Need help picking out monitor

[jayxl14]

Hey guys, I recently got a computer (specs at bottom) and am looking for at least a 21' LCD monitor, but 23' or 24' is preferable. I don't know if HD or whatever is the norm now, but if it is, I would like that too. I want to spend less than $200, which I think is reasonable because I have seen several with that price. However, before you go looking for LCD monitors, I want to ask if getting TV with the monitor is also reasonable as well. My friend got a TV LCD Monitor from Verizon FiOS when signing up, and now he has Optimum, and can use his monitor or watch TV. However, I can tell his monitor isn't great resolution, but it IS two years old. So maybe they fixed it now.

So if a TV monitor can be found for less than $260, without compromising performance, then I'd like to see some options as well. I was told a long time ago that LCD monitors were always superior to TV's in terms of resolution and etc. If that is the case, then perhaps I will go with a monitor for less than $200.

I don't know the norm or anything these days for monitors (I know computers, not a nub), but I guess 1920 x 1080 would be fine. I have a good graphics card with HDMI support, so I suppose it can be done. I'm assuming that HDMI is better than DVI, right? If so, then I'll go with HDMI.

Lastly, my dad was looking around at BJ's and saw:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001381&Tpk=p2370hd-1
for about $270.
I've seen similar monitors for like $230 but with 40,000:1, does it make a big difference? And from the looks of it, it looks a TV monitor without compromising performance. If so, then I want something like that. I am going to college within two years, and would like the best monitor that I can watch Optimum TV on too.

Basically, please let me know what you think the best monitors I can get for less than $200 and for about $250. An LCD Monitor with HDMI (if its better than DVI) with TV capabilities (if it doesnt sacrifice performance) is preferable. Sorry for long, boring post, and Thanks in advance. You guys were very helpful in making the following build for me a couple months back..

Main specs of my computer:
1. AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&cm_re=955-_-19-103-674-_-Product

2. HIS H577FM1GD Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL122609&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL122609-_-VideoCards-_-LC6B-_-14161317&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

3. Antec EarthWatts EA750 750W Continuous Power ATX12V version 2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026&Tpk=ea750&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

4. ASRock M3A785GXH/128M AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157167&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

5. COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

6. G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

 

[jayxl14]

Anyone...? I know it's a bit of a long post.. but it makes it easier on the people answering then if I gave no info at all...

 

[jayxl14]

Anyone..? lol

 

[Rudi 4 fun]

You got the same I problem I have in respect to the monitor... I found one post & response helpful:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/54608-4-hdtv-monitor

I also came across a review on a ASUS monitor that sounded helpful:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236049&cm_re=asus_24-_-24-236-049-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

I am educating myself right now as well, so I am not in the position to judge. But if you do get a good answer I will be copying it ;-)

Rudi

 

[JohnnyTechSocial]

I would tell you that you can choose from a handful of LCD Monitors, and some w/TV Tuners, for the $200-$250 range. You have the system that supports HDMI, so you can scrap the DVI. HDMI provides you with better graphics and better refresh rates for gaming, editing, etc. Your video card can easily support the monitor without suffering in performance.

Samsung 23" Widescreen Full HD LCD Monitor (I own this one and love it) http://bit.ly/aiBZin


Acer 23" Widescreen LCD Monitor http://bit.ly/arechI


AOC Envision 24" Widescreen LCD TV/Monitor http://bit.ly/aYLb5T

 

[jayxl14]

Thanks a lot for your responses.. food for thought and still searching

If anyone else has other input, I would greatly appreciate it.. Especially if you own one and want to recommend it to me