Monitor Selection Dilemma

[Kerandran]

I am currently looking for a new LCD monitor initially I was looking for a 24 inches screen specifically interested in the Samsung SM-245T model or the Dell Ultra Sharp 2408WFP monitor (which I believe use the similar panels). However following some recent advice I have been told to consider wider screen like 32 inches LCD/TV monitors because most of the combined LCD TV use SPVA panels, the model I was advised upon was a Toshiba 32XV505DB. This monitor was way too big to fit on my desk, so the next logical monitor sizes that I can confirm will fit on my desk are 26 and 27 inches LCD monitors. The maximum monitor width that I can fit on my desk including its frame is 29 inches wide, but I would prefer it if less space was used.

The main features which are of utmost importance to me when considering LCD monitors are:

- Panel using SPVA technology or IPS technology
- Use a native resolution of 1920x1200
- Very good colour and image quality
- Relatively quick response time (although I am aware that the larger the screens, the slower the response time).
- Ability to be able to read text easily
I have noticed that on 19 inches monitors, and 22 inches monitors, text characters are easier to read at native resolution than on 20 inches or 24 inches monitors. I believe that this is something to do with the dot-pitch on the wide screen panels. I am aware that it is possible to change the “normal DPI settings” of Microsoft Windows to make the fonts larger, or to change the icon size to make these larger, but all that this does, is to make the LCD screens become blurry as software is used to enlarge the pixels, which are not of native resolution. Therefore, this is why I require a monitor that can display text at a readable resolution without having to depend on spectacles.

My principal usage of such monitor would be:
- Using it for research & development purposes (average use for this would be 20-30% of time)
- Using it for image manipulation (average use for this would be 20-30% of time)
- Using it for office productivity and the ongoing maintenance of documentation (average use for this would be 40-50% of time)
- Using it for entertainment including playing games especially graphics intensive 3D adventure games (average use for this would be 50-90% of time)
Whether I use the monitor for self improvement or for playing games, is entirely dependent on mood an spare time availability.


The problem is that the more I read or learn about LCD monitor technology, the harder it becomes for me to chose a monitor suited for me.

The current monitor I use is a Samsung SM-2232BW (which does not use SPVA technology), and although it is a nice monitor, its text size in native mode is not the greatest, nor is it richness in colours.

I am aware that the monitors that I am interested in are rather on the expensive side, however I do not know how good / reliable they are (e.g. NEC MultiSync LCD2690UXi-BK, Samsung SM275T(+)).

Could somebody recommend one or more good 26 / 27 inches monitor (or combined LCD TV/Monitors) that would have SPVA technology and be of good quality and reliable However I wouldn’t be able to afford such monitor size within the EIZO brands.

Any suggestion or advice would be most appreciated.

[Webby]

Any particular reason you want to go bigger than 24" I personally have no problem reading text on a 24" screen at 1920*1200

But anyway here is a short list of >24" monitors with PVA or IPS screens

Models in each grouping below use the same panels

27"

Samsung SM275T
Dell 2707WFP
Samsung SM275T Plus

Dell 2709W

26"

LG W2600HP

NEC LCD2690WUXi
Acer AL2623W
Acer AL2616W
Acer AL2616Ws
Acer AL2616Wsd
Planar PX2611W
Hazro HZ26W
DoubleSight DS-263N
Hazro HZ26Wi
NEC SpectraView

Hopefully this list is of some use to you, also try looking at http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/ for reviews and recommendations.

[Kerandran]

Well I am not exactly getting younger, and my vision is starting to deteriorate (I do use glasses for reading, but prefer not to use them frequently when using monitors)… The reason for not opting for a 24 inches monitor is that, in the native resolution of 1920x1200, text appears smaller than the same text being displayed on a 22 inches monitor, again in the native resolution of 1680 x 1050. Having said that, we all know, that in text editors it is possible to change the font size (however when one has to abide by company standards, of keeping font sizes to 10 through 12, this becomes harder on the eyes). Furthermore, if one uses programming languages a lot, changing the font size of the programming environment editor or the font size of the “drop down” controls on forms, affects the design of forms and the “snapping” of controls on forms.

I may be picky, but I prefer not having to fiddle with these types of settings, which make life easier on one side and cause another problem elsewhere in terms of visibility, readability, and functionality when it comes to programming. I have recently had the chance of using 24 inches Dell monitors at work, and to tell you the truth, I have not found these as superb as what people say about them. Perhaps this was due to the fact that the models I was using where not the Ultra Sharp models, but never the less, the quality of text of my 22 inches monitor at home was better than the Dell 24 Inches LCD monitor.

