LCD Buyer's Guide

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: leglez
Here

Is this a good entry left HD monitor? I am looking for something that I will be able to hook PS3 and Xbox 360 up to. I will be using it in a dual monitor setup and want to be able to switch one to a PS3 or X360 easily. I want to get 2 Wide screen 19" monitors. And this is the only one on newegg that was HD Ready.

I'm not sure what HD Ready really means in this context. Probably that it can scale 720p and 1080i? It may be your only choice then. The only 19" widescreen I'd be happy in recommending is the Hanns G one although I can't recall seeing a single 19" widescreen pro review.

What about this Samsung? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824001073

One of the reviews say they used a 360 with it. It lists "HDTV ready" under features. Unfortunately it's no bargain like the Sceptre. I'd just be much more comfortable purchasing a Samsung.

 

[leglez]

Hmm that is a lot more than I was planning on spending. I am not wanting to spend more than about $430 altogether and I am getting 2 monitors. I won't be doing PC gaming, I want WideScreen. I want at least a 19". I decided on getting the Hanns-G Widescreen a couple pages back. But then I started thinking about what I am going to use to play my PS3 on and decided that my 7 year old TV isn't going to cut it. So I figured I might as well look for an HD Monitor.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

Anyone aware of any monitor competitive to the NEC WMGX2 coming down the pipes any time soon?

 

[mallow005]

Hello everyone, first time poster. I'm in the market for a new LCD monitor to replace my trusty Viewsonic PF795. This thing has awesome colors and it's still a great monitor, but I've... begun to outgrow it . I just need more space! The NEC 20WMGX2 sounds awesome, but so expensive! Well, if there are any risk takers out there, New Egg has some open box 20WMGX2s for sale for 439! That's about $180 off for a risky venture. I seriously considered it, but I just wouldn't be able to afford the 15% restocking fee if it turned sour. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824002319R

I'm also curious if there are any monitors coming out soon that will compete with the WMGX2.

 

[Zebo]

Hella risky could have dead pix, back light bleed etc.. I let you in on a secret about newegg though.. you call and order another monitor 99.5% chance to waive restocking fee. You still have the shipping issue.

Personally I'd get into the cheaper, but bigger and new-in-box, LCD2070NX if that's your budget.

 

[HexiumVII]

Is Samsung going to launch any widescreen high gamut LCDs?

 

[lepump]

Just read this review on the BenQ FP241W.. http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?page=8150&head=0
Is Samsung 245T going to have HDMI and all the other extras the BenQ has?
And anyone know when the 245T is coming out?

 

[mallow005]

Is the LCD2070NX comparable to the WMGX2? The specs don't look so hot, how does it compare to the Dell 2007FW? I'm a web developer, programmer, gamer, and movie watcher... and a bit of a graphics/photo guy as well. From the reviews it sounded like the WMGX2 was perfect, is the LCD2070NX just less so?

Edit: Ahhh screw it!! I'm going for the WMGX2 new in box! That's what credit cards are for, right? Payday is only 2 days away anyway... don't skimp on the monitor! Hopefully this one will last me 5 years like my Viewsonic professional series, they cost about the same.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: GoodRevrnd
Anyone aware of any monitor competitive to the NEC WMGX2 coming down the pipes any time soon?

The Samsung 215TW is probably comparable, but it lacks the glossy coating and the default gamma adjustment isn't as good as with the LG-Philips branded S-IPS in the NEC.

Which brings me to something else. I tend to recommend monitors including either Samsung or LG Philips LCD panels more than any other manufacturer (i.e. AUO, CMO, Hannstar) simply because they have better color accuracy out of the box. After using a calibrator, they are more or less the same. Since most users don't have a calibrator, this is definitely something to be considered. This isn't just a trend...it's the truth. I've confirmed this consistently, and BeHardware has as well.

 

[lepump]

Well my CRT has been with me for almost a decade.
Don't expect a lifespan like that with my next monitor though.

HDMI would probably be a good thing to have in the future.
The lack of HDMI on the Samsung 215TW is worrying me a bit.
And possible problems with 16:9 inputs being stretched..

I know I should get a 24'' monitor, but they're way too expencive at the moment.
Man... am I ever going to be able to buy an LCD

 

[Zebo]

don't skimp on the monitor!

