Looking for a second monitor - DPChallenge Forums

06/27/2009 02:18:49 PM · #1

I'm going crosseyed looking at monitor specs so thought I'd ask for some opinions here.

Here are four models I've narrowed my selection down to:

BenQ X2200W 22in 2ms DVI/HDMI

LG W2442P-BF 24 in 2ms DVI

Samsung SyncMaster 2343BWX 23in DVI

Viewsonic VX2233WM 22in DVI

Any others in the same price range: 200-300 Canadian? Or opinions on the ones above?

HDMI is not a necessity since I don't plan on connecting a gaming console.

Message edited by author 2009-06-27 14:19:22.

06/27/2009 04:47:49 PM · #2

Doing more reading I've removed the BenQ and the Viewsonic from the list and added the Samsung SyncMaster T240HD (non-HD apparently has bleed and backlight issues).

06/27/2009 04:48:02 PM · #3

oops. double post

Message edited by author 2009-06-27 16:48:24.

06/27/2009 05:03:46 PM · #4

Originally posted by cpanaioti:

Doing more reading I've removed the BenQ and the Viewsonic from the list and added the Samsung SyncMaster T240HD (non-HD apparently has bleed and backlight issues).

... and the Viewsonic VX2240W (recommended by Consumer Reports)

Down to the LG, 2 Samsungs and this Viewsonic. At least until I add something else to the list.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

06/27/2009 08:59:46 PM · #5

That's a first. Noone has an opinion to share? ;oP

ErikV

Nikon D7000

06/27/2009 09:32:00 PM · #6

I usually find that CNET.com, pcmag.com and pcworld.com provide useful reviews for this sort of stuff. You might see if they have reviewed any of these monitors (if you have not done so already).

Edited to correct grammar.

Message edited by author 2009-06-27 21:32:34.

Google Glass Google Glass

06/27/2009 11:28:42 PM · #7

Thanks. I found a couple on CNET.

I'm down to a couple of LG monitors, one 23 and one 24 inches.

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/28/2009 12:44:11 AM · #8

I like my LG. Had it about a year.

senor_kasper

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/28/2009 01:15:47 AM · #9

I am extremely happy with my Hannspree HF229H , especially considering the price, I paid less than $200 (US) about a year ago (Best Buy), it performs very similarly to my $600+ Dell Ultrasharp. I just looked in Their websiteand it appears that the 22 inch model is no longer available, but they have 23 inch and larger versions. I bought mine after testing it side to side against the Samsung, LG, Philips and others at the store, it was clearly a better performer and less expensive than all of them. It is easy to calibrate with the spyder and stays accurate. The only con is that it does not have as wide a view angle, so, you have to view from the center of the monitor for most accuracy. I doubt that you can find a better monitor for the money. Unfortunately it appears that they don't have a Hannspree store in Canada, but that may not be an issue, I bought mine at Best Buy, I imagine you must have those in Canada. Good luck.

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

06/28/2009 04:02:27 AM · #10

If you are going to be viewing this new monitor in a dark room or without a lot of lights so that reflections and glare are minimized, you may want to try out a monitor with a glossy screen. I just purchased yesterday a Hewlett Packard 2159m with Brightview technology. I wish I could give you a review but it hasn't yet arrived. Glossy screen monitors are supposed to render images and graphics with exceptional clarity and vivid colors. Because they lack a matte screen (which diffuses the light they emit) contrast is supposed to be much improved with truer blacks, beautiful colors, and better viewing angles.

The HP only cost me $195 USD with free shipping from Newegg and it's still on sale as of this writing, although the price has gone up $10 in the short time since I placed my order. Some people love and some hate glossy screens but from what I've read, Apple is offering glossy screens exclusively with their computers now, although I'm not sure if this applies to their Cinema Displays. Anyway, I just thought I'd throw this monitor out there for you to consider. Good luck with your choice.

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/28/2009 09:36:50 AM · #11

I am no expert, but I did read up on this a fair bit for a friend recently who was looking at 22 inchers.