This is why I think that getting a good larger LCD monitor is a bit of a lottery, as these are not often demonstrated in retail outlets, and therefore until one purchases such a monitor, one cannot tell what one is exactly getting (as it is not possible to test them before purchasing them).

I thank you for providing me a list of larger size monitors.

I will definitely look for reviews on these models and decide accordingly.
Again thank you for your help and advice.

[staffsMike]

Well, if you like the idea of 1920 x 1200, but prefer the way a 22" allows you to read you could go for something like the Dell 2709WFP.

[Webby]

That is what we have been talking about all along

I agree though I would probably go with the Dell or Samsung 27"

All the monitors in my list above in the 27" bracket use Samsung panels.

[Kerandran]

I have to admit that the Samsung panels are very good ones, and that at the end of the day, I may have the tendency to opt for one of these, but, I like to do a bit of investigation and comparison of what the market has to offer first. It is good to know what is available, but my decision is normally made upon reading reviews from different sources, and “googleling” the internet for problem pages on the models that I short list. If I find too many negative posting regarding problems with specific models, I ditch that model in favour of the next short listed one. This is how I have been searching for computer products until now, before joining the Hexus community. But now with a little bit of help from the Hexus community, my search may become easier.

[staffsMike]

Oops for some reason I thought this was a new thread

Oh well.. it's late for me these days, blame the tired eyes lol

[Webby]

Thinking about what monitor size you should be looking at you said that you are happy with the text size on your 22" monitor (I assume this is at a resolution of 1680*1050) time for a table

20" -> 16.96" Wide -> 1680 Pixels Wide -> 99 Pixels per Inch
22" -> 18.66" Wide -> 1680 Pixels Wide -> 90 Pixels per Inch
22" -> 18.66" Wide -> 1920 Pixels Wide -> 103 Pixels per Inch
24" -> 20.35" Wide -> 1920 Pixels Wide -> 94 Pixels per Inch
26" -> 22.05" Wide -> 1920 Pixels Wide -> 87 Pixels per Inch
27" -> 22.90" Wide -> 1920 Pixels Wide -> 84 Pixels per Inch
28" -> 23.74" Wide -> 1920 Pixels Wide -> 81 Pixels per Inch
30" -> 25.44" Wide -> 2560 Pixels Wide -> 101 Pixels per Inch

I have put your current monitor in bold and the monitor sizes which have more pixels per inch (smaller pixels) than this in red and those with less pixels per inch (larger pixels) in blue.

As you can see if your happy with the pixel size of the 22" then a 26" monitor will most closely match the pixel size.

In the 26" monitors the Hazro HZ26Wi recieved a good review for TFTCentral http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews/hazro_hz26wi.htm and can be found for £470 at OCUK (until Wednesday (possible Tuesday depending on when the weekly offers change) Silver Model Black Model Normally people would warn against using OCUK as their after sales customer service could be improved upon to put it mildly. However with a Hazro product Hazro deal with any warranty issues themselves the three year warranty is first year on site and then the second and third are return to base (I believe) either way you will not need to deal with OCUK (unless the monitor is dead on arrival).

[Kerandran]

Wow, you certainly know your stuff!
Indeed the resolution of my current 22” monitor is 1680 x 1050. I may well be tempted by the 27” monitor, however the price factor will be what makes me choose between a 26” or a 27” monitor.
At the moment I am only at the information gathering stage, and may not be able to buy the monitor immediately as I have just bought a number of computer parts for both my computers at home (for a long overdue graphics card & PSU upgrade on both machines), which I intend to install later on today / possibly tomorrow, so if I do not reply for a little while, it is because I am in the middle of doing that. It is also the first time I am going to replace and exchange the PSUs. And rest assured that I have checked for compatibility issues before hand. But anyway I shall not mention these any longer here as it is not the topic of this posting (unless someone is interested to know). Therefore, If I do not reply for a while, please note that it will be because of the upgrade.

I also thank you for the table, this makes it clear now, as to the reason which I experienced the difficulties that I mentioned with different monitor sizes. Also I would like to thank you for warning me on the after sales service of OCUK. Normally get hardware from ebuyer, scan, amazon and sometimes from cclonline.

Again, since I like to play it safe, I prefer to purchase from reliable online stores. But I am a bit more sceptical when it comes to very expensive products. And have the tendency I to buy them from retail shops, where one has that piece of mind of knowing that one can always return it to the shop if something goes wrong in the first year of purchase.

It his more than likely that I will get the new monitor within one or two months time.
Thank you for thorough advice.

