How to pick a good LCD Monitor

C

Chris Stephen

Hello there.

I'm in the market for a new monitor as my CRT has gone blurry on me and I am
considering an LCD monitor. As for LCD monitors, what makes a good LCD
monitor?

Should the Contrast Ratio have a higher or lower value? What about
brightness? Does a DVI interface really make that big a difference?

I'm into playing games but do a lot of surfing and document editing in Word
and I understand that a lower response time is better for games.

I live in Calgary and these are the stores I shop at

http://www.memoryexpress.com/
http://www.computerrack.ca/

I am thinking about the following:

AG Neovo E-17A
BenQ FP767
NEC 1760NX

Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
 
D

Dave C.

I live in Calgary and these are the stores I shop at
http://www.memoryexpress.com/
http://www.computerrack.ca/

I am thinking about the following:

AG Neovo E-17A
BenQ FP767
NEC 1760NX

Any suggestions and help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

I have the NEC 1760V (BK) monitor, which is the black version of the 1760V
listed at compterrack.ca. I have years of professional experience adjusting
video equipment including TVs, monitors and projectors, so I have a good,
trained eye for picture quality. To me, the picture of the 1760V is quite
simply PERFECT. But be aware that the factory settings (at least on my
model) were cranked up to maximum brightness. Not only is this bad for
picture quality, but it could actually be harmful to your eyes, as this is a
really BRIGHT monitor that you won't want to stare at for long at max
brightness (at least not when it's fairly new). I'm guessing NEC probably
did that so it would catch people's eyes if it was used as a demo in a
brightly lit store. To me, it looks right at 50 brightness and 50 contrast,
which is as it should be. But from memory, the factory setting was all the
way up to 100 brightness!!! You can't pay much attention to brightness,
contrast or even response time specifications, as all of these numbers can
be fudged by quite a large factor. You need to trust your eyes to pick a
good monitor and ignore the specifications, other than NATIVE RESOLUTION.
Native resolution is important, as it can't be changed or it will look
horrible.

BTW, the 1760NX you are looking at is identical to the 1760V I own, except
that the 1760NX has a DVI input as well as the regular analog input. Some
of the specs listed on computerrack are wrong. On paper at least, they are
the same monitor. Oh, and my teenage nephew thinks it's a kick-butt gaming
monitor. Go for the NEC! I don't think you'll be disappointed. -Dave
 
E

El Phantazmo

Something to look at when shopping for an LCD is to determine what the
manufacturers dead pixel allowance is. I picked up a Samsung 17" digital
for a client, and, after 3 months, a dead (unlit or same colour locked)
pixel appeared just off center of the screen. My supplier won't replace it
until there are 10 dead pixels. I ate the cost and picked up an NEC. They
seem to have a pretty good dead pixel policy.... much better than Samsung at
any rate...

The client was tickled pink with the NEC.

Elp.
 
L

Louise

elpee@_nospam_._com_ said:
Something to look at when shopping for an LCD is to determine what the
manufacturers dead pixel allowance is. I picked up a Samsung 17" digital
for a client, and, after 3 months, a dead (unlit or same colour locked)
pixel appeared just off center of the screen. My supplier won't replace it
until there are 10 dead pixels. I ate the cost and picked up an NEC. They
seem to have a pretty good dead pixel policy.... much better than Samsung at
any rate...

The client was tickled pink with the NEC.

Elp.
I'm continuing to use a CRT (Sony 21") because I very much like to be
able to change color temperature.

Are there flat panels out there that can change color temperature?

TIA

Louise
 
D

Dave C.

"> >
I'm continuing to use a CRT (Sony 21") because I very much like to be
able to change color temperature.

Are there flat panels out there that can change color temperature?

TIA

Louise

I'd be surprised if you can find one that doesn't have that feature.
However, you need to keep in mind that LCDs can't be color-matched as
accurately as CRTs. For the most part, this won't matter unless you are
doing some kind of desktop publishing or video editing where color-matching
is important. -Dave
 
T

Terence

Dell 17 and 19 in are top-rated. Check the site often and you can catch 10%
and free shipping (I got a 19" for $611 delivered in 3 days). USB ports
builtin, dig or analog, rotatable. A+ image.
 

Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments. After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.

Ask a Question

Top