Critique this LCD monitor before I buy...

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triggercut
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Critique this LCD monitor before I buy...

Post by triggercut »

As usual, gift certificate/card to MicroCenter from the ones who love me most for Christmas...:D

Anyway, I'm thinking of stepping into the LCD realm for the first time on a monitor. Here's the specs:


19" monitor
16 ms response time
.294 dot pitch
16.7 million color support
250 cd/m2 image brightness
450:1 image contrast ratio
1280x1024 native resolution

I'm not sure what some of those things are. I assume the larger the ratio on contrast, the better?

Not sure on the image brightness, either.

I know the 16ms response time is very good.

Now, for the reason it's in my price range: analog connection only, no dvi. I have never had problems with image distortion with my 19" CRT, and my vid card is a 6800GT. From every resource I can find on the internet, apparently unless you've got super-sharp photographer's eyes (I most assuredly don't), you'll never notice the difference between dvi and analog on a modern vidcard. Anyone with experience on this?

Anyone see any other red flags?

Thanks in advance!
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Smoove_B
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Post by Smoove_B »

I think there is a HUGE difference between the DVI and analog connections. I have both options available on my LCD and have two computers hooked up to it. Flipping back and forth there is a noticable difference in sharpness, especially the fonts in WinXP.


I don't have the best eyes and couldn't offer a scientific analysis, I just think it "looks more gooder".
Maybe next year, maybe no go
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triggercut
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Post by triggercut »

Interesting, thanks Smoov.

Well, for about $125 more I can get Sony's SDMHS94P. 12ms response, and dvi/analog support. The only problem with it (in otherwise glowing reviews) is that it has backlighting problems that show black as a dullish dark grey instead.

I think I might be able to live with that, since that would be mostly a problem with dvd's that letterbox (I rarely watch dvd's on my desktop computer) and with photoshopping (which I'm too stupid to do). Maybe I'll go that direction instead...
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gorham09
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Post by gorham09 »

Don't forget the $100 reabte on the Sony. If I may ask, where did you find the reviews on the Sony? I was considering buying an LCD and had it narrowed down to the Sony or the more expensive Viewsonic VP912b, but I had a hard time tracking down reviews on them.
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Zekester
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Post by Zekester »

and yet......although the DVI connection on mine is indeed sharper, I actually prefer the softer look that the analog connection gives.

To each their own.
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Pyperkub
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Post by Pyperkub »

One potential drawback - native res of 1280x1024 means no 1600x1200 gaming for you.

Potential, because for non-gaming use 16x12 is tough to read...
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