Exactly most important part of system IMO... Back when I was broke college student I still bought $700 trinitron CRT's and saved in other places..like a celeron CPU and overclock it...a smaller harddrive... cheap case... whatever and whereever so I could fit a decent monitor into budget. Not only do they last longer than any other componet usually it's what you interact with all the time so should be best,

As far as the 2070 it's underrated and very cheap for what you get. I'd say it's just a little slower than the 20WMGX but it looks just as good - colors are vibrant blacks are black whites arnt quite as bright white because it does'nt have Opticlear but it's close... and its bigger, nicer bezel, and adjustable stand (hight mainly of importance, can't pivot)...

I've been meaning to do a review of it but I've so busy but it's much better than my FP2001 from dell. You can't go wrong..

Congrats BTW and welcome to forum.. Let us know if you get a "good" one and how you like the WGM..

 

[lepump]

I agree Zebo
Keyboard&mouse is important to me too..
My Logitech DiNovo set was the best hardware investment I've ever made
So was this 19'' Nokia CRT back in the days..

I just wish I could find the perfect LCD. One I don't want to get divorced from in 6 months.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: mallow005
Hello everyone, first time poster.

Welcome.

I'm in the market for a new LCD monitor to replace my trusty Viewsonic PF795. This thing has awesome colors and it's still a great monitor, but I've... begun to outgrow it . I just need more space! The NEC 20WMGX2 sounds awesome, but so expensive! Well, if there are any risk takers out there, New Egg has some open box 20WMGX2s for sale for 439! That's about $180 off for a risky venture. I seriously considered it, but I just wouldn't be able to afford the 15% restocking fee if it turned sour. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824002319R

I avoid open box stuff myself, even if it's cheaper. You do have to pay a restocking fee though? The warranty's void with open box? I've never even done it so I don't know how that goes.

I'm also curious if there are any monitors coming out soon that will compete with the WMGX2.

I really have no idea until they come out and are tested. I don't know of any S-IPS monitors in the pipeline, but I'm sure there are some.

 

[lepump]

Anyone have a comparison review link for 'Samsung 215TW' vs 'Dell 2007WFP'
The Dell seems to have a good price/performance ratio...

*edit*
found the dedicated thread http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=31&threadid=1922113

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: leglez
Hmm that is a lot more than I was planning on spending. I am not wanting to spend more than about $430 altogether and I am getting 2 monitors. I won't be doing PC gaming, I want WideScreen. I want at least a 19". I decided on getting the Hanns-G Widescreen a couple pages back. But then I started thinking about what I am going to use to play my PS3 on and decided that my 7 year old TV isn't going to cut it. So I figured I might as well look for an HD Monitor.

Well, you really have no choice but to get what you can afford. You don't think it would be feasible to get a 2007WFP and switch between inputs and such? You won't be using the PC and Xbox simultaneously will you?

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: HexiumVII
Is Samsung going to launch any widescreen high gamut LCDs?

It's inevitable high gamut LCDs will be prevalent soon. Just how soon I'm not sure. But I think we will see at least five by December.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: lepump
HDMI would probably be a good thing to have in the future.
The lack of HDMI on the Samsung 215TW is worrying me a bit.

Aren't there HDMI->DVI video adapters?

 

[lepump]

haaa...HDMI->DVI video adapters.. excellent.
didn't know that. thanks

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Originally posted by: Zebo

don't skimp on the monitor!

Exactly most important part of system IMO... Back when I was broke college student I still bought $700 trinitron CRT's and saved in other places..like a celeron CPU and overclock it...a smaller harddrive... cheap case... whatever and whereever so I could fit a decent monitor into budget. Not only do they last longer than any other componet usually it's what you interact with all the time so should be best,

As far as the 2070 it's underrated and very cheap for what you get. I'd say it's just a little slower than the 20WMGX but it looks just as good - colors are vibrant blacks are black whites arnt quite as bright white because it does'nt have Opticlear but it's close... and its bigger, nicer bezel, and adjustable stand (hight mainly of importance, can't pivot)...

I've been meaning to do a review of it but I've so busy but it's much better than my FP2001 from dell. You can't go wrong..

Congrats BTW and welcome to forum.. Let us know if you get a "good" one and how you like the WGM..

