Choosing TFT monitor

[Bobby]

I'm thinking of replacing my 19" CRT monitor with a 19" TFT display.

I am considering the 19" Viewsonic Black TFT Monitor (with 4 watt speakers
built-in).

I have a few questions:

1. It has a 25ms response time. How bad is this? Does it mean that games
will be totally unplayable (I only play Doom now-and-again).

2. It has built-in 3 watt speakers. Are these any good or should I go for a
monitor without speakers and buy separate speakers?

3. Will this display be OK to watch DVDs?

More information about this display here:

http://uk.shopping.com/xPF-ViewSonic_VG910B_Viewsonic

Cheers.

Bobby

 

[Hamman]

I'm thinking of replacing my 19" CRT monitor with a 19" TFT display.

Do you really need a 19" screen? 17" is more than enough for most people...
remeber screen size = viewable size unlike on CRT's

I am considering the 19" Viewsonic Black TFT Monitor (with 4 watt speakers
built-in).

I have a few questions:

1. It has a 25ms response time. How bad is this? Does it mean that games
will be totally unplayable (I only play Doom now-and-again).

25ms is getting on the upper limit of what is 'acceptable'. Look for a sub
20ms screens (if 19" ones exist?)

2. It has built-in 3 watt speakers. Are these any good or should I go for
a monitor without speakers and buy separate speakers?

Built in speakers are appaling. Get a screen without or dont use them.

3. Will this display be OK to watch DVDs?

Its going to get a bit pixelated at 1600x1200

hamman

 

[DaveW]

Those little speakers are TERRIBLE.
The 25 msec Response time will have Ghosting during action games.

 

[Michael Culley]

I'm thinking of replacing my 19" CRT monitor with a 19" TFT display.

"Max. Resolution 1280 x 1024"

There's not much point getting 19" lcd monitors, they have the same res as
all the 17" so you don't fit any more on, it's just bigger.

Michael Culley

 

[JK]

Do you really need a 19" screen? 17" is more than enough for most people...
remeber screen size = viewable size unlike on CRT's

The price difference between 17" and 19" lcd monitors has dropped significantly.
It is now only around $100-150 for comparable quality monitors. A 19" lcd
monitor is so much more enjoyable to use than a 17" one.

 

[JK]

"Max. Resolution 1280 x 1024"

There are 1600x1200 19" lcd monitors, however they are still over $600.

There's not much point getting 19" lcd monitors, they have the same res as
all the 17" so you don't fit any more on, it's just bigger.

Larger is nice.

 

[Michael Culley]

There are 1600x1200 19" lcd monitors, however they are still over $600.

Sorry, I should have mentioned that.

Larger is nice.

Maybe, but probably not worth the extra dollars.

Michael Culley

 

[kony]

Sorry, I should have mentioned that.


Maybe, but probably not worth the extra dollars.

I disagree, why sit any closer to your monitor than
necessary?

 

[Michael Culley]

I disagree, why sit any closer to your monitor than
necessary?

17" monitor is easy enough to see, unless you have bad eyesight 19" monitor
at the same res is just for the point of having something bigger than your
mates.

 

[JK]

When the price difference was huge($500+) it was a bit excessive to
buy a 19" lcd monitor. At only a $100-$150 price difference vs a 17"
one, why not go for a 19" lcd monitor?

 

[kony]

17" monitor is easy enough to see, unless you have bad eyesight 19" monitor
at the same res is just for the point of having something bigger than your
mates.

Or as I wrote, not sitting so close. No matter what your
eyesight, bigger monitor allows viewing from further away.

 

[Bobby]

This monitor is £50 more expensive than the 17" version. So there's not a
lot of extra money involved for something that I will use every day.

Bobby

 

[Michael Culley]

This monitor is £50 more expensive than the 17" version. So there's not a
lot of extra money involved for something that I will use every day.

I can't comment on prices in the US or UK but over here the price of a 17"
LCD with DVI (you have to have DVI) is $559. The cheapest DVI 19" is $880,
which is $320 more or more than 50% of the original price.

Michael Culley

 

[Bobby]

Michael - Check the link in my original post:

http://uk.shopping.com/xPF-ViewSonic_VG910B_Viewsonic

19" TFT with DVI for less than £300.

The only problem is the slow refresh rate (25ms) but I'm still tempted.

Bobby

 

[Michael Culley]

£300 is about $880AU I think?

Michael - Check the link in my original post:

http://uk.shopping.com/xPF-ViewSonic_VG910B_Viewsonic

19" TFT with DVI for less than £300.

The only problem is the slow refresh rate (25ms) but I'm still tempted.

Bobby