250 to buy a cheap 2nd monitor & video card for even more flexibility.
Cheers!

Mmmm. that sounds delicious

I already have a second monitor, haha. I just gave my third away to my roommate... because it's way too old to even consider color reproduction (First gen, 18" Gateway LCD... back when they cost $1000).

I mean, going widescreen's not going to make anything WORSE... you still have 22 more pixels than before... it just has the potential to not get significantly better

We'll see! I'm hearing a lot of good things about the 215TW, so I'm not too worried.

Thanks!

Well, with widescreen you get 150 less vertically but 80 more horizontally than 1600x1200. Still I think more horizontally is far more important than vertically for most things.

 

[doodler85]

Er, I meant 26 pixels. Compared to my previous 17".

Heh. Oops.

 

[Liran xD]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Liran xD
Hi, I'm kinda afraid to buy LCD without seeing it but i've seen the Samsung 730B so you probably understood i'm looking forward to the 740B
is there any diffrence between these two screens? if there is what's the diffrence? and is it worth the extra 25$

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forums.

I'd be careful with the Samsung *40Bs. The response time on them is really slow. Are there any other LCDs you've seen or that you can go and see?

hm actually no, all I can do is watching some pictures and maybe trailers on some other screens in stores like the LG L1732TQ or LG 1770HQ
Actually I really sticked to the 730B(Unless I'll have an option to play with other models), I've seen it, played with it and hadn't any problems with image quality or response time
but I know the 740B is a newer model so maybe they fixed a few things from the older model the 730B
the reason i'm asking for the 740 is offcourse by example the BF series which shows that maybe few things improved but I heard a lot of bad things about their image quality(though the specs are almost the same).

BTW sorry if my language isn't cleared or incorrect.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Liran xD

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: Liran xD
Hi, I'm kinda afraid to buy LCD without seeing it but i've seen the Samsung 730B so you probably understood i'm looking forward to the 740B
is there any diffrence between these two screens? if there is what's the diffrence? and is it worth the extra 25$

Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forums.

I'd be careful with the Samsung *40Bs. The response time on them is really slow. Are there any other LCDs you've seen or that you can go and see?

hm actually no, all I can do is watching some pictures and maybe trailers on some other screens in stores like the LG L1732TQ or LG 1770HQ
Actually I really sticked to the 730B(Unless I'll have an option to play with other models), I've seen it, played with it and hadn't any problems with image quality or response time
but I know the 740B is a newer model so maybe they fixed a few things from the older model the 730B
the reason i'm asking for the 740 is offcourse by example the BF series which shows that maybe few things improved but I heard a lot of bad things about their image quality(though the specs are almost the same).

BTW sorry if my language isn't cleared or incorrect.

OK, I would get the 730B to stay on the safe side. I really don't know if the 740B improved anything, but I don't really think the 930B->940B transition did.

 

[doodler85]

Wow, the 730B is cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001065

Is the 740N no longer considered good? I'm looking at one now, and have grown to like its budgety-goodness

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: doodler85
Wow, the 730B is cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001065

Is the 740N no longer considered good? I'm looking at one now, and have grown to like its budgety-goodness

The 740N is analog so I'd rather have the 730B.

 

[Liran xD]

Originally posted by: doodler85
Wow, the 730B is cheap.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001065

Is the 740N no longer considered good? I'm looking at one now, and have grown to like its budgety-goodness

OMG indeed
Here in Israel it costs(lowest price) 266$

and xtknight thank you very much for your replies i'll stick to the 730B..

 

[nevbie]

Thanks for your answers xtknight. And thanks for putting those prad.de links to the guide post! It seems to be quite an informative site.

After some information seeking, I've discarded that wonderful widescreen from the possible-buy list. ;P
LG L2000C seems to be an attractive display for me (gamer, resolution switcher), it also has a zero-bright-pixel-warranty thingy (at least here). The only thing that would possibly worry me about this display is the lack of "interpolation settings" (prad.de has an attribute like that for monitors.. it says 'no' to L2000C, so as far as I trust that site...). I have an ATI card (9800XT) and it seems that ATI drivers don't handle scaling as well as NVIDIA ones.

An another LCD that *could* be attractive is Philips 200P7ES/200P7EG (silver/gray) but I can't find any useful information (other than specs) about this monitor from the internet. It seems to be about 6 months newer than L2000C (based by when pricing engines catched it).

Does someone here know anything about this Philips 200P7ES/200P7EG? Reviews, anything?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: nevbie
LG L2000C seems to be an attractive display for me (gamer, resolution switcher), it also has a zero-bright-pixel-warranty thingy (at least here). The only thing that would possibly worry me about this display is the lack of "interpolation settings" (prad.de has an attribute like that for monitors.. it says 'no' to L2000C, so as far as I trust that site...). I have an ATI card (9800XT) and it seems that ATI drivers don't handle scaling as well as NVIDIA ones.

ATI cards won't be able to do centered mode correctly or aspect ratio scaling, as far as I understand it.

An another LCD that *could* be attractive is Philips 200P7ES/200P7EG (silver/gray) but I can't find any useful information (other than specs) about this monitor from the internet. It seems to be about 6 months newer than L2000C (based by when pricing engines catched it).

Does someone here know anything about this Philips 200P7ES/200P7EG? Reviews, anything?

I have no idea about the Philips.

