LCD - budget widescreen or budget 5:4?

[xxTurbonium]

Is it possible to get a decent widescreen monitor for like around 220CAD? Something with at least 500:1, 250cd/m^2, 8ms?

If not, which 17-inch budget LCD do you recommend? I'm considering either the Samsung 740N or the following Dell: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/p...sku=3 20-4567 Specs on paper are the same, except the Dell also has DVI input, whereas the Samsung is only analog. Do the Dells still have banding issues?

To be honest though, I'd really rather getting a widescreen, but I'm having trouble finding anything budget with decent specs.

 

[mikeford]

As soon as you say the word budget my suggestion is to find a decent old CRT.

Specs can also lead you down the path, how well a given LCD is going to suit you depends on how you plan to use it, text can be excellent, and games a migraine engine.

That said I just bought a Gateway FPD1975W during a special in store sale for $159, and I think its going to work out well, but I also have several CRT monitors so I can use one of them if I don't like some aspect of it.

 

[xxTurbonium]

The thing is I'm already using, as I type, an old 17 inch CRT (Samsung SyncMaster 17GLi). Thing is, when I say old, I mean a decade old! It has that issue with old CRTs where when it displays text (or anything really), you get this sort of horizontal "shadow" moving across the whole screen at the vertical position of the text. So basically, there's shadowy "bands" across the whole screen, and they move as you scroll, etc.

It's perfectly tolerable though. And it barely shows in games.

Maybe I'll just keep this sucker, and try to repair my busted 19" Trinitron? I don't know.

 

[Sunrise089]

If you cannot afford an LCD with a DVI connection, or one that supports a resolution that you think you'll be happy with, a CRT may well be the best bet, if used doesn't scare you away.

 

[clickynext]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?...3&vpn=VA1912WB-3&manufacture=ViewSonic

This fits all your requirements, but exceeds your budget by just $20, which shouldn't be too bad...

 

[pkme2]

I'm checking out 22" Spectre and Viewsonic this week at Costco. for $299.99. The sale is on from Oct 13-29 with $50 coupon ($349.99).
The specs are outstanding and for a few dollars more to get a 22", wow!