I need a multi-function monitor.Suggestions?

[mingsoup]

I'm going to need a monitor to fit in my dorm room. I will need it to function as a regular pc monitor. I will also need it to function as a television for DVD/Cable/Xbox360-Gamecube. Would it be better to go for a pc lcd and make it work like a TV, or buy a standard television LCD and try make it act like a Pc monitor.

Inititially, I was looking at the 2405FPW Dell 24" LCD. I liked it because it's a rather large LCD, and it has Component imputs, which would be awesome for consoles/dvd and other inputs. Would the 2405FPW work for me? I have a 7800GTX graphics card and a 4000+ AMD64. Could I still game at the 1920*1200 native of this monitor? How would 720p/1080i look on this monitor? 480P? The dell was the only one I have really looked at because of its popularity/ excellent inputs. However, then I got thinking about getting an LCD television and try pushing my PC through that......but I've had a very bad expierence with that type of setup already. Ideas? Suggestions? Thx

 

[Matt2]

Whatever u do, make sure you lock that monitor up in the dorm room. I have a couple friends who have had their computers/laptops stolen out of their dorm rooms.

 

[mingsoup]

The biggest two things that worry me about the 2405 are.......Console (xbox 360/xbox/gamecube) 480P/720P/1080i quality and (a biggie) how hard of a hit my computer will take trying to run that 1920*1600 res? I don't really like buying 500$ graphics cards once, but every once in a long while. Ideas?

 

[darkswordsman17]

While it depends on how picky you are, I personally found the 2405 to do a pretty nice job of scaling content.

I ran a PS2 through S-Video, and Xbox and Gamecube through component on it and thought they all looked very nice. It doesn't do as good of job of scaling as my CRT HDTV (not too many current displays can), but looked very nice nonetheless.

I'm a bit iffy on 2405 versus an LCD Tv (you can find some brands like Westinghouse in 27-30" close the price of a 2405). On the one hand, I like the resolution the 2405 offers (can view full 1920x1080 content on it), but at the same time, the extra size that the LCD TVs offer is nice. The resolution isn't terrible (should be 1280x720 at least), so its plenty useable as a computer monitor, but I just like higher resolutions for computer (the laptop I use off and on is 1280x800 on about a 15" screen, and while it probably has some to do with the fact its not the best screen, the resolution seems kinda limiting for me, so almost doubling the size of the screen with a similar resolution would be almost ubearable to me). If gaming, movies, and TV are going to be the primary work, I'd lean more towards the LCD TV.

Its certainly a tough choice, and I can't say for sure which one would work better for you, but thats my take on things, and hopefully it helps you some.

 

[LittleNemoNES]

NEC 20WMGX2
:thumbsup:

 

[Meuge]

There are two suggestions here, which depend on how far you're going to be sitting from it. If you're going to be sitting close to it, then the larger TVs are out of the question - you'll kill your eyes... In that case, the Dell 24" is likely your good, but also inexpensive option.

At this point I cannot recommend any TV that does NOT do 1080p, so I would say if you're going to go for an LCD TV, get the Westinghouse or Sceptre 37" which is 1080p... they are great TVs for a fair price (~$1500), and they are good as monitors... but again - you need to sit fairly far away (1m).

 

[mingsoup]

It's going to be on a desk.....in a dorm room. I would consider this close sitting and close quarters. I just want my xbox360 and older 480p/i consoles to look good as well.

Is there any real choices in terms of LCD monitor screens. The 2405fpw is the only monitor of that caliber I know to have component inputs, which are vital in my situation.

Will I be able to run new games? Is the interopulation any good, if my comp just can't handle 1920*1600? 1920*1600 would be SWEET for Dreamweaver/Browsing/Coding/Homework/Word/Music....and all that great stuff. I am just worried about 480i/p and running games at 1920*1600. I have trouble running Fear at 1024*768......what is gonna happen when I am stuck at native res of 1920*1600?

 

[darkswordsman17]

You could always run it 1:1 which would give you a much smaller screen but at least it won't look horrible.

As for component inputs, there are a ton of monitors with them now, even higher end 20-21" monitors are having them (NEC, Gateway, Samsung), and even more of the 23-24" ones have component inputs. Its a tossup on how good it will look since either way you're probably gonna have it scaling in some manner (either down from 1080i to 1680x1050 or up to 1920x1200, or possibly from 720p up). Should look good though.

 

[hans030390]

at first i thought the topic said "I need a malfunctioning monitor..."

I was like...what? but then a second glance fixed that.

I really don't know what you could get, but i'm sure the dell lcds would work great

 

[darkxshade]

Originally posted by: hans030390
at first i thought the topic said "I need a malfunctioning monitor..."

I was like...what? but then a second glance fixed that.

I really don't know what you could get, but i'm sure the dell lcds would work great

Heh, I thought I read malfunctioning monitor as well, time to get some lens


I shouldn't have to state the obvious but a 2405 does NOT have speakers plugged into it and thus playing console games on it = no sound.

 

[CCityInstaller]

The Gateway FPD 2185W is a 21" WS LCD that should suit your needs if you dont want to go for the Dell 2405. It's 1680x1050 resolution would be a lot easier on your 7800GTX then the Dell's. It has component/Svideo/DVI/Component/VGA inputs. I watch TV on mine with a Comcast HD cable box connected to it and it looks good to me. Games are quite nice as well with the WS resolution. The Gateway can be had for under $450 on Ebay new.

 

[mingsoup]

The 2405 FPW just went from 950$ to 750$ + free shipping.......I think I'm going to spring for it. Huh? What do you guys think? Will I regret it? I don't care about HDCP and the 2407. HDCP is dumb, and I highly doubt people will settle for such trash. Microsoft and their BRAND new Xbox360/HD-DVD addon........new as of today...do not support HDCP. If Microsoft and the 500$ PS3 do not support HDCP, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. If it comes to it, I'm sure there will be ways around HDCP, I'm sure of it.HDCP has to be the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of. So...HDCP can just go away. Thus, I don't really care if I don't have HDCP. Reviews state the dell as having no noticible ghosting....and the xbox 360 seems to play just fine on the 2405 from articles I've read. The PS2/Gamecube/Xbox don't have as much documentation.....but I've seen some good things on that kind of input. I'm hoping it will be good. I might just have to use 1:1 for FEAR when it comes to it.....but then again, new games that bring 3000$ rigs to their knees.....frustrate me, and I tend to stay away from them anyway...So the 1920*1200, probably isn't that big of a deal.

Plus this broken 19" CRT stuck at 1024*768 is starting to get on my nerves. I want a display to complement my 360 and decent computer.

I went for it......I really really hope I made the right choice...and that technology won't immediately pass me by.