The NEC LCD2070NX sounds like the monitor for you. 4:3 aspect, great image quality, and medium response time. According to prad it has interpolation options. It's around $500 USD at most places.

prad.de - NEC LCD2070NX

Maybe you'll find this page useful too.
http://www.new.prad.de/en/guide/ausstattung_auswahl.html

This gives me an idea. Maybe I should add "interpolation options" to my guide as well. Or I could just provide a link to prad since they have lots of great info anyway. I think I'll just do the latter.

 

[nevbie]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Maybe you'll find this page useful too.
http://www.new.prad.de/en/guide/ausstattung_auswahl.html

Yes, that is what I used to list monitors with interpolation options. By specs, the Philips 200P7ES/200P7EG looks interesting there.

I can't really go for the NEC LCD2070NX, it has an unexistent availability here. LG L2000C seems to be close to it anyway (by specs, LG is a bit better) also.. LG one is ~250? cheaper than the unexisting NEC one here. ;p

A local computer magazine recommeds L2000C, that's why it is so high on my list.
The search is pretty much over for my part, I guess. Unless the Philips one will be reviewed *somewhere*.

Perhaps you should list some good LCDs with 4:3 native resolution in the main post. Though you have a different approach in categorizing..

 

[Liran xD]

Hi I got another model dilemma - LG 1917S
I can get it in the same price as the 730B but I don't know about it's quality, i've seen it in windows enviorement but couldn't try any games
plus it doesn't have DVI connection- so is it a lot worse in quality than the 730B?
Does it have ghosting or any other problems in games ?

Thanks again, Liran.

 

[Insom1]

Hi,

I was browing around looking for buying advice / review and found this site, your excellent guide and then, this thread

I'm wondering what you would recommend in my situation:

I'm looking for a 19" LCD. Primary use will be gaming. I mainly play RPG's and MMO's but also play the odd FPS. So I'm looking for a good compromise between speed and being able to enjoy the gfx in the slower paced MMO's / RPG's (that can sometimes be quite fast themselves).

I generally play most games in 1280x1024 so I guess it would be best to choose a monitor with a matching native resolution.

I don't play about much with photographs / gfx packages etc so that's not a consideration. My finacee and I are different heights so a good level of physical adjustment would be nice.

Maximum I want to spend is around £300 ($560) but would prefer to stay inside $475. Internationally I know prices will vary but hopefully that gives some sort of guidance.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Insom.

 

[supastar1568]

anyone scope out the Asus PW201?

Not too much talk about it in this thread, if at all.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Liran xD
Hi I got another model dilemma - LG 1917S
I can get it in the same price as the 730B but I don't know about it's quality, i've seen it in windows enviorement but couldn't try any games
plus it doesn't have DVI connection- so is it a lot worse in quality than the 730B?
Does it have ghosting or any other problems in games ?

Thanks again, Liran.

I would still stick with the 730B. I don't think you'll regret getting a 17". They have a smaller dot pitch, and with DVI it will be 100% clear.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: Insom1
I'm looking for a 19" LCD. Primary use will be gaming. I mainly play RPG's and MMO's but also play the odd FPS. So I'm looking for a good compromise between speed and being able to enjoy the gfx in the slower paced MMO's / RPG's (that can sometimes be quite fast themselves).

I generally play most games in 1280x1024 so I guess it would be best to choose a monitor with a matching native resolution.

I don't play about much with photographs / gfx packages etc so that's not a consideration. My finacee and I are different heights so a good level of physical adjustment would be nice.

Maximum I want to spend is around £300 ($560) but would prefer to stay inside $475. Internationally I know prices will vary but hopefully that gives some sort of guidance.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Insom.

The Samsung 940BF is a great monitor for you and it's only about $300 in the US. Now the only thing I'm unsure about is height adjustment.

One LCD I know has height adjustment is the ViewSonic VP930b (because I have one right in front of me). It rotates into portrait mode as well. And the VP930b is quite good for gaming too, with a higher contrast. It's available almost everywhere at a very reasonable price (<$320) so I'd recommend that.

From the surface of table upon which the VP930b sits to the absolute bottom of the active display area, there exists 16.9 centimeters of space. It can adjust down all the way to about 3.4 cm using the same methodology (until it hits the feet). The bezel is 1.5 cm thick all around. The feet consume about 1 cm of height.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: supastar1568
anyone scope out the Asus PW201?

Not too much talk about it in this thread, if at all.

I think it's rather medicore (the PW191 didn't fare so well). They have it in a review here: http://www.behardware.com/articles/619-...ated-survey-13-lcd-20-5-6-8-16-ms.html

 

[kuma601]

Wanted to add a chime fot the Samsung 215TW. Have had mine about three weeks and I've been very pleased. I'n not a super tech for specs and my basic use was for photo imaging work. After calibrating with Monaco XR Pro and applying the proper printer profile for my lab's printer, the results have been excellent. I'm looking to buy another for my back-up machine. The widescreen is a big plus...I dunno how I managed on the 4:3. While my calibrated CRT may be a bit truer colorwise, the Samsung does so many things well that it more than compensates IMO.

 

[Liran xD]

Thanks again xtknight I invited the 730B but...OMG another problem \=
they said in the store they don't import the screen anymore since it's old and it's the same situation almost in all the stores here

so I'm thinking about the 731B or 740B -
They written on their site the 740B has 4:3 aspect ratio compare to 5:4 on most LCD's is it a mistake ? if not is it better ?
and another thing about those 2 the 731B is catagorized as "LCD- Analog" and the 740B as "LCD- Digital" :S
which one is known as better ?