lets talk about monitors

[Scarab007]

From reading this forum, I realize I know almost nothing about monitors. I've also noticed a lot of questions about them lately and figured maybe this thread could help out a lot of people. So to get to the chase, lets talk about monitors... I have an OLD ibm 17 in from way back when I bought a 133mhz. (I just got a new 1.2ghz and will probably get a gf3 or new radeon depending how the release goes)

I think I want pretty much what everyone else wants... a nice clear and crisp image. I'm aiming to get a 19 or larger size.
Here's where the questions come though... I don't really know what a good refresh rate is (I actually have no idea about them)... ie no flicker, I would definitly like to avoid any.

I also have heard about there being 'lines' in the picture.. I'm not sure if this effects 19' or just 21' + , or if it's all flat screens? So if someone wouldn't mind touching on that subject also. Of course if anyone has some brand/model reccomendations that would be a great help and anything else that you might think would be helpful.

Thanks, I know this will help me a great deal in understanding and hopefully some others also.

 

[Deceiver]

The lines come about by using Trinitron tubes (or similar tubes like the Mitsubishi one). They are hardly noticable especially once you start using the monitor. Most of all the monitors I've worked on have them, and I don't notice them. I believe they are present because the hardware is a little different than a Shadow Mask monitor. I can't think of the term used for the monitors with the lines (I know there is one). You'll want at least 75Hz or higher for a refresh rate. I personally will accept 60Hz only because I can get a higher resolution. I like 1600x1200 and would rather keep that than a 75Hz refresh rate. My monitor is 17" and is a couple of years old, which is why it won't do 1600x1200 @ 75Hz. Any new monitor that is 19" or above should be able to do 1600x1200 @ 75Hz. A lot of people like 85Hz or higher, but it's all just personal preference. If you have the money for a 21" you might look into one of them, just because monitors tend to last longer (3-5 years) unlike other components. Any additional money shelled out now might be beneficial. Of course if you are on the price limit of between a high quality 19" or low quality 21", it would be a hard decision, and the higher quality 19" might be better.

 

[SnowPunk98]

Check out the hot deals section you can get a 21" Nokia trinitron for $386 shipped I have this monitor and its really nice the lines are hardly noticable

 

[SWScorch]

there are two types of monitors: Shadow Mask and Aperture Grill. SM uses a sheet of metal with very small perforation in it to align the electrons. They are usually not as crisp or as bright as AG. AG uses a grill of wires, held in place by two horizontal wires, which leave a dim shadow on the image, which are the two horizontal lines people complain about. Examples of AG monitors are all Sony Trinitron monitors, Samsung xxxNF series, and Viewsonic PF series.

Some good brands to look for are Samsung, Viewsonic, iiyama and Sony.

Generally, most people like to run at 75Hz refresh or above and at a resolution of 1024x768 or 1280x1024. So get a monitor that can do those resolutions at 75 or better; 90 is preferred.