LCD Showdown! - Please share your opinions :)

[GaryShandling]

I cant decide which one to get, ill be using it for games. Out of many monitors ive researched these are the ones that stound out. So in your opinion which one takes the gold? price doesn't matter.

Hitachi CML174 - 16ms response but only 400:1 contrast
Samsung 172t - 25ms, but 500:1 CR....
Viewsonic Vp171b - 16ms, 500:1 CR
BenQ - Fp767 - 400 cd/m2, 550:1 max Contrast, 16ms response, very ugly though.
Nec 1760nx - 16ms, 450:1 contrast...

Others include.

Iiyama As4314utg
Samsung 172B (Porsche design)
Eizo nanao flexscan l565
Planar px171m
Dell 1800 fp
Sony Dru500ax (16ms)
Dell 1702fp
Fujitsu-siemens 5100fa
Sony sdm-x82
Lg flatron l1710b.


Thanks - Gary

 

[Roots]

I recently bought the Hitachi CML174, and I love it. Very nice design, I think its the best LCD monitor a gamer with a budget can buy. I saw it for $438 the other day I think (I got it for $478). Don't know much about contrast ratio, but whatever it works and I'm more than happy with it. Got it at Monitors Direct Hope that helps

 

[mchammer187]

i would go with a 1800 FP purely because it is 18" instead of 17 and you can't beat the price when dell has a good deal on it $381 or so

otherwise i would have to go with the Nec 1760nx

 

[GaryShandling]

thanks for the input, any comments on the viewsonic?

 

[0roo0roo]

contrast ratios are so bogus they aren't worth listing, let alone considering. companies cheat the scores so blatently its sad. 16ms all the way.

 

[everman]

There was an interesting article in the last PC World magazine about LCD brightness/contrast ratings. They used whatever kind of equipment it is to get these readings and it turned out that a lot of the monitors were actually better than their ratings by the manufacturers. A good read if you're looking for an LCD.

 

[GaryShandling]

That only helps me in 1 field, im looking for a near perfect 17" LCD, any more opinions?

 

[tyipengr]

Heh, I think the Sony DRU-500AX with the 16ms response time on your list is an external DVD +/- R/RW Drive, not an LCD monitor.

 

[BuckNaked]

I second the Dell 1800FP... Got if for just over $400, no dead pixels and absolutely no problem with ghosting... I think if you were to compare it against other LCD's just by the specs alone, it doesn't seem all that great. But I think if you were to compare it side by side with other LCD's, its a much more impressive screen than the specifications indicate.

Dave

 

[GaryShandling]

 

[Chadder007]

Im waiting for either a good deal on a Planer or the Dell.... Simply because of their dead pixel policies. It would P me off if I pay 400+ for a monitor and have red dots staring me at the face. I like the NEC's very much but their dead pixel policy sucks. Also I just don't hear much about Viewsonic anymore, but their specs are always nice and the ones on display look nice too.

 

[GaryShandling]

Originally posted by: Chadder007
Also I just don't hear much about Viewsonic anymore, but their specs are always nice and the ones on display look nice too.

Why is that? the specifications say it's the best gaming monitor in the world "on paper"....?

 

[GaryShandling]

Also, this page thinks the stated contrast ratios for the monitors shown are wrong, its not lying is it?
Here <--

 

[GaryShandling]

 

[Beliwar]

I recently purchased the Viewsonic 171b.

I am extremely pleased with the monitor! I recieved it from newegg with zero bad pixels. The brightness and clarity of the picture is outstanding, blows away my old 19" samsung crt. I was a little worried about "ghosting" as I play Raven Shield competively, but I have yet to see any ghosting or smearing at all in any games.

It did take a day or two to get used to. The LCD was just too BRIGHT! I had to turn down the brightness to 45% and all is good again. The DVI plus (2) analog inputs is a nice touch, and it is easy to switch between them. I really love the small bezel around the lcd, adjusting the height and rotation is effortless, overall it is a very well designed case.

