New Monitor

[Jim Baxter]

I presently have a Gateway FPD1700 LCD that has served me well for several years now.
I am starting to notice some screen flutters when at desktop and have a webshots picture background. Is this normal and I just haven't noticed it before?
Or is the monitor starting to go?

How do I test for dead pixels?

What should I look for in a new LCD monitor? I use my PC mainly for light surfing, e-mail, and some driving sims on-line.

I'm thinking of a 19" Hyundai, but there are lots of others out there.

Thanks

[Jim Baxter]

Am I in the wrong place with this question?

[Panama Red]

Gotta be a little more patient, Jim. This isn't a chat room it's a tech board. Takes time for someone willing to answer to come along sometimes. Plus if you use the search function for "19" lcd", I bet you'd get many good answers to your question. It's been answered here many times before. RJ seems to specailize in monitor/lcd specs and any advice you find from him would be valid.

--------------moderator-----------------

You didn't mention what you're using for a video card or if you're using onboard video. I'm assuming the machine with a problem is not the one in your sig. You might want to try your monitor on another machine just to verify the problem isn't with the vid card.

[Randomized]

I'm not sure if this your problem, but it's happened to me before. I was moving my PC around to get all the dust away (my case attracts dust like a mother) and I bumped the moniter connector thingy. After that my screen sometimes fuzzed. I secured the moniter plug back in and it was fine.

Oh yeah, and if thats not your problem, I'd recommend buying it at a local store even if it costs a bit more just in case your moniter has a few dead pixels b/c shipping the moniter back and forth is a pain in the ass

[Jim Baxter]

Ok thanks for the response guys.

I'll check the search feature Panama and yes it is the system in my signature.
I don't think it's problem with the pc.

And Randomized, I have not moved anything. My cpu sets on top of my computer desk and the side panel is easily accessed for periord dust removal, and the front panel filter really helps to keep crud out of the interior.

Thanks again guys.

[RJ]

I presently have a Gateway FPD1700 LCD that has served me well for several years now. I am starting to notice some screen flutters when at desktop and have a webshots picture background. Is this normal and I just haven't noticed it before? Or is the monitor starting to go?

The image should be very steady and not move at all. Is this "fluttering" like a light grainy picture noise ? If so, that's normal for TFTs with TN panels. You don't always notice them, though, but it's possible to see that.
Anyway, how did you connect the TFT to your PC ? With a VGA or a DVI cable ? If VGA, use DVI. If your monitor doesn not have a DVI port, press the auto adjust button (or select auto adjust or autotune in the menu), that should set the best timings possible for a steady picture.

How do I test for dead pixels?

Open paint, set the pic size to 1280x1024 and fill it with red. Then let it display full screen and take a close look at the monitor. If a red subpixel is defective, it will be black.
Then do the same with green and blue to check if any green or blue subpixels are broken.

What should I look for in a new LCD monitor? I use my PC mainly for light surfing, e-mail, and some driving sims on-line.

For games you want a low response time. Usually any TFT with TN and S-IPS panel nowadays is fast enough, and even the new 20ms MVA panels should now be ok for gaming. Anyways I'd get a TFT with TN or S-IPS panel, they are the better performers.

Then look at the viewing angle, choose one that is wide enough for you. I recommend 150/120 as the minimum, but after all this is more like a guideline, as some people may want a wider viewing angle, or don't care for a smaller one.

IMHO very important is the DVI connection. Only with it will you get the sharpest picture possible, as there won't be digital/analog conversions anymore, everthing remains on the digital level.

The brightness shouldn't be too high .. . 250 to 300 cd/m² ist good. If you get a brighter TFT you could lower the brightness, but at the same time you will worsen the contrast ratio.
The contrast ratio on nowadays TFTs are all good, and if you don't have any special desires then it doesn't really matter which one it has. They're all about 350:1 or more.

RJ