Monitor Recomendations

[glock17]

Im looking for a 19 inch flat screen crt with good refresh rates and resolution ( preferably black ). I have seen a lot of mixed reviews on monitors and I am stumped on which one to purchase.

thanks

[Gizmo]

Philips are quite good.

[Cricket]

Samsung CRT monitors have been recommended quite a bit in the past.

What CRT monitors have you been looking at or are considering?

Cricket

[glock17]

well at first i was going to get a view sonic but the reviews made me change my mind, i hear some good things about samsung and bad, but if you guys have had good experiences with them ill get them. I saw a few 19 inch flat screen crt samsungs but didnt know which one and i sorta want a black one.

thanks

[cameroth]

my brand new samsung 19" SynchMaster910v just came in today. I haven't had it long enough to give an educated opinion on it (it's my first LCD), but my first impression was- WOW. It looks very good to me, and it's a big upgrade from a 15" laptop screen.

[Uber_Gamer]

Well I don't know what your budget is... But a fantastic monitor, one of the best 19" CRTs that is available is the Viewsonic P95 F+B, which can be found here.

If you look at the specs it has fantastic resolutions (all the way up to 2048x1536), incredible refresh rates (1600X1200 at 87 Hz), and its perfectly flat. Additionally from my experience, it is capable of incredibly vibrant and bright colors and sharp text as well. The picture is absolutely amazing. The only reason you shouldn't buy this is if you're bothered by the two faint aperture grill lines. And let me assure you they are very faint, and you only notice them if you look for them.

In my opinion, CRTs are better than LCDs for gaming because there's not an issue of response time, and the picture on a nice CRT is equal to that on a LCD. AND LCDs have the issue of native resolution - not looking equally good on different resolutions. My two cents...

[Gizmo]

Argh! Oops. Oooh I'm so sorry! Just realised you said flat screen CRT and not LCD. My apologies. *now runs and hides*

[glock17]

uber gamer, that monitor isnt flat, its just it has a flat screen covering the other one ( says in reviews )

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by Uber_Gamer In my opinion, CRTs are better than LCDs for gaming because there's not an issue of response time, and the picture on a nice CRT is equal to that on a LCD. AND LCDs have the issue of native resolution - not looking equally good on different resolutions. My two cents...

You're probably right that CRTs are better for gaming, but most people use their computers for stuff other than that too and at that point LCDs are just so much better, for the following reasons:

1. The fact that they have a fixed number of pixels means that everything on them is really sharp.
2. They don't flicker.
3. They are extremely bright with vivid colors -- much better than a CRT unless you need faithful color reproduction.
4. They are significantly smaller.

Once you switch to an LCD, it's downright painful to have to use a CRT again. Whenever I do, I get headaches because of the blurriness and flickering. Plus, even if CRTs were actually better, I'd still take my 2001FP because a 21" CRT would take up my entire college desk. The way I have it now I have lots of space to do work (or for papers to collect, as the case may be).

The only possible reasons for you to want a CRT is if you have a computer that you use exclusively for gaming (and even then I would want an LCD) or if you have a cat that likes to lie on top of your monitor as is the case with my mom.

[glock17]

if you have something to say to someone that doesnt regard my thread question please pm him.

any ideas for monitors?

[Uber_Gamer]

Glock which reviews are you reading? Just so you know, in general, COMPLETELY DISREGARD user reviews off of seller's websites - such as Newegg. Usually these people don't actually have the product themselves and are making up random crap. If you want legit reviews go to a website like Tom's Hardware or ask in a good forum like this one.

You're right it has a SLIGHT curve (most "flat"screens do). But relative to a normal/curved monitor, it is definitely a flatscreen and keeps accurate geometry on the edges.

P.S. Fulton you're basing that off of the 2001FP??? That's a $1000 monitor, quite different from a $250 monitor. They're in different leagues. AND...
1. The fact that they have a fixed number of pixels means that any other resolution looks like crap as compared to the native one. This poses problems for gaming as many games run on different resolutions, and sometimes it is necessary to run a game on lower resolutions if your video card isn't bleeding edge.
2. CRTs upwards of 85 Hz don't flicker either.
3. The color is not much better than a good CRT, unless you're talking about the 2001FP which is ridiculously expensive.
4. Response times can ruin games, unless you're buying a 15 ms LCD which is significantly more expensive than the P95 F+B.
5. For desktop apps, browing the internet, color vibrancy isn't important. Text clarity is, and the difference b/w a good CRT and an LCD isn't even noticeable.

[Yuanji]

the only thing my parents have a problem with CRTs is that sometimes they are too bright but just get a filter screen for that. space might be an issue but at home, a CRT is fine.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by Uber_Gamer P.S. Fulton you're basing that off of the 2001FP??? That's a $1000 monitor, quite different from a $250 monitor. They're in different leagues. AND... 1. The fact that they have a fixed number of pixels means that any other resolution looks like crap as compared to the native one. This poses problems for gaming as many games run on different resolutions, and sometimes it is necessary to run a game on lower resolutions if your video card isn't bleeding edge. 2. CRTs upwards of 85 Hz don't flicker either. 3. The color is not much better than a good CRT, unless you're talking about the 2001FP which is ridiculously expensive. 4. Response times can ruin games, unless you're buying a 15 ms LCD which is significantly more expensive than the P95 F+B. 5. For desktop apps, browing the internet, color vibrancy isn't important. Text clarity is, and the difference b/w a good CRT and an LCD isn't even noticeable.

First of all, I'm not just basing this on the 2001FP (which BTW is only an $850 monitor now, LOL). I agree that most $250 LCDs are really crappy, but when you get into the $400 range, you get some really nice 17" LCDs. The Dell 1704FP is also a superb monitor, and it was on sale for $389 the other day, I think.