There is much talk about the difference between 5ms response 22 inch monitors being of a specific type. They can have chromatic inconsistency when viewed from different angles. The type of screen that is described as 'higher quality' is not available in 22 inch sizes, only 24.

There are even other types which speak of faster and slower response times.

From what I could see, 5ms is a fairly decent compromise. It's fast enough that you won't notice much difference by going faster unless you play some crazy wild games.

Going slower will also go largely unnoticed until you hit about 8ms. Slower than that and refresh time starts to go into the 20-30ms range. That's starting to get a bit slow for 30 fps that is frequently seen in video.

20-30 ms is fairly common in many of the monitors that are of a more chromatically accurate type (but specific to angle of view).

Glossy has a bit of a bad rap by some because they don't much care for the reflection.

I have used both and I prefer having crisper colors and black contrast than reduced reflection. I can easily look past the reflection or angle the monitor so it may not a major issue IF you have control over the lighting in your computer room. For my PDA's, I use glossy. I can move them around to work around reflection. I can't do that as much for my computer screen.

It is also noteworthy that if reflection is a problem for you, sometimes a glossy is actually better since a matte screen will actually increase the angle where the reflection will interfere with the picture on the monitor.

Many of the same types of monitors are actually made in the same factories, so the OEM brand often makes only a small difference in quality. Check around for a company that is willing to do a ZERO BAD PIXEL warranty if you care.

My friend was not willing to pay more than XXXX dollars, so he ended up with an Acer 22 inch with a glossy screen (the difference there is simply a thin sheet of special plastic that is placed on the screen below the edge molding, but it would cost a bit to not have it).

The only reason we chose Acer was because it happened to be the cheapest variant with the most modern features in the store that happened to be near his house. We live in Taiwan, so local pricing may not be the same as where you live.

It also came with a 3 year warranty with a ZERO DEAD PIXEL clause. I thought this was very good.

I have viewed it since and found it to be very good. I couldn't see any problem with color casting or hue shifting from any normal angle. This may be a problem related to monitors that are in portrait orientation, but it wasn't in the standard orientation.

This includes viewing angles that might happen with 4 or 5 people watching the same screen.

Having such a wide screen was unusual, but I found it quite enjoyable when using photoshop. Since he uses just one monitor, there was loads of room for the palettes (tools, layers and history) on the sides with a 3:2 ratio image displayed. It did not feel claustrophobic when the image was viewed at higher magnifications and in fact was pretty decent even when using the crop tool (the screen is wider than 3:2, and I seldom crop normal pics with a stronger ratio than this).

If it had been me, I probably would have gone for a Dell Ultrasharp 24 inch. I probably would have done a matte screen. The Dell matte screens tend to be a bit less destructive to image quality. HOWEVER, at the time we were looking (and I have not since checked this), that monitor was NOT available in full 1080p. The total number of pixels was only around 1600x960. That is significantly lower resolution than the 1080p standard of 1920x1080, and less dense at 24" compared to the 22".

Based on that and since my demands are based almost entirely on photography, I would have simply waited until Dell's stock caught up with my demands.

In the meantime, I would have purchased the Acer 22" as a #2 monitor for the later Dell if it was appropriate.

Apple monitors were also considered, but we found the Dell to have a better bang for the buck and better overall consumer opinion.

Message edited by author 2009-06-28 09:45:20.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

06/28/2009 11:36:07 AM · #12

Thanks for all the input. Mostly I'm viewing with no extra lights on though the room is very bright during the day so reflection may be an issue.

My current monitor (19") is a viewsonic with a matte screen and it has worked rather well. I'm just getting tired of all the menus over top of the image. The Viewsonic will be the menu monitor as it's only VGA anyway, not DVI.

gwsallen

Nikon D300

06/28/2009 12:40:17 PM · #13

Go for Samsung 2343BWX.
//www.amazon.com/Samsung-2343BWX-23-Inch-LCD-Monitor/dp/B001N0H8YW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1246206992&sr=1-1

I am using Samsung 2333SW for photo editing and graphic design work. I also use DVI input and the PQ is just awesome. So 2343BWX should be as good as 2333SW or even better.

Good luck!

Message edited by author 2009-06-28 12:40:53.