What makes a good LCD?

[QuickSilver]

I have a customer who would like an LCD, but not some $600 thing. I know dot pitch is something to whatch for, bit I'm not sure what. Good brands? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks! :)

[Panama Red]

See my suggestions here:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=106993

16ms refresh rate, and 450 Contrast Ratio. Both important numbers. You want lower numbered refresh rate and high numbered CR.

[QuickSilver]

Thanks for the info Buddy. It'll give me something to go on. :)

[RJ]

know dot pitch is something to whatch for

Well, dot pitch is nothing to watch for. .. completely unimportant ;)

What you really need to look at are these:

Native resolution. Only at that resolution a TFT provides the sharpest picture. I haven't seen anything else for standalone TFTs than these: 15": 1024x768, 17-19": 1280x1024, 20": 1600x1200, but it never hurts do check it.

Contrast. The higher the better. 350:1 or higher should it be. But also pay attention to the brightness. Common brightnesses are 210 to 250 cd/m². If the brightness is way higher, then the contrast ratio isn't really what it looks like. A TFT with 350cm/m² and 450:1 has a worse contrast than a TFT with 210cd/m² and 450:1.

Connection type: Although cheap to implement, many monitor makers fail to implement a DVI port, unfortunately. With VGA you lose a bit of picture quality, so make sure the TFT has a DVI port.

Viewing angle: Not a real issue anymore, but there are still TFTs out there with a low wieving angle. 150/140 should be the minimum nowadays IMHO.

Response time: The faster, the better. 50ms was good, 25ms was even better. . just keep the reponse time somewhere below 30ms and you're all set.

Colors: All TFTs have to support 16.7M colors. If it supports less, it's a bad model, as more colors need to be interpolated and the response time doubles in these cases.

Dead pixels: Usually not a realy issue anymore, as many TFTs come without any. But if you have the possibility then check the particular TFT that you're gonna buy at the store for dead pixels, as they can't be repaired. Usually a minimum of 7 or 8 are required to RMA the monitor because of dead pixels.

RJ

[QuickSilver]

Cool. Thanks for straightening me out. :cool:

[lostplanet]

So how would this Monitor figure in you opinion RJ? out of 10
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/hardware/monitorsanddisplays/productView.htm?quicklinx=3796
I can actually get it in my hands for £230

[lostplanet]

actually forget that i just found this one with better specs and reviews and £20 cheaper on its way, couldnt resist :)
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=2163042404&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=65119

[rustywood]

got a samsung 710t had it for about 3 weeks,here in the last two days when im playing games i get pixel flickering, graphics dropping in and out,anybody know what the heck is causing this? all hardware is new, the v.c. is a gainware 6800gt 256mb

[RJ]

So how would this Monitor figure in you opinion RJ? out of 10

The Samsung SM710V. Let's see:
Standard resolution of 1280x1024.
Standard color support of 16.7M colors.
Viewing angle 150/120 is ok, but for today too low. Even my 4 year old TFT has 150/120.
The brightness is IMHO too high with 290cd/m², so the 500:1 aren't also as good as it looks like. Still the contrast ratio is good.
Response time 25ms is good.
No DVI, that is bad.

I give it a 5 out of 10.

Now the LG L1715S:
Standard resolution of 1280x1024.
Standard color support of 16.7M colors.
Viewing angle 160/140 is pretty good.
The brightness good with 250cd/m², contrast ratio of 450:1 is very good. Probably even slightly better than the Samsung.
Response time 16ms is good.
No DVI, that is bad.

Yep, the LG is better than the Samsung, I give it an 7.5 out of 10.

RJ

[lostplanet]

thanks RJ, i'm happy with 7.5/10 and it fits my budget nicely.
I havent got a DVI graphics card in the PC this is going with.
but it would be nice to have the option.