LCD Flat Panel HELP!

[ibeatdrums]

Hello all,

I am seriously looking into purchasing a new LCD flat panel monitor. However, there are a lot of things I don't quite understand yet. I created this thread to discuss those things. I'd rather do this than do research because I would rather have human opinions.

So here goes...

What I'm looking for in a flat panel:
17" viewable MINIMUM (19" look very attractive)
1280x1024 MINIMUM
purpose: GAMING & DVD (CS is the only game I play...haha...old school)

My questions were:

1. What is DVI?
2. I have an old school nvidia 32mb gf2 card...is that compatible with lcds?
3. Are the big boy brands any good? (NEC, viewsonic, samsung, etc...) - FOR GAMING!!
4. I have friends who own Planar monitors and like them a lot. Anything comparable?
5. I want to be able to plug in my PC and a laptop into my monitor and toggle btw the two. What do I look for?
6. Should I wait for newer technology? I've read somewhere that new stuff is coming out soon...how soon? SHOULD I BUY NOW?!
7. What's the biggest factor to look for when purchasing an LCD for mainly gaming and movies? (I've heard refesh rates...25ms is the best right now...)

Thanks in advance for any help you guys may offer!

 

[Tallgeese]

Originally posted by: ibeatdrums
I am seriously looking into purchasing a new LCD flat panel monitor.

What I'm looking for in a flat panel:
17" viewable MINIMUM (19" look very attractive)
1280x1024 MINIMUM
purpose: GAMING & DVD (CS is the only game I play...haha...old school)

My questions:
1. What is DVI?

DVI is a digital, rather than analog, connection for the LCD. Offers best visual output, autoconfiguration, and other features that make it worthwhile. Both the video card and the LCD have to support MATCHING DVI standards (most current models of cards and LCDs will match).

2. I have an old school nvidia 32mb gf2 card...is that compatible with lcds?

It is most likely compatible, using a DB-15 analog connection.

3. Are the big boy brands any good? (NEC, viewsonic, samsung, etc...) - FOR GAMING!!

Personally I have not been especially impressed with the "name" brands, especially for their EXORBITANT prices.

4. I have friends who own Planar monitors and like them a lot. Anything comparable?

I have a Planar (+18") as well, and I have yet to find any other brand that can touch them from a price/performance perspective. Planar's 3-year warranty and single pixel replacement policy are both unmatched in the industry

5. I want to be able to plug in my PC and a laptop into my monitor and toggle btw the two. What do I look for?

Again, the issue is the type of connection. Some higher-end LCD monitors offer support for both analog and DVI connections, even simultaneously, and claim that you can switch between sources using the monitor's OSD. But If you're looking to have something a bit more user-friendly, and perhaps share a single keyboard and mouse while switching constantly between the two computers, then you should probably look at a good KVM solution.

6. Should I wait for newer technology? I've read somewhere that new stuff is coming out soon...how soon? SHOULD I BUY NOW?!

Only you can answer that question, since that same question can be raised about ANY technology at any point in time.

7. What's the biggest factor to look for when purchasing an LCD for mainly gaming and movies? (I've heard refesh rates...25ms is the best right now...)

Be sure to check: response time (most important spec for gaming), horizontal and vertical viewing angles, contrast ratio, brightness, viewable size, and supported signal/connector types (digital, analog, s-video, etc.)

HTH

 

[ibeatdrums]

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it a lot!

What is KVM?

Do you think there will be a flux of new lcd's coming out this year? The reason I ask is b/c most of the current LCD's have a response time of 25ms, or so I have read....and as of yet, I really haven't seen anything better....

Wow, I didn't know about planar's one-dead pixel policy...that's very nice.

AGain, thanks for all the help!

 

[Tallgeese]

Originally posted by: ibeatdrumsWhat is KVM?

Keyboard-Video-Mouse solutions allow you to hook multiple computers up to a single keyboard, monitor and mouse, using a special type of switch box. Then you can toggle between machines as needed. Vendors include Avocent, Rose, Belkin and about 100 others. Prices can range from $50~100 to over $10K, depending upon the features of the KVM system.

HTH

 

[Dre]

I've got a planar too and love it. Dell has 15% off everything in their peripherals dept along with free shipping. It's a good time to get a planar!

 

[Tallgeese]

Originally posted by: ibeatdrums
6. Should I wait for newer technology? I've read somewhere that new stuff is coming out soon...how soon? SHOULD I BUY NOW?!

Saw this news item today that hints at DRASTICALLY lower prices imminent for 15" panels, and eventually for larger panels. Worth thinking about.