Best 20" LCD?

[happytoro]

I just got my NEC 20" LCD200VX. This is my first LCD and I'm kind of disppointed. The specs look decent: 16ms response time, 400 contrast ratio, 250 brightness, and 160 viewing angle. The problem is, the monitor looks kind of grainy. I feel like I can actually see the pixels when I'm looking at pictures...even ones posted on CNN. I use a Dell 19" LCD at work and I've never noticed this problem.

Do you guys know if this is an NEC issue or am I just being really picky here? Should I return it and buy something else?

What's the best 20" LCD out there?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Boze]

I have been very very happy with my Dell 2005FPW. It has two dead pixels, but other than that, it works perfectly and the backlight is incredible bright. If you can get some kind of discount coupons for it to bring its price tag of $749 down, I would wholeheartedly recommend it. If you have the extra cash and are willing to upgrade, you could also consider a Hewlett-Packard HP2335, which I do not own, but have seen in person and can say that it is a beautiful monitor as well.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Grainy? Dang it shouldn't be anything like that. Using a 2001fp, and I love it. Are you using dvi? More info on your settings, vid card, etc. please.

 

[happytoro]

I'm using the native resolution 1600x1200 @ 60 hz. I have a ATI RADEON 9200 128 MB RAM. I don't have DVI...so maybe that's the problem? Does digital vs. analog make that much of a difference?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: happytoro
I'm using the native resolution 1600x1200 @ 60 hz. I have a ATI RADEON 9200 128 MB RAM. I don't have DVI...so maybe that's the problem? Does digital vs. analog make that much of a difference?

Yes...especially at high resolutions like 1600x1200, the analog signal really starts to degrade. I have the 2005FPW myself, and just for the hell of it I tried the analog connection one time...it didn't look horrible, but there was definite signal reflection or something...I could notice a doubled image, sort of....if that makes any sense. I'm kind of surprised that the Radeon 9200 doesn't have a DVI port...even the old 8500's had them usually.

Edit: When you say it's "grainy", how close are you sitting to the monitor? If I sit very close to my monitor, I can see the individual pixels too...but that's just how LCD's are. CRT's generally seem kind of blurry or fuzzy to me now...much less sharp than the LCD picture.

 

[ubercaffeinated]

Yah I went from a nice crt to a nice lcd. Played around with the digital vs analog too, when I first got my flatpanel. The difference is definately there. I'm running 16x12@60 (i think all/most lcds are 60 hz refresh), and I don't think I can call anything grainy really. Its just really sharp, clean, and bright. Maybe your eyes need a day or two to adjust? I know it took me a day to get used to mine.