stargate125645

I would like help in selecting a good LCD screen. My main use for it will be gaming, but I want really good text display as I am a college student so lots of typing! There is another gaming LCD thread out there, but it is not limited to 19", and the price range is limited to, so I wanted to make my own specific needs apparent. I am aiming for the following for sure:
- 19"
- 16.7 million colors minimum

But beyond that I am not sure what is considered "good" or "great" as far as response time, brightness and contrast ratio goes, so I would like some advice and explanations into what each of these indicates and what values are considered good.

Thanks in advance!

lightsource

When you're looking for LCD's the colors of the monitor are hardly an issue, not becuase they don't matter but because thats the standard for all LCD's anyway. The most important thing to look for in an LCD is Response time, Contrast Ratio, and it helps to have a DVI connection rather than an analog (D-SUB) connection becuase DVI (Digital Visual Interface) gives crisper & more 'accurate' images. But if your video card dosen't have DVI than you don't really need to look for DVI unless you're considering switching videocards.

Now on to the choosing of the monitor. You always want your Contrast ratio to be as HIGH as possible, and you want your response time to be as LOW as possible.

Contrast Ratio: Contrast ratio is a measure of the luminance between the brightest white that can be produced and the darkest black.

Response Time: Response time is a measure of the time it takes for the monitor to display Black to White or the Primary Colors.

Depending on how much you want to spend, you want to choose different brands, the best brands are ViewSonic, Dell, Acer, and LG (for the most part), there are other brands that are getting better and have certain monitors that outperform monitors from the Best Brands I listed.

Price Ranges:

$200 - $300:
ViewSonic VX922 2ms Response Time / 650:1 Contrast Ratio (This monitor is better than the VX924 (spec's wise) and is on sale, so price may go up)
ViewSonic VA1912WB 8ms Response Time / 500:1 Contrast Ratio (Widescreen Monitor)
BenQ FP93G 6ms Response Time / 700:1 Contrast Ratio (Best Pick)
$300 - $400:
ViewSonic VX924 5ms Response Time / 550:1 Contrast Ratio

I would personally go with the BenQ, although its not in the best brands that I listed, its the monitor I'm getting and its a VERY good monitor. I've seen people who have it and wow, no problems w/ the monitor whatsoever.

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Remonster

I have the VX922 and I absolutely think it is the best LCD you can buy under 24in (it is 19in and the only reason I would ever get another inferior one is if it was above 24in) As stated above it has a 2ms response time which is the quickest available today for an LCD and it has a 650:1 contrast although to be honest it has better blacks, whites and colors than my 800:1 VP191b and the brightness is very uniform throughout the whole display where my VP191b has bright spots at the top left and right corners which were VERY annoying. To top it off the VX922 is only like $270 on newegg which is $200 cheaper than my VP191b was (now discontinued).


EDIT/// I forgot to say that none of the monitors lightsource or I have reccomended are HDCP compliant which means if you plan to upgrade to Vista and want to watch HDCP protected content under Vista, you can't with any of these monitors.

Also the VX922 is considered to be above the VX924 so idk why it would be cheaper or why lightsource even included it in the list lol.

stargate125645

What about the brightness values? Most seem to be around 250 or 300.

hermit

what's HDCP???

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Firefly

The lower the Response Time= better gaming. less blur at fast FPS or movement. I have an 12 Response Time and it's good, but there are some LCD with as low as 2. I wouldn't get anything higher than 12 though.

stargate125645

What about the brightness values though? What minimum should I be looking for?

GatorLCA

Higher the better for better "blacks". With LCDs the blacks are a dark color but not totally black. The VX922 is the better LCD out of all of those and the 650:1 contrast ratio will be suitable for anyones needs. Blacks are always an issue since if you have a low lighting game you'll see more of a dark gray than black.

My LCD has a 1000:1 or 1100:1 ratio and it's very bright and the colors have better clarity due to the contrast being high the blacks are very black compared to other LCD's I've used, but it needs to be higher since it's an HDTV as well

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C-bro

I've had my Samsung for close to 3 years now, and I absolutely love it. I've only had experience first-hand with 2 other LCD panels. A 17" NEC and a 19" Acer. While they were both cheap, the NEC lacked clarity, and even with a DVI interface, the Acer has splotches of "fuzzy" spots on it. I haven't played with it much because it's my parents and they don't really care, but if I were to get another, it would definitely be a Samsung.

stargate125645

Alright, I'll settle for 600:1 or more for the contrast ratio, but that doesn't tell me anything about the brightness levels, such as 250 cd/m^2. Also, is there any difference between 16.2 million and 16.7 million colors?

These are the 5 best that I have come up with, any thoughts on them, such as drawbacks? Which one is the best in your opinions?
ViewSonic VX922 - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824116375
ViewSonic VP930b - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824116365
Sceptre X9g-Naga V - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824112177
X2GEN MG19V8 - http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16824222015
Samsung 940b - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824001066