LCD monitor

[christiand]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking at purchasing a 20" + LCD monitor and am seeking your advice.

At the moment I'm interested in a Samsung 204B 20" 1600x1200 Analog/Dig 5ms HAS+Swivel,

and also a Viewsonic 21 inch LCD Monitor VP2130B.

There is a little price diference and some technical differences between the two.

Does anybody have some advice and experience(s) to share ?

Thanks very much,
regards - CD

[Oz_Beachside]

Hi Christian,

I have the SAMSUNG 19" (920N - Silver) , and am VERY happy with it. Its nice and bright, good colors, and for on a desk, its perfect.

I dont know if its in line with your resolution requirements, but for its price point, I think its GREAT!

I got mine from HT, for about $489, retail. I think they are currently about $429. Two give your much more work area, and not much more that the 204B???

http://www.ht.com.au/area/9636/group/11203/manufact/SAMSUNG/part/T3827/detail.hts

In fact, I am considering purchasing a second, and have them side by side

Refresh rates and things are not critical to me...

[christiand]

Thanks Oz_Beachside BTW did you get the remote and Luke is happy ?
I'm also looking at the Samsung 920, it is quite attractive.
What video card do you need to do dual head (two monitors) ?

Thanks again,
CD

[Colcam]

Christian, you didn't mention your budget, as without a doubt, the cream of the crop would be Eizo, but you do need some coin behind you, but the quality is unbeatable. Quite a few makes have "Pro" range models as well as the more commonly advertised ones, so check out the home pages of various manufacturers and get the very best you can afford as without an accurate image onscreen, you will not get a good image from the printer. With a well set up cleancolour, calibrated monitor you should be able to switch off colour management in the printer driver and let Photoshop or your prefered printing programme manage the colours accurately.
There few threads on this subject floating around, so check them out too.

Don't forget to budget for a GOOD calibration device like the Gretag-Macbeth Eye-One or similar as soon as money allows too.
Col

[shutterbug]

Also have a look at the Apple 20" or 23" Cinema Display

[Oz_Beachside]

Hi Christian

I havent picked up the mail yet, but the remote may be at the GPO, I'll let you know as soon as I get it.

I understand you can drive the two monitors from a standard graphics card, I guess you add some kind of adapter?

My techie mates tell me that XP can drive the splitting of the screeen, but I'm yet to see it in action.

The Samsung 920N is great value, if you are at that price point.

Eizo are about double, but in a different class, you can see some at http://www.kayellaustralia.com.au/

Cheers,
Oz

[MATT]

What about the Dell 24" at $1199 delivered??? Its a beast .. But Sooo nice

MATT

[sirhc55]

The main thing to consider is the number of bits. A true 8-bit monitor will have 16.7M colours. The more usual 16.2M is not true 8-bit only interpolated.

[christiand]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your response.
what monitor(s) are you using ?
I have to admit that I don't understand the consequences of interpolation.
Could you kindly help me out with getting an understanding.

Thanks a lot,
Christian

[christiand]

Hi everyone,

thank you very much for your input.
This is what I like about the forum - all the good information that everyone is willing to share.

Pat on the backs of everyone,
CD

[sirhc55]

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your response.
what monitor(s) are you using ?
I have to admit that I don't understand the consequences of interpolation.
Could you kindly help me out with getting an understanding.

Thanks a lot,
Christian

Hi Christian

I am using a Mitsubishi DV207SB 20.1" LCD which is 8-bit and a very nice monitor.

You might find this link better for explanation than from me late in the evening

http://photo.net/photo/coolscan/gamma.html

[obzelite]

personally i would suggest you have a look at some of the widescreen lcds.
Just got a 2025 viewsonic for my brother and its great to have extra space on the one screen.
I run dual benq 19's and it still feels smaller then a widescreen.

it all depends on your budget.

[gstark]

Simon,

You make an excellent point about the widescreen monitors.

I've had my laptop - widescreen - for a tad over two years now (batteries still providing several hours life too!) and the extra real estate that the widescreen provides is really quite surprising.

No, it doesn't beat a dual screen setup, but it is surprisingly versatile, and there seems to be much more available space than what you might first expect to see.

Christian - on your video card, you should be able to see two video output ports, if the card supports dual monitors. Both may be the small, 15 pin style, or one might be a larger digital one, but your card should have two outputs.

[bago100]

The main thing to consider is the number of bits. A true 8-bit monitor will have 16.7M colours. The more usual 16.2M is not true 8-bit only interpolated.

It seems that the Samsung 920N is not a true 8 bit monitor then. Something to consider then although Samsungs are reportedly great monitors with, if my memory is correct, a decent zero pixel policy.

Whatever happened to the good old days when there was only one or two choices (depending what was in your local electrical store) and the only way to compare was to either rely on the salesperson's word or sugscribe to Choice magazine.

You need a Phd to make a decision these days!! (Or MHD's advice)

Good luck with your decision Christian

Cheers

Graham

[christiand]

Thanks Gary,

yes, the video card has two sockets, one 15 pin analogue and the other one is digital.

Cheers,
CD

[Paul]

Hi Christian,
I have the Benq FP202W 20" Widescreen, 8ms responce time which is really only required for games or fast moving movies.
It's a true 8 bit screen with 16.7 million colours, has both DVI & analogue inputs.
The screen resolution is 1680 x 1050, so its a bit smaller in height and a bit longer than your Samsung 204B option.
I have it dual mode with my yum-cha 15" LCD for my menu/music options.
Coming from a small 15" screen this screen is bloody brillant with loads of screen real estate and it's a bit brighter as well, I need to get it calibrated for sure!
Currently avavilable from fast Eddie at Fluidtek for $465!

[gstark]

Thanks Gary,

yes, the video card has two sockets, one 15 pin analogue and the other one is digital.

Cheers,
CD

You're good to go then.

[Colcam]

Christian, have a look at http://www.shootsmarter.com/monitorcentral.html for a good explanation. The only thing I don't agree with in here is their preference for SRGB colour space for printing. Maybe they are doing something different there. Adobe RGB is better for printing. This site has a comparison with details on monitors. Even if you don't go for the monitors mentioned, the info is good. BTW, sign in and have a look around. There is good Photoshop stuff in there too.
Col

[Matt. K]

Colcam
To the best of my knowledge most printers can only print the sRGB colour space. If your image is in RGB then the printer will convert it using its own profiles. Some folk think it's better if you do the conversion in Photoshop etc because you can preview the image before it gets to the printer. I am ready to be corrected if I am wrong.