Korean Job Discussion Forums

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

My wife finally spent enough cash internet shopping for junk that we have enough online points to get me a new LCD monitor.

There seem to be a few confusing issues with LCD monitors so I'd like to ask your opinion.

Some people have told me that there are really only about 3-4 manufacturers of LCD panels in the world and they have little or no quality difference. So buying a no-name, made-in-China monitor is basically the same as spending lots on a Sony or a Samsung. Any truth to that?

The other techie question is that I have found myself confused by some LCD's being called TV's and others being called computer monitors. Is there really a difference? Does it just mean the TV kind has a tuner? Can a TV-LCD double as a computer monitor?

So far my favorite is this one....Samsung 204B (now the 205B...450,000won in Yongsan)

http://www.samsung.com/Products/Monitor/LCD_Digital/LS20BRDBSQXAA.asp

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

I can't answer your questions, but beware of one thing with LCDs; they have a native resolution, meaning one resolution they look good in. All others look really bad.

No real worries for Word, internet, etc..., but when one wants to fire up a game, you had better have the graphics card to run 1600x1200 (the native res for your choice), or bear with it looking quite poor indeed.

I think you are a casual gamer, eamo, and this is just something to bear in mind. You may need a graphics upgrade. (Unless you did? I seem to recall you joining in the graphics upgrade thread?)

I'm still a CRT fan, so I don't know much about the LCD tech...sorry I can't help.

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Right Demophobe. I'm still a mostly casual gamer but a few games recently caught my imagination so I decided to upgrade my 4 year old rig.

I got a new Asus PL5D2 deluxe motherboard, a new 3.0 dual-core P4, and most importantly for this discussion, a new 7900GT graphics card. I believe the 7900GT can support 1600X1200 so that's not a worry.

One techie guy told me that there are two specs to pay attention to. The response time in miliseconds....lower is better....and the contrast ratio.....higher is better.

So the Samsung I'm looking at has a response time of 5ms and a contrast ratio of 800:1. That seems good compared to other LCD's in this price range.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

No doubt it's a good monitor, and that gr. card is super...no worries!! Go nuts mate.

Personally, I stick with Samsung for dispalys. My CRT is a Samsung; I really like them and the warranty.

Perhaps there are only 4 panel makers, but the panel is only part of the whole equation. Manufacturing, warranty and reputation go a long way for me. Samsung are top shelf, and if they cost an extra 50 bucks...well, money well-spent in my books.

Happy viewing!!

Antrugha · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Location: On a 2-wheeled engine

definitely go with samsung, best maker our there... or dell. Dell has some amazing monitors as well.

hanguker · Joined: 16 Mar 2005 Location: Korea

More like 200-300 000 Won more for a comparable Samsung!..I wouldn't go with them. Ridiculous markup on domestic goods. Shame! It's always pi$$ed me off!

Plenty of other good brands from other reputable makers. Its true that there are only 3-4 panel companies and with any decent warranty you would be fine.

Gardimus · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Location: Formerly Ontario, Canada

As a casual gamer, I recently purchased a Dell 26" HDTV for a computer monitor. I'm constantly keeping an eye open to see if this was a bad move. So far I really like the set up I got. If you plan to keep the stuff for a while, instead of buying a monitor and tv seperately, just dot he all in one solution.

The max/native res is 1300/768
I'm played games like Starwars battlefront on it and haven't noticed any real porformance problems.

I couldn't really recommend a brand to you, but if you are a casual gamer and a fan of bittorrents, then I think you would be very happy with a set up like mine. My advice is if you see a good deal, then look up the reviews for the tv/monitor on the net and decide for yourself.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

eamo · Joined: 08 Mar 2003 Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.

Gardimus · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Location: Formerly Ontario, Canada

I really have no distance problems when it comes to taking it in. I would say that having it on a desk wouldn't be a huge issue. But also I cn sit much further back to use my computer which is nice. I have a wireless keyboard to go with the set up. When I watch a movie/play some games I sit back. When I type I move a desk just infront of it.

However, I can't really speak for you. Maybe it would be too big being that close. I spent a long time looking into if buying an hdtv would be a good choice. So I know the boat you are in. If you really wanted to check out my set up I have no problem with that.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

My 19" LCD monitor doubles as a TV and when I only need one monitor (currently running dual monitors) I use it to watch discovery. Otherwise I have both monitors doing what I need them to do.