I cannot seem to find a review on the Samsung SM275T / SM275T+, would you know where I could find one? Perhaps this monitor is too new to have one.

[Webby]

Checking the price of the Samsung SM275T+ (~£850) it would have to be outstanding better than the Dell 2709W which you can get for £470 (http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductID=846131) not sure how I missed this model from my original list, anyway it is an updated 2707WFP and uses a Samsung made S-PVA panel. You can get it from Dell direct for £440 http://accessories.euro.dell.com/sna...hs1&sku=170559 but the appears to be a 3 week lead time on the order.

I also can not find any reviews for the 27" Samsung screens but at that price I don't think they would be realistic considerations anyway.

[Kerandran]

If the Dell 2709W really an SPVA monitor? Its price range suggests that it may not be, as most monitors of that calibre are priced around £700 plus price tag. However if it is an SPVA monitor then the value for money may be great. I am not particularly impressed by the reviews that I have found concerning this monitor though.

Apart from that, on paper, the NEC MultiSync LCD2690WUXi seems pretty impressive too. The decision is going to be tough.

Do you think that it is worth considering a 26" or 27" LCD monitor with incorporated TV too (as I have heard that most of these use SPVA panels as well).

I feel that if I make the wrong choice, I will be stuck with a monitor that I am not pretty impressed with, for a long, long time.

[Webby]

The Dell is a SPVA panel, the are plenty of PVA panel screens available in the £300-500 bracket the just are not that many 26"+ monitors available to choose from.

The Hazro's I linked earlier use IPS screens I think rather than PVA but they are still true 8bit colour which is the main problem with TN panels (only 6bit colour). Some people will tell you IPS is better than PVA i'm sure others will reverse that and still others will laud praise on TN's for the refresh rates and comparative cheapness.

If you can not find what panal type a particular model uses then put it in the panel finder over at TFTCentral they obviously don't have every panel listed but a lot of the better ones are you could also try the monitor selector which will suggest a monitor suited to your needs and provide reviews on all suggestions.

[Kerandran]

I did not know about the price range, I did what is never recommended “assume”, so apologise for this.

I am aware that there is a lot of unrest and strong opinions out there concerning the different panel technologies. I find this a little obtrusive. By this I mean that what matters is what I want, and not what someoned else wants me to have. I prefer to have good rich colours and good clarity (OK I would prefer to have faster response times too), but currently we are limited by the technology, and may be someday, there will be newer technology that will excell in all the feature that monitors should have (but not yet). So we have to do with what is available now.

I am very open to suggestions, provided they are not too unidirectional. However if the suggestions become unidirectional, I would like to have an explanation as to why it would be better.

TFT Central is a very good site and the reviews there are very detailed, and I must admit that I find some details a bit difficult to digest, but I suppose that when I become more familiar with the jargon and specifics of LCD monitors, then it will become easier to understand everything. It is true that what has been the hardest for me was to find the panel types that use the technology that I want, as even the manufacturess of the monitors do not always specify what panel is of what type. Therefore I shall go by your recommendation of using the panel finder of TFT central.

Do you have any opinions on using combined LCD TV Monitors as pure monitors especially those using SPVA technology?
I have been told that these are cheaper alternative and as good (of course if selectively chosen).

[Webby]

I have no experience with the LCD-TV monitors but can not see that the quality would be any less unless the cost of the TV-Tuner has meant that other parts have had to be reduced in quality to keep the price point.

Again as in all things find some reviews of them and then hopefully this will steer you in the right direction, and yes it is frustrating that manufacturers do not list what panel technology they use. On the whole response times of less than 5ms mean it is TN however the PVA and IPS screens have now reached response times of 6ms the other factor is normally PVA and IPS have better viewing angles than TN but again TN screens are getting better in this aspect. The only area which doesn't seem to change is that PVA and IPS both truly support 8 bit colour while TN only support 6 bit using colour dithering to artificially increase the colour depth.

If colour reproduction is really important to you then you may want to consider a calibration tool for the monitor as well, these are not cheap however if you want your monitor to be the best that it can you will need to calibrate it. Some monitors are closer to perfect from the factory than others and again reviews (from sites like TFTCentral) should help here.

[Kerandran]

I am now back in business as I have just updated my PSU and graphic card so my system is now adequate for use with a 26” + monitor especially for running at screen resolutions of 1920 x 1200. My older PC will get its rejuvenation next week with a total reinstallation of windows (that’s going to be fun, or maybe not). When both systems are complete, I will be able to concentrate on my monitor hunt again.
Thank you ever so much for your good help and advice so far.