View Full Version : Monitor questions
I'm considering getting a second TFT soonish. It's mainly depending on if some stuff I'm selling on ebay sells for a decent price, otherwise I can't afford it ;)
Can only be a cheap TFT but two questions sprung to mind that might sound a bit noobish. :embarassed:
What advantages does widescreen have? I'd be using one monitor for the PC and one for the 360, not sure which would have which, but just wondering what potential advantages a widescreen monitor would have for either usage? Besides more space presumably?
Also, does a DVI connection provide a better quality picture? I'm assuming it does. But just wanted to check. :)
leowyatt
18-01-2007, 12:28
Personally I'd say get a widescreen one for the 360 :D Most games are written in widescreen and depending on the screen size you could do proper hi-def res :) (i think from what I remember reading on the gears forum)
Not sure about dvi connection I think you can convert VGA to DVI using a small adapter.
Not sure about dvi connection I think you can convert VGA to DVI using a small adapter.
DVI is better than VGA. Also you cannot convert with a simple adapter. True DVI is a digital signal although the connector spec does allow it to carry an analogue signal in parallel. If you use a VGA->DVI adapter you are still getting an analogue VGA signal just via a different cable.
If I go with a dvi one I'll probably just use that for the PC as the graphics card's got a dvi connection on it.
All depends on prices really :) But can't properly look till the auctions end on Saturday night and I know how much I've got to spend. Still a chance it might not be enough and I'd be better off being sensible and saving it :(
I've not looked at many DVI TFTs so don't know if it's normal but mine has DVI and VGA conectors on it and switches between the 2. Theoretically if you got similar you could connect both devices to it as well as using your PC with your current monitor allowing you to easily switch from Dual screen PC usage to PC+360 on different screens.
From what I've seen that's for more expensive models, all the ones I'm looking at that are around £100 or less just seem to have one connector.
Don't mind unplugging monitors from time to time though, it's what I'm doing now anyhow :D
^ I've seen that done before, works well so long as you remember that programs on the PC can start off screen ;)
Dont worry so much about lack of DVI if it's not an option for you - on a cheaper screen with a standard resolution you wont really see a great deal of difference in reality. I'd be surprised if you found any widescreen TFT without one though, certainly if the model is within 9 months old or so.
Widescreen TFT for the 360 is a no brainer, it's how the games are made :)
My current options at the moment is this little lot:
http://www.ove*************.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-022-OK Only real con is where it's from but it's a good price and I could drive up to get it saving on postage.
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/119326 Probably too small for my liking I think, plus refresh rate is a bit :/
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/104838 Good everything but going to be over budget with postage slightly.
http://www.aria.co.uk/productinfocomm.asp?ID=25726&SpecialStatus=1 No real disadvantages, just not sure probably because of the random brand.
I'd say the OcUK one is the best out of that lot. Widescreen and you wont pay postage.
Bog standard resolution (by that I just mean common, for example my laptop screen of the same size runs at 1680x1050), should be ok for the 360 but couldn't tell you for sure.
Might be worth poking Baddass about the actual panel in it, he'll tell you if it's carp for gaming.
Yeah that's what I was thinking.
I'd go for the aria one if I just wanted a regular 17" tft, but if widescreen is worth it for a 360 then might as well. :)
Can't find any info on whether it's DVI or VGA though which would be handy. Can source an adaptor then if need be.
Edit: Ignore me, I'm being stupid and didn't see it :embarassed:
VGA
Hi Haly. As said above, WS would be a good choice for use with the Xbox since all the games are made for WS format. DVI is just a pure digital connection so in theory can help provide a sharper image and improve image quality. VGA is a conversion to analogue and so can potentially lead to some degradation in IQ. In pratice, this really varies from one panel to another and is also dependent on graphics card VGA output quality. Modern screens with VGA tend to be pretty decent anyway, and a lot of the time it's hard to seperate their image clarity from a DVI connected screen. Some screens do suffer some a slight loss in PQ though, so that's why a lot of people opt for DVI. Bare in mind a lot of modern GFX cards also opt for DVI only, so there's an element of future proofing to consider I guess.
