Which 22" panel to go with?

[mc866]

Yes I have been extensively reading the LCD buyers guide and doing my own research. I really want the Benq FP241WZ but it isn't in my budget to spend over $700 on a new monitor. So I have decided to go with a 22" even though it is well known all of these use the TN glass and aren't as nice as the 24" panels. That being said I have narrowed it down to a few options. Based on your experience with these models which would you choose, they all seem to be around the same price or within ~$50?

The primary uses are gaming and every day web browsing and such. I would like HDCP support so I can hook up my 360 HD-DVD player. My pc specs are below, I'm currently dual booting XP and Vista Ultimate.

Acer AL2216Wbd
Samsung 226BW
Benq FP222WH
LG L226WTX-BF
Viewsonic VX2255wmb
Viewsonic VX2245wm

 

[Starbuck1975]

Most recommend the LG first, followed closely by the Samsung...the Samsung is currently on rebate at a few online retailer sites.

Someone else recently posted a review, with pics, of the LG.

From what I have read and heard, if 22" is your bang for the buck entry point, and understand the limitations of a TN panel, then you can't go wrong with either the LG or Samsung...both come very well reviewed on most sites.

 

[mc866]

Great! Thanks for the reply, thats pretty much what I was looking for.

 

[The Green Bean]

I have the viewsonic. Granted I have not see any other others, I love it upgrading from my old 17"er

 

[n7]

The correct answer = NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2 :thumbsup:

Or if you want to be cheap, then the Samsung/LG.

 

[Matt2]

Originally posted by: n7
The correct answer = NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2 :thumbsup:

Or if you want to be cheap, then the Samsung/LG.

The correct answer would actually be "none".

I wonder why more people dont spring for the Gateway 21"?

You only lose an inch to TN panels, the pixel pitch is better and you get a far superior panel. Seems like a good middle ground to me.

 

[mc866]

Originally posted by: n7
The correct answer = NEC MultiSync 20WMGX2 :thumbsup:

Or if you want to be cheap, then the Samsung/LG.

Well the NEC is still $600 or more, looking to stay under $400.

I wonder why more people dont spring for the Gateway 21"?

What is this Gateway 21" you speak of, haven't heard anything about it.

 

[Matt2]

What is this Gateway 21" you speak of, haven't heard anything about it.

Well looks like Gateway discontinued this monitor. It's not on the Gateway website anymore. Yet another monitor lost to the TN invasion.

If you cant tell the difference between TN and non-TN panels (or dont care) get the LG.

 

[IlllI]

TN is a TN is a TN

not really much difference in any of them.

 

[Captante]

BenQ has the best warranty with a zero dead/stuck pixel policy & since the IQ differences are pretty much none-existant I'd say thats pretty important ... otherwise LG or Samsung is the way to go.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Samsung 226bw is the best 22incher on the market today. (from my own knowledge)

It is the best TN has to offer right now.

 

[BernardP]

Samsung 226BW and LG226WT. Or wait a couple of months for the new

Samsung 226CW with wide-gamut color

See the video here...with French commentary

I am waiting to see the 226CW before deciding if I go 22 or 24 inches

 

[Starbuck1975]

Bernard, I am a bit confused by the article on the 226CW...needless to say, I am intrigued, and may wait to learn more about this monitor.

I am assuming it is an even higher quality TN panel than what is currently used on the 226BW?

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: BernardP
Samsung 226CW with wide-gamut color

I didnt understand the single thing from the translation.

But this 226CW is intriguing.

 

[DarkNephree]

Originally posted by: Matt2

What is this Gateway 21" you speak of, haven't heard anything about it.

Well looks like Gateway discontinued this monitor. It's not on the Gateway website anymore. Yet another monitor lost to the TN invasion.

If you cant tell the difference between TN and non-TN panels (or dont care) get the LG.

Matt2: is this the monitor you speak of? If so, I would have to agree with your first post:

http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Gateway_FPD2185W_21_LCD_Monitor,__14735157

This is a great panel and although losing 1" per OP's preference, it's far superior to options in OP.

 

[xtknight]

LG L226WT if you'd like high-quality/balanced colors. LG TNs are known to deliver good performance and the L226WT is no exception. A close second is the Samsung 226BW. I wouldn't get anything other than those two (not the Chi Mei-based Gateway, Sceptre, Acer, BenQ, or ViewSonics). If you're getting a TN, you'll want a good TN.

