1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Selecting Lcd Monitor

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by hawk22, 2007/09/30.

  1. 2007/09/30
    hawk22

    hawk22 Geek Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/31
    Messages:
    1,991
    Likes Received:
    26
    Hi, This is a question that maybe Pete or hopefully someone else can help me out with.
    I can not convince myself on what LCD Monitor is best suited for me. I like doing a bit of photo scanning and editing only hobby family pics and so I am not a gamer the odd DVD maybe.
    I have narrowed it down to Dell 20" SP2008WFP or Dell 22" wide or ASUS 22" VW222U. ASUS is fair amount cheaper than the Dells, but will it be ok for the photo editing. My current Monitor is a View Sonic E70 CRT.
    Anyone please
    hawk22
     
    Last edited: 2007/09/30
    hawk22,
    #1
  2. 2007/09/30
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2001/12/30
    Messages:
    12,315
    Likes Received:
    252
    Steve R Jones,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2007/09/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Further to the article Steve posted I see that the Asus has a passive matrix - see the disadvantages here ....

    http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/lcd4.htm

    From what I have read Dell LCD monitors are well recommended, but there are other makes too ....

    For serious digital imaging a top end monitor is preferred - I use Iiyama, but many of the less costly Iiyama monitors are great performers.

    My guess is that any mid-range LCD would suit your requirements.

    Best bit of advice I can give you - if possible see the monitor in operation before you buy :)
     
    PeteC,
    #3
  5. 2007/09/30
    hawk22

    hawk22 Geek Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/31
    Messages:
    1,991
    Likes Received:
    26
    Thanks for the info and the links. My uncertainty still exists in regards to 20" flat panel and 22" wide panel, as both Monitors use the same resolution on most models except the Dell 20" Ultrasharp 1600 X 1200 against 1680 X 1200 including the ASUS the only one that actually states Passive Matrix but still has a Response Time of 2 ms.
    Pete the Monitor Brand that you have IIyama is at present not yet available in Australia, but I have looked up a Retailer that will be getting them and the model that would appeal to me is the: "Iiyama Pro Lite E2202WS Resolution: 1680X1050 Active Matrix, Response Time 5ms. No prize is yet available.
    Dell Ultrasharp 20" is no doubt very good but very expensive as well and quite a number of reviews state that the prize is to high in comparison to similar sized LCD’s.
    Any comments in regards to 20" ver. 22â€W
    hawk22
     
    hawk22,
    #4
  6. 2007/09/30
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    hawk22

    A point to bear in mind ....

    A 20" CRT monitor has a visible diagonal of only 19" whereas a 20" LCD has a visible diagonal of 20" - thus a 20" LCD has a larger screen area than a 20" CRT. Point to consider when reviewing prices 20" vs 22" flat screens.

    The question of widescreen is up to individual taste - I have no first hand experience of them - all my monitors are standard 4:3 ratio.

    1680 x 1050 is widescreen, 1600 x 1200 is standard 4:3 ratio and the odball 1600 x 1280 is 5:4 ratio

    FWIW the Iiyama ProLite E2202WS costs £203 direct from Iiyama in the UK, incl tax.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2007/10/01
    Chiles4

    Chiles4 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/09
    Messages:
    654
    Likes Received:
    1
    Many of the "hardcore" people I know use Samsung.
     
    Chiles4,
    #6
  8. 2007/10/02
    hawk22

    hawk22 Geek Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/31
    Messages:
    1,991
    Likes Received:
    26
    Yes I have been reading up on that Monitor, unfortunately here in Australia Samsung are at the moment having a very bad run with the 206BW with the c code there appears to be a problem with flickering. There have been quite a number of bad reports on Forums on this Monitor. Dell also does get some bad press in regards to the Panel raffle.
    In your opinion would a 22" wide give satisfactory results for light photo editing.
    Most reviews that I can find seem to be concentrating on Games & Movies, and that is what they display in the shops.
    So please anyone give your opinions and experiences.
    many thanks
    hawk22
     
    hawk22,
    #7
  9. 2007/10/02
    Chiles4

    Chiles4 Inactive

    Joined:
    2002/01/09
    Messages:
    654
    Likes Received:
    1
    I do about 10-12 hours of photo editing every week using Adobe Lightroom and Paint Shop Pro 8. I use a standard aspect 19" monitor. I'm not sure how a wide aspect monitor would benefit my work. Maybe two standard aspect monitors side by side might be of some help, I don't know, I'm not a "dualie" sort of guy. There's a regular here (PeteC?) who does a lot of photo editing with dual displays, maybe he could chime in.

