Need a new monitor...

[jcon]

My desktop monitor is pretty much shot.. I calibrate with Spyder and it looks perfect, then a few days later, its crappy again. I also see a faint yellow band across the bottom of the screen. So, I need a new monitor.

I am still undecided between CRT and LCD. I have been looking at LaCie monitors, but I would like to keep the cost around $500. The LaCie 321 looks perfect, although its twice what I want to pay, and there are some reporting bad pixels. Anyone have any good monitor suggestions? The main use will be for photography editing and viewing. Is my budget too low for a high quality photo editing monitor?

Thanks for any and all suggestions!

[erichlund]

There are some who still swear by CRT monitors. Whether or not there's anything to that, I get good results with a decent mid range LCD. Mine is a Sony, but I also like the Samsung monitors. When I was choosing a monitor, I went and looked at a bunch of different monitors at their default brightness, and the Sony and Samsungs were brighter and clearer than the rest. Once I ran the Spyder III against it, the brightness was one of the things that was reduced, but I was able to see a lot more subtle detail, especially in the dark areas of a B&W image.

The advantage of the LaCie is the built in calibration. If you have calibration, why pay extra?

[fionndruinne]

Some of HP's new LCDs even rotate to portrait mode, which I personally think would be sweetness for viewing and editing photos in that orientation.

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

Check out these reviews:

Samsung SyncMaster T220HD 22in LCD TV/Monitor (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2008/10/16/Samsung-SyncMaster-T220HD-22in-LCD-TV-Monitor/p1)

Dell UltraSharp 2408WFP Widescreen 24in LCD Monitor (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2008/06/02/Dell-UltraSharp-2408WFP-Widescreen-24in-LCD-Monitor/p1) (a little bit above your $500 budget)

ViewSonic VP2250wb 22in Monitor (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2008/05/20/ViewSonic-VP2250wb-22in-Monitor/p1)

LG Flatron L227WT-PF (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2008/02/02/LG-Flatron-L227WT-PF/p1)

HP w2408h 'Vivid Color' 24in Monitor (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2008/01/24/HP-w2408h-Vivid-Color-24in-Monitor/p1)

and last, but not at all least:

LG Flatron L206WU 20in Widescreen DisplayLink Monitor (http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2008/04/16/LG-Flatron-L206WU-20in-Widescreen-DisplayLink-Monitor/p1) <- this one has excellent IQ and exceptional value for money at ~$300 (and it rotates!)

[Visual Reality]

Do your research and do not buy an LCD with a TN panel for photo editing.

[jcon]

Thank you all for your input. I will take all the info and links provided and do alot of reading and research. Its all greatly appreciated, thank you!

[jcon]

Ive kind of got my eye on the NEC MultiSync EA221WM but I cannot find out whether its an IPS, VA or a TN Panel. The online specs dont state which it is. Anyone have any thoughts on this display?

I also like some of the DoubleSight displays.

Id prefer an IPS, but yes, I know, they are expensive! I might be willing to bump my budget to around $700 if its worth it!

[Visual Reality]

If you can't find it online, the dead giveaway is always the viewing angle. MVA, PVA, IPS will all say around 178*.

Their own website specifically says its a TN panel:
http://www.nec-display-solutions.com/c/g/eeme/en/Press/Home/Details/dp/Internet/Content/PressReleases/2008/Products/LCD/EA221WM/EA221WM/index,type=Products.html

Surprising, most manufacturers don't openly display this information.

[jcon]

VR, I assume you are satisified with your BenQ? I have been looking at the model you own and Im starting to lean towards that one.

Ive also been looking at this from NEC...

http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=793e5e4a-0c2f-47cc-a184-cf3e0cd0ba41

But its not WS. Id also like to have one that will Rotate to portrait mode, but thats not a deal breaker.

Ugh, there are so many choices and my head is starting to hurt from all this reading!

