I need a monitor that loves to travel

lynnmalynnma Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 5,208 Major grins
edited June 30, 2009 in Digital Darkroom
Hi... I'm building a computer station in my RV and my big clunky monitor is just... well too big and heavy. I'm look at a flat screen, bout 17"?? but I don't want a wide screen... I'm looking at el cheapo ones in Walmart which look ok and also refurbished ones from Dell.. I'd appreciate any suggestions..I've been working on my laptop for my photographs and have gotton used to crappy screen but would love to have a better screen for graphics (for not too much money) whaddya think..

thanks in anticipation
Lynn:clap
website

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,078 moderator
    edited June 29, 2009
    I moved this to the "Digital Darkroom Gear" forum where I think you'll find a more appropriate audience.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • NewsyNewsy Registered Users Posts: 605 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2009
    lynnma wrote:
    I'm look at a flat screen, bout 17"?? but I don't want a wide screen... I'm looking at el cheapo ones in Walmart which look ok and also refurbished ones from Dell.. I'd appreciate any suggestions..I've been working on my laptop for my photographs and have gotton used to crappy screen but would love to have a better screen for graphics (for not too much money) whaddya think..

    I think for "not too much money" you are still going to have a crappy screen not much better than the laptop's (a TN panel) so what is the point? ne_nau.gif

    The biggest issue you are fighting is that the market has moved past your need. Almost all NEW "good" monitors manufactured in volume are 22" or larger and are 16:10 wide screens TFT LCD's. The production lines for the smaller "good quality" 17" and 19" 4:3 ratio monitors were shut down a long time ago. Only the cheap and nasty 17" and 19" "TN" TFT LCD panels are still being made.

    If you can, really try to consider the Dell 2209WA with its' "e-IPS" TFT LCD panel supporting a native 1680x1050 resolution.

    http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=04&sku=320-7825

    It is the least expensive "IPS" paneled monitor on the market today and, yes, it is a wide screen. Currently at about $279 USD but with coupons you may get it lower. Note: the model is "2209WA", not S2209W or E2209W. These last two use "TN" panels.

    You could also try to find the NEC LCD1990SX which has a "S-PVA" TFT LCD panel and has a 4:3 format or the NEC LCD1990SXi which has the better "S-IPS" panel. These may actually still be produced and there are stocks around. They both support a native resolution of 1280 x 1024. A quick price check shows the "SX" models are still up around $500 USD.

    For a while Walmart was stocking an ACER TFT LCD monitor with a "P-MVA" TFT LCD panel. I think it was the AL2021. It actually had a not-too-bad image and was a decent price. The MVA panels are more similar to the PVA panel than to the TN. Otherwise anything else at Walmart under $200 is a less than ideal "TN" panel.


    The key issue with all of these is the technology of the LCD panel used in the monitor.

    ..................................................................................

    In terms of image quality for photo viewing/editing, these are the TFT LCD panel types from best to worst:

    IPS (newer variants are S-IPS, AS-IPS, H-IPS, eIPS, etc)
    PVA (newer variants are S-PVA)
    MVA (newer variants are A-MVA, P-MVA, S-MVA, etc)
    TN

    If you would like some background on these panels, read this article:
    http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/panel_technologies.htm


    ..................................................................................

    How to find out what panel is used in a monitor.

    http://www.flatpanelshd.com/panels.php

    http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/panelsearch.htm
    - change the filter to "Panel" and then type in IPS or PVA to find all IPS or PVA monitors or just type the model number into the default field


    ..................................................................................

    A visual site to show what "off-angle" views look like (also some other great info such as default and after calibration results):

    Here's a view showing an eIPS panel versus a TN panel:
    http://www.digitalversus.com/duels.php?ty=6&ma1=88&ma2=88&mo2=218&p2=2098&ph=8


    (In the tight confines of an RV the viewing angles may become an issue if you're mounting the monitor on a wall.)

    ..................................................................................

    Your resolution is going to be related to the panel size and H:W aspect ratio.

    Many 19" 4:3 monitors have a 1280x1024 resolution
    Most 20" 4:3 monitors have a 1600x1200 resolution
    but a 20" 16:10 monitor is likely to be 1680x1050

    22" 16:10 typical... 1680x1050
    24" 16:10 typical... 1920x1200

    etc.

    LCD's are specified as having a "native" resolution; this is the resolution at which the image on screen is displayed at its' sharpest and in correct proportion; trying to display a larger image will likely give you an error message on screen; displaying at a lower resolution will give an image that is not as sharp (soft, may show jaggies) as at "native" and may not be correctly proportioned (ie: displaying a circle at 800x600 (4:3) on a 1680x1050 (16:10) monitor will show a less than sharp oval)


    ..................................................................................

    Wide Gamut?

    Be aware that many of the monitors now offer what they call a wide gamut colour space. If you use one of these monitors you may find that if you that you are not satisfied with the image on screen - many colours appear too saturated. You need to have a colour managed workspace which will include the browser you use for surfing and the software you use to edit and print your images.

    (The Dell 2209WA is a standard gamut for all intents and purposes)


    ..................................................................................

    Contrast Ratios

    - you'll find a lot of manufacturer's promotional literature claim 10,000:1 or higher contrast ratios but a little research will show that these are mostly for less expensive TN paneled monitors. There is a new generation of monitors coming to market with 1920x1080 resolution that is targeted to gamers and HDTV video watchers on a budget ( ie: university students) and the newest all have absurd contrast ratios. (30,000:1)
    - check out the latest monitor reviews at
    http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/reviews.html

    Take note of their "after calibration" contrast ratios for the monitors that are rated "very good". Almost all are between 500:1 and 800:1 - that tells you something about what you need versus the marketing sizzle.


    ..................................................................................

    MORE reading..... The Anand LCD Thread

    http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=2049206&enterthread=y

    - read the first two posts in this thread; find the section where they recommend monitors for specific tasks


    ..................................................................................

    Best two review sites:

    http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/reviews.html
    http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/reviews.htm


    ..................................................................................

    Tip: budget for a hardware calibrator - many say they're not required but once you've used one you'll wonder why you waited. Essential for print matching as typically most people run their monitors too bright and the calibrator nails the brightness as well as colour balance.

    TFT Central has a list of calibrators on their reviews page.

    Until you get a hardware calibrator, this web site may help a bit:

    http://www.lagom.nl/lcd-test/


    ........... End ...........
    http://newsy.smugmug.com

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