Need an un-biased suggestion on 19" LCD choice

[williamkusumo]

Hi guys!
I am about to spend around $600-$700 for a 19" LCD and I need you resourceful ATers' opinion on my choices. I have looked for some reviews on the net but most reviews out there are subjective and they rarely compare two or three monitors together.

I do a lot of graphic design stuff, I watch DVD on my computer and I am also quite a heavy gamer. So performance is definitely an issue. My video card is: Radeon 9800 PRO.

I have not had the time to browse the monitors in-store (although I should). So based on the spec. here's my choice and why I chose them:

1. Sharp LL-191A $670 Manufacturer Link

Good:
- Response Time 16 ms

Bad:
- Brightness 220 nits | Contrast Ratio 500:1 (too dark?)
- View Angle 160°/160° (Compared to 170° on most LCD these days)
- No DVI connection (I wonder if it matters)

2. Sharp LL-T19D1 $610 Manufacturer Link

Good:
- DVI/Analog connection
- View Angle 170°/170°
- Brightness 300 cd/m^2 | Contrast ratio 700:1 (Higher than LCD #1)

Bad:
- Response Time 25 ms

3. Samsung 910T $555 Manufacturer Link

Good:
- DVI/Analog connection
- Brightness 260 cd/m^2 | Contrast Ratio 1000:1
- View Angle 170°/170°

Bad:
- Response Time 25 ms

Can anyone help me decide? I am open to suggestion on any other brand (No Dell plz, most of their monitors have horibble ghosting on them!).
At this point, I have only found Sharp that has 16ms 19" LCD below $700, but it lacks DVI connection. Sony SDM-HS94P has excellent spec. of 12ms, but it doesn't come cheap, $810 (Manufacturer Link) although I think there is $100 rebate floating around.

Thanks in advance,
William

 

[iwantanewcomputer]

I don't have a clue which are better but i'd definately try to compare your top choices in a store. a lot of manufacturers probably use wanky comparisons and exaggerate numbers. there are just some qualities about lcd's that you can't tell from numbers they give you.

 

[Gerbil333]

If I were spending that kind of cash on a monitor, I'd take a look at all three in a store.

From the specs you listed, the Samsung seems to be the best. In my opinion, lack of a DVI connection, darker output, and the lesser viewing angle of the Sharp 191A cancels out its lower response time.

That leaves the Samsung and the Sharp T19D1, and I've only had good experience with Samsung screens.

 

[bates747]

If I were you, I would hold tight for just a little longer. BenQ also a 12ms 19inch LCD and I would guess its probably a good deal cheaper than the Sony although this Canada website is the only place i've seen them so far.

From the reviews I've read on NewEgg, DVI makes a huge difference in quality and seems to help with ghosting, so I would stay away from anything without it.

Be patient and you'll get what you want

Cant get the link thingy to work. Heres the whole URL:

http://www.benq.ca/english/wm/...=&RootId=undefined

 

[Lyfer]

Wait for the BenQ 12ms, it makes all the difference when gaming.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Spend $750-800 and get the Dell 20" 1600x1200 instead. See www.GottaDeal.com for a great price on it. Click the Displays tab for the AnandTech review.

 

[williamkusumo]

I thought BenQ is one of those "Grade B" product, or am I just being bias
For hardware as expensive as this, I usually stays away from non-major-brand goods, not that I have anything against Taiwanese manufacturer (in fact, most of my computer parts came from Taiwan, plus I am chinese )

If 12ms response time is the way to go, then I guess Sony will be my top choice. The price could be brought down to $710 AR. It has DVI connection and it is very bright (maybe more than it has to be) 400 cd/m^2 w/ contrast ratio 500:1. What you guys think? I have yet to check on dead pixel policy for Sony.
I wonder why none of the Samsung monitor has 12ms or 16ms response time, I like their product, but they are really missing the market here.

bates747, can you even call reviews in Newegg "reviews"? I read that Newegg filters out the reviews for their best interest.

