Hey Guys Looking to pick up a real nice monitor for my computer.

Any recommendations in terms of some nice widescreen monitors (or even 4:3 if that's the best recommendation for a desktop).

Looking for something with DVI inputs and mabye even HD.
I have a GeForce 7600 GTOC card.
Looking to spend between 400-800 Canadian.

Thanks!

My next monitor is the Samsung 205BW, which retails for CAD$319 (at A-Power in Vancouver). This monitor is 20" widescreen, 1680x1050 resolution (16:10), HDTV-ready with DVI-HDCP, and includes a DVI cable.

You may also want to look at the Samsung 225BW 22" monitor, which retails for $459.

What size monitor are you looking for? Are you looking for a model with an ATSC tuner?

Note that I'm totally not a Mac guy, but I've never seen anything that comes close to the vivid and sharp picture in the Apple displays (http://www.apple.com/ca/displays/). If you ever seen one of the 30" Cinema displays in person, you're pretty much compelled to stop and fawn over it for a while......until the price tag snaps you back to reality :).

The 20" model sneaks in at the top of your price range; realize that the 20" model has a resolution of 1680x1050, whereas many other 20" displays are still just 1280x1024.

No one I know with an Apple display has ever regretted the purchase; and every time I see one, I'm envious (and wishing my 19" 1280x1024 would die soon) :)

Many compare the Apple display to the Dell LCD's. Some have said they use the same panels as well. I know I am very happy with my 2007FP panels. I had the widescreen versions (2007WFP) first but felt more comfortable with non widescreen since I barely watch any media on these systems. I got mine for $374 each plus tax to my door.

Apple M9177LL/A 20" LCD

Resolution: 1680 x 1050
Display Colours: 16.7 million
Viewing Angle: 178° horizontal; 178° vertical
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast: 700:1
Response: 14 ms
Pixel Pitch: 0.258 mm
Inputs: USB / DVI / FireWire
Price: $899 (FutureShop)

Dell 2407FPW 24" LCD

Resolution: 1920 x 1200
Display Colours: 16.7 million
Viewing Angle: 89° horizontal; 89° vertical
Brightness: 500 cd/m2
Contrast: 1000:1
Response: 6 ms
Pixel Pitch: 0.270 mm
Inputs: USB / DVI-D / S-Video / Composite / Component
Price: $799 (Dell)

Yikes, that Apple markup is simply insane! I would pick the Dell over a 20" Apple monitor any day of the week.

Wow! Yeah, that is quite a markup!

I'll just say that I haven't seen the Dell display in person; I just know that I've been "WOW"ed by the Apple displays every time I've seen them. Seeing those specs on the Dell, I might have to hunt one of them down.

I have the Dell 2407FPW 24" LCD, and it is absolutely fantastic. I was able to purchase it on sale for $729, so if you can be patient, wait for it to come back down to that price.

One more vote for Dell 24" (I bought an older model 2405).
Absolutely gorgeous panel plus extras are unbeatable - built-in flash card reader, all the imputs under the sun, great PQ, etc.

Nothing to complain about :rolleyes:

Another satisfied Dell 24" user here (2405FPW). Great monitor with lots of inputs (including component to which I hooked up a dvd player). The downside is that I have to use a 19" CRT when I am working at a client's office.

Dell usually have deals on these monitors from time to time.

As long as it is HDCP compliant then it is a worthy candidate.

It's not FULLY hdcp compliant. See here (http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=34166) on post #8

for 19" look at futureshop for the samsung 931BF

2ms 2000:1 and comes with both dvi and db15 cables
$300

Hi,

I don't have the widescreen models, but I had the 19" Dell 1905 with the USB inputs (a surprising useful bonus) for about a year. This model has a slow refresh rate so wouldn't be useful for games, but I've been really happy with it. Enough so that when my wife needed a new external monitor, she also went Dell 19".

For the larger/widescreen Dell monitors, pricing seems equally good, shipping is reliable and I believe all Dell monitors have 3 year warranty too...

Enjoy!
Bryan

Well yesterday morning my old 17" CRT went to the big computer desk in the sky. Snap, Crackle, and Pop! Slight burnt electrical wire smell as well.

Now I'm looking for a new widescreen LCD and need some recommendations.


Background:

This is my primary computer in the house located in the basement (dark). I also have laptop for use elsewhere in the house as needed.
Usage: general browsing and email, photos, documents, occasionally editing home video, and the occasional game (rare now since I have little kids). Very rare is the use of this computer for watching DVD's/video. I would like to be able to occasionally take the monitor outside to watch HDTV on my deck/porch in the warmer months, via my Samsung T-451 OTA ATSC stb (i.e. taking the stb outside, I already have RG6 running to my deck). Watching playoffs in HD in the hot tub :D!! Output of the T-451 is 720P/1080i over component and DVI .
Have to keep the size down to the 20" to 22" range as family income is currently restricted.


Need info on what is considered minimum/current requirement for:

resolution (will wsxga suffice or do I need to consider wuxga)
cd/m2,
contrast ratio,
#/type of inputs for potential future uses,
response time
and is HDCP required/?


thanks in advance
99gecko

I am 100% happy with my Acer 22" WS AL2216W.

It is stunning to view at it's native resolution of 1680 X 1050.

It thought 22" might be too big, but it's perfect.

Usually on sale for $300. You will need an above average video card.

The stand is not rock solid, so your desk needs to be.

Zero dead pixels. Quite a deal. It comes with a DVI cable.

And much to my pleasant surprise it plays Star Wars Battlefront II without a hitch in full widesceen.

Hey filper,
thanks for the info. I'll probably be going shopping this weekend.

I will suggest that you visit this site, (http://www.smartratings.com/computers/monitors), and read the reviews, expert and user, for items that most interest you. They could greatly help when you make a selection later on. Hope this helps.

I've been checking out various websites. There's a big jump, i.e. the price more than doubles, going from

22" 1680 x 1050 monitors, $300 to $350
24" 1920 x 1200 monitors starting around $750

I picked up the samsung 205Bw 20inch wide screen and i am loving it

Newer. larger panels are always more expensive. I am surprised the 22" and 24" panels are no so cheap. They were $thousands a year or two ago. I guess the LCD panel shortage is over. My 20" 1600x1200 monitor cost $800 just two years ago.

It thought 22" might be too big, but it's perfect.
I agree. 1680 X 1050 is quite a high resolution and needs some decent real estate to work well. Widescreen 16:9 monitors need to be larger diagonally than 4:3 monitors to achieve the same display area as well.