    IMHO, wide screens are useful for 3 things:

    1) movies
    2) games that really take advantage of them (I've seen some stunning super-widescreen shots of Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter)
    3) bragging rights
     
    Chiles4,
    #8
  10. 2007/10/02
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Most certainly. Widescreens are displacing the 'old' 4:3 ratio screens very rapidly - only last week I gave up on a search for a friend for a 4:3 laptop with XP installed - simply not available at everyday prices - had to settle for Vista as a 4:3 screen was of paramount importance.

    Why was 4:3 so important? Both myself and the friend do frequent demos of Photoshop to photographic clubs and digital imaging groups and use the host club/groups digital projector. In my experience many digital projectors cannot cope with widescreen images and the lower part of the image is missing - just great when you are trying to demo a program :)

    Thus I have no experience of running Photoshop - or any other digital imaging program for that matter, on a widescreen. Your case is different in that you are not using a laptop or a digital projector and I can see no reason why a widescreen would not be satisfactory.

    Chiles4 mentioned multiple monitors - I use multiple 4:3 monitors 20" + 17" for working in Photoshop and occasionally Office apps. The advantage for me is that I can place all the tools and palettes on the smaller screen and have the entire 20" screen available for the image. I would never go back to a single screen for photoediting. Appreciate that this is beyond your needs, but a little bit of background info.
    I agree - it's your call at the end of the day.
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2007/10/03
    hawk22

    hawk22 Geek Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/31
    Messages:
    1,991
    Likes Received:
    26
    Thanks Guy's now I am hearing some encouraging comments in regards to 22" wide. Don't get me wrong I am not particularly after 22" wide, it is just that in the 20" standard range there is not much around anymore apart from the Dell the majority of Monitors is going to 22 ".
    My personal view is that anything below 22" in wide screen is a waste of money.
    Chiles how do you like Lightroom I have just recently installed that program but have not had a chance to do anything with it yet apart from Lightroom picking up the last lot of photos that I downloaded from the camera.
    Today I had a chance to have a closer look at a 20" Dell not the Ultrasharp in my bosses office and the display I could not look at much apart from text and a pic of his kid looked very sharp to me.
    Dual Monitor as Pete describes it is great for a pro like Pete, but would be wasted on me, besides the lack of space on my desk.
    One other concern that I have in regards to LCD is at present I run 3 PC's via a 4 port Belkin KVM Switch PS2 two of my PC's have Video cards with DVI output but the 3rd one has not and that creates a problem I have seen the odd 2 port DVI KVM Switch but 4 port appear to be very expensive.
    What quality display could one expect by attaching a VGA to DVI adaptor to the cable. PC No.3 I do not use very often, on Monitors with dual inputs Analog and Digital if I would connect the VGA cable to the Analog would I be able to switch between Digital and Analog, this way I would only need a 2port KVM.
    Sorry for draging this out like that, I am getting worried that by the time I will make up my mind 22" will be old hearsay.
    thanks
    hawk22
     
    hawk22,
    #10
  12. 2007/10/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    You may see a very slight deterioration in quality - probably not enough to be of concern - or maybe even detect. My second flat screen on the dual monitor setup is running off VGA and the quality is fine for what I use it for - Photoshop palettes and tool box and occasionally for Office documents. It would be unrealistic to compare the absolute quality between the monitors as the main monitor cost £600+ and the secondary ~£100.

    Only by changing cables.
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2007/10/07
    hawk22

    hawk22 Geek Member Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2002/01/31
    Messages:
    1,991
    Likes Received:
    26
    Thanks Pete, well over the last week I had spent many hours reading Monitor Reviews and I had settled myself for the HP w2207 22" wide as the Monitor of my choice, it came closest to my wish list in a LCD Monitor.
    So I go to HP just to be told the Monitor is now discontinued.
    Very surprised at that, was it to good for the prize.
    hawk22
     
    hawk22,
    #12

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...