Displays What monitor to buy

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by BigAl333, 23 Jan 2011.

  1. BigAl333

    BigAl333 What's a Dremel?

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    Hello,
    I would like some help on what monitor to get to replace the 26” LCD TV for the following proposed setup.

    PC1 to 21” CRT & PC1 to 26” LCD TV
    PC2 to 26” LCD TV

    PS3 to 26” LCD TV
    V HD Box to 26” LCD TV

    PC1 is used to record freeview, play games on either display and be an HD media server to the PS3, it will be upgraded to Freeview HD & Freesat HD next year.
    PC2 is used by the other half.
    PS3 is also used for Blueray and games.

    My current 26” LCD TV is being replaced due to it being faulty, I do not see the need for a DTV tuner, an analogue tuner, or speakers, as PC1 will do freeview, freeview HD and Freesat HD.
    Sound is not an issue as its 5.1 and can be 7.1.

    I am looking at getting the best quality picture possible for my budget, which starts at £220.
    If it means I need to get switch boxes for the HDMI inputs that’s ok, I would rather not sacrifice display quality.

    The 26” is viewed from 100cm straight on when used as a monitor and 110cm from the side when used for watching TV but mainly from 250cm.
    I wont be looking at it side on so thickness is not a concern.

    Is 26” sufficient, or would I be better off getting a larger or smaller display?
    Native 1080P or 1200P, 1:1 pixel mapping, stretching ect?
    LED, edge or direct, CCFL?
    TN, PVA-S or S-IPS
    DP?

    I hope I have given enough information and not too much.

    Thanks in advance
    Alan
     
  2. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    ok I am confused.. you want a computer monitor which you want to plug all your stuff (yes it exists), or you want a TV?

    If it's a TV you want, will your main computer that use daily be plug on that TV?
    Sadly, your budget doesn't permits a IPS or even a PVA panel. Not even for a 23inch (1080p) version of those panel technology. There for you are looking in the low-end TV's/monitor's sector. So, compared to a descent CRT monitor... expected disappointed image result, but not bad. Just... don't put them side by side... and it should be fine.

    For a TV, as color accuracy is not there for most TV's, mainly due of being a TN panel, or an IPS or PVA with no color processor (which drop cost quiet a bit), and not have a proper resolution for the screen size (bigger pixels and more separate, makes production much cheaper), getting a CFL or LED light won't really mater.

    As for a computer monitor, for nice colors, a high grade CFL lamp is the way to go so a non-professional purpose. LED's should be avoided if you seek the most correct colors possible. The reason why they should be avoided is because they don't emit true white.. it's a very blu'ish white (very light blue) or warm white (very light orange/yellow). But LED's should not be confused with RGB LED's, where it's 3 primary colors (red/green/blue), put very very very close together, and usually scattered everywhere on the screen, to emit a nice true white colors (usually each color can be adjusted), of course as you may have guessed it, they are very expensive.
     
  3. BigAl333

    BigAl333 What's a Dremel?

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    :read: lol :)
    I want a monitor, I do not need any tv stuff as my pc does freeview and will be upgraded next year to do freesat hd and freeview hd, I have an HD V box.

    All thats being plugged into the MONITOR is PS3 for games and bluray, V box HD and pc for games and from MCE
     
  4. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    Your post was confusing.

    Anyway, you have my answer. I sadly don't know TN panel... that fits your needs of the top of my head. Sorry :S
     
  5. BigAl333

    BigAl333 What's a Dremel?

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    I have found a site that lists manufactures

    Acer
    Samsung
    ASUS
    LG
    BenQ
    Philips
    Viewsonic
    HP
    AOC
    DELL
    NEC
    Hanns.G
    Eizo
    Iiyama
    Fujitsu-Siemens
    Neovo
    Lenovo
    Proview
    MAG
    Fujitsu
    Topview
    Envision
    JVC
    Prestigio

    Have any been missed?
    I have searched for monitors in the 27" range and have come up with about 16 from 10 different manufactures.
    Should I post these up or wait for peoples suggestions?
     
  6. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    We know the manufactures... but thanks.. I guess.
    The problem is that you are just asking for the this super duper monitor, in solid gold, and cost 1 pound. Plus, we are the week-end for most people... so the forum is not very active, and you expect instant result?!

    You say you found some, than good.. what's the problem?
    Check reviews and your done. We are here to HELP you, and answer your questions, not do the work for you. You can come and say, "I found these 3 models, what do you guys think? Please note that I am also open to other suggestion." Much nicer, don't you think?

    P.S: you are missing:
    - Daewoo
    - Hunday
    - Citizen
    - LiteMax
    and there are a LOT more...
     
