LCD choices

[Robert McDermitt]

I've got a nephew about to start some serious CAD courses. Thought I would
pick him up a LCD monitor. Got it narrowed down to two choices:


Sony STYLEPRO Series 19 Flat Panel LCD SDM-S91/B or

NEC/Mitsubishi MultiSync 19" TFT LCD monitor 1920NX-BK


If you were looking for a decent CAD, internet, occasional gamer - what
would you choose?? Thanks.


Robert

 

[drumguy1384]

I've got a nephew about to start some serious CAD courses. Thought I would
pick him up a LCD monitor. Got it narrowed down to two choices:


Sony STYLEPRO Series 19 Flat Panel LCD SDM-S91/B or

NEC/Mitsubishi MultiSync 19" TFT LCD monitor 1920NX-BK


If you were looking for a decent CAD, internet, occasional gamer - what
would you choose?? Thanks.


Robert

There are a few things to look for in an LCD monitor. Response time, pixel
pitch, luminance, and contrast ratio.

Here is a layout of the two monitors in question:

Sony NEC
-----------------------------------------------
response time : 25ms 25ms
pixel pitch: .294mm .29mm
luminance: 250cd/m2 250cd/m2
contrast ratio: 600:1 500:1


Response time:
This describes how long it takes each sub-pixel to change state (from off to
on and vice versa). A response time that is too slow will cause blurring of
high motion objects. As the response time is the same on both models this
does not make either one better than the other. Though 25ms is an average
response time (there may be a little 'ghosting' but not too much)

Pixel pitch:
This describes the horizontal distance between two sub-pixels of the same
color. The difference here is not enough to make much (if any) visible
difference. And is, again, an average pitch.

Luminance:
Basically brightness, how much light the monitor gives off. Too low and
white will not come out true white, but a bit gray. Any higher than
250cd/m2 gets too bright to look at for long periods of time. These also are
the same, making no difference between the two.

Contrast ratio:
This measures the difference in brightness between a pixel that is off
(black) and one that is full on (white) Higher is better as it more
correctly represents light vs. dark. This is where the Sony really shines.
CRT monitors have between 500:1 and 600:1 ratios normally ... so, either one
of these will give almost as much image clarity as a CRT.

As you can see, these two monitors are almost identical, except for the
contrast ratio. Which the Sony wins by a fairly large margin.

Given a choice of the two regardless of price I would certainly go with the
Sony. But since any contrast ratio over 400:1 is acceptable (and CRTs fall
between 350:1 and 700:1) both monitors are good choices.

Sorry for the long response, but I thought I would be thorough.


Drumguy

 

[Eddie]

Sorry for the long response, but I thought I would be thorough.


Drumguy

Don't be sorry, it was a great, clear response.

Eddie

 

[Damfiknow]

I'm considering a 19" LCD also, and I've narrowed it down to the Samsung
Sycmaster 191T which is rated as a Best Buy (about $620) in PC World.
The other choice is the Sony SDM-S91. Mind you, these are value LCDs
and they may not be suitable for professional high-end graphics.

 

[Robert McDermitt]

Sorry for the long response, but I thought I would be thorough.

Wonderful response - articulate and clear. Thank you.

 

[Mordheim]

I use an LG 1810b it absolutly brilliant . v clear and runs games smooth as
a dream (freelancer etc)

 

[rAD]

There are a few things to look for in an LCD monitor. Response time, pixel
pitch, luminance, and contrast ratio.

Here is a layout of the two monitors in question:

Sony NEC
-----------------------------------------------
response time : 25ms 25ms
pixel pitch: .294mm .29mm
luminance: 250cd/m2 250cd/m2
contrast ratio: 600:1 500:1


Response time:
This describes how long it takes each sub-pixel to change state (from off to
on and vice versa). A response time that is too slow will cause blurring of
high motion objects. As the response time is the same on both models this
does not make either one better than the other. Though 25ms is an average
response time (there may be a little 'ghosting' but not too much)

Pixel pitch:
This describes the horizontal distance between two sub-pixels of the same
color. The difference here is not enough to make much (if any) visible
difference. And is, again, an average pitch.

Luminance:
Basically brightness, how much light the monitor gives off. Too low and
white will not come out true white, but a bit gray. Any higher than
250cd/m2 gets too bright to look at for long periods of time. These also are
the same, making no difference between the two.

Contrast ratio:
This measures the difference in brightness between a pixel that is off
(black) and one that is full on (white) Higher is better as it more
correctly represents light vs. dark. This is where the Sony really shines.
CRT monitors have between 500:1 and 600:1 ratios normally ... so, either one
of these will give almost as much image clarity as a CRT.

As you can see, these two monitors are almost identical, except for the
contrast ratio. Which the Sony wins by a fairly large margin.

Given a choice of the two regardless of price I would certainly go with the
Sony. But since any contrast ratio over 400:1 is acceptable (and CRTs fall
between 350:1 and 700:1) both monitors are good choices.

Sorry for the long response, but I thought I would be thorough.


Drumguy

It also helps to actually SEE the thing. Some just look better, and from
more angles. Make sure it is adjusted for the native resolution. The ones
you see in the stores usually aren't and will look blurry. There is also an
auto-adjust button you should hit. Are you a fusspot? Then dead or stuck
pixels will drive you nuts. Make sure you buy from a place were you can take
the unit back. Also check power usage. Some LCD displays use quite a bit of
power and can get pretty warm, especially the power supply.

 

[JK]

Use a CRT for CAD. LCD monitors that are 1600x1200 or greater in
resolution are still quite expensive.