*The Official 22? Chi Mei 6-bit TN Panel Thread*

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Baseline

Member
Sep 24, 2001
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Well, I've been hearing a lot of people on forums saying that most of these 22" LCD's right now are using the same TN panel and to disregard any inflations on numbers like the contrast on the sceptre being 1200:1, it's not noiticeable. But I think I read someone say that the ChiMei one actually does have 330cd on it, and that the picture is a lot nicer and more comparable to IPS panels than some of the other 22" TN panels out there.

Then again, someone else mentioned that the Samsung 225BW 22" is actually a true 8-bit panel, not a 6-bit panel dithered like the chimei/sceptre/viewsonic/acers/benq 22"'s. I don't know if that's true or not, but if it is it would be worth the extra coin.

I wish they carried these sceptre and chimei monitors in local B&M's so I could make a better choice since there's not too much info available. I do know they carry the samsung 225BW 22" LCD in most local B&M's, since that's a pretty popular monitor. And it will probably be cleared out in a lot of circuit city stores on friday since the black friday price is supposed to be $280 for it.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
5,664
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Yeah, i had the same thoughts about the ChiMei. If you are interestested in the samsumg, look at the OP. It will be $229 at Compusa, as well as the discounted price at CC. THey had a sammy at BB when i was there last week, but it wasn't on unfortunantly. I did play around with it some, and its a very solid display. I like how it rotates and it has height adjustment. It seems very well built.
 

Atty

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2006
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I'm stuck between the Westinghouse and the 20WMGX2. For the price the westinghouse is a steal, even though it does fall short compared to the 20WMGX2, although its 600.

I can't decide weather to get cheap, good enough, and upgrade or go awesome, expensive, and long lasting. :(
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
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hmmm yeah. I don't have that much money to spend, but if i did i would probably be going for a 24". I'm really excited to see how the westy shapes up. i will post a quick review tomorrow as soon as i get it up and running. (haha, thats assuming i can get one!)
 

Atty

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2006
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My family has already appointed me "Wait out side best buy for 15 hours to get us cheap stuff" guy, so I'm definitely getting one. Although weather I like it or not...:\.
 

Doomguy

Platinum Member
May 28, 2000
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I don't think they're going to handout vouchers for the Westinghouse since it's not a door buster. Any idea how we will obtain one? Will they be in stacks most likely? Or locked up and we'll need an employee to get them for us?
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
5,664
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Originally posted by: Doomguy
I don't think they're going to handout vouchers for the Westinghouse since it's not a door buster. Any idea how we will obtain one? Will they be in stacks most likely? Or locked up and we'll need an employee to get them for us?

i'd bet they will just be stacked up, like in front of the door or something.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
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i arrived at best buy in Huntsville, Alabama at 4:45am and proceeded to the back of a line that wrapped along the entire front of the building (4 store fronts) and almost the entire way down the back of the building. It was about 3/4 of a mile (i drove it). The westinghouse was gone at 5:02. I could walk around and see 3 or 4 in people's carts from anywhere i stood. It just pissed me off so much that i can spend so much time and energy researching something only to have it snatched out from under me by a bunch of hicks. I wanted to stop everyone and say "OK, wait! we need to have a competency test before anyone can go home with this display. First Question:....." It wouldn't be so bad, except that i am a college student with limited funds and time, and this would have worked out really well for me. i know i am obsessing, it was just aggrevating. Anywho....i can't spend more than $300, so i'm back to square one....

/rant
 

BernardP

Golden Member
Jan 10, 2006
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I feel your pain Hyperlite...

Look at the bright side: In the wonderful world of computer hardware, today's incredible bargain is tomorrow's regular price. With every panel maker set to invade the 22-inch segment, you will probably be able, in a matter of months, to get an even better monitor at a price that will be well within your budget.

 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
5,664
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Originally posted by: BernardP
I feel your pain Hyperlite...

Look at the bright side: In the wonderful world of computer hardware, today's incredible bargain is tomorrow's regular price. With every panel maker set to invade the 22-inch segment, you will probably be able, in a matter of months, to get an even better monitor at a price that will be well within your budget.

thanks for the sympathy. I know how things will go, i'll be better tomorrow. :D
 

crydee

Member
Jun 2, 2006
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Anyone know which one is good for primarily gaming and some movies? I was thinking the Acer but that seems to discontinued and updated with the Acer Acer AL2222Wd but same price. But the Spectre looks nice with the hdmi and usb hub. Any input for a monitor in the ~350? Still thinking the new acer.

