Which 19" monitor?

MacGyver1

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Sep 2, 2000
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I am going to buy a 19" monitor, but don't know which one. I have narrowed it down to:

Sony E400
Viewsonic PF790
Samsung Syncmaster 955DF
KDS AV-195TF

Any first hand experience with these. Any help helping me make my decision is much appreciated.

Later,
MacGyver1
 

The Wildcard

Platinum Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Well first off the 955DF doesn't use the same kind of trintron tube that the rest of the monitors are using so it's sorta an unfair comparison.

I have the Sony G400 and i love it.

I also have several friends who have the Viewsonic PG790 and they've ran into some problems with it so i'd stay away from it. Some of the problems they are having include the monitor that resizing to different resolutions properly and the monitor also needs time to warm up to set in your monitor settings. For example, my friend has to wait about 30 minutes before the monitor resizes itself to the geometry settings he configured.

As for the KDS, it uses the same tube as the Sony monitors does but at a cheaper price so you might want to consider them.
 

moolman

Senior member
Apr 21, 2000
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I have the KDS, its a good monitor, I'd get that cause its the cheapest. check out onvia.com

Alex
 

T2T III

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
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I've had the KDS AV-195TF for about 3 months now. It has been an excellent monitor, so far, and has been very pleasing to my eyes. I spent a lot of time going to various stores and viewing quite a few 19" monitors. From the 3 or so Viewsonic PF790 monitors that I saw, I determined that the screen was a bit too "fuzzy" for me. The KDS seems much clearer and I'm sure the Sony would be similar since they utilize the same tube.

I've owned 2 Samsung 955DF monitors. Both experienced the same issue in addition to the one that I saw at the store. The left and right sides (approx. 2" on each side) - experience a grainy effect. This is especially disturbing when you are trying to view text in these areas. Others have been quite pleased with their 955DF monitors, though. However, I'd avoid it.

Go for it! The KDS AV-195TF that is.
 

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
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Out of those 4, I would choose the KDS AV-195TF. The 955DF isn't in the same category as the rest really. The KDS is probably the cheapest of out of three left (E400, PF790, AV-195TF) too.
 

MacGyver1

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Sep 2, 2000
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Thanks for the input. I was leaning towards the KDS, just wanted some personal opinions. Now if I can only find a good price.

Mac
 

RoboTECH

Platinum Member
Jun 16, 2000
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well, I'd be careful

I had read in a few places about KDS monitors just up and dying on people out of nowhere.

I didn't believe it until.....

Saturday. mine died on me as well. When I say "died", I mean "died.

No picture. No power. nothing. No orange/green flashing light. Just straight up died.

Now I have to see if I can get my $$$ back or <shudder> a replacement

:disgust:
 

mastertech01

Moderator Emeritus Elite Member
Nov 13, 1999
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Another one you might consider is LaCie..not a big name but great products. I use their electron19blue and they also have a 22 inch version. They arent cheap, but Ive had mine running flawlessly for nearly 2 years. The later models have a finer dot pitch but are basicly the same. Built in USB hub and USB monitor controls are real nice. Totally flat square mitusubishi tube is great. These monitors come with 5BNC, standard SVHS cable, and MAC adaptor. Comes with a nice hood for color enhancement that comes off if you dont want to use it.
 

gregshin

Diamond Member
Jul 13, 2000
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wow you actually got a LaCie? i wanted to get those...but i got a Sony G-400 instead. Hmm i wish i could look at a LaCie in person. I could really use that hood tho in the daytime =)
 

MacGyver1

Member
Sep 2, 2000
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It looks like I might go with a Sony. I have also read where many people's KDS monitors are dying on them. I was thinking about the ViewSonic PF790, but I liked viewing the Sony and KDS better. I might have to pay more for a Sony, but shouldn't have any trouble. If I'm going to dish out my hard earned cash, I might as well get my money's worth. I'd get a Iiyama, but after paying for the monitor plus shipping, I'd probably be spending close to $600.

Later,
Mac
 

The Wildcard

Platinum Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Yeah that was definatetley my thinking as well when i bought the G400. I mean the reason why i got a job in the first place was so that i wouldn't have to constantly think about saving money when it came to computers. I wanted for the first time say, &quot; i am going all out on this monitor &quot; and so i settled for nothing except the Sony G400.

By the way my eariler post about the Viewsonic Gs790 was typo. I was talking about the Viewsonic PF790.
 

GTaudiophile

Lifer
Oct 24, 2000
29,767
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I just got a Sony CPD-E400, and it is absolutely beautiful, even upgrading from a Sony CDP-E100 (old). The CPD-E400 is pretty similar to the G400, and it costs less. I am a little worried, because many people are having problems with their Radeon while using a Trinitron monitor. I bought a Radeon 32DDR yesterday, and I'll let everyone know how the upgrade went after I've installed it.
 

VladTrishkin

Senior member
Sep 11, 2000
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Sony's look awsome under Matrox cards. nVidia cards seem to not like them too much, specially @ 1600x1200.
 

goog

Golden Member
Sep 8, 2000
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The Samsung 900NF is the model you should be comparing to the others here.
It is a AG Mitsu tube with good specs.
The 955DF is shadow mask and Samsung tube, and cheaper.