DaveSimmons, I don't really like Dell's Monitor. My school has the 1901FP on the lab, and the ghosting is horibble. Plus, I checked their 20.1" (supposedly their high-end monitor) and the spec. isn't looking good:
- Image Max H-View Angle: ± 88° (other manufacturer has at least 140°-170°)
- Image Max V-View Angle: ± 88°
- Image Brightness: 250 cd/m2
- Image Contrast Ratio: 400:1

Seems like a lot of trade-off for another inch of size.

Thanks guys for the input. Appreciate it.
William

 

[bates747]

WilliamK: BenQ/Acer has been a "Grade B" product in my opinion for a while too, but after all the research I've done into LCD's, it seems to me the Manufactuerer Label is of minor importance since only 4 or 5 companies are actually making the LCD panels. BenQ is basically stamping their names on these.


I've not read a review on the Sony 19inch 12ms, but if it is anything like this thing Sony SDM-HS73P I would have to say no thanks. The screen is way too reflective. I would have to see one of them in person before buying one.

As for the newegg customer reviews, you have to be selective. There are a lot of moronic and uneducated comments that get posted for sure. However, basically anyone can notice ghosting, pixelation, etc.. so I tend to give a little more credibility to monitor reviews.

 

[williamkusumo]

bates747, it's this one:

Sony SDM-HS94P (Manufacturer Link)

Is this the reflective version?

Do you think I should wait 'til Thanksgiving (and lose the $100 rebate) or buy now for about $710 AR?

Thanks,
William

 

[bates747]

WilliamK: The one I linked is a different model, but the one your considering may also be just as reflective. No way to really tell without either seeing it in person or finding a convincing photo as the one from THG.

 

[animeba]

*DVI connection gives superior image quality
*display quality is largely determined by the panel, seeing it at the store can help you decide
*manufacturers often distorts specs(especially contrast ratio)
*12ms/16ms reponse time is only indicative of switching between white and black. switching between different colors will result in higher response time
*8ms lcd panels are coming out in q1 2005. it's up to you how long you want to wait.

 

[williamkusumo]

animeba, for real! 8ms coming out next month and will become mainstream beginning of 2005! Linky Damn, maybe I should stick to my CRT a bit longer...
bates747, the debate regarding whether Sony "new black coating technology" is too reflective or not has been mixed. Some people don't mind, some just can't live with it. So I might just go to BestBuy and check it myself.

Thanks y'all,
William

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: williamkusumo
bates747, it's this one:

Sony SDM-HS94P (Manufacturer Link)

Is this the reflective version?

Do you think I should wait 'til Thanksgiving (and lose the $100 rebate) or buy now for about $710 AR?

Thanks,
William

You mean Xbrite?

Yep,

Sony states that it's 12ms.. But i don't know for certain..

 

[mindblogg]

No matter how good the other feature, I think you should give a lot of importance to the response time. Since you are too much into graphics, games, DVD movies and stuff you dont want ghost images appearing especially after spending such a huge sum of money.

 

[mindblogg]

The BenQ with its 12ms reponse time is a pretty good option. Just wait until they launch the product, which would be pretty soon.

 

[tooltime]

afraid i don't know about those but i like the dell 1901FP. the usb ports are real handy. nice image

 

[williamkusumo]

One of my friend said that the response time on paper doesn't really say anything because there are many dependencies and technology limitation that would lower the actual response time. Like for example: the brightness settings and the view angle might actually affect the response time. Plus, response time are measured for black and white only, so the average response time for the whole color range might actually be bad.

Have anyone actually tried (or know someone who have tried) to compare ghosting effect between a 12ms and a 16ms monitor? I kinda have my eyes now on Dell 2001FP. For almost similar prices with Sony H94P, you get an inch bigger panel with 16ms response time. With the right deal, you can even bring the panel price down a lot. So I really would like to see a head-to-head review between Dell 2001FP and Sony H94P.

Thanks,
William