The Samsung 215TW is roughly the same price as the Gateway FPD2185W.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
Bernard, I am a bit confused by the article on the 226CW...needless to say, I am intrigued, and may wait to learn more about this monitor.

I am assuming it is an even higher quality TN panel than what is currently used on the 226BW?

Here is the executive summary of the original French-language article:

The current 226BW is having more commercial success than originally anticipated by Samsung. It was due to be replaced, but instead a new 226CW will be added to the lineup, production of the 226BW continuing for some time. The 226CW is set to be released before summer.

The newer 226CW will have wide-gamut color, 92% of NTSC color space instead of the usual 72%. Should one wait for the newer wide-gamut model? Not necessarily, because the vivid colors are surprising to the eye, which is not used to them. Also, the 226CW is going to be more expensive.

Too realistic color? Pluuuueeeeeese! :Q

The new 226CW won't necessarily have a higher-quality TN panel. It will still have the usual viewing angle limitations. But its color palette will be broader.

The current Samsung 931C is a newer 19-inch LCD monitor with wide-color-gamut. There a brief explanation of this feature here:

Samsung 931C with Color Innovation

I wouldn't worry too much about discrepancies in color space coverage 92 vs 72 on LesNumeriques and 97 vs 82 on the Samsung page. I am certain 82% is not good and the standard gamut is 72%. I also think that the extended gamut fot the 22-inch widescreen is going to be at 92%, because Samsung already has a 22-inch panel with 92% color gamut. You can see that production is slated for Q1 2007.

Anyway, I will have to see this extended-gamut monitor before I make up my mind. I have not been able to see a 931C in person. I am not too worried about the price of the 226CW, as prices will continue to fall between now and early summer.

 

[imported_K3N]

Just got my Hanns 22" a few days ago, its quality! Those 22" samsung are overpriced TN panels IMHO.

 

[specWB]

Is the LG L226WTX worth the extra 80 dollers over the Samsung 226BW which has rebate available at newegg making it only $300? How much of a difference would 5ms vs 2ms make in games? And i actually think the Samsung looks cool so i dont mind that. Thanks.

 

[imported_K3N]

The response time of that samsung is 2msGTG(grey to grey) thats about the same as monitor with a response time of 5ms (not using GTG)....

 

[mc866]

I went with the Samsung, as far as I could tell the LG wasn't $50 better. Haven't ran it through the gamut of tests yet but it looks good so far, much better than the 17" NEC I had before.

 

[trexpesto]

Sounds like a good choice..

That mention of the Gateway 21" made me go looking and I found another 21" IPS that people may want to consider
~ $350 HP f2105 Hot Deals Thread

 

[xxTurbonium]

Well I have heard that the 226BW has backlight bleeding issues. I hope this is not the case with the 226CW. Also: I hope they include a heigh adjustable stand! Those two factors alone have prevented me from purchasing a 226BW, particularly the backlight bleed.

What are the two main types of panels? TN and...? I have a Samsung 193P+... does that use a TN panel?

And TN typically boasts better response times at the cost of viewing angle and colour saturation, right?

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: databird
Well I have heard that the 226BW has backlight bleeding issues. I hope this is not the case with the 226CW. Also: I hope they include a heigh adjustable stand! Those two factors alone have prevented me from purchasing a 226BW, particularly the backlight bleed.

What are the two main types of panels? TN and...? I have a Samsung 193P+... does that use a TN panel?

And TN typically boasts better response times at the cost of viewing angle and colour saturation, right?

The 226CW won't have an ajustable stand. It is identical to the 226BW except for the wide-color-gamut.

As for panel types, may I suggest you read the LCD Buyer's Guide Thread at the top of the video forum

 

[xxTurbonium]

Thanks for the link. I also did my own research and came to the conclusion that the 193P series use MVA panels.

I just don't understand why Samsung would make only TN panels now. Is it that people just aren't buying the MVA ones due to cost?

And panels aside: Is it just me, or is the overall build quality of recent screens lower than older ones? Comparing the floor model of the 226BW with a 193P+ at home... the 193P+ just feels more sturdy in construction (not to mention the superior image quality, at the slight cost of pixel response time).