What to look for in LCD monitors?

[yawanur]

I'm looking to buy an LCD for my G4 [mostly just surf the web, photoshop, illustrator, video editing, torrenting if that matters], and I really don't know what to look for. Are any brands guaranteed shit? Is response time a major issue? Contrast ratio....?

So far this one seems good, big but relatively cheap, fine response time, but I don't really know.

Any tips?

[Dunlevy]

Stay away from "TN" panels. They have issues with color and viewing angle, both things are important to someone doing image/video editing. What budget do you have?

This Exlains the Differences
http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides...anel-types.php
Find good prices here:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/lcd
And use this to find out which type of panel the LCD you are looking at has:
http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/panelsearch.htm

Oh, and stay away from off-brand monitors completley. Dynex, Soyo, Westinghouse, AOC, Hannspree. Stick will Dell (good), HP(good), Viewsonic(some good models), Apple ($$$$) and the other big names.

[yawanur]

Good info, thanks! I don't want to spend more than $150, and the high viewing angle and high contrast ratio on the link I posted make me think it's the mid-level grade of LCD. I'm not a professional, so until I am I won't splurge on the high end, high end models. However, the model number [X203H] didn't show up in the data base to check to LCD tech. Can you say what type of LCD it is based on the specs? It's got a 10,000:1 contrast ratio, and 170°Hx160°V viewing angles. And is 300cd/m^2 standard brightness? I'd imagine that brightness doesn't vary enough to make a difference, but once again I don't know jack shit.

[Dunlevy]

If you're doing real editing you don't want your display too bright. When I calibrated mine it looked best at 10% brightness, 100% is retina-searing. Yours looks like a TN Panel, but otherwise looks pretty good.
http://www.pcgameshardware.com/aid,6...4-inches/News/

With your budget every LCD you look at will be a TN panel, it's not that big of a deal. I would go for this one or a Dell, they are both good.

[RDProgrammer]

I have a 24" Spectre Monitor that serves me awesomely. They are down to about $200 now so its not that costly at all. I'd go to best buy or where ever and actually look at models with specs like yours so you can see what you like.

RDP

PS: check your PMs

[Valheru]

I'm still dubious on LCDs for graphical work. A high-end CRT is still the business.

[MunkeyQ]

Originally Posted by Valheru

I'm still dubious on LCDs for graphical work. A high-end CRT is still the business.

Indeed. A high end CRT with a Sony Trinitron tube will cream most of the expensive LCDs when it comes to colour accuracy for graphical work. Mitsubishi and Sony made some very nice CRTs, many of which are still in use nowadays. Also, they can be had for a fraction of the retail price used, meaning more money can go towards the back surgery you'll need after lifting it onto your desk.

I've got a friend who works in professional graphic design and once I visited him at work. They all use 21" Mitsu flat-tube CRTs there and have no intention to switch to LCDs.

Colour calibration with something like a Spyder helps an LCD quite a bit although a good CRT seems to still be the way to go for colour-critical work.

[Jerry]

LG do great quality LCDs from my experience

[Syphilis]

Stay away from TN panels (IPS is much better.)

Look for a low response time (<5ms), high contrast ratio.

LED backlighting is the best, CCFL backlights will fade over time.

[NamelessNom4d]

Originally Posted by RDProgrammer

I have a 24" Spectre Monitor that serves me awesomely. They are down to about $200 now so its not that costly at all. I'd go to best buy or where ever and actually look at models with specs like yours so you can see what you like.

RDP

PS: check your PMs

THIS! I have a 20.1 inch Sceptre I bought a few years ago and it's great. I was really surprised, because the company is based in China, but it's really nice quality. The newer ones are bound to be even better. You could probably find a 24 inch with a 2 ms refresh rate for less than $200 now.

Check newegg.com. They have mostly 4 or 5 star reviews if you check.