New monitor advice

[WhiskyBottle]

Hi folks

I am looking to upgrade my computer monitor. The new monitor will be a second monitor to sit alongside my existing 17"CRT. I'll run windows on the CRT and the photo processing stuff on the TFT monitor, mostly Photoshop and CaptureNX.

I've decided 22" wide screen for size. anything less would be smaller height than what I've got, and 24" would be to big (& expensive).

Question is what to look for in the spec.?

One I've spotted is the LG W2252TQ
Spec is:

Contrast Ratio 10000:1
Image Brightness 300 cd/m2
Interface DVI VGA (HD-15)
Max Resolution 1680 x 1050
Response Time 2 ms
Signal Input DVI-D, VGA

Contrast ratio seems much higher than most others, and response time is faster. Is this good?

Anyone use this screen.

It has two inputs, and I believe it can use both to switch between two computers.

Thanks

Martin

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by WhiskyBottle

Hi folks

I am looking to upgrade my computer monitor. The new monitor will be a second monitor to sit alongside my existing 17"CRT. I'll run windows on the CRT and the photo processing stuff on the TFT monitor, mostly Photoshop and CaptureNX.

I've decided 22" wide screen for size. anything less would be smaller height than what I've got, and 24" would be to big (& expensive).

Question is what to look for in the spec.?

One I've spotted is the LG W2252TQ
Spec is:

Contrast Ratio 10000:1
Image Brightness 300 cd/m2
Interface DVI VGA (HD-15)
Max Resolution 1680 x 1050
Response Time 2 ms
Signal Input DVI-D, VGA

Contrast ratio seems much higher than most others, and response time is faster. Is this good?

Anyone use this screen.

It has two inputs, and I believe it can use both to switch between two computers.

Thanks

Martin

I've recently purchased a Samsung Syncmaster 223BW. It replaced my old 17" TFT which blew up!

It has really surprised me with the quality of the display and also highlighted how many editing errors I'd completely missed on the old one!
It's far,far better quality all round. I've just discovered one stuck pixel on it, but to be honest I can only see it with a magnifying glass!

I think most modern screens are of such a high quality you'll be fine with just about any, at least with a decent name on the front. One point worth mentioning, if you buy away from the high street you tend to get three years warranty as standard. Don't fall for the extended warranty trap offered by certain retail chains.

As for the details, the response times are only really relevant for games and DVD display, but even my old 17" TFT with a 25ms rate was absolutely fine. I could see no ghosting on it at all.
The details on that one all sound perfectly good to me.

[djeyewater]

For photo editing response time isn't that important, generally S-IPS panels are considered to be best for photo editing due to good colour accuracy and viewing angles, with S-PVA panels second best and TN Film panels not really recommended for colour accurate work.

IPS panels tend to be very expensive, PVA panels reasonable, and TN film the cheapest. You can check what type of panel a monitor uses and read up on the different types at www.tftcentral.co.uk.

Dave

[Geoff F]

Yes, for photographic work correct colour is more important than speed. When I needed a new monitor recently, I went for an Iiyama which enabled me to choose sRGB colours. Seems to match camera and printer quite accurately. After looking around I thought this was the best balance between price and quality.

[DuncanE]

Through My design work, (I have designed a display or 2) I have been told that the responce time is a little bit of a fib - so take it with a pinch of salt.

[nightshade]

As GL Sammy has said the Samsungs are excellent monitors but for a wild card how about the HP2207H 22"

[DavyG]

Originally Posted by glsammy

I've recently purchased a Samsung Syncmaster 223BW. It replaced my old 17" TFT which blew up!

It has really surprised me with the quality of the display and also highlighted how many editing errors I'd completely missed on the old one!
It's far,far better quality all round. I've just discovered one stuck pixel on it, but to be honest I can only see it with a magnifying glass!

I think most modern screens are of such a high quality you'll be fine with just about any, at least with a decent name on the front. One point worth mentioning, if you buy away from the high street you tend to get three years warranty as standard. Don't fall for the extended warranty trap offered by certain retail chains.

As for the details, the response times are only really relevant for games and DVD display, but even my old 17" TFT with a 25ms rate was absolutely fine. I could see no ghosting on it at all.
The details on that one all sound perfectly good to me.

Graham,

Are you still happy with your monitor?

How is the colour rendition, do you use a calibration device?

I'm asking as I'm looking for an LCD monitor which will be good for processing pics on.

Dave

[nightshade]

The best monitor I have seen recently is a Samsung 220 a 22" monitor
the colours are amazingly faithful as a default

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by DavyG

Graham,

Are you still happy with your monitor?

How is the colour rendition, do you use a calibration device?

I'm asking as I'm looking for an LCD monitor which will be good for processing pics on.

Dave

I'm very happy with it. I haven't used any kind of calibration device, all I know is that the images I print look just as they look on the screen. The main benefit to me is the improved resolution. I really can see far more detail than before, I can see many editing errors on my older images that were simply impossible for me to see before.
As for the stuck pixel I commented on I got rid of that very easily, I flicked it with my finger and it was gone.
There's a good menu structure to change many aspects of the image, including colour temperature and many other colour controls but I haven't altered any of them as the original image to me looks spot on.
I'd recommend it to anyone. It's not one of those shiny surface types, which personally I don't like. I dare say many of the current ones with a decent name on it would be just as good.

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by nightshade

As GL Sammy has said the Samsungs are excellent monitors but for a wild card how about the HP2207H 22"

I have the HP2207H and am very happy with it. Great contrast and colours and very sharp.

Dave P.