Planar LCD Question

[Ben50]

$610 @ Dell for the Planar 17.4in LCD is looking very tempting but I have a question before I jump at it. On the Dell website, it says that the planar only has a 250:1 contrast ratio? I could be mistaken, but isn't that really bad or something? I'm no expert on LCDs but a lot of the other ones have a 300:1 or 400:1 contrast ratio.

Anybody that has this monitor care to comment on how good the contrast is?

Are there any other issues/quirks/problems/etc. with this LCD?

--EDIT--
I went to Outpost.com and it says the Planar LCD 17.4in has a 400:1 contrast ratio. What's going on??? Are the Dell Planar's a different model or something? Just a Typo? Someone please help me, I'm really confused now! (as if it wasn't bad enough before )

 

[mechBgon]

I have a Planar 17.4" from Dell, and I got one of their 15" for my dad too. From what I understand, there was a running change to the 17.4" that added a DVI video input (which mine has) and perhaps some other changes, possibly including the contrast ratio. I haven't had too many monitors and these two (17.4" and 15&quot are the only LCD's I've used so far, but the bottom line is that I like it a lot. Planar seems to be taking good care of customers too, even replacing monitors with one bad pixel, according to people in the Hot Deals thread from some time back.

I've played some UT on it and it's not *quite* as quick as a CRT but I've concluded it's not a problem. Hope that's a help, you can do a Search in Hot Deals for the big thread on the Planars to get some more input.

 

[shawnman]

The new 17.4" Planars are 400:1. Planar CS told someone that if they recv'd the older 250:1 version they would ship out the newer version free of charge.


Go for it, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Ben50]

Cool, that's exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks a lot, I'm definitely getting this monitor. This is going to be an awesome monitor for college. Thank god I don't have to lug a crt monitor to college and try to fit it in my room.

 

[Ben50]

Ok, now that I have that figured out, I just thought of another question. What video cards have the best DVI output to run this monitor. I am currently thinking about getting a Leadtek GF2 Ultra w/DVI. Any better options?

 

[Shockwave]

How does it work on games? I know some LCD's dont refresh fast enough to play games. Now for me, if I get an LCD is hell to pay, I'm, gonna spend whatever I have to to play games. So, I was wonderin, can this keep up with games? If it can, I would definately look at it!! So, hows it compare to the SGI job?

 

[frizzlefry]

Man, I'd say go for the SGI deal. It's $550 for refurbed and is alot better for gaming. There's a review in that hot deal thread for that monitor.

 

[IshmaelLeaver]

How do you know SGI is better for gaming? Do you have both monitors? From the specs of the two, I think the Planar is better for gaming. Also, the Planar has DVI w/ cable, speakers, a USB hub, and is brand new. I barely notice the slight amount of motion blur in this monitor, and I play UT and Q3A almost every day.

As for a DVI video card, IMO the Radeon All In Wonder is the best. I get 60 fps (possibly more, but the Planar is 60Hz)in UT and Q3A at 1280x1024 wth max settings. I heard GeForce cards tend to have problems with DVI. Also, the Radeons 2D is a lot better than GeForce.

The only cool thing about SGI is that it's widescreen format.