Please suggest a ~16x9 display for computer, light video use

[Muse]

I've been using a Planar PX191 ~4x3 19" LCD display with my desktop for about 9 years. I'd really like to upgrade now. For one thing, my desktop serves as an HTPC and my HDTV card outputs 16x9 at 720p. I could also hook up a 16x9 display on my desk with my new 1080p Sony BDP-S390 Blu-ray player, in lieu of firing up my 1080p projector, which I don't always want to do. I guess I'd want to get a switch for the blu-ray player because it only has one HDMI output to make that option possible.

My desktop outputs 720p via DVI, and I have a switch to divert that to either my projector on desktop's display.

Stereo speakers on the display are probably not essential, don't know. I would very probably would just use my earbuds instead.

I don't game, could, but presently don't, so gaming capabilities aren't at the forefront of what I need in a display. I suppose 22-23" makes sense, but I don't know, honestly what's out there and what would be a good choice for me.

The priority is that it work well for computer use, browsing, email, coding, etc. Secondary is the video experience, however 16x9 at 720p and 1080p would be helpful for that.

Thanks for ideas, suggestions, etc.!

 

[KAZANI]

I was in a similar situation 3 years ago. I upgraded from a 19" 4:3 monitor to a 27" 16:9 HDTV monitor. My experience with it tells me that's the absolute minimum screen size for HTPC use at viewing distances of up to 2.5m.

 

[Muse]

I was in a similar situation 3 years ago. I upgraded from a 19" 4:3 monitor to a 27" 16:9 HDTV monitor. My experience with it tells me that's the absolute minimum screen size for HTPC use at viewing distances of up to 2.5m.

Well, I'm right at this very moment about 22" from the display, I mean my eyes. Yes, I could scoot back a foot or two, or more. However, I want the display to serve well for sitting at the desk it's on. The keyboard is right in front of the display, so the display will be around 22-24" from me when I'm browsing, typing, working on code, my email, etc. Obviously too big isn't good for that stuff. Scooting back for HD viewing is one thing, but I can't do that and still have access to the keyboard.

 

[KAZANI]

When I first got the newer monitor I placed it at the same distance as the previous one (a little less than yours) and it seemed huge. I later found the comfortable desktop position to be at the 70-100cm range, which places the monitor at the far end of an 80cm desk.

 

[Muse]

When I first got the newer monitor I placed it at the same distance as the previous one (a little less than yours) and it seemed huge. I later found the comfortable desktop position to be at the 70-100cm range, which places the monitor at the far end of an 80cm desk.

Ah, so you are ~80/2.54 = ~31.5 inches (your eyes) from the display? My desk is cluttered with a lot of stuff including the center speaker of a 5.1 speaker system. Don't think I can get the monitor back that far. 24" from my eyes is about as far as possible. Not positive, but a quick look indicates that.

 

[Hugh Jass]

ASUS VS238H-P 23" 2ms HDMI LED - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236175

 

[Muse]

ASUS VS238H-P 23" 2ms HDMI LED - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236175

Thanks. That seems OK. 3 days ago I bought the Acer S231HLbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI LED-Backlight LCD monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1), looks pretty similar in terms of features, has 3 years P&L warranty and was $40 cheaper (I got it on Amazon). Both have 2 digital inputs.

Edit: I could have gotten the Asus for $10 more than the Acer at Amazon.

 

[Muse]

Thanks. That seems OK. 3 days ago I bought the Acer S231HLbid Black 23" 5ms HDMI LED-Backlight LCD monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1), looks pretty similar in terms of features, has 3 years P&L warranty and was $40 cheaper (I got it on Amazon). Both have 2 digital inputs.

Edit: I could have gotten the Asus for $10 more than the Acer at Amazon.

Some investigation reveals that the Asus also has 3 years warranty but they also have free shipping both ways including cross shipping If I need to ship my Acer back for warranty service I'll have to pay $40 to do it. Well, I don't feel too bad because it's not clear to me that the Asus is a better product based on the reviews I've read.

 

[Muse]

Got my Acer S251HL bid 23" LED/LCD display today, got it set up this afternoon and I'm pretty pleased with it. Don't seem to be any problems. Actually, I haven't checked for dead pixels yet... will do that now.

Just ran Dead Pixel Buddy, 10 seconds on each of 6 colors, don't see any dead pixels. I'll take a closer look but it looks very nice now.

There's no light bleeding at the edges, the viewing angles aren't perfect, but I've had to deal with far far worse viewing angle monitors. This, if you are in the proper position looks just fine!

The stand that these cheap 22-24" displays typically come with are pretty meager. This is VESA mount, and so is the Planar PX191 that I've had for ~9 years, and its stand is really super. It goes up and down and swivels. So, I removed the Planar from that stand and mounted this Acer on it. I have a 2nd 19" display, a Hyundai L90D+, that's also VESA mounted on its stand. It goes up and down but doesn't swivel. I figure I'll put the Planar on that stand. The Hyundai won't fit on the Acer's stand, however. It has a proprietary attachment mechanism. What I figure to do is build a VESA mount that attaches to the Acer stand, pretty simple matter. I'll have to buy 4 screws for the VESA mounting. I'll have the Hyundai as a 2nd display next to the Acer and move my Planar downstairs and have it as the display for the laptop on my kitchen table. Maybe some day soon I'll get another 16x9 display for that duty. Having a 19" next to the 23" won't bother me, I don't use dual display very often, well, I haven't so far.

I think I made a pretty good decision. I have 3 years warranty, 3 inputs (2 digital), shipped for under $150. Looks pretty darn good! The first one I was looking at was a refurb, 3 months warranty and only had one digital input. I was real close to buying it, glad I didn't.