Subject:New Computer Monitors

Posted by: DKeenum

Date:12/5/2008 8:14:29 AM

I currently use a pair of old 17" monitors, but I'm thinking of upgrading. Do any of you use 22 - 27" widescreen monitors? Can you help me with some recomendations? Do any of you use dual widescreens? Anybody use them stacked?

I use acid pro 7 and reason for music, and soundforge 9 for editing. I use some other programs (melodyne), but these are my may programs. So I'm wondering how this would work with a widescreen monitor.

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: feign

Date:12/5/2008 8:25:56 AM

Acid is definitely enhanced in a widescreen monitor. Lots more horizontal space is especially helpful for the new mixer. I have a NEC MultiSync 2490, which is a bit pricey but recommended for color matching such as photo and illustration work, definitely overkill if you mainly do music. Dell monitors are highly rated, including on many monitor-themed user forums. They tend to have some of the best value for the money and consistency of quality, plus 3-year warranties. The main issue is to test them with your own eyes. Bigger is not necessarily better. I actually found the 26-inch monitors I tested to be hard on my eyes. The resolution is the same as 24 inch monitors, so the pixels themselves are larger, and things like small text can look blurred and pixellated. I found that 24-inch was the optimum size for readbility and lack of eye strain.

I don't have dual screen, but I plan to get a regular monitor for my second screen, making it easier to work in two programs at once.

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:12/5/2008 9:39:34 AM

"I found that 24-inch was the optimum size for readbility and lack of eye strain." Thanks for your opinion on this. I've been thinking about 24", so this good to know.

"I don't have dual screen, but I plan to get a regular monitor for my second screen, making it easier to work in two programs at once." I was actually wanting to go with 2 "regular sized" flat panels, but I've had a hard time finding them. And when I do, they are pricy.

Thanks for your help. Anyone else?

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: feign

Date:12/5/2008 6:23:35 PM

One more thing to take into consideration is the viewing angle for LCD monitors. If you're sitting back from your workstation, maybe using a MIDI keyboard or other instrument, and you're not directly facing the monitor, then viewing angle becomes a factor. Some panels have wider viewing angles than others. It can be very distracting to find the colors shifting or getting blurry if you move from side to side. So check this out too.

Don't get too hung up on the hype about contrast ratios and response times, unless you're a hardcore gamer. Higher contrast ratios don't necessarily mean better images. In fact, professional graphics monitors (like mine) have much lower contrast ratios than the cheaper gaming monitors.

I studied this crap long and hard before choosing a new monitor, and it drove me bonkers. What it all came down to is this:

You wouldn't buy a piano just based on the written specs, without hearing it. You'd buy the one that sounds and feels the best for your budget. Same with monitors. Best advice is to go into shops and actually try out some monitors and get the one that has the best feel in your price range.

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: jackn2mpu

Date:12/6/2008 5:11:57 AM

A couple of things to add:
Viewing distance - if you sit the same distance from a bigger monitor or pair of monitors as you do from the smaller one that's a royal invitation to headaches. Move back a little or move the monitor itself back and you'll be fine.
All contrast ratios are is the ratio between the whitest white and the blackest black. What really should matter more is how pure the colors are that are inbetween those extremes.
Thirdly as to response times: Some monitor companies test this using the full color spectrum and some use just the times between black and white switching. B&W times will therefore be faster than full-spectrum. Unfortunately monitor manufacturers don't specify how they test their product (at least not to the general public).
I'm going through the whole monitor thing right now as the screen in my 17" Mac Powerbook G4 is going south and I'm debating between Apple's 20" display which has absolutely great color rendition (which would work great for my Photoshop work) and a Samsung 2443BWX which is 2/3 the Mac price but is larger (24" versus 20") and cheaper but not quite as spectacular color-wise as the Mac monitor. Choices, choices.....

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: drbam

Date:12/6/2008 6:00:53 AM

Good 720p wide screen LDC & Plasma TVs are getting quite cheap (42 inch as low as $550 and certainly will be lower after Christmas). I was considering getting something like this in order to move my video monitor further back so that it is completely out of the sound field with no concerns that I'm getting reflections from the audio off of the video monitor. I've seen many photos of studios with a set up like this but don't know anyone personally who has done it. My current video card has an HDMI output. What are people's thoughts/experiences with this approach?

Thanks!

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: StephenM

Date:12/8/2008 6:17:11 PM

It really doesn't matter how big of a screen you get... because it all comes down to the pixels. Let's say you get a 42" widescreen but run it at 720P, you are just looking at a screen that is 1280x720.... everything will just be real big. If you run it at 1080P, then you will get 1920x1080. That is better, but you still do better with two 17" LCD monitors in dual mode.

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: drbam

Date:12/8/2008 8:18:46 PM

"It really doesn't matter how big of a screen you get... because it all comes down to the pixels. Let's say you get a 42" widescreen but run it at 720P, you are just looking at a screen that is 1280x720.... everything will just be real big. If you run it at 1080P, then you will get 1920x1080. That is better, but you still do better with two 17" LCD monitors in dual mode."

This is helpful but I think you missed my point . . . which is to get the video monitor back far enough so that it is completely out of the sound field . . . and still be able to read text, edit, etc. In other words, I need to be able to view everything well enough to perform all the functions I do now with a 19" standard LCD monitor in the center (and certainly in the sound field) and a 17" LCD off to my right (for mixer consoles, plug ins, and such). I've done some more research on the large screen approach and apparently the idea will work fine but the consensus is that I should go with an LCD instead of plasma and definitely go 1080p. Plasmas and 720p just won't provide the kind of text clarity (and other smaller items) that I would need.

Thanks again.

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:12/9/2008 7:57:15 AM

I think drban has a valid point with the idea of moving the monitors back and going with 1080, but I'm not yet ready to spend that much money. I'd still be willing to go with dual 19 or 20" monitors, but I'm open to change my mind. I'm concerned with how much a 24" or 26" monitor costs! I know I'm cheap.

"..., but you still do better with two 17" LCD monitors in dual mode." Really? But even if you are correct, I'm not finding standard sized monitors.

BTW, when I type " I occasionally type '. It reminds me of the scene from This is Spinal Tap. LOL

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: drbam

Date:12/9/2008 9:20:18 AM

"Really? But even if you are correct, I'm not finding standard sized monitors."

Check out this link for a search I did on newegg. Amazing how pricey the old models have become!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020%201309821317%201301922115&name=No

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:12/9/2008 5:37:24 PM

Okay, I wasn't accurate. I having a hard time finding standard sized monitors, and when I do, they cost way too much! I don't know why that is, but it means I'm going to go with a widescreen.

Now to figure out what I can afford....

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: ctvieno

Date:12/11/2008 1:02:07 AM

I was at Best Buy the other day and a HD Dell 24" Monitor was about $450 not too bad really.

Subject:RE: New Computer Monitors

Reply by: AtomicGreymon

Date:3/5/2009 10:24:56 PM

I recently picked up my first LCD monitor (yeah, I held off for a long time, lol)... a Samsung Syncmaster 2443BW; and I'm quite happy with it. Not a professional LCD (not in my budget at the moment, being a student), however I still keep my Viewsonic P220f CRT around if I do need something with more precise colour. There doesn't seem to be a single dead pixel on the thing, which is the main issue I was concerned with. And the picture is quite sharp and pleasant.

And Blu-Ray sure looks great on it :P