Thinking Of New Monitor - Lcd Wide Screen

[klikster]

Sorry for this double post. TV has been doing this to me for several day. First I get a 404 and when I back off andhit 'addreply' it posts again. ((

Edited February 18, 2008 by klikster

[Maigo6]

I have a ViewSonic 22", it came in a package when I bought a desktop, its very good, probably 9000 to buy.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Maigo6

[A_Traveller]

Since you're getting views and responses here may be an idea to pull the text over as well. To answer your question about backlight bleeding, the entire surface of an LCD is backlit from behind by a light source {CCFL light} and the LCD blocks out the light that is not needed. Backlight bleeding occurs when this light is not 100% blocked allowing some light to "bleed" through the LCD causing spots of lighter areas on a dark or black background. Most LCD's suffer from this to one degree or another, it's only a problem if you can see it when you are using the screen.

Regards

PS I'm presently using a Benq PP222W, which is now retailing around 8K.

Edited February 18, 2008 by A_Traveller

[Richard-BKK]

A few numbers you need to look at when you buy a LCD monitor, first the Contrast Ratio, which for newer models would be over 3000:1 (the higher the better). Second the Response Time which is the lower the better, buying anything higher then 5ms would be not a good idea. Additional it is wish to check the Pixel Pitch, smaller the better, and monitor brightness make sure your monitor is better then 300 cd/㎡.

It is also important that you check, before buying how the monitor connects to your computer, some models have only D-Sub and others have DVI and better to have both. As it is likely that your monitor outlives your computer, and being ready for future things is for a monitor not a bad idea. Also make sure that your monitor supports the following sync types: Separate, Composite and SOG

Viewing you monitor at the shop you want to purchase it, look at it from different angles, even if you planning to sit direct in front of the monitor...light comes from all angles.

[A_Traveller]

Just a note on the 3000:1 Contrast point, most specs here don't use DCR, so the equivalent would be around 700:1. Yes it's designed to be confusing. A number of panels here do not offer DVI, {this is because they don't sell here, people presently are adding LCD's to existing kit and also they are price sensitive to having to buy a DVI cable} even if the identical model in the US/EU does. The Samsung 226BW, should have both DVI & VGA which is a good thing as noted. When I bought mine, it did offer both and the only demerit was a slower 'speed', though I've never had an issue in usage {movies, included}, also I didn't want a glossy screen, which many are now appearing with. By the by, what many don't note is that the panels are nearly all made in one of two factories in China.

Regards

[onethailand]

Funnily enough, I'm in IT Mall at the moment drooling over some of these LCDs... anyone have any good recommendations, or suggestions on what to buy or avoid?

[Richard-BKK]

I would disagree with the 700:1 Contrast Ratio being equal to 3000:1, DCR, or Dynamic Contrast Ratio is nothing new and all LCD manufacturers are introducing it to the latest models.

Viewsonic, a brandname named before in this discussion, has for most 'older' models 700:1 contrast ratio, and for the newer models VA2216w and VA2226w, which a contrast ratio up to 2000:1. Still this is impressive, it still is a old monitor with new gadget. Therefore newer designed models would have 3000:1 contrast ratio.

Of course.... all things considered, price vs specs ratio is much more important then any contrast ratio. But shopping for something it would be helpful to know what to look for.

Personally we have several LG and Samsung LCD's and we very happy, on paper the LG is better, but with the naked eye I cannot see any differences......

[A_Traveller]

Richard, know English not your first language, however, Samsung themselves claim that equivalence for the model your discussing.

To the OP, try when ever possible to see the monitor you are actually buying hooked up and running something you are familiar with and matches the anticipated usage. This will give you the best indication of how you and the screen match.

Regards

Edited February 18, 2008 by A_Traveller

[klikster]

First, pardon me for not posting better and sooner .. my connection doesn't like TV's heavy pages at night during the high traffic times.

I primarily want the monitor for ease on my aging eyes (67) .. and for being able to dispay a brower and an application side by side. I'm not much of a gamer and doubt if I watch very many movies on my computer.

Right now I have my 17" set to 1024 but need to use reading glasses when my eyes tire. I'm hoping a 22" lets me work without glasses.

I think I've narrowed down between the 22" Samsung and View Sonic. Although I remember reading once about "native resolution" and that certain sizes of screens "fit" better than others.

I will be making a trip to BKK to look at monitors, and will insist on watching the one I will carry out of the store. Will I get a better deal at Pantip than at Fortune Town?

Thanks to everyone for the help given thus far.

[Crushdepth]

Very happy with my Sansung 22' widescreen (226bw) and I have a 20' non-widescreen as well. We have bought a few more at work and so far our staff rave love them. Very easy on the eye, quality is very nice. We also have a few Acers, which suck by comparison - have sent 2 back for repair following 'meltdowns'.

[onethailand]

Very happy with my Sansung 22' widescreen (226bw) and I have a 20' non-widescreen as well. We have bought a few more at work and so far our staff rave love them. Very easy on the eye, quality is very nice. We also have a few Acers, which suck by comparison - have sent 2 back for repair following 'meltdowns'.

That's useful to know, I have been partial to Samsung monitors since they first came out. I have quite a few of the 4:3 models, 710-713N for example, and all have served me well, so unless someone has a really strong recommendation otherwise I would definitely lean towards a Samsung.

Having said that - Samsung's TVs suck LOL - and support is poor. Don't buy one of these until you are assured by the sales staff that the warranty will be honored and that they will keep spare parts in their service center for at least 10 years.