My thoughts on the models posted:
OcUK Digimate L1531W 15.4" Widescreen LCD Monitor - £88, only 15"WS so not as big as some of the other models you listed, but probably the best of the bunch in terms of spec and likely performance. OcUK do tend to stock a decent monitor range, so this is probably a safe bet. All the models you've listed are TN Film technology (to cover Daz's point) so performance characteristics will be comparable really. This is a 12ms rated panel so should be adequate for gaming, esp if you dont have any issues with your current screen.
Vusys WIDESCREEN HD14W 14.1" - £70, a bit too small imo, 14"WS is prob a bit too small vertically I'd say. Old school spec too so panel is probably not nearly as recent as that on the OcUK model
Ebuyer Extra Value 17" - £99, by the look of the spec, a slightly more recent panel and the later generations of TN Film offer some pretty good improvements in terms of colour accuracy, black depth, viewing angles etc compared with the older generations. This is why i'd suggest looking at models like this and the OCuk rather than the other Ebuyer one above.
17" Yuraku MJ7C TFT Monitor - £91, same here really, newer generation and a bit better spec. sadly only a 5:4 format screen though, WS might be better
I know you were limiting to <£100, but just to open it up a bit as an idea there's a couple of very nice, and very new 19"WS models which might be worth considering. The 17" and below range are quite old models, not something which has really been developed in recent years. However, the 19"WS market has really only taken off in the last year or so, with a lot of development in new generation TN Film panels, decent specs and decent build qualities from the models offered. These would offer improved performance, so if you did want to push the budget a bit, there would be worth a look, all from OcUK:
Asus VW192S - £135
Belinea 1925S1W - £132
Might be worth a look if you can stretch a little. If not, I'd say the OcUK one you pointed out if the best of the bunch above if you want WS (which would make sense)
Thanks for the advice Si :)
The OcUK Digitmate one is looking like a winner at the moment especially with the lack of postage costs.
The more expensive models you posted do look tempting but I'll have to see what the weekend brings regarding money :undecided:
There's still a slim chance that I can't even afford any of them, so have to see.
*crosses fingers that some people go ebay crazy at the weekend and bid lots* :D
no worries Jen, just putting a few ideas forward in case :) Hope the ebay bidding goes well at the weekend. Give me a shout if you need any advice at all too.
Yup, lots of sensible advice there. Like most things computerish, the best advice is to go for the best you possibly can at the time to avoid regrets later, but don't overstretch yourself in doing so.
I think stretching or waiting to afford those 19" panels is probably the best idea you know. 15" is below par these days.
Dont forget that you can keep some cash from the sales of the stuff you're baying for me (when I remember to send them :embarassed: ) which might help :)
You lot realise how impatient I am right? :p
Also it's driving me insane already being back with one monitor :undecided:
Just have to see what tomorrow night brings re the ebaying. At least I've managed to get my food bill down to £10 this week and still eat well ;D
And hurry up and post that stuff Daz :p
In a lot of computer hardware cases, patience doesn't help much. In this case it does.
However, if you're struggling to find money to eat, then that comes before monitors no matter how frustrated you may be with only having one.
Only wish I could practice what I preach. ;D
As the 19"s are on This Week Only it's not actually a matter of patience now :undecided:
Just have to see after tomorrow.
However, if you're struggling to find money to eat, then that comes before monitors no matter how frustrated you may be with only having one
food before monitors?!?! :shocked:
:p
It's alright, Si has good access to kebab sources.
Oh no, wait :eek: ;)
It's alright, Si has good access to kebab sources.
Oh no, wait :eek: ;)
lol :p one day, one day Daz...
If I had to live on kebabs, I'd be a bit screwed :p
Auctions up to £88 with 2 hrs to go so looking good :D
Well I'm a happy bunny.
