I need some feedback on KDS monitors.

[SouthernShark]

I was going to purchase a quality 19" inch monitor when I noticed that a 21" KDS costs about the same price. So I thought, what the hell I should get the 21" inch monitor instead.

I was wondering, however, why KDS would be so cheap (about 550.00). Is it inferior, or do they break easily? What is the the scoop?

My primary use is word processing, but I also play CounterStrike. So if anyone has any experience along those angles, just let me know.

Thank you-

SouthernShark

---

Southern Shark,

We have banned your email address because your subscription updates are being returned to us with an error message: Reason: ... User unknown. This loads up our mailbox.

You can still edit your profile to include a valid address. If your present address is correct, please write us wheh you are sure it is working correctly, and we will unban it.

Thank you,

AnandTech Moderator

 

[dennilfloss]

I don't know why KDS monitors are cheaper but I've owned a 19" shadowmask VS-195 and recently upgraded to a FD Trinitron AV195-TF and I'm very satisfied.

The KDS Avitron series uses the same CRT as the equivalent Sony Monitors. From what I was told by a Sony owner, it would appear that they have more geometry controls than the Sonys (e.g. cornerpin).

 

[LXi]

People say they're doing this to get some brand recognition, I dont buy that crap. I've also heard that they fail quite a lot. If you're getting one of them, be absolutely sure to get the Avitron line(21" cost about $700), you'll regret going with the VisualSensation, they suck.

 

[MadRat]

I know of businesses that went for KDS's for quality versus a price decision. Alot of the KDS models are very nice quality.

 

[Doomguy]

Lxi: Why do you show extreme bias against kds? They have the best warrenty out of any monitor company and make some quality products.

 

[LXi]

I dont know about the best warranty, many other companies have similar services and replacement policies just like KDS'. And what's that failing a lot all about? I've heard many KDS owners about them DOA and not last very long. I dont have a thing against them, I just hate them because they're too cheap.

 

[Lore]

I dont have a thing against them, I just hate them because they're too cheap.

LXi:

eh? What type of reasoning is that? Just because I got my re-badged Plextor CDR for cheap (remember the good old Imation 8x20) doesn't mean I hate it!

Also, where did you hear about all the DOA KDS monitors? I haven't found a thread here that proves that, perhaps you can point me to a website or another point of reference?

 

[LXi]

Make it I just hate them because they're KDS.

Oh yea, I have a lot of things I dont like as well, KDS is just one of them.

Edit The DOA thing... ok, I probably havent seen it here, but on other message boards. As well as 2 of my friends who actually bought into this crap. When they finally got one that works, it didnt last very long.

 

[billcat]

Try to keep in mind you get what you pay for. It doesn't matter if they use the same tube as sony or viewsonic for that matter because it still has to use circuits to make the tube work and using cheaper components and engineering to make a monitor will end up showing though eventually. I don't care for them, I've looked at them at the local office depot last week and def. was not impressed by the 680.00 21* KDS monitor. If you think you like it that much then buy it. But be warned, you do get what you pay for, you buy a cheap monitor and it's going to work like a cheap monitor. Then again, you just may be the lucky one who gets the one monitor that will last for 10 years with no troubles. Can't say for sure. But the monitor is one of the most important parts of your computer because after the current cpu and video card and so on are long gone and replaced with new faster ones you are still going to be using the same monitor so I really do advise to buy smart and not cheap on that part of your computer. A bad monitor can also have health effects to add to it as well. You can get eye strain, headachs and so on with a poorer quality picture as well. Don't let your wallet make your monitor choice for you. If you have to save up for a while so you can get a good quality one.

 

[LXi]

billcat: I've stated all your reasons before, all the KDS owners just says its untrue and KDS is better than Sony and everything.

 

[Ausm]

I had to install a couple KDS Avitron 19 models at work and I have to say i am quit impressed with them.

Ausm

 

[dennilfloss]

Is there any documentation that the electronics on KDS monitors are sub par? They could be cheaper because of taxation incentives, labour practices and money exchange rates (i.e. the high value of the yen compared to the Korean currency and the higher cost of labor in Japan, maybe lesser corporate taxes, etc...). These are reasons that have been invoked to explain pricing differences in automobiles from Korea vs Japan.

Components are only one part of the equation. Not everything in the world is black & white.

 

[randomlinh]

My friend has a 19" KDS, he seems to like it, it seems nice. But I just don't have any luck w/ the smaller type/lesser known companies. I always tend to get the bad ones, and it's a headache.

 

[Pennstate]

Remember Radius monitors? Well they were made by KDS. Now that KDS bought them, the entire RAdius line is replaced by KDS. I have a 17" Avitron. FAirly impressed with it.

