Just Bought KDS AV-195TF Monitor; Good or Bad?

[Janus]

My trusty old 17" Viewsonic finally started to take a nose drive after nearly 4 years constant use. In a quite a pickle (final exams in a few days) I had to run out to Best Buy and find a replacement post haste. After looking at all the choices, I ended up purchasing the KDS AV-195TF for $479 (with a $30 rebate and $25 gift card, making the actual monitor $424).

My question, is this a fairly durable, decent quality monitor? Of course I could always return it if it's a dud, but so far it seems pretty great. But as always, I'd like to ask the "experts" here at Anandtech just to get the scoop and so I know what I got.

Thankee!

 

[oblivion2888]

yeah, it's good for the price...you could have gotten it for 375 at onvia no tax no shipping .....but oh well

 

[Sephy]

I'm a big proponent for the KDS Avitron series..wish I got one when I was shopping for my 19"....awesome quality for the price

 

[Ausm]

I really think they are a great monitor for the price. I just installed a couple at work and I admire the quality of the monitor.


Ausm

 

[LXi]

Im a great opponent of the KDS Avitron series. But I must say you made a good move.

 

[Radarman]

Well after much deliberation and avidly reading the Anandtech forums. Two days ago I trooped to Best Buy and bought the KDS AV 195 FD, same price as what you paid. I have it connected to my Celeron 366 @ 550 Mhz / Abit BE6 machine. There are absolutely no problems with it, has a beautiful display. The only thing I can remotely complain about is two things, #1 it runs very hot, however I have read that this is something that all of the AV 195 FD do, and #2 Its heavy, I thought I was going to give myself a hernia unloading it from the explorer, getting in the house, unpacking, and setting up on desk. I was going for a Sony G400, however this KDS has the same Specs, uses the same Sony Trinitron CRT, for a lot less money. Also I've noticed that there is about an 1/8th inch black border around the outside edges of the CRT, ( it doesn't completely fill the screen ) and it won't adjust out to completely fill the screen. I think this a trait of the CRT, Can any of you KDS AV 196 FD Monitors please e-mail me and
let me know if yours is the same??. I noticed the slight concave appearance of the display, however haven't seen the horizonal lines caused by the suspension wires yet. With the $200.00 bucks over the Sony, I bought a Matrox G400 Max and a 50 Pack of TDK CDRs. So come on all of you AV 195 FD owners, how about some imputs. Thanx Ron ( Radarman )

 

[dennilfloss]

I am very happy with mine. Funny thing is...with my previous monitor (KDS VS-195), I never noticed the aberrations (particularly curvature of lines) caused my glasses (I am very myopic). Now they jump at me, A vertical line is perfectly straight when I look at it dead-on, slightly concave or convex if I look to the right or the left. My fault for having faulty eyes.

It does run hot and the geometry was harder to get all perpendicular that the VS-195, probably because of its flat screen. Overall, I am very satisfied: I am poor but still got a newer-generation 19" CRT.

And I really like the KDS KARES warranty.

 

[Janus]

Wow! Thanks so much for all of your comments - after the past day of use, it seems to be quite a steal for the price. After reading through the forums and the concerns people had about heat issue, I decided to purchase a monitor cooler just to be safe (what's $15 after you spend several hundred dollars?) In my subjective touch tests, it does appear to run on the warmer side for sure. I also hear you Radarman about the weight; carrying up to my apartment (three flights of stairs) was more of a workout than my lazy butt needed (or maybe did need, depending on perspective!)

I haven't really noticed the geometry issues yet that some have reported, although it is certainly something to be aware. One thing is for certain - using a 19" monitor in general is just so much easier on the eyes! It's amazing how much less strain there is when typing papers or surfing the web when your text is like 1/4" to 1/2" in size!

I've also read through your comments in different places LXi, which does cause me some pause. Down the road I think I'll shoot for an actual Sony branded Trinitron model - but I have about 2 1/2 years before I'm officially "Dr. Janus," so hopefully this KDS will hold me until then.

Overall, based on what everyone has said though, I suppose I needn't suffer with much buyer's remorse for this purchase. Given my situation and immediacy need for a new monitor, it appears like the best solution.

 

[Jgtdragon]

I think its a great buy. I got my for a week now and can only give it praises.

 

[The Wildcard]

Hmm my I got my Sony g400 today and i can use the entire screen, but there is a little geometry problem that i am trying to fix. the top left corner of the screen curves up and i can't seem to fix it by adjusting it. i don't think it's a faulty monitor.

 

[Strych9]

The AV-195TF is not a bad monitor for the price, however, mine seems a little on the dim side. I adjusted the brightness/contrast way up but it still seems dim to me compared to my Dell P990. Anyone else experience this?

 

[dennilfloss]

The_Wildcard,

A slight droop (mine curves down) in the top left corner is exactly what I haven't been able to rectify completely on my KDS (almost got it right, 0.5mm to go). Interesting to find that I am not the only one with this problem.

Strych9,

I actually have to bring the brightness down on mine but my RGB is set at 99% everywhere. Maybe your RGB is still in color 1 to 3 mode.

 

[Strych9]

Dennilfloss - U Da Man!!! I was in color 1 and didn't realize it. Cranked everything up and it looks great now. Thanks.

 

[dennilfloss]

Glad I can help once in a while with something else than songs.

 

[lenjack]

Why do you need to ask if it's any good. You've got one, so you can tell easily if it's any good.

 

[dennilfloss]

lenjack,

I suggest that you read his preamble more properly.

 

[sov05]

I gotta agreew the earlier guy

I had a crummy 15" Compaq monitor, heheh. I really didn't notice how "curved" it was until now. i got a AV-195tf from onvia.com. This guy is perfectly flat. I had to format my other PC this weekend, which uses the Compaq 15" monitor, and boy does it look horrid. I want to cry when I see the curve. wow, it is so noticable curved. Also, it looks 10x smaller. Well that happened with my case too. I got a Full Tower and now all mid-towers look like mini-towers.