Next Monitor

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I'm moving overseas at the end of the year, and I won't have enough weight allowance to take my monitor with me. I currently have a Samsung SyncMaster 24" P2450.

Basically I'll sell this monitor while still in SA, and then buy myself a new one overseas. Budget-wise I have about R2200 to spend, which translates to about $300. Monitor will be used for gaming, movies, etc. Obviously I'd like the new monitor to be better than the P2450.

I've never experienced anything other than a TN panel and thought I'd step it up to a VA. I realize this is probably not the best move when gaming but I can't imagine that it will hamper all that much. Obviously VAs are a lot more expensive but I found this one which should fall in my price-range if I look around for a good deal:

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/monitors-and-projectors/monitors/benq-ew2420-908731/review

Any other recommendations? Of course TN panel recommendations are still welcome, as long as it's an improvement over the P2450.

Furthermore, to the untrained eye, will there be a noticeable improvement in image quality between a TN and VA panel?
 
Depending of course on just where exactly you are going, you're going to have such a choice at such good prices that you'll probably end up with a whole new rig, a kicka$$ cinema screen and you'll be wishing you just gave the old screen away :)
 
I think you're going to be better off with an IPS panel, imo, with decent RTC to ensure smoother gaming. VA can be great for movies, due to its very low black levels and high contrast ratio, but most aren't well geared to games, and so you'll find a little more motion blur. These are the two monitors I'd recommend if you want a non-TN monitor with low input lag and motion blur for gaming:

Dell U2312HM 23" IPS Monitor. (Slightly worse motion blur, but amazing input lag of 0.6ms avg)

Asus ML239H 23" IPS Monitor. (Higher input lag, avg 15ms which is still low, but less motion blur)

I would check TFT Central before buying any non-TN monitor, they have excellent and very comprehensive reviews of VA and IPS based monitors.
 
PostmanPot said:
Absolutely.

Go for Samsung LA32D550 32" LCD TV. LN32D550 in US and LE32D550 in UK. Uses S-PVA panel which is better than IPS.

PC IPS LCDs are a waste of cash, unless you need the resolution/smaller size.

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/346013-Anybody-bought-the-LA32D550
Click to expand...

Buddy, in SA that makes sense due to the monitor tax and such, but seriously, the man's moving (presumably since he mentions $) to a relatively civilized country with a myriad of options available to him at rock bottom prices. Why on earth would he compromise with a display with such a low pixel density? For $300 he can get a pretty damn awesome 23" screen or pick from a fairly large selection of 27" displays if a larger display were more to his liking.
 
What has pixel density got to do with anything? Where is it a prerequisite? Are you implying text is not sharp on a 32" LCD TV? Why is it a compromise?

Have you used a 32" LCD TV as a PC monitor, correctly set up? Doesn't seem like it.

Have you read the reports from everyone who's upgraded to 32" LCD TV? Doesn't seem like it.
 
Well I'll read some reviews now, though I can definitely say the LA32D550 is desirable but way out of my budget. Thanks for input thus far.
 
PostmanPot said:
What has pixel density got to do with anything? Where is it a prerequisite? Are you implying text is not sharp on a 32" LCD TV? Why is it a compromise?

Have you used a 32" LCD TV as a PC monitor, correctly set up? Doesn't seem like it.

Have you read the reports from everyone who's upgraded to 32" LCD TV? Doesn't seem like it.
Click to expand...

I don't know why you're getting so defensive. I was simply stating my opinion, which happens to differ from yours. You also completely miss the real point of me having that opinion, which is that in the US, screen prices are more reasonable than what they are over here, which makes the LA32D550 less desirable. Coupled with the fact that you have a selection of rather nice screens available from the likes of Dell and HP which we don't have here, it's difficult not to at least consider them.

If the OP doesn't mind sitting far away from the screen and can afford to throw money at it, then I suppose the LA32D550 is fine. Normally, people don't like their computers taking up a huge chunk of room, however, and for that a smaller screen will also be more suitable.

Personally, I'm considering the Samsung TV as a display but if I lived in the US, I'd probably go for a Dell or HP product in a smaller size.
 
Yeah I'd really rather not have anything larger than 27".

One thing that I also need is HDMI + preferably DVI in, and then an audio jack. Monitor will be hooked up to PC + Xbox360. The Asus ML239H is very well priced but only had HDMI + D-SUB and I'm not too sure if D-SUB is of worse image quality than DVI. If that is the case, I might still be able to get something like an HDMI splitter, but I don't know if that will degrade quality.

EDIT: Nvm I was being silly HDMI splitter would not work in this scenario lol.
 
Messugga said:
I don't know why you're getting so defensive. I was simply stating my opinion, which happens to differ from yours. You also completely miss the real point of me having that opinion, which is that in the US, screen prices are more reasonable than what they are over here, which makes the LA32D550 less desirable. Coupled with the fact that you have a selection of rather nice screens available from the likes of Dell and HP which we don't have here, it's difficult not to at least consider them.

If the OP doesn't mind sitting far away from the screen and can afford to throw money at it, then I suppose the LA32D550 is fine. Normally, people don't like their computers taking up a huge chunk of room, however, and for that a smaller screen will also be more suitable.

