Wheres the "sticky" ?

[MyFirstCustomBuild]

Hello, another noobie enters the forums.

I am about to build myself a new Gaming/Video edit computer. I want to top it off with a new widescreen monitor.

But I don't like buying crap! It's like Scotch, I'd rather have the good stuff Ocasionaly than cheap stuff every day.
I was hoping I would see a sticky post in this section leading to a study on all the important values in choosing a monitor, but no luck.

Any leads on where I can educate myself ?

 

[Hose]

What size monitor and what's your budget? Which is more important... gaming speed or "everything else"?

 

[MyFirstCustomBuild]

I'm looking for a 20 in +.
I would have to say that $400 Canadian or $350 US is the budget. But if this is too small money I would rather just delay than compromise.
Becuase you said

Which is more important... gaming speed or "everything else"?

And I'm saying "I wan't it All !!!" No compromises, CRT qulity and speed in a LCD :twisted:
I am a gamer but I allso do video editing and will likely watch movies from my PC. Is it necesary to compromise? Is the technology not there yet?

I read in another thread
in reference to poster "wookiemofo "

However, if you are going to be "uber critical" about color quality, totally forget about TN panels. IPS is known to be the best about color, SPVA is good, too.

I could not quite figure out whether those acronyms were refering to name brands or types of LCD"s
I have been looking at two possibilities from a local shop.

LG Flatron L203WTX 20in Widescreen LCD w/ DVI, 8ms, 1400:1 Contrast, Silver-Black
Back Ordered
$339.95
SKU: 08434 Part No: L203WTX
LG Flatron L203WTX 20in Widescreen

Samsung SyncMaster 205BW 20in Widescreen LCD w/ DVI, 6ms, Black
$339.95
SKU: 08410 Part No: LS20HAWCBQ/XAA
Samsung SyncMaster 205BW

There is room to spend a "little" more.
But theres another question here, the LG is posted with

8ms

And the Samsung with

6ms

, and I would like to understand what the "ms" refers to ? My guess is MilliSeconds in response time ?

Thanks for your help

 

[Hose]

LOL. You can't "have it all" in one monitor, it doesn't exist.

The monitors you mentioned are "gamers" monitors... cheaper TN panel, faster resonse time for games, weaker at everything else.

Those won't be "best" at everything else, but you should find them acceptable.

Yes, ms = milliseconds, response time. However the makers are so "creative" about how they measure, you can't say for sure that a 6ms if faster than an 8ms. (That same "creativeness" extends to Contrast Ratios, too.)

Best to see in person if possible, before you buy.

 

[Smiler]

I find myself in the same boat as I want a monitor that does it all.

I'm currently using a 17 inch CRT that cost me a fair bit (about £450 UK Pounds nearly 10 years ago). I was going to buy a good quality 19 inch CRT then I found that no one seems to stock them anymore.

So then began the LCD research. To be worth my while is must be good for game play and also have good full colour accuracy for photographic work. Of course the faster panels seem to have the worst colour accuracy!

From what I can see of the current crop these look like possible contenders:

Samsung 971 (around £300 UK Pounds, early reviews indicate very good quality and response times although it does appear to be a 6bit panel and there doesn't seem to be much UK stock available)
http://makeashorterlink.com/?S3C562C1E

Samsung SyncMaster 215TW (Wide screen, some good reviews, 8 bit colour, nearer £400)
http://makeashorterlink.com/?C1A521C1E

HP LP2065 (1600 x 1200 resolution, SIPS panel, apparently a good all round performer, similar cost to Samsung 215TW)
http://makeashorterlink.com/?M23552C1E

But it is hard to decide as there doesn’t appear to be a clear winner and there are some decidedly conflicting reviews out there. I’m certainly still open to suggestions…

 

[Hose]

The 2 Samsungs have SPVA panels and should be very good on color and best on contrast. The 971P is indicated as an 8-bit. (The 970P has been ragged upon as being a 6-Bit, though it has received the highest color fidelity marks at THG.)

The HP, with its SIPS panel should be best on color but not quite as good as the SPVA on contrast.

Let me also suggest the NEC 20WGX2.. it has an Advanced S-IPS panel with overdrive... 6ms claimed... it also has a Brite screen, if you like that sort of thing.

You can't "have it all" in any monitor today... doesn't exist. However, the choices you've listed are a LOT closer to the "whole enchilada" than anything with a TN panel... save maybe the new Samsung 931C... still too new to tell. You have to decide what is most important to you and put up with its shortcomings.

 

[Smiler]

Hello Kevin.

(I'll proceed on the assumption that I’ve now hijacked this thread )

Thank you for that information. I took a look at Xbitlabs as you suggested and it appears that the Samsung 215TW and the NEC 20WGX2 are indeed where it's at, with the edge apparently going to the Samsung:

"So, where’s the catch? There isn’t. The SyncMaster 215TW is an excellent monitor that suits perfectly for work as well as for entertainment. With its neat design, accurate setup, an abundance of video inputs (including a component one), a matrix with a fast response, high contrast ratio and good viewing angles, and with a price of about $600, the 215TW is surely a leader of this test session and should be the first entry in your shopping list as you go out after a large monitor. On the downside are its rather inconvenient onscreen menu, which is somewhat compensated by the MagicTune program, and the certain non-uniformity of backlighting. But I’ve often met such drawbacks in much more expensive models.

Among the monitors included into this review, the NEC 20WGX2 is the main competitor to the 215TW. But the NEC costs more, lacks video inputs and screen height adjustment, not to mention its one-inch-smaller screen. A slightly faster matrix is in fact the single advantage of the 20WGX2 over the SyncMaster 215TW."

Trusted Reviews also highly rates both of these monitors but again the Samsung appears to steal it:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=2990

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3081

 

[Hose]

:...Trusted Reviews also highly rates both of these monitors but again the Samsung appears to steal it:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=2990

http://www.trustedreviews.com/article.aspx?art=3081

Maybe that depends upon your preference for the Brite screen... personally, I favor it. However, both monitors are among the better choices in their price range.