Auctions went so well that I've managed to be able to afford the 19" tft and maybe even a game if I wanted to be extravagent ;D
Probably just go for the monitor for now though ;) Something still a bit scary about spending that much money :D
What were you selling?
*goes hunting in his crap pile for stuff to flog.
A PS2 with 8 games, a stick of 512mb ram, a Nintendo 64 with a load of games and some speakers for an Uni friend of mine (So I only got a cut of that).
None of them have sold to Nigerians have they.... ;)
good stuff, so you gunna pick one of the 19"WS models? Think that would be a good choice in the long run :)
I was waivering because I was concerned about the cost (and vaguely attempting to be sensible) then my Mum called and said 'nooooooo get it, it'll be great, you'll love it' so erm she tipped me over the edge ;D
So I was going to wait till Monday then I realised that they're open on a Saturday so off I went :D
Then realised when I got to Stoke that my sat nav didn't seem to realise where it was and kept telling me to go round roundabouts that didn't exist ;D
Found it though thanks to a good old trusty old fashioned map :p
So........ta da :D
http://www.halycopter.com/images/monitor.jpg
Bit of a poor photo as it's a camera phone and it's dark.
nice :D which model did you go for?
It's the Asus one. A very shallow reason for going for that one, it was black so the same colour as my other TFT.
Looking at the specs I couldn't see a huge deal of difference in them so figured might as well :)
At first it looked a bit odd but really liking it now :D Not used the built in speakers though as I don't really have a need for them at the moment.
Edit: oooh and the mass effect video looks great on it :D
good stuff, nice choice :)
And damn does Gears of War look good on it :D
Not even plugged it into the PC yet as it's not really a big thing for me atm, it was all about the 360 performance :D
Played Jen, you wont regret it :)
I bought a paor of 17" TFT's a couple of years ago (when 19" was uber expensive) and they've been by far the best PC related purchase I've ever made.
Dual TFT's FTW :) I struggle to get used to using a single having had dual's for about 8 months.
No room for a dual here (though I'm sure I could rearrange stuff lots and find room). I'm not sure I'd get on with it anyway and it wouldn't be compatible with my KVM setup.
I love it already.
I've still not plugged it into the PC yet because I just love the convenience of 360 on one screen and PC on the other.
Don't really need masses of screen space for the PC right now although if I do at a later date it'll be fantastic. :)
The 360 and the TFT have so far been my best purchases in the past 6 months :D Even if they were rather pricey.
leowyatt
23-01-2007, 12:24
Nice one Jen :) glad you went with the WS one as gears won't appear stretched anymore.
Just watched Casino Royale on the WS. Looked really good on it, nice and crisp :)
Although strangely windows doesn't look all that good on it :/ Think it's a drivers issue though as I can't find any drivers for the monitor anywhere so had to use some custom ones through powerstrip. Have to have a fiddle I guess, but it's not important right now as it's still primarily for the 360 and the odd film. :)
I know the colour needs a bit of adjusting too as it can be a bit overly vibrant, but a guy in the shop while I was waiting was telling me how you need to mess around with it a bit initially.
I had that problem (Colour being a bit overpowering) with works Dell 1905.
Monitor Calibration Wizard sorted it, though that won't help with the 360.
Meh, no way in hell could I run dual monitors with my desk. Not unless they were both standard 13" LCD's.
My desk is like this one (http://www.sauder.com/furniture/product.asp?p=322) except the shelves on each side of the monitor are full height.
And no, I'm not taking a picture of it as it's an unholy mess right now and I'm too lazy to straighten it out!! :p
I had that problem (Colour being a bit overpowering) with works Dell 1905.
Monitor Calibration Wizard sorted it, though that won't help with the 360.
The 360 looks fine on it :) Just Windows being the awkward one so I'll have a look at the wizard. Not really a big deal at the moment though as I can't run a dual monitor set up atm (only 1 vga port)
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