Need recommendation for flat screen monitor

[mysts]

I have been using Photoshop with a 22 inch crt monitor. I just found out that the crt will no longer be available to me. Since it has to be replaced I was thinking about some sort of flat panel monitor. Can someone recommend a 22 inch flat panel monitor that will work well with Photoshop?

[dun4cheap]

Costco has a 24" sceptre for $269. Plus the return policy did not change for computer monitors. So its still the unconditional warranty.

[redwudz]

Most any of them will work. Samsung makes some decent monitors. If you plan to work with PS extensively, you might consider a two monitor setup. It makes it a lot easier to set the menus on one monitor and the photos on the other monitor.

Just to mention, you may want to calibrate your monitor and your printer if your final output is a print. If you want to keep your colors, etc, the same throughout the process.

[edDV]

Serious pro Photoshop is all about calibration of the monitor to an exact printer match or WYSIWYG. Those monitors get serious. One step back you get to ICC/ICM calibration schemes that use specs to match monitors to printers.



http://www.steves-digicams.com/digsoftware_color.html
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?product=305383?=en&cc=ca&lc=en&dlc=en&docn...&printable=yes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_management

[lordsmurf]

I use an LG LCD 19" monitor for my serious photo editing -- I highly suggest them -- and calibrate with a Spyder.

I also dual monitor, with the "other stuff" being on the second screen -- that one is not calibrated, and it does not matter either.

I recently scored a "0" on this test -- a perfect score.
How do you do? http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77

[FulciLives]

Here are three that are highly rated at NewEgg.com

1.) Samsung 2253BW 22" 1680x1050 LCD monitor

2.) LG L226WTQ-BF 22" 1680x1050 LCD monitor

3.) ViewSonic VLED221wm 22" 1680x1050 LCD monitor

Please note the list is in no particular order.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
I have a 19" 1280x1024 ViewSonic (model VX922) that I love dearly

One more thing ... get a good after market LCD stand. I use this one: Neo Flex LCD stand

I like it because not only can I easily adjust the height but I can rotate 90 degrees into landscape/portrait mode if need be (and yes it does come in handy at times to be able to rotate it that way).

[mysts]

Thanks for all your help guys. I've just ordered the suggestion made by "dun4cheap". I like the idea of two monitors but I just don't have enough room for two.

[Verify]

It may be too late, but if the monitor you've purchased doesn't workout for you and you can return it, you might want to visit:

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

It has an incredable amount of info. on LCD display characteristics.

I selected an NEC 20WMGX2 reviewed there based on it's color fidelity.

Good score LS (you're another of the members that keep me coming back). I only got a 20 - was it my eyes or my monitor? (My gender and age group scores ranged from 0 t0 1468 so I was at least on the low end.)

[FulciLives]

Is this what you bought?

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11243103&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US

I admit the price is nice for the size and the resolution it offers etc. but it seems too good to be true. Plus I've never heard of Sceptre.

I would think that for someone wanting a good monitor for use with Photoshop etc. that you would be more "careful" of what you buy.

I'm sorry to sound negative but I can't imagine that this is a quality product.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
I found what I think is the same model at NewEgg.com ---> CLICK HERE

One very telling remark from an obviously savvy customer:

Pros: It's big and inexpensive.
Image is bright.
Contrast ratio is good
Fast 2ms response (good for games / movies)

Cons: - Awful text rendering (and any shapes that need to be crisp)
- Terrible viewing angles,
- Even when going through and callibrating the monitor and re-callibrating it, to get a satisfactory image, you have to go towards a blue hue.
- If you are planning to do programming with this FORGET IT. Text looks terrible in this machine - unless your face is at the exact angle and the monitor tilted just right and you don't move at all (Which we all do) then skip it.
- Image editing that requires accurate colors: FORGET IT.
- Cannot adjust the height.

Compared to an old (2004) Dell 20 inch monitor:
- This one is brighter and has higher resolution.
- The Dell has much better color accuracy, a lot sharper text, much better viewing angles, and you can adjust the height of the panel.

Other Thoughts: If you are just planning to game or watch HD movies, pick it up.

Please do yourself a favor and skip it if you to do:
- Programming
- Graphic design
- Web browsing (if you read a lot on the web)

[MJA]

M-PVA/S-PVA panel or TN panel ?