[sniffdog]

Mine is a Samsung 2232GW .... very good. Paid 11,900 baht, but is nowe down to 9,800 baht.

[klikster]

Mine is a Samsung 2232GW .... very good. Paid 11,900 baht, but is nowe down to 9,800 baht.

@sniffdog

If I may, where did you buy that monitor?

@A-Traveler and Richard-BKK

That Samsung 226 BW has the following specs:

Panel Type: LCD Wide Screen

Native Resolution: 1680 x 1050

Pixel Pitch: 0.282 mm

Brightness: 300 cd/m2

Contrast Ratio: 1000:1 (DC 3000:1)

Response Time: 2 ms (GTG)

View Angle: 160 / 160 (Horizontal / Vertical)

Input Connectors: 15-pin D-Sub, DVI-D

Dimensions: 514.6 x 422.0 x 219.3 mm

Weight: 4.9 kgs

Warranty: 3 Years

Package: Retail

That being said .. the more research I do the more I wonder about widescreen. This from a commercial site, but seems to be fact based:

"But what works best? For a home or business system, a standard 5:4 screen for word processing and surfing like the ViewSonic VX922 is ideal or the ACER AL2016W 20" monitor, and you’ll want a screen with at least an 8ms response time to avoid eye strain. Response times indicate how fast the screen can refresh, and if the time is over 8ms you’ll start to notice flickering and ghosting when watching fast moving images like movies or games.

Also, unless you’re intent on playing games or watching DVDs, widescreen monitors are of questionable value, mainly because they promote increased side-to-side eye movement, which causes eye strain over time.

For gamers and media lovers though, widescreens are excellent, and the bigger the better! In these cases though, a good response time is critical – don’t settle for anything above 6ms. Great examples are the Chi Mei CMV 221D, Acer AL2416WD, and the BENQ FP222W which boasts a 5ms response rate. "

[cali]

If you will run your monitor in open air, check the environmental specifications. Many monitors are designed to operate in temperatures well below 40 degrees celsius and will suffer and break down under the Thai heat and humidity.

And keep in mind response times that specify GTG (gray to gray) are cheating to mislead you. GTG means the real response time is many times higher than that shown. There is also typically a tradeoff where better response times result in the viewing angle diminishing.

[A_Traveller]

My own view is that wide-screen is fine, but I rarely use it to browse the web full screen for example, but it allows me to have windows {e.g email} open and available to review quicker. Upon occasion, I'll have two documents open side by side for review, but to be honest when surfing the real estate used is similar to a standard 'square'.

One other point which really can only be seen in the shop, is that the screens always function best at 'native resolution', so if the aim is to use the screen size to increase the size of the fonts etc remember to get the shop to test in other resolutions. One advantage of LCD's is the ability to make better use of Microsoft's Clear Type which some, though not all, find better on their eyes.

Lastly remember that most programs allow display control, so the larger screen area could be used to increase the font.

Regards

Edited February 19, 2008 by A_Traveller

[sniffdog]

==================================================================

If I may, where did you buy that monitor?

==================================================================

Pantip. I got the information at the shop on the second floor (the food court floor) specialized in monitors. Coming up the elevator to the right. But actually bought it on the third floor (the row of small shops, also on the right). Forgot the name though ...

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That Samsung 226 BW has the following specs:

==================================================================

The 226BW is the older version of the 2232GW and has a 1000:1 contract ration against 3000:1 of the

2232GW. Also the 2232GW has a better screen and I liked the design better.

Edited February 19, 2008 by sniffdog

[Maestro]

I am reading this topic because I am thinking of buying a new monitor and was told that the Samsung 223BW gives good value for money. In Switzerland, the 223BW costs the equivalent of THB 10,581 at the local store, the 2232BW the equivalent of THB 13,227. The only difference is that the 2232BW has a response time of 2 ms (223BW: 5 ms). I think I’ll go for the cheaper 223BW, as I shan’t be watching movies or playing games on it.

--

Maestro

[sjaak327]

I just purchased an acer P223W and use it for media centre (movies, tv) and I'm very statisfied with it. It was around 13.000 baht. It is 5ms. and I don't see any problem, acer is positioning this monitor as the ideal monitor for media and gaming, but have to say that I don't use it for any gaming.

[klikster]

My own view is that wide-screen is fine, but I rarely use it to browse the web full screen for example, but it allows me to have windows {e.g email} open and available to review quicker. Upon occasion, I'll have two documents open side by side for review, but to be honest when surfing the real estate used is similar to a standard 'square'.

One other point which really can only be seen in the shop, is that the screens always function best at 'native resolution', so if the aim is to use the screen size to increase the size of the fonts etc remember to get the shop to test in other resolutions. One advantage of LCD's is the ability to make better use of Microsoft's Clear Type which some, though not all, find better on their eyes.

Lastly remember that most programs allow display control, so the larger screen area could be used to increase the font.

Regards

After reading comments and thinking more about how I use a monitor, I'm now leaning back toward a 19" standard with 1280 x 1024 native resolution. I honestly can't see myself using any resolution higher than 1280. That choice gives me a larger viewing error plus larger text .. and text size is what I'm after. That also saves me about Bt 5,000. I may also set up my existing 17" as second in a 2 monitor display .. but first I need a larger workspace. :>/

As an aside, the new tabbed browsers help a lot. I have FF, IE and Opera installed .. mostly use FF. When I'm using multiple screens, it's likely to be Dreamweaver, Firefox and Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop. Problem is, that taxes my 2 MB RAM.