Notices

Overclockers Forums > Hardware > Display and Sound Technology > Displays and Imaging Devices
Displays and Imaging Devices Monitors, Digital Cameras, etc.
Forum Jump

Looking for a good LCD to replace my CRT and TV.

Post Reply New Thread Subscribe Search this Thread
 
 
Thread Tools
Old 06-15-07, 11:31 PM Thread Starter   #1
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
Looking for a good LCD to replace my CRT and TV.


I'm poking my nose around for the first time in ages, and it feels good to be back. But anywho, I love my Samsung 990DF 19" CRT, the thing is so freaking big that I have no room on my desk, and I'd much rather have a widescreen. As for the TV, it's just an 6 year old TruFlat SDTV RCA, which has been a really good TV, and has good video quality for having nothing beyond S-video. I just want an LCD that is as good as(or better than) my CRT, and that can take a component input. I've been really debating on the NEC Multisync 20WGMX2, because it meets all of my requirements, but I've read bad things about it's glossy screen. I personally cannot stand the matte finish on the Dell 2007WFP or the Samsung 204BW, though both monitors seem to be good for their money. After using a CRT for 15+ years, I'm used to a little glare, and my room is setup where I have very minimal glare even with my CRT. And for TV replacement, I just want something that my 480p Wii would look good on.

So what do you guys with experience in this subject think. I'd rather keep it under $500 if at all possible. Just a good all monitor that can do this.

Thanks in advance,

~Dave
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-15-07, 11:58 PM   #2
Hazaro
Member

 
Hazaro's Avatar 

Join Date: Apr 2007

 
480p isn't going to look much better.

I can't recomend anything since it's been a while when I was TV hunting, but there are a LOT of 32" LCD's out there for $500. Of course shipping and taxes hurt.

__________________
2500K @4.2GHz, P8P67 PRO, 8GB G.Skill Sniper, RocketFish Case, 2x 6950, X750 PSU, TRUE120

Hazaro is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 12:01 AM   #3
BossBorot

 
BossBorot's Avatar 

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SCU Santa Clara CA

 
so are you looking for a tv and an lcd monitor or just an lcd monitor that you can connect a console to? Also what resolution are you ok with?

__________________
Heatware
BossBorot is offline Heatware Profile   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 12:05 AM Thread Starter   #4
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
Well, I've got a Viewsonic N5 video processor which I'm attempting to use with with my Wii and Samsung monitor, and it doesn't look too bad. Though from a distance it looks better. Text and such looks great, it's just that the Wii's AA support isn't that great.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 12:07 AM Thread Starter   #5
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BossBorot
so are you looking for a tv and an lcd monitor or just an lcd monitor that you can connect a console to? Also what resolution are you ok with?
The latter, just an all-in-one widescreen replacement for the CRT and TV. Preferably 1680x1050 or higher. For the TV part 480p is fine, though 720p would be nice.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 12:24 AM   #6
BossBorot

 
BossBorot's Avatar 

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SCU Santa Clara CA

 

__________________
Heatware
BossBorot is offline Heatware Profile   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 12:45 AM Thread Starter   #7
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
That BenQ FP241W looks like a pretty nice monitor. Is it a TN panel? $669 new at Newegg, which is rather respectable, though a little more than I can spare. I'm still looking at the NEC 20WMGX2 , especially since it's $200 cheaper AR. But that's not a bad price for a 24 inch, and it has HDMI input, which is very nice, and that's the cheapest I think you can buy 1080p. Now I'm tettering between the BenQ and the NEC now.

How's the coating on the screen? Most LCD's make me want to clean them, because the matte coating makes me think they are dirty. I'm leaving my CRT dirty to see if I can actually live with that coating, because that's what the matte coating looks exactly like to me.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 01:02 AM   #8
BossBorot

 
BossBorot's Avatar 

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SCU Santa Clara CA

 
its not a tn, you wont find tn panels bigger then 22" in computer monitors as most people willing to spend that much dont want tn; it uses a P-MVA and if you are willing to buy it refurb it cost $430 if you follow the first link.

I think its mat as not very many screen have gloss and those who do tend to carry a premium as is the case with that nec.

__________________
Heatware

Last edited by BossBorot; 06-16-07 at 01:07 AM.
BossBorot is offline Heatware Profile   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 01:04 AM   #9
JRW
Member



Join Date: Mar 2006

 
Well dont expect very good 480P quality from an LCD, They perform much better at there native resolution, When I compared Wii on my NEC 20WMGX2 via Component input vs. my Sony 34" XBR960 CRT HDTV via Component the differance was night and day, The CRT looked far superior and its even a much larger screen (34" vs. 20.1") It looked way to pixelated on the LCD mostly due to scaling, a CRT is able to display 480p without altering the pixels.

