Looking for new monitor

**warjockey** · Aug 17, 2005 08:52

Hi guys,

right now I have a Samsung NF 900 (or something like that I'm not home at this moment). It's 19" CRT, pretty good, have it for a few years now.

There's a few problems with this monitor that will make me get a new monitor and replace this.

1st problem, the convergence isn't that great and I tried adjusting it but you can still see the some magenta on things at certain spots of the screen. I have it so it mostly on the corner of the screen, so it's mostly ok...but STILL!

2nd problem, When I inspect images on sites, they look ok on ths monitor, but then when I look at them at different monitors, some look 1 pixel off, some have colours where there aren't supposed to be colours. It seems that it doesn't have the brightness to show some colours. I have turned it down to about 80 because it hurts my eyes if it's brighter, but I still can't see any of those faults on sites even if I raise the brightness and contrast to max.

3rd problem, I know I have a small desk but damn this monitor is huge for a 19". It weighs way more than my 20" tv (but generally monitors weigh more than tvs that size, but STILL!).

So, after looking at some 19" TFTs I'm thinking of replacing this monitor with a flat screen. I need it to go up to the same rez as I use now (1280X1024) and not be stressful for the eyes. My eyes are used to 85Hz anything under that is unbearable. I see that most go up to 75Hz, so can someone clarify if refresh rates look different on CRTs and TFTs?

Also is digital alot better than analog? I'll prolly need a new video card if it's digital right?

Anyway, any input is appreciated. I use my home computer mostly for developing now, so no games.

**revsorg** · Aug 17, 2005 09:57

I've got a 19" TFT Iiyama at the moment and been happy with it, but I'm looking at buying the Dell Ultrasharp 2405FPW 24" widescreen LCD Flat Panel right now because they're on special offer and really big and cheap.

I don't connect my screen using a dvi cable, and I might be missing out on some quality but I guess that because I've not tried it with dvi I don't know what I'm missing.

**Josh_** · Aug 17, 2005 11:07

I have a SyncMaster 730b by Samsung, 17inch LCD. Great monitor for a very reasonable price. It does work great for games, since it has a very low response time. And it takes up very little space and only ways like 10 pounds. They also make a 19inch which is nice as well. I got this one for 250$

**warjockey** · Aug 17, 2005 12:21

Someone told me that these kind of monitors die after 2 years or so. I'm a developer so I'll be using it alot. Is it true?

**earther** · Aug 17, 2005 12:34

I LOVE my 1 1/2 year old Samsung 17" LCD. But I really want a Samsung 243T. Just waiting for the price to drop a bit. Maybe after Xmas.

**bcr** · Aug 17, 2005 19:46

Originally Posted by warjockey

So, after looking at some 19" TFTs I'm thinking of replacing this monitor with a flat screen. I need it to go up to the same rez as I use now (1280X1024) and not be stressful for the eyes. My eyes are used to 85Hz anything under that is unbearable. I see that most go up to 75Hz, so can someone clarify if refresh rates look different on CRTs and TFTs?

Also is digital alot better than analog? I'll prolly need a new video card if it's digital right?

I currently own a 19" BenQ LCD with the resolution on 1280x1024 but it does only go to 75Hz. This is the 12ms version and I haven't had any problems with the monitor yet, it has been very good.

I'm not sure how dropping back to 75Hz will affect your eyes (I've never noticed the difference) but it would probably be best to go into a shop and try it for yourself.

The monitor comes with two connections for analog and digital. Obviously if you can use digital, then use it, but if you don't have the option to on your video card, then you can use the analog.

Depending on what you're looking to spend, the price difference between the 8ms and the 12ms isn't massive (probably around $70-$100). I'm finding the 12ms fine for what I use it for though (I don't play any games).

http://www.benq.com.au/HomeShowProduct.asp?prodID=261

**docquesting** · Aug 17, 2005 21:49

Always go the lcd route. I have two a Dell 15" and a 19" DCLcd "The LCD Universe". I feel fortunate to have been able to afford this amount of luxary which was much needed due to eye problems cuased by the crt tubes.

**warjockey** · Aug 18, 2005 06:59

yeah, I checked out the price for the BENQ 12ms one. It has a good price and good reviews on CNET. I might consider getting this one. We'll see, keep them coming!

**.Logan** · Aug 18, 2005 08:25

I would suggest looking into the "ViewSonic" monitors as they are pretty cheap and have great quality! They come in LCD and CRT.

**Patty** · Aug 19, 2005 22:20

I've heard good things about ViewSonic as well. I'm into graphic art and design work, so I prefer the CRT and ended up buying my latest monitor on line. I spent a lot more money than I really wanted to and got a LaCie 22" Electron Blue monitor. I absolutely love it.

Go to google and enter monitors and it will give you all sorts of sites where you can do price comparison. I found a much better selection than at my local computer stores. And the prices were good enough that shipping costs weren't a problem.

Patty

**SirAdrian** · Aug 19, 2005 22:26

I grabbed a Dell Trinitron (21") for $210 CAD (including shipping) off ebay. There were tons of them and still are.

**Tangerine_Dream** · Aug 20, 2005 19:50

Originally Posted by warjockey

So, after looking at some 19" TFTs I'm thinking of replacing this monitor with a flat screen. I need it to go up to the same rez as I use now (1280X1024) and not be stressful for the eyes. My eyes are used to 85Hz anything under that is unbearable. I see that most go up to 75Hz, so can someone clarify if refresh rates look different on CRTs and TFTs?

Hi, well, i have read that there's no need in high refresh rates like 100Hz on LCD monitors because there's no flickering when you even use 75Hz besides i didn't know whether LCD monitors support vertical refresh rates higher than 85Hz, i.e. all good 19" and higher LCD monitors usually support 85Hz. 17" or cheap 19" support 75Hz or lower refresh rates only. You may try to find some technical articles on this subject

Originally Posted by warjockey

Also is digital alot better than analog? I'll prolly need a new video card if it's digital right?

All latest LCD support DVI-D (digital only) and DVD-I (a&d) input. If you want 1280x1024 or higher resolution, your old or new video card should give 75Hz (if you'll buy 17") or 85Hz for these resolutions. All video cards that cost $100+ surely support such refresh rates for these resolutions and have DVI output

Originally Posted by warjockey

Anyway, any input is appreciated. I use my home computer mostly for developing now, so no games.

If no games, then LCD should be a better choice. Thus there are some things you should know about LCD monitors: they are much more expensive than CRT, new technologies for LCD matrices constantly emerge (SIPS, MVA), so you need to know which one is the best not to buy something like TN+film. There are lots of other important characteristics like recommended/optimal resolution (should be something 1280x1024 or higher), contrast ratio (usually 500:1 or lower for 17", and 700:1 or higher for good 19" LCD), etc, so you'd better to find and read some test results for latest LCD monitors (also note that some test may also include opinions of the experts, for instance, how well to watch DVD movies on the monitor --it's very useful information). I would also consider monitor with 16:9 diagonal (i.e it's physical dimensions, not that it just supports Wide XGA resolution) if you use your PC for watching DVDs, but they are quite expensive because of their 20", 21" or higher diagonals

Originally Posted by SirAdrian

I grabbed a Dell Trinitron (21") for $210 CAD (including shipping) off ebay. There were tons of them and still are.

This CRT monitor is really cheap. What about Dell's warranty?