Looking to buy a new monitor, have questions.

[IG-64]

Ok, so my old monitor just died, and I need a new one. Expense isn't really an issue, though I prefer to limit it at around $300-$400. Now, since I've only ever had standard CRT monitors, I have 2 questions.

 

Question one: should I get a widescreen monitor? I've never tried widescreen monitors and I don't know how good they are. I also don't know how good the widescreen support is, or which widescreen resolutions are usually supported.

 

Question two: Should I get an LCD or CRT monitor? I've always used and liked CRT monitors, but now days there seems to be a better selection of LCD monitors. I've never really tried an LCD monitor but I've heard they have issues with dead pixels, viewing angles, backlight bleeding and so forth. Are these issues anything to worry about, and are LCD monitors really worth it?

 

My plan is to get these two questions answered, then search for the best monitor I can find within my set price range. Feel free to recommend any good monitors you know of.

[CLONECOMMANDER501]

Errr... Tech discussion anyone?

[MrWally]

My father recently decided that he needed to ditch his 23inch CRT and get a new monitor "for work."

 

He decided to go with the Samsung Syncmaster 215TW and, needless to say, he loves it. I'm pretty sure he didn't pay the full price for it (I believe he got it for $400 or so. I've seen it for $500) but I'm sure he would still have paid as much as you'll find it in stores for.

 

It's especially nice due to it's multiple inputs. What I mean is, in our office he has a set up where the monitor is connected to his old Mac G4, my old (now my mom's) PC, his MacbookPro, and our old dvd player. He can easily switch between with the push of a button and can even do a picture in picture view when dealing with multiple computers.

 

It has a very nice, crisp, 21 inch widescreen, and last month or so I also borrowed it during a LAN party and was astonished by how crisp it was playing CS:S, UT2k4, Fable, WC3, and the like.

 

Sure, it's on the expensive side, but it definitely looks worth it.

[Tyrion]

If I get a job this summer, I'm totally going to save for this. It's fairly expensive, but I'm sure that if I do get it my next monitor will be a hologram.

[Monkey Mania]

I have a 19" X9 Sceptre LCD monitor. I've had no problems with it. No dead pixels, It's nice, portable, and takes up less power and space than a CRT. The only thing is that it's not widescreen, and I believe that any game made in the 21st century has widescreen support.

[IG-64]

My father recently decided that he needed to ditch his 23inch CRT and get a new monitor "for work."

 

He decided to go with the Samsung Syncmaster 215TW and, needless to say, he loves it. I'm pretty sure he didn't pay the full price for it (I believe he got it for $400 or so. I've seen it for $500) but I'm sure he would still have paid as much as you'll find it in stores for.

 

It's especially nice due to it's multiple inputs. What I mean is, in our office he has a set up where the monitor is connected to his old Mac G4, my old (now my mom's) PC, his MacbookPro, and our old dvd player. He can easily switch between with the push of a button and can even do a picture in picture view when dealing with multiple computers.

 

It has a very nice, crisp, 21 inch widescreen, and last month or so I also borrowed it during a LAN party and was astonished by how crisp it was playing CS:S, UT2k4, Fable, WC3, and the like.

 

Sure, it's on the expensive side, but it definitely looks worth it.

 

I've heard Samsung is a good brand, and I've been looking at this one in particular. It looks like a good deal and it seems popular, but on the comments it looks like people are having trouble with dead pixels and things, so I'm still not sure. Is this a risk you generally take for buying any LCD?

[Jeff]

I just recently got a Samsung SyncMaster 226BW. Its a 22" widescreen lcd, I love it so far. I have the resolution set at its max of 1680x1050. It has a 3000:1 contrast rate and a 2ms response time. I definitely recommend it, its great for gaming as well as movies. I couldn't find a price on the samsung page but I think my dad paid about $350 for it, I got it for graduation.

 

here's a pic of it:

 

 

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Monitor/LCD_Digital/LS22MEWSFVXAA.asp?page=Specifications

 

EDIT: Well I didn't click your link till after I made my post, so I see you're considering this very monitor. Well I've had no problems with it yet.

[MrWally]

I've heard Samsung is a good brand, and I've been looking at this one in particular. It looks like a good deal and it seems popular, but on the comments it looks like people are having trouble with dead pixels and things, so I'm still not sure. Is this a risk you generally take for buying any LCD?

 

 

That actually looks like a great deal, and judging by Moeller's post I'd say it's a better deal for what you'd want to do then the monitor my dad has. He primarily uses it for video editing and photo processing/editing, so it's great to have a pretty high end monitor that he can connect his computer, laptop, and dvd player too. However, for most other people it's somewhat impractical.

 

If Moeller hasn't had any problems with dead pixels or anything I'd go with that one.

[IG-64]

Thanks Moeller, if you're not having any trouble with it, I might just go with that one. One more question though, should I buy it online or try and find it at a store?

[Darth333]

I have the same monitor as Moeller. I think it's a good monitor for the price and I a pretty happy with it. It's fast (good for gaming), sharp and the colors, while they don't quite match the quality of my old CRT monitor in that regard (Viewsonic p95f+b), are very good once you've made the proper adjustments.

 

Also, the 3000:1 contrast ratio is the dynamic contrast. I think that the base contrast is 1000:1 (good).

 

However, there are a few cons:

No height adjustment (but there are third parties solutions if needed)

 

As in most (if not all) 22' monitors, it has a TN panel and the viewing angles are somewhat limited.

 

If you chose to go with this monitor, note that there are different panels:

 

The "S" panel made by Samsung and the "A" and C" panels made by other companies. It seems that the S panel is superior, especially in terms of colors so try to you get an "S" panel (that's what I have). Here's a review with more details, including downloadable ICC profiles, in that regard: http://www.andrewswihart.net/blog/review-samsung-226bw-lcd-c-panel

 

It's currently $315 after mail-in rebate at newwegg.com: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001096

[Jeff]

Thanks Moeller, if you're not having any trouble with it, I might just go with that one. One more question though, should I buy it online or try and find it at a store?

Mine was bought at Best Buy but the only factor in the decision where to get it was price, and with shipping I guess it would have been more expensive to order it at newegg. However by Darth333's link it sounds like its come down in price at newegg so you might consider that.

[IG-64]

If you chose to go with this monitor, note that there are different panels:

 

The "S" panel made by Samsung and the "A" and C" panels made by other companies. It seems that the S panel is superior, especially in terms of colors so try to you get an "S" panel (that's what I have). Here's a review with more details, including downloadable ICC profiles, in that regard: http://www.andrewswihart.net/blog/review-samsung-226bw-lcd-c-panel

 

Yeah, I was reading about that on the newegg comments. How could I ensure that I get an "S" panel? Go to the store and ask them? I guess I could try that and see what they say. I think the letter is at the end of the model number, so I'll see if I can find the model number on the box or something.