Old question about choosing LCD monitor.

[scuzball]

I'm in that struggle that I'm sure many of you have faced: choosing a monitor. I don't play a lot of games, but my son does, and he'll get to use my new computer when I'm not around. I plan to do some video and photo editing and simple graphics work for flyers. I'll watch the occasional DVD. I've been drawn to the monitors with a 16ms refresh rate, which seems to limit me to 17 inches (which I'm ok with). I'm looking at the NEC 1760NX, the Planar PX 171, and the Hitachi CML174. Oh, and at 45 my eyesight is slowly deteriorating (if that factors into this--maybe I'll notice ghosting less and less as I age). Thanks!😕

 

[egale]

Don't forget the Viewsonic VP171B. It is a great monitor too and has an antiglare screen.

 

[TheCorm]

If you have the money then go for a 16ms one but as you are essentially only an occasional gamer like myself (the occasional bit being your son) a 20ms ish may be good too....that's what I have...I do photo and video editing also....I like the NEC out of those three best.

 

[imported_Phil]

Personally, I'd go for a good 17/19" CRT- yeah they're bigger and use more juice, but the screen quality (ie refresh rate, viewing angle), is, for the most part, better than mid-to-low-range LCDs.

I find colour reproduction a touch better too.

Dopefiend

 

[oldfart]

WELCOME TO ANANDTECH!
I have the NEC 1760NX and love it! An LCD will also GREATLY reduce eyestrain as compared to a CRT. Your eyes will thank you.

 

[scuzball]

I like what I've seen in the NEC, but of the three I listed it has the worst dead pixel policy (15 dead subpixels vs. 5 for Hitachi and 3 for the Planar). How concerned should I be about this?

 

[oldfart]

I have one and so does a friend of mine. Grand total of 0 dead pixels so far....

 

[imported_Phil]

Dead pixels can usually be "massaged" back into life but they're a great annoyance once you spot them. I'd go for the manufacturer that has the lowest dead pixel threshold, as you'll be annoyed if you have 14 dead pixels on one screen and you can't RMA it!

Dopefiend