What is the glossy finish that is found on some LCDs called?

[Nvidiaguy07]

im in the market for a new lcd monitor. Im looking for a 19-22 inch widescreen LCD monitor with a quick response time. I usually buy all my computer parts online so i cannot see the screen before i buy it but what is the glossy surface called? I know i first saw it on sony lcds and on a few dell laptops. I think that it makes the screen look less like a lcd screen and more like a CRT and just looks much nicer.

if you know what this feature is called please let me know.

Also feel free to leave me some recommendations, 200-300 dollars.

 

[Title]

I think it is actually called glossy. The alternative is a matte finish. You don't see the terms thrown around as much for desktop monitors, because it is more important for laptop buyers who need a matte finish if they work in bright conditions.

 

[Ika]

Sony XBrite and Dell "True Life"?

 

[IlllI]

i think there might also be one called 'crystalbright'. basically each company comes up with a gimmicky name for it

 

[Hauk]

More than you'll ever want to know about LCD screens.

It's essentially a layer of plastic. You'll want to check it out prior to purchase, taking your room lighting into consideration. If you have a Fry's or Mircocenter near you, they have a nice selection of NEC LCD's and Sony Laptops. Sharp, beautiful image, but pay attention to the overhead lights glaring back at you.

 

[AmberClad]

I just got one with a glossy screen (HP w2207 for $250 before S&H @ TD), and I'm loving the richness of the colors and how pure the blacks look. Luckily for me, I have my desk positioned in a way that any potential glare during the day isn't an issue, but that is something that should be taken into consideration. HP calls it "BrightView" - like some others have already mentioned, every company seems to have their own name for "glossy"...

 

[BassBomb]

"Opticlear" for NEC

 

[AshPhoenix]

I recommend this Samsung Text

 

[Nvidiaguy07]

thanks guys. glare is no problem for me so im gonna go with the glossy finish. The closest thing to a computer store i have around here is circuit city, and they are terrible. It sucks not having a frys or Microcenter around here. We used to have compusa but they were ridiculously overpriced as well. Im from CT by the way.

The main reason why i want the glossy finish is to make blacks seem blacker. Whenever i play a game like doom or bioshock in some parts or any really dark game i cant see anything, also it just looks better.

Im not sure if that samsung u recommended has the glossy finish. Maybe this one is better for me?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824001259
or one of these 3:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...254%2CN82E16824001254R

 

[AshPhoenix]

Well, in this link they say it has "high glossy black bezel"

 

[hans007]

crystalbrite is hp, xbrite is sony, opticlear is nec, dell is truelife.

all basically the same thing

 

[Throckmorton]

Circuit City isn't bad for LCDs. IMO, it's not any worse than Fry's or Best Buy.

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: Nvidiaguy07
thanks guys. glare is no problem for me so im gonna go with the glossy finish. The closest thing to a computer store i have around here is circuit city, and they are terrible. It sucks not having a frys or Microcenter around here. We used to have compusa but they were ridiculously overpriced as well. Im from CT by the way.

As long as the brand and models are the same and prices are similar, there's nothing wrong with buying them from a CC or BB. If you're looking to compare IQ just make sure you're looking at a display hooked up to a real PC, as the wall displays typically are hooked into a VGA feed at non-native resolutions.

 

[sutahz]

The purpose of the glossy screen to to (artificially?) give richer colors. I prefer matte but when I bought my $400 laptop I wasnt picky.

 

[CP5670]

It's nice to see that this refractive coating is becoming more common on desktop monitors. It has been around for some years now but has been mostly limited to laptops until recently. As hans007 said, every company has its own name for it, but they're all the same thing. It's not always advertised prominently though and it can be hard to tell which monitors have it from just looking at the specs.

The stuff improves black levels by miles, at least in a well lit room. The coating is actually more effective when there is more ambient light in the room (it won't do anything at all in a dark room), but at the same you don't want any light shining directly on the monitor and causing glare.

Well, in this link they say it has "high glossy black bezel"

The "glossy" there is referring to the black finish on the monitor's casing, not the panel itself. This can sometimes be a point of confusion.