what are the best 19" monitors? somebody fill me in

[josphII]

I currently have a KDS vs-7i 17" and have been content with it, however, it has failed once on me, and its replacement seems to be getting a bit out of focus. now its not that big of a deal because its still under warrantee and i can get it replaced, however, I would like to buy a monitor that wont die on me after one or two or even three years. im also looking for a monitor that is 19" and can do 1600x1200 @75

sharkey extreme recommends samsung 900nf, what do you recommend? somebody fill me in on what most people consider to be top of the line 19" monitors

 

[Dormant]

I have a Samsung 900NF and with BNC connection it is the best 19" monitor I have ever used. At Higher refresh rates (100hz) I found a noticable improvement in image clarity when using the BNC connections instead of regular VGA but I may have just had a bad VGA cable. I've heard the Philips 19" are great but I've never had the good fortune of using one. Check out the 109P20. The ViewSonic P95F is pretty awesome too but its way more expensive and only marginally better at 3d IMO. For 2d I like the 900NF better than anything I have ever seen but I'm no expert.

 

[JMichna]

I had a great buying exxperience with Monitors Direct. I bought a C910 19" last year. Great monitor (color, clarity, resolution and sharpness leave nothing to be desired, and reasonable energy consumption). Price was right, well packaged for shipping, reasonable S&H charges, quick delivery. They followed up my order to see if I was satisfied. Everything I expect from a vendor... God, I'm starting to sound like a vendor review for ResellerRatings.com.

Would absolutely consider Monitors Direct for my next purchase. I subscribe to their newsletter, and just yesterday I received the following info:

"If you have an appetite for a sub $300 monitor, check out our fresh supply of Cornerstone c910 19-inch monitors. The c910 was awarded Computer Shopper's Top 100 Products of 2001 and in 2002 it has a factory-direct price of just $259

http://shop.MonitorsDirect.com/product.asp?sku=1931023

If I didn't get your attention with any of those, how about a professional class 19-inch flat aperture grille CRT under $200! During the month of May the Cornerstone p2450, including a 5-year warranty, is just $199. That's a $61 discount off our regular price. Hurry, this price is only available in May.

http://shop.MonitorsDirect.com/product.asp?sku=1858365

Check them out, they have a great on-line monitor selection tool, too.
jmichna

 

[Dormant]

<< I currently have a KDS vs-7i 17" and have been content with it, however, it has failed once on me, and its replacement seems to be getting a bit out of focus. now its not that big of a deal because its still under warrantee and i can get it replaced, however, I would like to buy a monitor that wont die on me after one or two or even three years. im also looking for a monitor that is 19" and can do 1600x1200 @75

sharkey extreme recommends samsung 900nf, what do you recommend? somebody fill me in on what most people consider to be top of the line 19" monitors >>



Are you Superman? How the hell can you run Windows at 1600x1200 and still read what I'm writing on a 19inch? If the 1600x1200 @ 75 is for gaming then I am even more in awe of you... Your arms must be like the Flash to get the mouse accross the pad 19 times to kill your opponent.

 

[Booster]

<< sharkey extreme recommends samsung 900nf, what do you recommend? somebody fill me in on what most people consider to be top of the line 19" monitors >>



Another vote for the Samsung 900NF. Awesome monitor, absolutely fantastic. Or, if you can't stand the damper wires, Samsung 957DF comes to mind. It's shadow mask and can do 1600*1200*75Hz.

-EDIT for spelling-

 

[CrazySaint]

I'm currently considering the Samsun 900NF and the Viewsonic PF790, they both have good refresh rates @ high res. Does anybody have experience with both of them who can say which is better?

 

[Dormant]

JMichna made some good suggestions but "Once you go Flat you never go back." If your looking at Cornerstone I've heard so many good things about the p2460 that I can't list them all here. Not to bash monitors direct but 384 is pretty steep for a Samsung 900NF. I got mine for 529.99 Canadian which is only $340 U.S. Newegg has em for $360. I'd say it's between the Sony, CornerStone, and Samsung. I have only ever seen a Sony G400 and it was quite something from what I can remember. Go to your local shop and check em out... Monitors are a personal thing

 

[fatbaby]

trinitron tubes are pretty nice =D

 

[Booster]

<< I'm currently considering the Samsun 900NF and the Viewsonic PF790, they both have good refresh rates @ high res. Does anybody have experience with both of them who can say which is better? >>



I've been using the Samsung 900NF for a long time, and I can tell that it's awesome. Never had any problems with it, the image quality is very good. Personally, if I were to choose between the two, I'd go with Samsung once again.

