Budget LCD Roundup April 2005

**MIG-31** · Apr 7, 2005, 01:30 PM

Anyone can get a bunch of LCD monitors together and show off some pretty benchmarks. However, if the reviewers don't understand the numbers theyre getting from the benchmarks its pointless. Fortunately, you have a trusted partner at FiringSquad, where our team of gamers, videophiles, and pro-photographers can make sense of pixel refresh times and colorimetry. Weve pulled those Dang brothers out of retirement to let them take a look at 8 different budget LCDs.
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Read More: Firingsquad

Mazuko · Apr 7, 2005, 02:32 PM

Not a bad article. I will admit however that I am still glad I have my CRT monitor that I paid $150 for (Samsung SyncMaster 955DF), personally I think it works very well

**MIG-31** · Apr 7, 2005, 03:10 PM

it is a very interesting article........just a pity this This lcd were not included as this is what i have just upgraded to this lat weekend.it's taking a little time to get used to gaming with this one.

Matth · Apr 7, 2005, 06:19 PM

The recent Aldi/Medion special is a good example - the MD8386 PC had a DVI capable graphics card (DVI & analog), but the 17" LCD monitor is analog only, though pretty good.

Maybe when DVI-ONLY panels become a feasible option, the price difference will reverse ... these days, DVI should be a requirement for all but the crappiest graphics cards, to pave the way for the analog functions to disappear from the next generation of LCDs.

The fact analog LCD panels work as well as they do, is pretty amazing.... I remember when manual phase adjustment was the norm, and you were lucky if you could avoid crawl and ripple.

BWX · Apr 7, 2005, 08:29 PM

Quote:

For those of you who still have a CRT monitor on your desk right now, know that it will likely be the last CRT you will ever own. Even if you aren’t upgrading just yet, unless you’re in the market for exotic $4000 CRTs, your next monitor will be a new LCD. Manufacturers simply aren’t putting any R&D into mainstream CRTs anymore. Your vintage high-end CRT is better than many of CRTs being produced today. There are even people “stocking up” on a vintage high-end CRT for this very reason; we don’t recommend doing that.

I don't agree with that at all. My next monitor will be a better CRT. And I will be very happy with it when I get it. For a serious gamer. there is no substitute for a high end CRT- at least within the same price range.

Tipstaff · Apr 7, 2005, 11:18 PM

I have to agree with you on this BWX. CRTs are still the best choice for video/picture editing due to their true color reproduction, and serious gaming. However, having said that, while they aren't 'perfect' for gaming, LCDs are getting better. Much better. I have the Viewsonic VP171b-2, and I tell you, this thing can game. I never thought they could until I saw this monitor, and I have seen others that have made me think twice about them. Viewsonic has 3 more models coming this year, including 2 specific to gaming (ture grey-to-grey 6ms panels), so they are coming.

I can see LCDs getting to the point of replacing CRTs, but not for another year or so at least. But, this year will see OLED displays coming to the 'mass market', as well as low-profile CRTs (of which these are already being sold in standard TV sizes by Samsung). The next year or 2 should be interesting to say the least.

-Tip

BWX · Apr 8, 2005, 03:38 AM

Oh yeah, LCD's are getting to the point where they are good enough for gaming, it is just the fact that to get one that does as good a job as a very good, big, flat, CRT- you will need to spend way more than the price of a good CRT. So in that regard I think it will take more than a couple years for the price/ performance ratio to even be remotely close.

The technology is there, it just costs an arm an a leg to get it, at least now.

Matth · Apr 8, 2005, 06:24 PM

LCD... Low energy, low radiation, low reflection, low weight.
Other than the fagile nature an difficulty of cleaning, there's nothing I don't like about an LCD.

The downsides, more expensive than a similar CRT screen size, and liable to be seriously damaged by a knock that wouldn't bother a CRT.
Limited viewing angle, though that's improved a lot from what it was.