    Last edited: 24 Jan 2011
  7. BigAl333

    BigAl333 What's a Dremel?

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    That's why I’m posting here lol, to help me choose :)
    "and there are a LOT more..." great lol :)
    I don't want to buy a dud, this is going to be my first LCD monitor buy, I'm a CRT man at heart.
    My post wasn't meant to confuse, I thought I was clear, I said my budget, the use and a few questions on what technology to get.

    Thanks for your comments on LED, I am still reading up on all the tech :)

    BTW I am in the U.K so some of them might not be available to me.
     
    Last edited: 24 Jan 2011
  8. Guest-16

    Guest-16 Guest

    I deleted your flame post, Al. It was wholly unnecessary and I couldn't really tell if you're being sarcastic or not.

    I have to side with Goodbytes here as you are confusing the terminology by the looks of it. Just because it's an LCD display doesn't make it a 'TV': a TV tuner inside + remote in the box makes it a TV. A PC monitor has a finer dot pitch and often greater resolution because you are sitting closer. It sounds as though your PC2 needs a PC monitor, not TV.

    You want 'HD' resolution: 1920x1080 - then look at 24" displays. It's a more common size than 26" for PC monitors and should reward some £££ saving.

    You can still use a 'HDTV' as a PC monitor, true, but you'll have to do some research yourself into "full HD" 26" TVs rather than just listing all the brands out there..
     
  9. GoodBytes

    GoodBytes How many wifi's does it have?

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    If you enjoy CRT colors and accuracy and seek the closest feel from a LCD monitor.. then you are like me. The closest LCD panel is IPS one. You have PVA's which are slower panels, but has virtually no back light bleeding on blacks.

    The best value for your money is going with re-brands, like HP and Dell, as they cost much (several 100$ less) less than the actual manufacture for not having the brand, and are usually better. In the 24inch range you HP LP2475, and the Dell U2410 (both uses LG panel). I have the later model, and it's awesome. The colors are awesome (after selecting Adobe RGB (pre-calibrated), or sRGB (pre-calibrated) or Custom).

    The Dell U2410, U2711, U2311H are very popular on this forum. Very solid monitor featuring a metal adjustable stand (black parts are plastic covers over the metal) with metal mechanical system for smooth motion, loads of connections, awesome colors, very nice blacks (for an LCD), very sharp image, and features a high grade CFL lamp for awesome whites. The 178degree view angle in all directions makes everything so that you don't need to constantly adjust the monitor to your view, and provide a nice CRT feel in term of view angle. Also, as it feature an IPS panel (like PVA's), the panel outputs 8-bit color per channel (red, green, blue for a total of true 16 777 216 colors, and not 6-bit colors like TN have (262 144 colors, and they use a dithering effect to emulate the colors it can't produce (take 2 colors that it produce and switch between them up to the speed of the panel refresh rate, in the vein hope to trick your eyes. This doesn't really work as your eyes and brain can process several billion colors, and is kick-ass at doing it's job)

    They are many posts on this forum where I explain in simple the differences between panel technology.

    NOTE: The Dell U series are no true professional grade monitors... they are for people who enjoy colors, and want a quality monitor. For professional grade monitor, you need to have a much larger wallet... with a budget of 1-2k USD/CDN easy)
     
  10. Pookeyhead

    Pookeyhead It's big, and it's clever.

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    The problem here is that you want the best picture possible on a 26" or greater monitor, for £220. That.. will not happen. All 26" screens for this price range will be compromised in quality as they'll be cheaper TN panels.

    The one that springs to mind is the Asus VW266H, but that's around £260, but it's probably a fairly safe bet for you I think. Just check it has the inputs you need though, as off the top of my head I can't remember.
     
  11. BigAl333

    BigAl333 What's a Dremel?

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    Hi Bindibadgi,
    I have only posted what is here nothing has been deleted so I am not sure what you are talking about.

    I am confused as to why my post is confusing, the title says
    "What monitor to buy?"
    Then I say I need help in replacing my current 26" LCD TV and show what its being used for, then I go onto to say I do not need any tuners or speakers in the display.

    I mentioned a few technologies, are they worth it ect ect?

    I will ask again

    What 26” or larger MONITOR would best suit my needs?
    As a second display on a pc for occasional games and that will be used for true HD from freeview HD and freesat HD, from a PS3 for games and BD film watching and V HD box.

    My budget is £220 - £300
    Out of the monitors in that price range what would best suit my needs?

    Thanks pookeyhead. That is/was in my list before I decided to look at 27” lol

    Are 27” a more mainstream size compared to 26” if so for PQ would I be better off getting a 26”

    I could just list the models I have found but didn’t know if that would be of any help as I may have missed some ect ect.
     

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