 

[Dormant]

CrazySaint: A good friend of mine just happens to have the PF790 and even he admits that he likes my monitor better (900nf). The Viewsonic P95F is probably the only Viewsonic I'd enjoy. (Sorry for multiple posts... JK2 Sabre fights are getting boring)

 

[herbage11]

I am looking at investing in a new 19" monitor soon as well. Unfortunately I cannot speak from experience yet but I have heard good things about and am considering the following all for about $300:

Sony G400
Hitachi CM721FB
Phillips 109B20
Samsung 900nf

I really want a black monitor to match the rest of my system but I hear that those Trinitron tubes are great. Good luck in your hunt.
herb

 

[Dormant]

Just before I hit the Canadian Cheeba I thought I'd give you guys a qoute from an old monitor review on Gamers Depot:

"The inclusion of BNC connectors is usually the sign of a professional-level monitor, so the i90A should have appeal for graphics professionals that need the higher quality signal that a BNC connection can provide.""BNC connectors provide separate lines for sync and RGB, and can improve image quality and stability." <<<<< That last comment would explain the better looking higher refresh rates I experienced. I am hoping Anand will do a Monitor roundup and have a section for just how BNC works. I have a regular Geforce 2 Ti right now and have a VGA to BNC cable from my card to the 900NF.

Here is a Great picture of what BNC connectors look like for those that don't know: GamersDepot

 

[jteef]

what do you all think of the viewsonic p95f ? I haven't seen one yet, but have been considering it after the p225f i saw.

jt

 

[Chaotic42]

<< what do you all think of the viewsonic p95f ? I haven't seen one yet, but have been considering it after the p225f i saw.

jt >>




I have one, it's great! The little wires bother my roomate, but not me personally. I like the crispness of it. It's *flat* and it can handle 1920x1440x77Hz. I'm at 1600x1200x85Hz (It can do like 95Hz, but my GF2 can't). I like it a lot. Big step up from the MegaImage 15".

It was just under $400.

 

[Chaotic42]

<<

Are you Superman? How the hell can you run Windows at 1600x1200 and still read what I'm writing on a 19inch? If the 1600x1200 @ 75 is for gaming then I am even more in awe of you... Your arms must be like the Flash to get the mouse accross the pad 19 times to kill your opponent. >>



I can read it at 1920x1440.

Go 20/13 vision!

 

[hovenas]

I just got the Philips 109P20 and it is flat-awesome. I run 1600X1200@85MHz. It has the BNC connections and once I can afford, I'll have a hi-fi shop make me top cables and enjoy even more sweetness. It is simply the best buy I could have made, especially since I got it dirt cheap, 2nd hand from an IT company hitting the sack! Now I just need to find a vid/card to mate it with...

 

[Gstanfor]

Yes, the Philips 109P20 is one of the best 19" monitors on the market. It's currently priced aroun $880AU ($478US), so I don't believe itis overly expensive considering the image quality it provides (19" Sony CPD-G420 is $1196AU, 19" Samsung 957P is $748AU by way of comparison & the Philips looks better than either).

Greg

EDIT As for a suitable video card, take a look at the Leadtek range from the GeForce 3 up. These video cards have 2d image quality comparable to or better than Matrox cards.

Greg

 

[ROJAS]

CrazySaint: I have the Viewsonic Pf790 (.25 center) aperature grille. This means when you get a monitor you might see 2 or 3 fine lines going across horizontally your monitor. On the shadow mask you don't see them.

Personally, I prefer the aperature grille monitors. I have been running an old 17 inch Viewsonic since 1994, PT770 professional series monitor, and after all these years, I've never adjusted the brightness or contrast.

I purchased my 19 inch Viewsonic PF790 for a local computer show for $338 with Ca. tax included. Since its a big monitor, I saved on the shipping costs.

ROJAS

 

[Ronin13]

I'm in no way an expert on monitors, but I must say that I'm EXTREMELY pleased with my Sony G420.

It may be at bit pricey, but it should ease your mind that I paid $670 for mine...

~R

 

[Dormant]

If 2d image quality is your goal then ATI is the only way to go.... I can't wait to get rid of my Geforce 2 Ti.

 

[AnoTech]

I have a Sony Trinitron G400 - and I've never been happier. I've used it now for about 1yr and 3 months as my main desktop tube.
I use 1024x768 myself and I always have crisp and clear text.

 

[Gstanfor]

A good link that shows why Leadtek video cards have better 2d quality than other geforce3's.

voltage graph

The graph is from the back of a Leadtek geforce3 box. What it shows is that as resolution increases, most geforce3 designs experience a dropping off of voltage on the RGB outputs (due to the filters employed and the core recieving less voltage at higher resolutions). Note the leadtek is much more uniform across the range, meaning that image quality is maintained.

Greg

 

[Zukatah]

It's funny no one named LG with their Flatron tubes. Are they bad, overpriced?
I too am looking for a cheap 19" (for around 250-300 bucks) and I've been looking at LG. What do you guys think?

 

[ManBOO YA]

bump for interest in hearing about LG monitors

 

[herbage11]

Just got a Sony Trinitron G400 at Sams for $300 total w/ tax. Love it so far.