Monitor Advice

[Pghpooh]

HI
I'll be looking for a new monitor soon.
I have a Viewsonic 17G monitor. I've had it for about 4 to 5 years and it was used when it was given to me!!! The monitor is working well, BUT, the urge to update and replace it has hit me.

I know nothing about the LCD monitors other then they offer more screen size per monitor size and take up less room. And, the prices have dropped but no where near the crt prices.

I need all the help I can get on the new lcd monitors. Are there web sites that will give info and explain what the specs mean??

My video card is a ATI All IN Wonder Radeon. I think it's 64 mb ram. Updated to the latest driver about a month ago. I rarely play games, mostly do work processing and spend time on the internet.

I'd love to go to a 19 inch monitor, even buy the newer wide monitors. BUT, money is a factor. I'd like to keep the price in the $500 range. Once I have a better idea of and more info in general about the LCD's my price range could change.

Once again, ALL THE INFO I CAN GET IS NEEDED!!! LOLOL Feel free to mention brands and models too.
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[Subhuman25]

I'm kinda in the sme boat as you,having a perfectly outstanding monitor(in my sig),but thinking of going LCD.
My questions are similar,but I'd like to add to your inquiry by asking about relative/comparable size specifications of CRT vs LCD.
My Mistsu. CRT is a 22",but viewing area is around 19.8" I think.Now with LCD's is this also true for stated screen sizes or is the stated screen size actually the viewable area?
I don't want to give up my viewable area size for something smaller.
With that said and assuming the viewable area of a 19"/20" LCD is comparable to my 22" CRT,then wich LCD in the 19"/20" bracket would be best?
I will be using it for gaming as well as surfing and multimedia.My research leads me to believe that faster response times are most desirable for gaming LCD's.Correct?
Would that make this monitor http://www.benqshopper.com/19lcdmofp1.html a good choice then?

 

[jiffylube1024]

All of your answers lie here my friends.

And Subhuman25 - yes, LCD's give the actual visible screen size rating (all of the time). So a 19" LCD is 19" visible and thus a 20" LCD would be very comparable to a 22" CRT in visible screen size.

 

[imported_Reck]

I don't mean to rip anyone here but lcds are a big waste. Not running at the native rez gives a big performance hit...you have to sit back far from the lcd so the extra screen size doesn't really matter. If you try to use them at the same distance you would a crt, the image is grainy and pixelated. Even with dvi and some models running on vga are pretty damn distorted. If you get one, absolutely make sure you are using dvi. Having used other people's lcd's I can safely say the only reason I would ever consider getting one is for a tv tuner...gamers should absolutely stay away from lcds...

The washed out blacks that plague lcds can be a serious problem when trying to play games that are dark as well. Jesus trying to play games in a dark room is horrible as well...the backlite makes it even worse. LCDS look much better in daylight conditions. A lot of people seem to love the way the look on display in stores, get them home and are disappointed since most people play in the dark. Juse a few things to think about. Crt all the way for me.

 

[Pghpooh]

Reck
You brought up a few good points. Especially about the poor blacks on a LCD. I spent several years working in the video industry before I retired and that was a weakness when using LCD's as video monitor. I was never able to get info on how and why the LCD monitors worked and why the lack of deep good blacks. Thus, my post requesting info and so on. It's a learning experience for me.
Thanks
Pghpooh

 

[Rockhound1]

Pghpooh,

I am in the same boat as you. I have been doing some research and have found that most quality 17" and 19" LCD monitors have a native resolution of 1280 x 1024. The 20" and larger LCD monitors have a native resolution of 1600 x 1200. My eyes are not as young as they used to be and for this reason, I think I will stick with the 19" LCD monitors.

My research tells me that you want to by a monitor with a DVI input. You are supposed to get superior color and clarity by using a the DVI input as apposed to the VGA (analog) input. Also, a refresh rate of 25 ms or less is recommended to reduce ghosting.

I have read a lot of reviews and here are a few 19" monitors that consistently get high marks:

NEC LCD1915X
NEC LCD1935NXM
ViewSonic VX910
Samsung 190T
Samsung 193P
Benq FP931
Dell 1901FP

I am sure there other members of this forum that can also recommend other quality LCD monitors. If you must have a 20" LCD, many members of this forum praise their Dell 2001FP monitors.

Good luck with you research/decision. Post a review of the monitor that you finally choose. I am sure there are a lot of folks who would be interested.

 

[Pghpooh]

Rockhound1
Thank You for the information.
With all the monitors out there a person can go crazy looking and looking.
You said your eyes are not as young as they used to be and that caught my attention. I'm 58 and these ole eyes are on the tired side!! LOLOLOL
You also mentioned the refresh rate of a monitor. I was aware of that on older crt monitors but not on LCD monitors and the probelms that a slower refresh rate could cause.
Once again, Thank You. I'll be putting together a "Things to look for list" and "minimum specs" list and then going out shopping.

Take Care
Pghpooh

 

[bendixG15]

Here' the view from my house

Got a well reviewed LCD and a well reviewed DVI video card to replace my 17 inch CRT
and old video card.
After 2 weeks of tweeking the LCD, I gave the LCD and DVI card to my wife and
went back to my old stuff simply because it looked better..text especially.

I am happy, she thinks I'm great.
Good night from the East Coast...