So far, I've had two LCD's, and not one single discernible bad pixel between them (I guess I'm lucky) though my old CRT developed a "dead pixel" - the centre managed to get a tiny burn spot.

Apr 7, 2005, 01:30 PM	#1
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 55,770 Rep Power: 444 System Specs	Budget LCD Roundup April 2005 Anyone can get a bunch of LCD monitors together and show off some pretty benchmarks. However, if the reviewers don't understand the numbers theyre getting from the benchmarks its pointless. Fortunately, you have a trusted partner at FiringSquad, where our team of gamers, videophiles, and pro-photographers can make sense of pixel refresh times and colorimetry. Weve pulled those Dang brothers out of retirement to let them take a look at 8 different budget LCDs. _______________ Read More: Firingsquad __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Apr 7, 2005, 02:32 PM	#2
Mazuko DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 1,008 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Not a bad article. I will admit however that I am still glad I have my CRT monitor that I paid $150 for (Samsung SyncMaster 955DF), personally I think it works very well __________________ E-bay feedback: http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAP...me=STRK:ME:UFS

Apr 7, 2005, 03:10 PM	Thread Starter #3
MIG-31 HardwareHeaven News Mod Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Nottingham,UK Posts: 55,770 Rep Power: 444 System Specs	it is a very interesting article........just a pity this This lcd were not included as this is what i have just upgraded to this lat weekend.it's taking a little time to get used to gaming with this one. __________________ Please Post Your News Submissions Here

Apr 7, 2005, 11:18 PM	#6
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	I have to agree with you on this BWX. CRTs are still the best choice for video/picture editing due to their true color reproduction, and serious gaming. However, having said that, while they aren't 'perfect' for gaming, LCDs are getting better. Much better. I have the Viewsonic VP171b-2, and I tell you, this thing can game. I never thought they could until I saw this monitor, and I have seen others that have made me think twice about them. Viewsonic has 3 more models coming this year, including 2 specific to gaming (ture grey-to-grey 6ms panels), so they are coming. I can see LCDs getting to the point of replacing CRTs, but not for another year or so at least. But, this year will see OLED displays coming to the 'mass market', as well as low-profile CRTs (of which these are already being sold in standard TV sizes by Samsung). The next year or 2 should be interesting to say the least. -Tip __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick. Last edited by Tipstaff; Apr 7, 2005 at 11:23 PM.

Apr 8, 2005, 03:38 AM	#7
BWX unplugged Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: USNY Posts: 19,665 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	Oh yeah, LCD's are getting to the point where they are good enough for gaming, it is just the fact that to get one that does as good a job as a very good, big, flat, CRT- you will need to spend way more than the price of a good CRT. So in that regard I think it will take more than a couple years for the price/ performance ratio to even be remotely close. The technology is there, it just costs an arm an a leg to get it, at least now. __________________

Apr 7, 2005, 06:19 PM	#4
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,410 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	The recent Aldi/Medion special is a good example - the MD8386 PC had a DVI capable graphics card (DVI & analog), but the 17" LCD monitor is analog only, though pretty good. Maybe when DVI-ONLY panels become a feasible option, the price difference will reverse ... these days, DVI should be a requirement for all but the crappiest graphics cards, to pave the way for the analog functions to disappear from the next generation of LCDs. The fact analog LCD panels work as well as they do, is pretty amazing.... I remember when manual phase adjustment was the norm, and you were lucky if you could avoid crawl and ripple.

Apr 8, 2005, 06:24 PM	#8
Matth Flash Banner Hater Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: UK Posts: 3,410 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	LCD... Low energy, low radiation, low reflection, low weight. Other than the fagile nature an difficulty of cleaning, there's nothing I don't like about an LCD. The downsides, more expensive than a similar CRT screen size, and liable to be seriously damaged by a knock that wouldn't bother a CRT. Limited viewing angle, though that's improved a lot from what it was. So far, I've had two LCD's, and not one single discernible bad pixel between them (I guess I'm lucky) though my old CRT developed a "dead pixel" - the centre managed to get a tiny burn spot.