__________________
AMD X2 4800+ Dual Core
Asus A8N SLI Premium / 2GB PC3200 Corsair XMS
Creative X-Fi / Logitech Z5500 5.1 speakers
Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro Headphones / Go-Vibe V4 Headphone amp
EVGA Geforce GTX 260 898MB Core 216 Superclocked edition
Pioneer DVR-111D Burner / 720GB Total HDD space
20.1" NEC 20WMGX2 LCD
24" Sony FW900 Widescreen CRT
JRW is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 07:33 AM Thread Starter   #10
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BossBorot
its not a tn, you wont find tn panels bigger then 22" in computer monitors as most people willing to spend that much dont want tn; it uses a P-MVA and if you are willing to buy it refurb it cost $430 if you follow the first link.

I think its mat as not very many screen have gloss and those who do tend to carry a premium as is the case with that nec.
That's what I get for posting that late at night, I miss details. I'm a little paranoid about a refurb, what will they let you send it back for? Dead pixels? Severe damage?

Oh and one other thing, is my 6600 GT good enough for everyday usage with this monitor? I'm not going to be doing too much PC gaming, aside from Diablo 2 on occasional, which will run on nearly anything, but just using Linux and running Beryl(a window manager similar to Vista's Aero), which requires 3D acceleration. I can't really afford both a new monitor and video card.

Thanks for the warning, JRW. I guess I may have to keep using the old RCA TV for SD/EDTV gaming for a bit longer. I bet a Xbox 360 using a VGA adapter or a PS3 with HDMI would look good on the BenQ, though budget keeps either of those out of my hands.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 03:35 PM   #11
BossBorot

 
BossBorot's Avatar 

Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SCU Santa Clara CA

 
you can drive the resolution for desktop no problem just not in most games released after your 6600gt came out.

__________________
Heatware
BossBorot is offline Heatware Profile   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 08:01 PM Thread Starter   #12
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by BossBorot
you can drive the resolution for desktop no problem just not in most games released after your 6600gt came out.
It shouldn't look too terrible in a lower 16:10 resolution, right? And right now the BenQ Shopper site is out of stock on the FP241W. I hope they get some in soon. And how is the return policy? If you get one with a handful of dead pixels, will they take it back?
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 09:47 PM   #13
MadMan007
Magical Leopluridon Senior

 
MadMan007's Avatar 

Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: in a magical field

10 Year Badge
 
Some sites make too much of a hissy fit over glossy screens. I think you're like me, I dislike anti-glare coatings that give a dirty-crystally kind of look to the picture. I believe they are designed for office apps with flourescent lighting although it doesn't bother lots of people at all.

I've been shopping for an LCD lately too. There are some other options:
Acer 2051W - 20" P-MVA screen and *cheap* at Newegg, $255 shipped no MIR.
+price +P-MVA not TN
+/- glossy screen (plus to me and probably you too)
-Acer is a decent maker but not top tier imo, maybe tier 1.5 they tend to compete on price while cutting features. -no extra inputs (maybe the deal killer for you) -built-on non-adjustable stand, no arm mounting possible -power brick! omg I just about puked when I saw it had one these are the kinds of things Acer cuts on, but their displays are otherwise 'ok'
LG 245W/246W (online/retail model) - same base panel as the BenQ, different electronics. Panel isn't everything. Supposedly has a 'semi-gloss' coating, not as anti-glare as Dells etc but not full-out glossy either. Check one out from retail, BB carries it.

NEC 20WMGX2 - you know about this one already. Lots of features just has a price premium but it's the only glossy guaranteed IPS 20" out there.

I hate to recommend other forums but [H] has massive amounts of info, user opinions, gripes and praises about every decent monitor. I've used it as a resource for that purpose quite a bit. To check out a glossy screen I'd suggest buying an HP w2207 at BB and then returning it Not all glossy is the same but you'll get a feel for it. They are glossier than CRTs but once turned on it's not as bad as some people make it to be. Pictures showing how bad reflections are with an all black screen is pretty meaningless imo once they are displaying anything, even dark scenes, it's not nearly so bad.

