LCD Monitors

[walker]

I am not much of a computer Hardware wiz which is why I thought I would ask.

I thought it about time to upgrade the monitor. I was looking through Ebay and they seem to be very cheap now.

Is there anything I should watch out for?
Is there any downfalls to buying a non-bigbrand monitor?

I ws looking at a 22" LCD monitor.
Here are a couple of the choices:

ASUS 22" 2ms refresh 1680x1050 res 300cd/m2 $509

AOC 22" 5ms refresh 1680x1050 300cd/m2 $390

Proview 22" 5ms refresh 1680x1050 300cd/m2 $400

I did notice that the ASUS refresh rate is for "gray to gray", is this normal. I asume the refresh rate would be higher for color.

[Jamo]

One of the things to look out for with new monitors is the dead pixel replacement warranty.

The more you pay, the better the warranty. Some allow say 5 pixels to 'die' before the warranty kcks in etc.

[djam1]

In the last 12 months I have bought 40 odd Samsung LCDs and have found them to be very good with few failures.
I Only bought 17 and 19 inch but Im sure you could get bigger ones if you want them.
Duane

[dmdigital]

Like mentioned watch the dead pixel replacement clause in the warranty. Samsung are one of the best all rounders.

As well as cd/m2 also look for as high a contrast as you can get. I have an 800:1 and will get a higher one next time when I get a larger screen. The refresh rate is an issue only if using for gaming and/or video in which case anything above 8ms is crap for this and the faster the better.

[p38arover]

I'm cheap. I bought an HP 19" unit at the computer markets for $100. It's had, according to its internal software, 3000 hours of use.

I don't play any computer games.

Ron

[walker]

Thanks for the hints.

None of the Ebay monitors state their dead pixel warranty althought the ASUS does have a 3 year warranty.

All the 22" monitors on Ebay have only 700:1 contrast ratio. I am guessing you don't think this is enough. What does it mean if the contrast ratio is 700:1 compared with 1000:1? Is it when darker scenes in movies don't show up?

[dmdigital]

All the 22" monitors on Ebay have only 700:1 contrast ratio. I am guessing you don't think this is enough. What does it mean if the contrast ratio is 700:1 compared with 1000:1? Is it when darker scenes in movies don't show up?

The contrast ratio will let you see more vibrant colours and colour depth as it means more contrast is possible between light and dark. To give you a comparison Plasma panels are usually 3000:1 or better and a good CRT (remember them they used to be all the rage :p ) is much higher. Get some specs ofr the mainstream screens and have a look at some in Harvey Norman or somewhere, you'll soon see the difference.

[HangOver]

my 2 cents worth for what it's worth .

22" for your PC? that's one huge monitor, I have a 17" & 19" at work I find are plenty big enough but if you want to watch movies etc go for it.

AOC a name I haven't seen in a while but they made cheap but good quality CRT's at least the one I bought was.

ASUS, didn't even know they made LCD's? prob. re-badged? 2ms is pretty damn quick though it reflects the price

LG LCD always good !
Benq < ARGHggghhhh

Plasma hmmm don't go there, LCD all round better if you are after a smaller screen when I say smaller I mean TV size not 100" huge stuff

pitfalls of buying non-big name brands none really.

I seem to remember there are one or two brands that offer a 0 dead pixel warranty shame I can't remember who.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I looked at this last time,,
ended up with a (cos you cant get new ones anymore:mad:) second hand Hitachi CM813 PLUS

21inches of CRT fragg'in wonderment!

the next time someone tells you size dont matter,,
:D:D:D:D:D:D


mind you,, its quite, er, real estate intensive!

[amtravic1]

I have just bought a Samsung 931c. 19". 2000-1 contrast, 2ms response.
On special at Scorpian technology in Mulgrave for $439. Harvey norman sell them for $599!!!.
Samsung have just brought out a 3000-1 model in 20" but i could not see any value in the extra size/price.
It has a 3 year warranty and zero dead pixel warranty. Might be worth checking out. Its a very nice screen to use.

Ian

[walker]

Thanks Ian,
I had decided on getting a Samsung last night, and you are right, they do look good.

I am going to get a Samsung 226BW. 22" screen, 1000:1 contrast and 2ms response. I can get this for $510.00

[Pedro_The_Swift]

that should be excellent Adam!!

[Bytemrk]

Walker,

Be cautious about LCD's with such low response times quoted..

Many are actually 6Bit,

A 6 bit panel monitor can display 262,144 colours. They will use spatial dithering or FRC (frame rate control) (Software) to get it to 16.2 Million colours.
A 8 bit panel will display 16.7 million colours natively. This makes a big difference.

Also comparing monitors, its best to compare Brightness, contrast, viewing angle, AVERAGE ms rating (check the box, some will show minimum instead of average).

IMHO generally the best monitors are the ones with 8bit 8ms ratings (apart from $900+ Graphic LCDs).

As long as you have actually seen the Samsung you should be right ( I don't know whether the Samsung is 6 bit or not - most Samsungs I have seen seem ok though..)



But from my experience many of the screens that claim to be very fast - are weaker in other areas..



FYI
Mark

[walker]

This one looks awsome. It has only just come out I think and is the next gen of larger LCD monitors, hence the 2ms response. As usual this is just 2ms gray to gray average.

The contrast ratio of 1000: 1 or 3000:1 dynamic (whatever that means)

I could not find anywhere that says how many bits it is but it does say 16.7 Mil color supported.

If anyone is interested, here is all the details.

http://www.scorptec.com.au/product/21970

[DarrenR]

World wide, there are only a few manufacturers of the LCD panel, Samsung is the largest of them.

Nowdays most LCD monitors are pretty good, I can't remember the last dead or white pixel I've seen. I generally recommend people shop for a LCD monitor that meets their needs/wants, as in size, style, refesh rate etc.

for business we sell a lot of HP, Phillips, Samsung.
home use, Viewsonic generally are a pretty good fit and finish for the price.

Best regards
DarrenR

[amtravic1]

I have just bought a Samsung 931c. 19". 2000-1 contrast, 2ms response.
On special at Scorpian technology in Mulgrave for $439. Harvey norman sell them for $599!!!.
Samsung have just brought out a 3000-1 model in 20" but i could not see any value in the extra size/price.
It has a 3 year warranty and zero dead pixel warranty. Might be worth checking out. Its a very nice screen to use.

Ian

3 months on and my new monitor has died. Was working fine when I switched the pc off (which I rarely do) then the next day a plain white screen. I rang Samsung who said it has a 3 year on site replacement warranty. Thats good. Bad news is the model I have is out of stock. They say that if they do not have any within 2 weeks they will replace it with the next model up. Sounds good. Hopefully they will stick to their word.

Ian