looking for 21

[UCBPhantom]

I'm looking for a 21" flat CRT to upgrade to from my pathetic 15".

I haven't been able to find any reviews online...and am thinking either:

Sony G520 (what's the difference between G520 and G500...both seem to have the same spec),
Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 2060u,
NEC MultiSync FP1355 (is this the same as the Mitsubishi above?),
ViewSonic P225F

Any input at all would be appreciated...I've never seen any one of these monitors, nor was I able to find any reviews of them.

Thanks in advance!

 

[LXi]

The difference between G520 and G500 is only the casing, the G520 uses a newer case, looks cooler to me. Other than that, not much difference.

The NEC FP1355 and DiamondPro 2060u uses the same DiamondTron NF tube(made by Mitsu), the FP1355 has slightly higher specs. I also recommend the Samsung SyncMaster 1200NF, based on the same DiamondTron NF tube. You might also want to consider KDS's AV-21TF, it uses Sony's FD Trinitron tube.

The main thing now is to decide whether you want Sony's FD Trinitron or Mitsu's DiamondTron NF. If you got that figured out, it'll be an easy choice.

 

[Amused]

I'm a Sony whore. So I gotta go with Sony

 

[UCBPhantom]

What would be the (dis)advantages of either tube (Sony / DiamondTron)?

Also, it seems that the word "flat screen" is marketed differently. Some manufacturers
call their monitors perfectly flat, whereas others brand them as "virtually flat," and yet others
call them simply "flat." Do these reflect actual differences in performance/functionality/look?

 

[LXi]

The Sony tubes are not perfectly flat, they're virtually flat, but the difference is very minute. The FDTrinitron tubes uses a single electron gun, producing a very sharp image with better convergence. The DiamondTron NF tube has 3 electron guns, providing better color and vibrance. I can sit here and tell you all the technical differences, but the best way to determine which is better for you is to look at them yourself, find a retail store and take a good look at both.

 

[heffe734]

how much are these things???

 

[UCBPhantom]

thanks everyone for your feedback.

just ordered a DiamondPro 2060u, $798 shipped.

 

[stso]

u might want to consider Nokia 445pro as well
it's only $420+ shipping at CDW right now ... other stores has it for is about $999

 

[LXi]

Yes, that Nokia deal is a killer. You could've saved a lot of money with that.

For a DiamondTron NF monitor though, you could've saved over $100 if you went with Samsung's 1200NF. But I guess you never really needed our advice anyway.

 

[UCBPhantom]

I did need your advice, that's why I posted in the first place. Originally I was going to buy the Sony, but decided to go with the DiamondTron. I don't care about the $$ as much as I do about the monitor's quality, and Mitsubishi is a good. So, call me impulsive. It's annoying to spend your entire summer earning $$ and not be able to spend it.

 

[heffe734]

i wish i had that kind of money right now to spend....

 

[LXi]

Well, I just happen to think that Samsung monitors are very high quality, the 1200NF has higher specs than the DiamondPro 2060u, plus it's around $100 cheaper. I just didnt quite understand your decision because the Samsung looks like a no braniner to me, but it's your money, your spend it however you like.

 

[shazbot]

I got my Sony E500 21" FD trinitron for 625 shipped. Not too bad of a deal =\. What exactly is the difference b/t the E500 & G500 btw?

 

[Gosharkss]

<< The Sony tubes are not perfectly flat, they're virtually flat, but the difference is very minute. The FDTrinitron tubes uses a single electron gun, producing a very sharp image with better convergence. The DiamondTron NF tube has 3 electron guns, providing better color and vibrance. I can sit here and tell you all the technical differences, but the best way to determine which is better for you is to look at them yourself, find a retail store and take a good look at both. >>



LXI

All color monitors use a single electron gun. The electron gun has three electron beams, one for red, one for blue and one for green. Monochrome monitors used CRTs with a single gun and single electron beam. Since there are three beams they must converge on there correct phosphor if one of the three are slightly off this is called miss convergence.

Since Samsung, Sony or Mitsubishi do not publish convergence specifications it is impossible to say which is better and it will vary monitor to monitor. No monitor has perfect convergence. Shadow mask monitors typically have better convergence specifications thanks to the slightly curved screen.

I cannot find these higher end models in a store to compare them and suggestions?

Jim Witkowski
Chief Hardware Engineer
Cornerstone / Monitorsdirect.com