Personally atm I am strongly leaning toward a 20WMGX2. I know it's well-regarded, I like glossy, IPS means I won't have to deal with PVA color-shifting issues. NEC builds solid stuff too I expect it would last forever, and with a built-in TV tuner and remote plus all the inputs it can serve as a TV or whatever well in to the future. sub-$500 puts it squarely between cheaper ones and the $600-700+ 24"ers which works for me. The main thing holding me back is buying an LCD online scares me

__________________
There are three sides to any argument - side A, side B, and the Truth

"This had better be frikkin' important. Is the meadow on fire?"
MadMan007 is offline Heatware Profile   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 10:20 PM Thread Starter   #14
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
I've actually seen the 20WMGX2 in person at Fry's though the idiots didn't even have it connected to anything. The best monitor in the whole damn store, and it wasn't even connected. Though they did have the 90GX2 running, and the colors and the screen looked great to me. The closest thing I've seen to a CRT. I don't require a perfect monitor. I'm using a $189(back in March 2005) Samsung 990DF, which I'm sure is a midrange CRT at best. Though it is about the best non-aperture grille CRT's I've seen. Just something that's a step up from that, would be good for me. The Nec 20" and the BenQ 24" refurb is what I'm teetering over... I like the features of both.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 10:50 PM   #15
MadMan007
Magical Leopluridon Senior

 
MadMan007's Avatar 

Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: in a magical field

10 Year Badge
 
Oh man lucky you living near a Fry's! You can buy the NEC retail

__________________
There are three sides to any argument - side A, side B, and the Truth

"This had better be frikkin' important. Is the meadow on fire?"
MadMan007 is offline Heatware Profile   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 10:56 PM   #16
powersupply
Registered



Join Date: Jun 2007

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMan007
Oh man lucky you living near a Fry's! You can buy the NEC retail
This is the same problem I have but amazingly I found out office depot may carry the NEC model so I may go look to see if they do then buy it online if I like it. Though just like you I am scared to buy a lcd monitor online as well because of dead pixels or stuck pixels.

I want to buy a lcd monitor from Newegg but not sure if thats a smart idea with their lcd monitor policy

Is there any ulimate online retailer to buy lcd monitors from so you can return them if there are any problems like dead or stuck pixels ?
powersupply is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 11:01 PM Thread Starter   #17
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MadMan007
Oh man lucky you living near a Fry's! You can buy the NEC retail
I live about 80 miles from a Fry's, though their prices on most of their stuff is too high. It is a great place to actually see a huge amount of products though. I love they way they display their motherboards. You can actaully see what exactly each model has, without trying to guess from a box picture. I forget what they wanted for the NEC there, I'm wanting to say like $609 or so. Still it annoyed me that they didn't even have it connected to anything... They had a playable gaming rig set up, some nice rig with 7800's in SLI with 2gb of RAM(this was a few months back, right when Vista came out), and it had a cheaper Samusng TN instead of that wicked monitor. Ah well, I kinda wish they'd of had more higher end monitors on display.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 11:08 PM   #18
powersupply
Registered



Join Date: Jun 2007

 
The only thing I really hate about the NEC 20wmgx2 is they don't sell a totally black one.

Why does it have to be black and gray ? With the gray being on the whole front panel ? Doesn't a black boarder bring out the image better on a lcd monitor ?
powersupply is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-16-07, 11:10 PM Thread Starter   #19
The Unforgiven
Member

 
The Unforgiven's Avatar 

Join Date: May 2004
Location: Georgia

 
I think a black border on an LCD makes me compare the screen's black to true black, and I've never seen an LCD that had true black. YMMV though.
The Unforgiven is offline   QUOTE Thanks
Old 06-17-07, 12:39 AM   #20
powersupply
Registered



Join Date: Jun 2007

 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The Unforgiven
I think a black border on an LCD makes me compare the screen's black to true black, and I've never seen an LCD that had true black. YMMV though.
Thats a really good point! If it bothers me to much I may just turn the silver border into a black border so it matches with my black case.
powersupply is offline   QUOTE Thanks

Post Reply New Thread Subscribe


Overclockers Forums > Hardware > Display and Sound Technology > Displays and Imaging Devices
Displays and Imaging Devices Monitors, Digital Cameras, etc.
Forum Jump

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Mobile Skin
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:46 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2013, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
You can add these icons by updating your profile information to include your Heatware ID, Benching Profile ID or your Folding/SETI profile ID. Edit your profile!
X

Welcome to Overclockers.com

Create your username to jump into the discussion!

New members like you have made this the best community on the Internet since 1998!


(4 digit year)

Why Join Us?

  • Share experience
  • Max out your hardware
  • Best forum members anywhere
  • Customized forum experience

Already a member?