I might end up just saying screw it and getting this one....

http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=a46240bd-a846-4de7-b644-bd7f0b7e6ece

[Visual Reality]

One thing that can't be measured by any spec sheet is input lag. This is the delay after your mouse movements. If you will be using it for gaming this is critical. Mine does not suffer from this noticeably, but you also have to have a fast mouse (corded) as that adds to the problem.

[jcon]

I have no use for gaming on my PC. Strictly photo editing and the once in awhile movie.

The model you have seems to be pretty scarce and hard to find.

[Margus]

Some additional suggestions for you. One with extremely good color reproduction and the other with the best design I've ever seen.

If you are willing to pay around $700 then take a look at the Samsung XL20 (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS20EDBEB/XAA), it seems to be among the best displays available. Official list price is higher than $700 but if you do some searching you could find a good deal. Amazon is selling them at $799 currently.

The other model I'd recommend is Samsung T240 (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/features.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS24TWHSUV/ZA) or T220. The designers of this monitor should deserve some kind of design award, it's just the best what I've ever seen. I saw it first last Spring at Cebit in Hannover and since then I've been waiting for my current monitor to show at least some signs of the need for replacement. :)

[jcon]

Ok, so I think I have narrowed my choice down to two monitors...

http://www.necdisplay.com/Products/Product/?product=1713e080-c8e3-4aab-9447-73dacb301b84


http://www.doublesight.com/product/?idx=26

There is a pretty major price difference between the 2, but I have been leaning towards an NEC the entire time. I would like to hear suggestions and thoughts on these 2 monitors. I will be buying one very soon as I cant do any photo work until I get my new monitor.

This is almost over guys, thank you so much for your input and help!

[Visual Reality]

If I weren't a pro or didn't belong to an employer who would help with the purchase price, I don't know if I would fork out $1200 for a monitor. I thought mine was steep at $670 a year and a half ago but worth every penny.

[jcon]

I like your BenQ, but I cant seem to find it for sale online at any reputable places.

[Margus]

Hmm, the Nec seems to be overpriced. If this is your favorite model, and the price is really ~$1200 then I'd suggest you to take a look at Samsung (again :) ) 245T (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=monitors&subtype=lcd&model_cd=LS24HUCEFV/XAA). It has virtually the same specs, and includes the pivot function too. The price for 245T is around $660. I have used this monitor myself and was really pleased with it.

[jcon]

Well, this exhausting process has finally come to an end. I have just purchased the NEC MultiSync LCD2490WUXi-BK-SV from Newegg for $1270.00. Yeah, its alot more than I wanted to pay, but after hours and hours of comparing and reading, this was my best option out there. Now I dont need to worrya bout a monitor for many years to come.

I thank you all for youe time and suggestions, they were a great help.

The one monitor that did come close to the NEC was the BenQ, however, it becamse pretty hard to locate online for purchase.

VR and everyone else, thank you again!

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

:eek: Whoa! You've exceeded your budget 2.5x...


I would like to keep the cost around $500


I have just purchased the NEC MultiSync LCD2490WUXi-BK-SV from Newegg for $1270.00

[jcon]

Yeah, I know. I couldnt find anything around $500 that would keep me happy for atleast 5 years.

Its probably a bit much, but what the hell, we only live once, right?!?! LOL

Now for that D3..... :D

[S_p_i_d_e_r]

Its probably a bit much, but what the hell, we only live once, right?!?! LOL

Now for that D3..... :D

:D Sure thing. We won't take our $$$ to the grave...

[Neofolis]

This is going slightly off topic, but I have two PC's, one which uses a cheap 17" ADi Microscan LCD and one which uses a 42" Pioneer Kuro Plasma screen. The plasma screen is fantastic for photo editing and, whilst I'm not suggesting you go and spend $3000 on a good quality plasma, if you already have a decent large screen TV in close proximity to your PC you could use that for photo editing and just by a cheap monitor for use when picture size/quality is less of an issue.