LCD monitor - what is important?
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I'm lookng for a midrange 19" LCD Monitor, ( << €400) - what is really important? Do I need high reaction speed (<20ms) for coding? How much better is the image with an DVI connector? (my graphics card does it) Any brand (dis-)recommendations? Why is Eizo so much more expensive? How much contrast, brightness is ok? (I have a very windowy office, but need to lower blinds anyway at brightest time of day)
Pandoras Gift #44: Hope. The one that keeps you on suffering.
aber.. "Wie gesagt, der Scheiss is' Therapie"
boost your code || Fold With Us! || sighist | doxygen -
I'm lookng for a midrange 19" LCD Monitor, ( << €400) - what is really important? Do I need high reaction speed (<20ms) for coding? How much better is the image with an DVI connector? (my graphics card does it) Any brand (dis-)recommendations? Why is Eizo so much more expensive? How much contrast, brightness is ok? (I have a very windowy office, but need to lower blinds anyway at brightest time of day)
Pandoras Gift #44: Hope. The one that keeps you on suffering.
aber.. "Wie gesagt, der Scheiss is' Therapie"
boost your code || Fold With Us! || sighist | doxygenI would, when in doubt, always go for the higher reaction ones. You DO notice slow reaction when coding, though its usually "acceptable". These times indicate the time it takes for the LCD to switch from "all black" to "all white" (or vice versa, not sure). If you want to play fast games, it is a must, if you code, you still might experience some "fogging", which can be annoying. The image quality is better with an DVI-Connector. You have to consider, though, that LCD-panels STILL show different colors from different angles. Almost not noticeable on high-end devices, but in the print industry it still makes a difference. I would go for Samsung or Ijiyama (Not sure if I got that name right). They are GOOD, but also quite pricey. Eizo is "THE" company when it comes to displays (CRT and LCD). They have top-quality, excellent service and support. As for contrast and brightness: depends. I usually use my LCD in a seperate room which has "dimmable" lights, so I can adjust my light levels to what is most comfortable. However, the display should have an even backlight distribution. In bright light, CRTs usually are easier to read. You might ask for some LCDs to "compare" before deciding on one. Some companies still do that ;) Cheers Sebastian Cheers, Sebastian -- Contra vim mortem non est medicamen in hortem.
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I'm lookng for a midrange 19" LCD Monitor, ( << €400) - what is really important? Do I need high reaction speed (<20ms) for coding? How much better is the image with an DVI connector? (my graphics card does it) Any brand (dis-)recommendations? Why is Eizo so much more expensive? How much contrast, brightness is ok? (I have a very windowy office, but need to lower blinds anyway at brightest time of day)
Pandoras Gift #44: Hope. The one that keeps you on suffering.
aber.. "Wie gesagt, der Scheiss is' Therapie"
boost your code || Fold With Us! || sighist | doxygenAll these things depend on what you are using the monitor for. A high reaction speed is not the most important thing, but it should be 20ms or less because you will see the mouse cursor and many other things with a nice blur effect ;) (can be quite funny indeed ;P). A higher reaction speed is only interesting for games, especially for first-person shooters. But take care: 20ms is not 20ms.. it depends on the monitor size. 20ms on a 17" monitor will look much faster as on a 19" only because of the size! DVI connection normally creates a better picture, but the new monitors have very good analog inputs, too. Another important thing is the correctness of the colors. Some monitors have big problems with colors, and that is important when you are editing images from a digital camera. There are many nice websites about TFTs, e.g. http://www.prad.de[^]. Additionally there is the question of the surface of the monitor. The light situation in your computer room is important! When the room behind you is very bright or the sun is shining at the monitor is may be better to use a rough surface to reduce reflections. There are also monitors with a DCC/CI interface which makes it possible to setup color management and many other settings with a software, but I think this is only interesting for image editing. Sometimes it makes sense to buy a monitor that was a demonstration model in a hardware shop because you can check it for dead pixels. Normally it takes some time till pixels turn off, and so you will have black or other colored spots on the monitor. Take your time and read test reports to find a good monitor... have fun ;) Don't try it, just do it! ;-)
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All these things depend on what you are using the monitor for. A high reaction speed is not the most important thing, but it should be 20ms or less because you will see the mouse cursor and many other things with a nice blur effect ;) (can be quite funny indeed ;P). A higher reaction speed is only interesting for games, especially for first-person shooters. But take care: 20ms is not 20ms.. it depends on the monitor size. 20ms on a 17" monitor will look much faster as on a 19" only because of the size! DVI connection normally creates a better picture, but the new monitors have very good analog inputs, too. Another important thing is the correctness of the colors. Some monitors have big problems with colors, and that is important when you are editing images from a digital camera. There are many nice websites about TFTs, e.g. http://www.prad.de[^]. Additionally there is the question of the surface of the monitor. The light situation in your computer room is important! When the room behind you is very bright or the sun is shining at the monitor is may be better to use a rough surface to reduce reflections. There are also monitors with a DCC/CI interface which makes it possible to setup color management and many other settings with a software, but I think this is only interesting for image editing. Sometimes it makes sense to buy a monitor that was a demonstration model in a hardware shop because you can check it for dead pixels. Normally it takes some time till pixels turn off, and so you will have black or other colored spots on the monitor. Take your time and read test reports to find a good monitor... have fun ;) Don't try it, just do it! ;-)
Thanks for your comments - prad.de looks interesting. The order will go out monday or tuesday, and will be delivered (or picked up by our tech), it got to be 19", and I can't try before buy (the funs of buying on budget) currently I'd go with the recommendation for the Acer AL1913s
Pandoras Gift #44: Hope. The one that keeps you on suffering.
aber.. "Wie gesagt, der Scheiss is' Therapie"
boost your code || Fold With Us! || sighist | doxygen -
I'm lookng for a midrange 19" LCD Monitor, ( << €400) - what is really important? Do I need high reaction speed (<20ms) for coding? How much better is the image with an DVI connector? (my graphics card does it) Any brand (dis-)recommendations? Why is Eizo so much more expensive? How much contrast, brightness is ok? (I have a very windowy office, but need to lower blinds anyway at brightest time of day)
Pandoras Gift #44: Hope. The one that keeps you on suffering.
aber.. "Wie gesagt, der Scheiss is' Therapie"
boost your code || Fold With Us! || sighist | doxygenPersonally I like to look at LCD monitors, the quality of the black level (i.e. how grey is it ?) varies. Elaine :rose: The tigress is here :-D