Personally, I'm considering the Samsung TV as a display but if I lived in the US, I'd probably go for a Dell or HP product in a smaller size.
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Not defensive at all, simply don't understand how your opinion, which I acknowledge, relates much to the OP. How does pixel density relate to gaming and movies etc? Please explain how pixel density is a factor. Bringing up pixel density has very specific implications, what are they?

Because before I got a 32" LCD TV for PC monitor, I also thought pixel density was a factor - i.e. unsharp text etc. Are those your thoughts as well, which is why you brought it up? If so, it's untrue.

Yip, 80cm+ viewing distance is a must. Value is much better than throwing money at a 23" IPS.

You probably either 1) Need the resolution or 2) Don't have enough viewing distance.

I have experience with PC IPS (especially HP ZR24 24") and let me say that LA32D550 offers a far better experience with better contrast/overall picture quality. Wins for games ad movies that's for sure.
 
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PostmanPot said:
Bringing up pixel density has very specific implications, what are they?
Click to expand...

The implications are that one requires a lower viewing distance while still having a crisp display. See my text below about why that might be desirable.

PostmanPot said:
Yip, 80cm+ viewing distance is a must. Value is much better than throwing money at a 23" IPS so I don't see the point here either.
Click to expand...

Value is subjective here. To me, personally, the physical size of the screen is totally irrelevant. I have pretty good eyesight and don't get a kick out of using the computer from the other side of the room. I'd prefer a smaller screen with the same resolution than something huge that you cannot use when sitting up close. My wife would call it garish, I suspect. This means that I don't derive greater value from the display due to its size. Besides that, the value difference isn't as great in the US as it is over here. As the OP said, he can't afford the LA32D550 but he has quite a good selection of very capable 23" or even 27" displays available to him that are perfectly comparable to the Samsung TV. On the point alone, they offer better value in that OP can actually afford them.
 
Fair enough. LA32D550 is out of budget unfortunately.

You're attempting to open multiple cans of worms here about value/viewing distance/size, not going to comment.
 
Don't mean to hijack, but is the LA32D550 really good as a PC monitor? I would consider selling my P2450's and upgrading to that.

Is it not to big? I had a 27" iMac and that was pretty epic, got used to the size. And you say images and text are crystal clear?
 
Yes it is, when set up correctly. I have the LA32C550. If you don't specifically need two screens, and you have 80cm+ viewing distance, then there is no question about upgrading to 32" LCD TV.

It's not too big as long as you have 80cm+ viewing distance. I'm at about 90cm. Crystal clear from this viewing distance. ;) And pictures are awesome, especially due to PVA LCD's superior colours, contrast, viewing angles etc. (and generally better than IPS LCD).

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/346013-Anybody-bought-the-LA32D550

Hard to take decent pics without distortion from both lens/screen. Screen does not look at all like this in person, as the image is sharp with no visible pixels. These pics are just to give you an idea of how text appears (and a basic pic).

Ask Patrick what he thinks... ;)





 
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PostmanPot said:
Yes it is, when set up correctly. I have the LA32C550. If you don't specifically need two screens, and you have 80cm+ viewing distance, then there is no question about upgrading to 32" LCD TV.

It's not too big as long as you have 80cm+ viewing distance. I'm at about 90cm. Crystal clear from this viewing distance. ;) And pictures are awesome, especially due to S-IPS LCD's superior colours, contrast, viewing angles etc. (and generally better than IPS LCD).

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/346013-Anybody-bought-the-LA32D550

Hard to take decent pics without distortion from both lens/screen. Screen does not look at all like this in person, as the image is sharp with no visible pixels. These pics are just to give you an idea of how text appears (and a basic pic).

Ask Patrick what he thinks... ;)
Click to expand...

Thanks dude! I am pretty keen of replacing my 2 screens with the LA32C550. As long as it is clear.

I think I easily have 90cm +-. I normally sit back in my chair so yeah pretty sure that won't be an issue.

Can you send me a pic of your rig with the TV from further back, I am really keen to see how it looks sitting on a desk.

In my mind I am picturing this mammoth screen overkilling everything :p

I would ask Patrick, but the bastid is not in the office :D
 
Current one is the LA32D550. x550 used to be the one with more features (and extra ports/HDMI), than the x530. Both used same panels and menus, so same picture quality. Samsung have now dropped x530, and only do the D/x550, which is a mixture of both, with better features, and one less HDMI I think. Anyway, it's not important, great for use as a PC screen.

Mammoth at first but you get used to it. Also for the full Full HD viewing experience, one must sit around 1m from a 32" FHD screen, so we really sit at the sweet spot. At about 1.5 - 1.8m I cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080p mkv's.

Pic is in my sig, but here we go.

5981594826_bed80750ef_b.jpg
 
PostmanPot said:
Current one is the LA32D550. x550 used to be the one with more features (and extra ports/HDMI), than the x530. Both used same panels and menus, so same picture quality. Samsung have now dropped x530, and only do the D/x550, which is a mixture of both, with better features, and one less HDMI I think. Anyway, it's not important, great for use as a PC screen.

Mammoth at first but you get used to it. Also for the full Full HD viewing experience, one must sit around 1m from a 32" FHD screen, so we really sit at the sweet spot. At about 1.5 - 1.8m I cannot tell the difference between 720p and 1080p mkv's.

Pic is in my sig, but here we go.
Click to expand...

Shot man, it looks good!
 
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