My only complaint is a blue box that pops up that displays the video input (DVI, ANALOG1, ANALOG2) whenever the resolution changes?!? I can not for the life of me find out where to turn this off. I only have the option to turn off the message that lets you know it is not optimal to run in a resolution other than the default. I hope this is something that I am foolishly overlooking because it has become quite annoying.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: Roots
I recently bought the Hitachi CML174, and I love it. Very nice design, I think its the best LCD monitor a gamer with a budget can buy. I saw it for $438 the other day I think (I got it for $478). Don't know much about contrast ratio, but whatever it works and I'm more than happy with it. Got it at Monitors Direct Hope that helps

another vote for this LCD. I dont own it but I have tried it extensively. IMO Its top notch in the price range for gaming. The design could be a little slicker but who cares, we're performance hogs not interior decorators!

 

[GaryShandling]

thanks for the input now all i gotta do is decide between the hitachi and viewsonic.....hmmm. Im thinking the viewsonic, anyone think thats a bad idea?

 

[dakels]

heh no cuz you're picking the same screen
They both use the same display panel made by the same company, AU Optronics. Thats why the panel specs are identical.
I'd basically just find which I can get for cheaper and with what extra cables or adapters.

 

[stiplit]

I would go for a 19 inch LCD if money is no object. Even though the best ones have a 25ms refresh rate, the minimal ghosting you may barely notice is far outweighed by the benefit of having a huge beautiful screen. A 19 inch screen is significantly larger than 17. I just purchased the Planar PX191 since it is the best monitor in its class. Its expensive though. I got mine for 726 at Dell with free S&H.

 

[GaryShandling]

Maybe a 19 in the future but the specs arent what im looking for, plus you say you got it for 726? over here its around 1200...hehe, luvly.

 

[Auric]

BenQ & Planar are fugly.

I would like to like the Hitachi but from my research I do not think it is as good as the NEC or Viewsonic, plus the case is not black. The Viewsonic has a rotatable stand and includes the DVI cable so may be a better deal than the NEC if the quality is comparable, which they seem to be. What makes a decision most difficult are the varied defect policies and warranties.

Anyone looking for a deal might consider the NEC 1760V which is like the NX but analog and sans height adjustment because it has a $50 rebate from participating dealers until June 6 -of course all those participating dealers have relatively high prices but some accept price matches with authorized dealers who have lower prices. PAR could be $380.

As far as contrast and brightness, I read an article describing the problem comparing by published specs as owing to the lack of a testing standard, such as by VESA.

P.S. Have you seen BenQ Boy flaunting it with style? Word to marketing: surely he is repelling more than he is attracting.

 

[GaryShandling]

Originally posted by: Auric
BenQ & Planar are fugly.

I would like to like the Hitachi but from my research I do not think it is as good as the NEC or Viewsonic, plus the case is not black. The Viewsonic has a rotatable stand and includes the DVI cable so may be a better deal than the NEC if the quality is comparable, which they seem to be. What makes a decision most difficult are the varied defect policies and warranties.

Anyone looking for a deal might consider the NEC 1760V which is like the NX but analog and sans height adjustment because it has a $50 rebate from participating dealers until June 6 -of course all those participating dealers have relatively high prices but some accept price matches with authorized dealers who have lower prices. PAR could be $380.

As far as contrast and brightness, I read an article describing the problem comparing by published specs as owing to the lack of a testing standard, such as by VESA.

P.S. Have you seen BenQ Boy flaunting it with style? Word to marketing: surely he is repelling more than he is attracting.

Lol@benq model. im not looking for a deal. I want raw performance with "wow" visuals in a 17" LCD. Plus i live in england so i dont get the deals you get, i get ripped the hell off.

 

[deerslayer]

I love my Dell 1800fp

Got it for 405.50 shipped a couple months ago. No dead pixels, no ghosting in BF1942

 

[tokamak]

i have a samsung LCD (150MP). in my opinion the image is superior and the overall quality of the monitor is excellent. probably cant go wrong with a samsung.

 

[GaryShandling]

Crapola, i cant get the viewsonic in england, its not out yet here...son of a bitoch. hehe...er...me confusy now..