Monitor/TV/LCD advice

[Dynasty]

Hey hey guys and gals, need some helpeth here please.

I walked into GAME today and saw a Samsung screen, mustve been a 19'' or something, with Burnout Paradise running in what looked like HD, had the glossy finish and was a flatscreen, obviously.

As youve probably already figured, im a dip***t when it comes to the new monitors, so far.

Now, ive got about ?600 coming my way by next week monday or so, and was wondering thus:

Whats the best screen to get, for ?200-250 or so, that I can use on my PC and hook my 360 upto as well?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-SM2...ef=dp_return_1?ie=UTF8&n=560798&s=electronics
caught my eye, or am I heading in the wrong direction???

 

[Sedako]

The 2032MW is a solid monitor for both PC and console gaming. It's a TN panel, so visible ghosting should not be present. It has all the necessary inputs, like DVI and HDMI, although I'm not sure if it can do 1:1 pixel mapping, which would allow you to play your 360 without any odd picture stretching or cropping. Vertical viewing angles look a little sub-par compared to other TN panels, but if you're mostly looking at it from straight on, it shouldn't be much of a problem. Some users have also reported minimal backlight bleeding.

If you can push your budget a little, there is no finer TN panel for gaming than the 24" BenQ G2400W. Great color reproduction, 1:1 pixel mapping, full 1080p resolution, little to no reported backlight bleeding, and no input lag. Can be yours for ?282.47.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BenQ-G2400W...?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209062281&sr=1-42

 

[Dynasty]

Awesome, thanks for the spec advice Sedako.

Im gonna wonder around the Sony Centre, Dixons, Currys and some other electronic stores that I can find tomorrow and see how the salesmen spit it at me to try and rip me off.

 

[Eejit]

This is what I bought in January. It's pretty damn nice.
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?prodID=B100195

Browse the site a bit, they have the best prices for monitors I can find (or, at least they did in January when I was looking ), esp for <5ms response times.

If you like Samsungs check out
http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?prodID=B85430

Or the monitor Sedako recommended for almost 40 quid cheaper http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?prodID=B92548

 

[Blackthorn]

The main thing you need to look for is contrast ratio. The higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture, especially for gaming.

 

[Sedako]

Or the monitor Sedako recommended for almost 40 quid cheaper http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?prodID=B92548

I'm not familiar with European retailers, but that price is incredible. Reselling ratings shows a high rating of 9.35/10 after 58 reviews, so it's up to you if you want to go through them. As I said though, the BenQ is probably the best TN panel you can buy for gaming. The only downside is that it is not height adjustable, and only tilts up and down.

The main thing you need to look for is contrast ratio. The higher the contrast ratio, the better the picture, especially for gaming.

Contrast ratio is nothing more than a number used to sell displays. There is no industry standard used when determining the contrast ratio of a given monitor, and all companies test differently in varying levels of darkness. In order to really determine the quality of a picture, you need to judge them with your own eyes.

 

[Javert]

Hi guys!

I'm thinking of a 20-inch new LCD monitor (to replace my 4 year old Dell LCD monitor).

What about the HP W2007?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846

 

[Sedako]

Hi guys!

I'm thinking of a 20-inch new LCD monitor (to replace my 4 year old Dell LCD monitor).

What about the HP W2007?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240301&pf_rd_i=507846

The HP has a great picture with vibrant colors and minimal backlight bleeding. Height cannot be adjusted, as it can only tilt up or down. The one main thing you need to consider is that it uses BrightView, which means that the screen is glossy and not matte. Glossy screens will give you better color vibrancy and darker darks at the price of greatly increased glare and tendancy for smudges to stand out. You may want to compare both types of screens in person to see what is right for you, and also consider the type of environment you will be using it in.

 

[Javert]

What of the Samsung SyncMaster 2053BW Black 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor?

Screen Size : 20"
Resolution : 1680 x 1050
Brightness : 300 cd/㎡
Contrast Ratio : DC 8000:1 (1000:1) (Typ.)
Response Time: 2ms

Anyway I'm gonna follow Sedako's advice and hightail it to the nearest Best Buy to see some of these monitors, maybe play Vista solitaire on them or something. ^^

Huh, so I went to the Best Buy, and they only carried 19-inch and 22-inch monitors. Is 20-inch a weird one or something?

 

[Sedako]

What of the Samsung SyncMaster 2053BW Black 20" Widescreen LCD Monitor?

It's pretty much the same story as with the HP. Same brightness, similar picture, good response time, same inputs, non-adjustable height and glossy screen.

What is your budget Javert? Also, what do you plan on using the monitor for?

 

[Javert]

My monitor will mainly be for gaming (waiting for Mass Effect and GTA IV) and DVD watching. My max is $249 USD.

 

[Sedako]

I would recommend the LG L206WTY. Fast response time, no input lag, crisp picture and matte screen. Again, no height adjustment, but it's not too big of a deal for me at least.

 

[Javert]

That's an awesome monitor (and an awesome price!) I'll try to look for it, or comparable the next time I go to Best Buy. Is it a glossy screen though? I wasn't TOO moved by the HP's glossy screen, but it wasn't a killer.

 

[Eejit]

I realise I made a mistake above, the monitor I bought is this one, not the one I linked previously. I bought from that site too. Shipping costs were reasonable and it was sent quickly, no defects in it or any other part I ordered from them.
I'd recommend that monitor for anyone looking for a 22". I can take photos if anyone is particularly interested I suppose.

 

[Sedako]

That's an awesome monitor (and an awesome price!) I'll try to look for it, or comparable the next time I go to Best Buy. Is it a glossy screen though? I wasn't TOO moved by the HP's glossy screen, but it wasn't a killer.

No, the screen is matte, not glossy.