 

[Radarman]

Boy have I've never read so much crap on a subject. I love to read all the expert opinions. I just bought a KDS AV195 TF 19" Monitor, I compared the Kds, Sony and Viewsonic side by side. The KDS had the better display ( to my eyes ), so I bought it. Monitor and Keyboard
purchasing are very subjective, haven,t you ever seen some one at a Computer Show pressing on the keys of all the keyboards ?? As far a quality is concerned, more expensive doesn't necessarly mean better.
A lot of wasted money is spent on name recognization, thats what all those advertising dollars are spent for on TV, Magazine. and news paper advertising. All electronic Equipment is apt to fail,
regardless of its manufacture. The thing to look for is the WARRANTY. The KDS warranty is compatable to and better than most Monitor manufactures.
My advice is go to a Computer Store and look at the monitors side by side, compare warranties, and then compare price. and judge from there. I bought my KDS a littll over a week ago and paid $479.00 with a $30.00 rebate. I see today that the same monitor is on sale @ Best Buy for $449.00 + a $30.00 rebate. I'm headed back the A.M. to see if they will honor thier new sale price and refund me the $30.00, I'm sure that I could load a Monitor Diagnostic program, and would probably fine a minor flaw, but what is the point, if I can't see the flaw in my day to day usage. The ONLY down side to the KDS Monitors is that they seem to run hotter than some other brands, so consider not putting them in confined spaces without good ventalation. Just My .02 c. Worth. Well I went back to Best Buy this morning with my sales slip and walked out with $32.18 in my pocket, msking my price for the monitor $419.00 + tax, still a bargain as far as I'm concerned. Radarman

 

[okydoky]

Radarman:
That, is you do not want to put them in confined spaces without proper ventilation, right??? Honest, I'm not being a smart a@@. Someone else might not interpret it correctly. And yes, that statement is very true....

 

[randomlinh]

who will HONOR the warranty is another thing. Has anyone dealt w/ KDS (this is a real question here)? I know my uncle has had to use viewsonic's warranty, and they were quick about it.

Yes, i've seen KDS, and it looks very good. I still think the Sony it was next to was better, but the price difference can change my mind.

 

[Doomguy]

Yep I've seen bluezebra deal with kds. They picked up his monitor and fedex him a new one. LXI: KDS does have the best warrenty. Samsung's turnaround time is a week longer than kds's. There are tons of horror stories about people sending their sony monitors in for repair. CTX also makes you send in your monitor for repair. Sorry lxi but the kds avitron is a great monitor. I got mine back in march when no one even knew about it!

 

[SSP]

I'm very happy with my KDS monitor. You just can't beat that price.

 

[ccc]

Apparently those guys at AGN don't agree
with most of you guys about quality on
KDS monitors, here is the link :
http://news.agn.com/forum3d/messageview.cfm?catid=3&threadid=43828

 

[Janus]

A few days ago I posted a similar thread about the KDS AV195TF monitor after needing a prompt replacement for an old Viewsonic that died. Since I'm a poor doctoral student who relies on my desktop for lots of crucial productivity software (and an occassional game of EQ or Diablo II for the girlfriend), I needed a monitor that had both great image quality and a reasonable price.

After owning the KDS and using it extensively for about a week now, I have no regrets or complaints about the image quality. Although it's my first Trinitron monitor, I doubt I'll ever go back to a shadow mask monitor.

Over all, I think it's a great deal and well worth consideration in my entirely subjective opinion (and perhaps that's what matters most - that is, how does it look to you and are you pleased with it?) If you don't like what you see after experiencing a brand/model in the store, then consider the Sony, Viewsonic, etc. But after reading through CNET, ZD Net, PC World and these forums, I can't find any objective data to support the position that KDS is a worse buy than any other monitor. In fact, it seems that many are rather satisified with it.

 

[SSP]

ccc, most of those guys didnt even mentiont he model number. They probably bought the VS model.

 

[LXi]

Doomguy: I never denied that they look great, Im just saying I like the looks of Sony and Mitsubishi more. Why is this so difficult? Also, if a monitor arrives safely, works well, last long, thats better than any warranty in the world! Im not about to dig into every monitor manufacturer's wrranty policy documents, because there are just little difference between them, and like I said, if the monitor is good, no warranty is needed.

 

[Doomguy]

LXi: Thats not true every prouduct needs a warrenty. If a company made products with problems they wouldent have a warrenty so they wouldent have to replace any of the items. Sony and Mitsubishi are way overpriced and thats a fact. Why do you like those two brands better than others? Mitsu monitors have lots of problems i've heard many complaints about them.

 

[LXi]

Doomguy: I just like whatever I prefer, why is this so difficult?? It's true that every product needs a warranty, but it's VERY UNLIKELY that everyone of them will break down. In that case, the warranty makes little difference. I believe Sony and Mitsubishi's warranty policy is also very good, probably not as good as KDS, but it doesnt really matter to most people since a majority of them will work fine for a long time. In case if it's bad, Im sure their warranty covers replacement and exchange. It doesnt make sense to buy a product simply because of its warranty.