20-22" Widescreen Recommendation Needed!

[Despy]

I have been suffering with an old Envision 17" CRT, but it is time to upgrade. My problem is picking the right LCD widescreen.

I need to be able to play games, so a fast response time and low lag is important. Color reproduction is less important, but I don't want an awful picture either. Of critical importance is the ability to perform Fixed Aspect Scaling in the monitor. I still play lots of old games that do not support widescreen aspect ratios. From my research it appears my X800 Pro vid card will not perform this in the drivers (stupid ATI) and I HATE weird stretched screens or playing in a tiny window.

I first looked at the Samsung 226BW, but have found nothing to indicate that it does the fixed aspect scaling. At this point I am considering the Dell SP2208WFP, but have not been able to find any independent reviews. According to the online manual it has an option to shift between 16:10 and 4:3 aspect ratios.

If any are in the know, or would like to suggest another model I will welcome it!

Despy

 

[Engraver]

Best 20" gaming lcd imo is the NEC 20WMGX2, although it is harder to find and don't really remember about the scaling.

 

[BassBomb]

Originally posted by: Engraver
Best 20" gaming lcd imo is the NEC 20WMGX2, although it is harder to find and don't really remember about the scaling.

It can't scale it unfortunatley. I use my nvidia drivers for that.

Absolutely amazing monitor though.

 

[Sureshot324]

I don't have any advice on which monitor to pick, but get a 22". The price difference between 20 and 22 is so small that it's not worth getting a 20".

 

[UTFan81]

I would suggest the new version of the 226bw the 2232bw.

 

[Despy]

I checked the online manual for the Samsung 226BW and the 2232BW and neither one could do the Fixed Aspect Ratio Scaling. Although they look good, this feature is a deal breaker for me. Anyone know if I am wrong and if these monitors can do this?

 

[UTFan81]

Originally posted by: Despy
I checked the online manual for the Samsung 226BW and the 2232BW and neither one could do the Fixed Aspect Ratio Scaling. Although they look good, this feature is a deal breaker for me. Anyone know if I am wrong and if these monitors can do this?

I don't think they do. Most people do it using the Nvidia drivers.

 

[kmmatney]

My 24" LCD has hardware aspect ratio scaling. It's a setting that essentially converts the LCD from 1920 x 1200 to a 1600 x 1200. Old games still stretch to use the entire screen, but the aspect ratio remains at 4:3. This LCD is often at sale at OfficeMax for $299.

I also have a ViewSonic 20" 4:3 LCD at home that is nice, but it is no longer available. That one has a 1400 X 1050 resolution - the only 1400 x 1050 resolution monitors at NewEgg are not worth the money, when you compare to the 24" Soyo.