LCD monitor to check backups quality?

[ddlooping]

Hi all

Not sure if this thread is supposed to be in this forum but I didn't know where else to put it.

I use an EIZO L565 17" LCD as my main monitor (supposedly one of the best), at its native resolution of 1280 x 1024. It is plugged via DVI to a GeForce2 TI 64mb. I run WinDVD Platinum on XP Home.
If at all possible, I'd like to know how this setup compares in terms of quality to the best TVs available in the UK, and even the US HDTVs.
That would give me a good reference point as to the quality of my backups.

Thanks in advance,
ddlooping 8)

[Bob W]

I use a 19 inch ViewSonic LCD myself. I think that most big screen TV's and of course Plasma TV's have an advantage over LCD in they their contrast ratio is much higher than LCD.

[jarvis1781]

that setup is infact higher resolution than HDTV...so you will be able to see more imperfections in the backups than you would on a television

some original DVD's I play on my LCD don't look as good as they do on my HDTV...so naturally the backups would look even worse on the LCD...due to the resolution and more pixels.

anyway, if you are happy with the results then it is better than a good indicator as to the quality of the backup

[ddlooping]

Thank you both for your prompt replies.

Bob W, I do not know how the contrast ratio would compare to plasma screens and big TVs (mine is a 32" widescreen Hitachi and the picture quality looks much better on my LCD), but here are the specs for my monitor:

http://www.eizo.com/products/lcd/l565/spec.html

jarvis1781, that's the kind of answers I like to hear, lol. Thanks.

[Bob W]

I seem to recall that the contrast ratio of LCD is like 400:1 while a crt TV is 1000:1 and plasma comes in at 2000:1. The higher ratio I believe would make darker scenes more viewable IMO.

I should add that DVD's I make from VHS capture do look better on my LCD monitor than they do on my 48 inch JVC projection TV.

[ddlooping]

Thanks for the information, Bob W.
What I have read so far tends to make me believe my LCD would be a good reference point. WAAAHOOO!!!



ddlooping

[vric]

You sure would have a better image quality with a geforce 3 and more.. geforce 1 and 2 had a bit less quality.

anyway I use my 19" Nec Dimondtron monitor with superbright mode in 1280*1024... if I don't see block or compression problem, it pass my test

[ddlooping]

vric, I don't actually use my pc to watch movies.

So do you really think a GeForce3 or above would make testing backups better? Remember I use the DVI-D output of the card.

Thanks in advance,
ddlooping

[vric]

vric, I don't actually use my pc to watch movies.

So do you really think a GeForce3 or above would make testing backups better? Remember I use the DVI-D output of the card.

Thanks in advance,
ddlooping

Yes it would have a better quality... I did change my Geforce2Ti for a Geforce4Ti and Noticed the quality difference (I talk about 2D quality) but if it's just for testing.. Geforce2 are a bit blurry but if a backup is bad, you will see it even on a ATI Rage 2meg
do you use the VGA2DVI converter ? I have never see a Geforce2 with native DVI Support

[ddlooping]

Thanks for the confirmation, vric, I'll look into upgrading my graphic card.

[MackemX]

I use DVI from GF4 card too

I guess that's why I see a greater difference than most users when comparing quality and sometimes have been involved in lively discussions regarding the quality of the likes of DVD2One, DVDShrink, IC etc as some cannot see such differences even though they exist is compared on a setup capable of showing them

I also have a 19" Sony monitor (a good monitor) but it still doesn't show as much difference as the LCD does and I can understand why people sometimes feel strongly regarding the quality of their backups as the setup they have is limiting their opinions (see sig )

as jarvis1781 said, I also don't use my LCD for viewing DVD's cos they look better on my TV for normal viewing

[ddlooping]

...as some cannot see such differences even though they exist, compared on a setup capable of showing them

That's exactly why I needed to know if my LCD would be a good reference point.

My 32" widescreen Hitachi (50hz) is getting long in the tooth and I don't want any nasty surprises if and when I change it for something better (and I don't mean the tooth).

Thanks for your reply, MackemX.

[Barnabas]

ddlooping,

Your LCD monitor will show more blocks than your TV will, so if it looks good on your LCD, it will look better on your TV.

[ddlooping]

Thanks, barnabas.

Sorry vric, I don't know how I missed your question.
Nope, I do not use a VGA2DVI converter, the card has dual outputs, DVI and VGA.
Not sure why you've never seen GeForce2 with DVI support.