Wasn't worth going to BB at 1 am to get the Westinghouse.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
5,664
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Originally posted by: crydee
Anyone know which one is good for primarily gaming and some movies? I was thinking the Acer but that seems to discontinued and updated with the Acer Acer AL2222Wd but same price. But the Spectre looks nice with the hdmi and usb hub. Any input for a monitor in the ~350? Still thinking the new acer.

Wasn't worth going to BB at 1 am to get the Westinghouse.

that last part would depend on your intended uses. had i known what the situation had been, i would have camped out. As for your question, none of these monitors differ much as far as gaming and movies go. It really boils down to what inputs you want and other non-panel-related features.
 

unfalliblekrutch

Golden Member
May 2, 2005
1,418
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Originally posted by: Hyperlite
i arrived at best buy in Huntsville, Alabama at 4:45am and proceeded to the back of a line that wrapped along the entire front of the building (4 store fronts) and almost the entire way down the back of the building. It was about 3/4 of a mile (i drove it). The westinghouse was gone at 5:02. I could walk around and see 3 or 4 in people's carts from anywhere i stood. It just pissed me off so much that i can spend so much time and energy researching something only to have it snatched out from under me by a bunch of hicks. I wanted to stop everyone and say "OK, wait! we need to have a competency test before anyone can go home with this display. First Question:....." It wouldn't be so bad, except that i am a college student with limited funds and time, and this would have worked out really well for me. i know i am obsessing, it was just aggrevating. Anywho....i can't spend more than $300, so i'm back to square one....

/rant

I camped out from 8:30pm last night, and I was barely able to snag one of these westinghouses...this year's black friday was crazy.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
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well, i took advantage of Newegg's black friday deal on the black chimei 221D for $313 shipped. I should be able to get a review and pics up by wednesday night, assuming it arrives in a timely manner. Great, and i have all my last tests in my classes next week before finals. :eek:
 

MegaVovaN

Diamond Member
May 20, 2005
4,131
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Originally posted by: Hyperlite
well, i took advantage of Newegg's black friday deal on the black chimei 221D for $313 shipped. I should be able to get a review and pics up by wednesday night, assuming it arrives in a timely manner. Great, and i have all my last tests in my classes next week before finals. :eek:

Same here, from the color of monitor down to the finals part. I don't promise a quality review though.


That Samsung 225BW I tried to buy at CC but they were out when I got there, plus lots of people STILL in lines I said screw it and bought black Chi Mei online. We'll see how it goes...it always takes them a week to ship stuff from California to here, Screwston, TX.
 

Atty

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2006
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I got mine from Best Buy. From 4PM and left the store at 8AM.
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
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Originally posted by: iAtticus
I got mine from Best Buy. From 4PM and left the store at 8AM.

i assume you are refering to the westinghouse? Dang, you camped a long time. Have you tried out the component input yet? I noticed a few people are having problems with it...
 

unfalliblekrutch

Golden Member
May 2, 2005
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Originally posted by: Hyperlite
Originally posted by: iAtticus
I got mine from Best Buy. From 4PM and left the store at 8AM.

i assume you are refering to the westinghouse? Dang, you camped a long time. Have you tried out the component input yet? I noticed a few people are having problems with it...

I havn't tried out the component, but running svideo is very blurry. I'm using it as a pc monitor tho, so vga/dvi quality is :thumbsup:
 

Hyperlite

Diamond Member
May 25, 2004
5,664
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Originally posted by: unfalliblekrutch
Originally posted by: Hyperlite
Originally posted by: iAtticus
I got mine from Best Buy. From 4PM and left the store at 8AM.

i assume you are refering to the westinghouse? Dang, you camped a long time. Have you tried out the component input yet? I noticed a few people are having problems with it...

I havn't tried out the component, but running svideo is very blurry. I'm using it as a pc monitor tho, so vga/dvi quality is :thumbsup:

have you tried VGA as well as DVI? I havn't heard anything glowing about the VGA input on the TN's in general, and without a good component in, thats what we will be turning to for 360 use.
 

amddude

Golden Member
Mar 9, 2006
1,711
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I got an actual chimei-made 22 wide last week. It looks great, no ghosting or bleeding that I can tell. Only one small annoyance, the little clear (maybe it's supposed to be green tinted, don't know) piece that fits over the 'on' light is missing. So I see green light coming from inside the panel where the actual light is, but it's exposed. Other than that, no issues.