LCD contrast question?

[jazzhound]

Lately I've read alot of reviews on the 191T from Samsung, then I found some reviews of the 172T/W, which I've decided could be a better buy because people said it has a better screen than the 19".

anyways, the choice is now between the normal aspect ratio 172T and 172W which is widescreen. Price difference is minimal, but the specs are abit different. The lower the dot pitch, the better is what I'm told. Reviews give the 172T very high marks for sharpness, beating out 191T. I wonder if the different between the T and W are so great that it won't be deserving of the same accolades as the T model.

I really want Widescreen, but can't afford one above 19".

PS. I should mention I'm confused about the 400:1 and 500:1 contrast ratio. Widescreen has 400:1, while the other has 500:1.

Samsung 172W
Viewable Screen: 17.0"
Dot Pitch: .289
Contrast Ratio: 400:1
Maximum Resolution: 1280x768
Viewing Angle: 140°/110°
Interfaces: VGA, DVI-D

Samsung 172T
Viewable Screen: 17.0"
Dot Pitch: .26
Contrast Ratio: 500:1
Maximum Resolution: 1280x1024
Viewing Angle: 170°/170°
Interfaces: VGA, DVI-D

 

[Fiz1]

Contrast is the ratio between black and white colors.

For example 500:1 would have a high contrast ratio than 400:1.

Thus 500:1 would be the better choice.

 

[jazzhound]

Shoot, bad questioning. I know the higher the better, however is the chasm so severe that it'll make a 400:1 that much worst? I really like the widescreen, but unsure of the spec difference.

 

[Viper96720]

The 400:1 is more than bright enough. I got my brightness setting using magic bright. It's on internet and is more than bright enough. I can make it too bright but leave the
settings at 50 brightness 50 contrast for the manual setting.