For the most part I agree about the monitor being at the top of the list, but LCD tech is moving so fast it's hard for me to justify a big expenditure. What's great and equally expensive today may be subpar and 50% cheaper 3-6 months later, especially painful if you resell at a big loss. Back before their extinction, CRTs had been mature for a fairly long time and not much changed in the tech over the years.

I recently had a seller cancel an auction where I was the only bidder on a 20WMGX2 for $400. It had 24 hours to go and I think at that point he realized he couldn't get more than $400 so he pulled it. That kind of depreciation puts video cards to shame.

 

[lepump]

The only reason I'm thinking about going LCD is that the quality these days is comparable to CRT (or better in some cases).
After reading this review I'm thinking hard about investing in a 24'' Samsung 244T (or maybe wait for the 245T)
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/windows_vista_hdcp_lcd_roundup/page13.asp

*edit*
..But all these panels are almost 1 year old.
I would assume new ones are coming really soon. Or am I wrong?

and why do the 24''ers cost almost 2xmore than the 215TW?
..I've never had a more difficult time deciding on a piece of hardware than I have with these LCDs

 

[eeric]

to the gentleman with regards to the new Samsung high gamut LCDs, actually NCIX already lists it at their site and an admin on their forums say it will be in stock in a week or two.

now i'm considering putting off my search for a cheap Dell 2007WFP to see how these get reviewed

 

[imported_mingus]

The LG L204WT looks nice for the money. Does it use the same panel as the Dell 2007WFP? Which Samsung monitors are we referring to?

 

[A5]

Glad I stopped reading this thread after I bought my VX2025

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Dethfrumbelo

Originally posted by: Zebo

don't skimp on the monitor!

Exactly most important part of system IMO... Back when I was broke college student I still bought $700 trinitron CRT's and saved in other places..like a celeron CPU and overclock it...a smaller harddrive... cheap case... whatever and whereever so I could fit a decent monitor into budget. Not only do they last longer than any other componet usually it's what you interact with all the time so should be best,

As far as the 2070 it's underrated and very cheap for what you get. I'd say it's just a little slower than the 20WMGX but it looks just as good - colors are vibrant blacks are black whites arnt quite as bright white because it does'nt have Opticlear but it's close... and its bigger, nicer bezel, and adjustable stand (hight mainly of importance, can't pivot)...

I've been meaning to do a review of it but I've so busy but it's much better than my FP2001 from dell. You can't go wrong..

Congrats BTW and welcome to forum.. Let us know if you get a "good" one and how you like the WGM..

For the most part I agree about the monitor being at the top of the list, but LCD tech is moving so fast it's hard for me to justify a big expenditure. What's great and equally expensive today may be subpar and 50% cheaper 3-6 months later, especially painful if you resell at a big loss. Back before their extinction, CRTs had been mature for a fairly long time and not much changed in the tech over the years.

I recently had a seller cancel an auction where I was the only bidder on a 20WMGX2 for $400. It had 24 hours to go and I think at that point he realized he couldn't get more than $400 so he pulled it. That kind of depreciation puts video cards to shame.

Interesting...I don't know if it moves as fast as you think, the old dells like 2005 are still some of the better monitors 3 years later. Most of the progression unfortunatly seems to be going the way of CHEAP, ie overvolted TN's dominating the market, not quality... CRT's have done the same thing. You can't buy a good CRT anymore that even approaches the quality of CRTs 5 years ago (namly FD trinitrons and uNX Diamondtrons) all cheap junk.


I'm not saying you're wrong, but the numbers of progressivly better LCD's won't be high and may continue to be expensive....as always buy what you need now.

 

[eeric]

The LG looks pretty good, but I haven't found many solid full pro. reviews yet (I've heard there's a few probs which is why I'm holding off), and since its around teh same price as a 2007WFP on sale, I'd like the extra height adjust, pivot, inputs, etc.

The new Samsung LCD's is the article on www.lcdresource.com (basically this thread's site) front page. I don't know, what do you guys think? New Samsung 931C with the high gamut 97% colour and 2ms (and glossy finished panel!) or Dell 2007WFP... the sale price of Dell would be roughly the same as the regular price of the Samsung.... hype or actual new tech worth the money?