[dun4cheap]

I spend hours and hours behind this monitor on forums, programming and I do a lot of video editing with Avid Liquid. No dead pixels, crisp text, great colors.. I have a 19" and 20" at my office. On my office desk at work I have a 22" Samsung, nice monitor but not nearly as nice as my 24" Sceptre. I have been running it at 1920x1080 for now comfortably. The stand itself is no different then any other LCD stand I have seen and I have seen a many. I like the newer design compared to one of my 20" Sceptres that I purchased a little over a year and a half ago. Its has a very similiar face as to the samsung I have that I purchased about 6 months ago.

The price is a steal from costco, plus unlike buying from somewhere else, the LCD monitors have an uncoditional return policy so if it burns out in two years or has a dead pixel I can take it back to costco. Which I originally had thought this policy had changed which it did but not on LCD monitors, only HDTV TVs, Computers and Cameras.

In any event, two of my friends have bought these now as well and they are completely pleased with theirs purchase. The manugacturer is local as well so delivery is 1 day in most of California.

[MJA]

I think costco changed their return policy due to costumers abuse

http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=11204333

"Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."

[dun4cheap]

One last thing, while Sceptre is not a common name like Viewsonic, they have been around for quite a few years. Costco has carried the line for atleast 4 years that I know of. The first sceptre I bought for a client was a 19" 4:3 which is still going and that was almost 4 years ago. I have not seen one go bad yet.

[dun4cheap]

The new return policy does not include the LCD monitors. Interesting enough I didn't realize it didn't include the LCD monitors until my friend was in need of a new monitor and I found this deal at costco for my friend. This was early last month. They were selling two Sceptre monitors one 23" for $269 and the 24". The 23" was an LCD HDTV, and the 24" was an LCD Monitor. See the difference in product descriptions in the below links. So I actually talked to a supervisor at costco, because like many I though the return policy changed on all technology items, but when you look closer, it changed on HDTVS, Computers, Cameras and IPODS.

The 23" is no longer available but check this 20" LCD HDTV
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11278374&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1

Read this in the write up: Notice the first line where it extends the mfg warranty, this is the new concierge reuturn policy policy because it is an HDTV.

Features:

Costco extends manufacture warranty to 2 years
Returns accepted within 90 days from date of purchase
Screen Size 19"
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
PC VGA Resolution: 1440 x 900
Contrast ratio: 1000:1
Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Response Time 4 ms
Viewing Angle: 160° (L/R, U/D)
HDTV Compatibility: 480i / 480p / 720p / 1080i scaled
PC Compatibility / Refresh Rate: 1440 x 900@60Hz / 75Hz , 800 x 600@60Hz / 75Hz, 640 x 480@60Hz / 75Hz
Tuner: NTSC/ATSC/QAM
Table Top Stand: Included
Vesa Compatibility: 100mm x 100mm
Weight: 10 lbs with base
Dimensions (W x H x D): 18.3” x 14.8” x 2.7” (w/ out stand), 18.3” x 16” x 7.4” (w/stand)


Now go to this link for the 24" LCD: Take note it does not fall under the new return policy where computers and HDTV recieve the concierge policy and are only returnable for 90 days. http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11243103&whse=BC&topnav=&brows e=&lang=en-US&s=1

Display:

24" wide flat panel display computer monitor
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 WUXGA
Contrast ratio: 4000:1
Response Time: 2ms
Brightness: 300nit (cd/m²)
Viewing Angle: 160 (H) / 160(V)
Features:



Flicker and Static Free
Plug and Play (DDC1/2B DDC2B)
Panel & base detachable
Wall Mountable (VESA 100mm)
Built In Speakers
Input Connection:



DVI Port
VGA Port
General:

Weight: 13.1 lbs.
Dimensions: W 22.3" x H 15.1" x D 7.87"
Warranty: 1 Year Limited

[dun4cheap]

I don't think they changed it because of customer abuse as much as for the reason that technology and prices change so rapidly. Part of being a member of costco was the member benefit. There unconditional return policy was part of that member benefits. Where the real problems started were with computers, someone would buy a computer and 4 months later it had a virus on it, they took it back. (Remember this was the first change, they changed the computer return policy to 6 months) Then digital cameras got popular, 2 megapixel camera was replaced by a 4 megapixel camera 6 months later for $20 cheaper. With an unconditional return policy and technology that changes by the minute definately made it a good investment for the consumes. They were guaranteed by this policy that they could buy a fancy LCD TV and not have to worry about it breaking.