What to look for in a LCD?

[MichaelD]

I'm buying a black, 19" LCD; that much I know. The other specs, I need some help with.

What to look for?

I know this: DVI connection (both my video cards have DVI-out...two diff systems I'll be using it with, over time). High contrast ratio (how high? what number?)

Budget is $350-ish. Primary use is gaming and movies. Thanks much.

 

[chewyy01]

Go for a monitor with a low Response time mesuared in milliseconds. For gaming and movies I recommend at least 16ms, with 8ms you should be able to eliminate the ghosting effects you get with fast moving images on LCDs.

 

[xanis]

Get a monitor with a 8ms respone time, which should eliminate most ghosting that occurs with 16ms or higher LCDs. In the size area, I reccomend either a 17'' or a 19''.

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks guys. Anyone else?

 

[Ausm]

Get a Samsung they are hard to beat.


Ausm

 

[AMCRambler]

Samsungs are nice monitors. The Dell's are too. Dell was pretty hot with all the deals they were droping on their displays. If you check hot deals more than likely there's some kind of coupon code out for the Dell displays. Most people who get them in their email don't use them always so just ask for one in the thread or pm me, I get the emails as well.
16ms response time or lower is a necessity for gaming and movies. Most of the monitors they are selling now are 16 and lower anyway though so I don't think you'll have a problem finding one. 19inch is a nice size lcd. The bright colors and clarity(dvi) will be a nice improvement over the crt.

 

[imported_goku]

Meh, I wouldn't get a monitor with less than 16ms response time because those are all 6bit monitors, not 8bit. 6bit monitors only display 262,000 colors and achieve 16.2million via dithering=crap wanna be 16.7million colors. Response time isn't as big of a deal as you think, I play games all the time on my LCDs from 1999 and I can guarantee you, they don't exactly have the best specs for response time. Unless you're some 1337 gamer, it doesn't matter and you'd be using a CRT anyways. I only notice "ghosting" in certain situations like Panning in a scene of a game slowly or moving the cursor across the screen slowly. But otherwise if moving quickly, I can't notice it at all, like looking forward then doing a complete 180* view change.

FYI, all monitors below 16ms are 6bit. (unless they've made some improvements with the technology, then I'll need proof as I would be interested in this)
Not all 16ms monitors are 8bit as you can have a 16ms 6bit monitor.
8bit monitors display true 16.7million colors
6bit monitors display only 262,000 true colors, the rest are achieved via dithering (Look up dithering if you care).

 

[shredman]

Some 8ms LCDs do come in 8 bit....take the vp930b for example....TomsHardware reviewed it here: Review

I have the precursor to that monitor, the vp191b and it is great....

 

[foodfightr]

hdcp support.........

 

[ForumMaster]

wrong section...go to Video section and there is an Official LCD buters guide. i'm so bored i'll actually like u there. click here

 

[dhkkim]

i think LCD PANEL is the most important.


Look for something like samsung panel.

Dell 24" uses samsung, as well as decent sony lcd monitors. and I think my gateway 21" uses samsung's

I been using samsung lcd monitor since 2000. never head bad pixel

and look for response time. (becareful with GTOG... look for BTOB response time)

 

[Elderly Newt]

A word on response times... I've used an 8ms panel before, and there was definitely ghosting. Not enough to make games unplayable, but it was clearly present. It was also noticable when scrolling, although this isn't as big of a deal as gaming. I also was not too impressed with the visual quality, especially on graphics such as those found on webpages. They appeared more pixiliated than they would on the CRT. This could be due to the lack of DVI, however. Could I use an 8ms panel day in and day out? Sure. Would I want to? Probably not.

 

[Rockhound1]

Honestly, I think if you shop according to the features you are looking for, you will not be disappointed. As others have mentioned, go for a panel with fast refresh rates to minimize the chance of ghosting, a DVI connection, speakers (or not), color, stand adjustability, etc. They only other suggestion I would make is to select an LCD with at least a three-year warranty on parts, labor, and backlight.

I bought a Samsung a while back and have been very happy with it.

Good luck!

 

[MichaelD]

Thanks very much, everyone. I appreciate the detailed replies. I've never purchased a "quality" LCD before, so I really didn't know what to look for.

My Sony 19" is getting old (9 years) and moving it is a PITA.

Now I know what to look for. Thanks again. :thumbsup:

 

[duragezic]

The Dell 1905FP was close to $250 at one point. Not sure if its that cheap these days since there havent been as good of coupons.

I only notice ghosting when scrolling on webpages with an odd background pattern (fairly rare). Its very hard to notice while gaming. This is with a 12ms monitor. The Dell 2005FPW is a 8bit 12ms monitor.

Since you mention movies, you might find a widescreen LCD to be better. I sure like it a lot more than a 4:3 screen after using one. Perhaps try a b&m store to get an idea of sizes and aspect ratios, then head online for reviews and purchasing.

Oh and always check out Hot Deals. Theres different LCD deals constantly. If you're not real serious about it you can get a decent 19" for $250 or less. But personally I'd recommend spending as much as possible on a quality monitor since it will likely last you through several system upgrades.

edit: I too recommend xtknight's excellent LCD buying guide thats stickied in Video. At the very least you'll get quite acquainted with LCD technologies and specs, and even get some specific recommendations that you can further reserach if you want.

 

[NFarnzy]

I bought a Hyundai B90a 19in LCD and it has 8ms time..I got it from the Egg and it was 290$ shipped. Nice picture and quality. You the highest contrast ratio you can afford...This Hyundai is 700:1 and it is also a Samsung. Also Samsung and Sony use the same lines so really a Sony is a Samsung as well.

 

[mcvigo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824163130

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: foodfightr
hdcp support.........

Sorry if I sound like a noob, but what's "hdcp" support?