View Full Version : suggestion on new monitor/display
SteveMcQ
10-13-2006, 04:00 AM
I've got my eyes on a Samsung 23" or 26" LCD HDTV right now. I'll primarily be using it as a PC monitor with the VGA input it has. I know it's always nice to have more screen real estate, but how big is too big? Has anyone here extensively used a 26" model on a desk setting? I'd imagine it would get tiring not being able to see the whole width of the screen that close on a desk and having to strain your neck and eyes back and forth.
spidey
10-13-2006, 04:37 AM
What is your main use for the LCD? PC monitor or television? Do you play games on your PC?
Reason being, LCD TVs have lower resolutions and higher response times compared to a PC LCD monitor. If you plan to use this as a computer monitor mostly and watching television on the side, get a LCD PC monitor with either a built in tv tuner or a separate add-on tv tuner. Text on a PC LCD screen is also much easier on the eyes than on a LCD TV due to the resolution and dpi. It would be more straining to write a paper or read websites on the LCD TV.
Determine what size LCD to get based on how close you sit to the screen. If you are only a foot away from the screen, I wouldn't get anything too big. I find that a 24" LCD screen is very comfortable and would be the largest screen I would consider for a PC simply due to eye strain.
My recommendations for PC LCD screens:
NEC 20WMGX2
Dell 2007WFP
Dell 2407WFP
SteveMcQ
10-13-2006, 01:38 PM
I don't do much PC gaming, if any. This is going to be mostly for website surfing and 360 use. I wanted to cut down the electronics in my room so I was going to switch to an LCD HDTV as an all-in-one.
I figured 1360x768 would be all the resolution I'd need for PC work. I currently just stick with the default 1280x1024 settings and that works just fine for me.
I was mainly looking at the 26" Samsungs as they have an HD tuner built-in. I figured for the money and what I wanted out of it (PC use, TV, 360 gaming) I'd go ahead and try that. Though that does sound a bit large sitting only 4 feet from the screen with PC use. The only thing is that the 23" models don't offer an HD tuner.
mtxbass1
10-13-2006, 01:41 PM
I run DUAL 20.1" widescreens on my desk. You can never have enough screen in my opinion.
spidey
10-13-2006, 01:58 PM
If that is the case, Id go with the 26" sammy. Don't sit too close to the screen though. :)
Just so you know, if you plan to 1080p with a PS3 in the future, 37" is the smallest screen size with that feature.
SteveMcQ
10-13-2006, 02:36 PM
If that is the case, Id go with the 26" sammy. Don't sit too close to the screen though. :)
Just so you know, if you plan to 1080p with a PS3 in the future, 37" is the smallest screen size with that feature.Haha, yeah. Thanks for the info. It's just a secondary screen for gaming though, so the lack of 1080p is no big deal.
BTW, isn't there some sort of formula for finding the right screen size given a room size and viewing distance? That'd be interesting to see. Anyone know that?
spidey
10-14-2006, 01:58 AM
Haha, yeah. Thanks for the info. It's just a secondary screen for gaming though, so the lack of 1080p is no big deal.
BTW, isn't there some sort of formula for finding the right screen size given a room size and viewing distance? That'd be interesting to see. Anyone know that?
http://www.myhometheater.homestead.com/viewingdistancecalculator.html
SteveMcQ
10-14-2006, 10:41 PM
HDTV question again. I'm headed to a tailgate and it was suggested that I bring an HDTV monitor I had. It's a small one, but it does have an HD Tuner built in. Now, I've never set it up without a digital cable or DirectTV system hooked up to it, so I want to know:
Do I just plug it in an outlet when we're out and it should pick up the HD signal over the air of our local channels that broadcast in HD? Or am I going to have to get a separate rabbit antenna for that?
Vinny
10-15-2006, 01:56 AM
If you want HD signals over the air, I believe you have to buy a special Antenna to pick up those signals. And not all local channels are boardcast over HD.
A normal tuner will work too but the picture will be standard definition.
Mid Boss
10-15-2006, 03:23 AM
If you want HD signals over the air, I believe you have to buy a special Antenna to pick up those signals. And not all local channels are boardcast over HD.
A normal tuner will work too but the picture will be standard definition.
There's no need for any special antenna to pick up HD signals, it's just a myth. Any antenna that can pick up VHF and UHF signals can pick up HD signals as well.
gofishn
10-15-2006, 03:33 AM
Pick up the 37" Westinghouse 1080p LCD at Samsclub.com for $1047 + ~$90 shipping. I think it's currently out of stock but it comes back up periodically.