As for your other points...

1. I agree that LCDs are not the best for gaming. However, with a sufficiently fast computer, any game should be able to run at 1280x1024 (even my computer can run Doom III at 1600x1200 at medium quality, and so I'm betting that a Radeon 9600 -- a middle-of-the-road card -- could run at 1280x1024 at the same settings). For my flat panel, I set it to not interpolate, so I get the real estate of a 17" monitor when playing games at 1280x1024, but no interpolation.
2. Even running at 100 Hz, my eyes hurt after two hours of using a CRT. I've been using my computer for about two hours right now and my eyes feel great. In other words, CRTs still flicker.
3. I've found that in general on TFT LCDs, colors are more vivid. It's not something that can really be measured, but it's just what I've found.
4. Most LCDs are 16ms or lower these days. I can tell you that ghosting is not an issue on the 2001FP, which itself is 16ms.
5. Text is pretty blurry on most CRTs because they don't have dedicated pixels. I've found that text quality on LCDs is significantly better.

As soon as the 2001FP goes on sale for $580 or lower and I have some disposable income, I'm getting a second one to run as a secondary display. Two 2001FPs = awesome.

[Yuanji]

the probelm with LCDs is that you need to buy over a 19 inch to get anything higher then 1280x1024 resolutions. that's a lot of money.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by Yuanji the probelm with LCDs is that you need to buy over a 19 inch to get anything higher then 1280x1024 resolutions. that's a lot of money.

Untrue. 15" and 17" can handle 1280x1024 and higher just fine - just that the LCD native resolution tends to be 1280x1024 or 1024x768, it's completely capable of reaching higher and you can probably set it to work well enough.

kram

[Yuanji]

on the specs it says max resolution 1280x1024 on everything that i've found.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by kram8806 Untrue. 15" and 17" can handle 1280x1024 and higher just fine - just that the LCD native resolution tends to be 1280x1024 or 1024x768, it's completely capable of reaching higher and you can probably set it to work well enough.

No, if you set an LCD higher than its native resolution, it will scroll. You could theoretically scale the display but you would lose pixels and thus the image would be really disjointed. Native res is the one downside of LCDs, but it contributes to the positive aspects like clarity.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by thefultonhow No, if you set an LCD higher than its native resolution, it will scroll. You could theoretically scale the display but you would lose pixels and thus the image would be really disjointed. Native res is the one downside of LCDs, but it contributes to the positive aspects like clarity.

Theoredically, you could though. I just checked out my 17" monitors which indeed does allow beyond 1280x1024 resolutions and it does scroll a bit. My point was it is possible.

kram

[glock17]

really.... no recomendations? if you guys wanna debate about lcd and crt monitors i can set up an aol chat room for ya.

[kram 2.0]

Sorry for getting a bit off topic, but for monitor, I can say that Samsung makes some nice CRT monitors...very inexpensive and good quality though they tend to be a bit dimmer than their competition, but unnoticible.

kram

[Hi Ho]

Here are a few good models. Viewsonic makes great CRT monitors as do Samsung and NEC.

NEC/MITSUBISHI FE991SB-BK 19" SuperBright Diamondtron CRT Monitor –RETAIL

ViewSonic P95F+B 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor –RETAIL

This one is black/silver but it's a good monitor.
SAMSUNG SyncMaster 997DF-T/T 19" DynaFlat CRT Monitor -RETAIL

I know the Viewsonic has already been recommended and I also know that the screen is flat. It is as flat as a CRT can be.

[glock17]

so with refresh rates and resolution and just based on how good a monitor which one would be the best?

thanks

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by glock17 so with refresh rates and resolution and just based on how good a monitor which one would be the best? thanks

Best in what sense? I'd say they're all equally good...personally, I'd get the cheapest since I know if I get one of them, I'd bee getting a good quality monitor.

kram

[palloco]

Samtron is the same that samsung but cheaper.

[Xayd]

viewsonic g90fb.

Had one for about 2 years now. Does 1280x960@100hz no problem.

[fudtone]

LCD's are just not performance hardware unless you have $800.

I also am looking for a monitor. Samsung seems to be the cost to performance contender.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by fudtone LCD's are just not performance hardware unless you have $800. I also am looking for a monitor. Samsung seems to be the cost to performance contender.

Speaking of Samsung, the 172X is quite good... $449.

[fudtone]

I looking at a larger monitor. 19+ so it would be 18+ in LCD

Im looking at spending <250$ for a nice performing monitor... what ya got?

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by fudtone I looking at a larger monitor. 19+ so it would be 18+ in LCD Im looking at spending <250$ for a nice performing monitor... what ya got?

LOL, I had no idea 19" CRTs were so cheap nowadays!

If you are open to spending a bit more, the Dell 1704FPT is $313 on Dell Refurb right now ($75 off deal). 17" LCDs have equivalent screen real estate to 19" CRTs (they have a native res of 1280x1024, which is what I ran my old 19" CRT at). The Dell in particular has superior brightnesss and contrast, as well as a 13 ms response time, which if you follow LCDs you'll know is perfect for gaming (my 2001FP has a 16 ms response time and there's no ghosting). Oh, and don't be fooled by the fact that it's from Dell Refurb -- most of the stuff on there, especially the new stuff like the 1704FPT, is just stuff that people ordered and then canceled the order.

Awesome flat panel for a great price -- if you are willing to spend $63 more, it's well worth it. My friend who has the 1901FP and I were talking the other day, and we agreed that it's painful now to use CRTs because of the flickering and the text which isn't sharp enough.

[Panama Red]

Rather than allowing the continued hijacking of this thread, I'm closing it so others with questions can start their own. Besides, the originator of this thread was banned days ago!