Video Asylum

Posted by AbeCollins (A) on November 12, 2003 at 07:43:45

In Reply to: OT: LCD computer monitors posted by rkw on November 12, 2003 at 01:39:19:

Best bet is to walk into a store and have a look for yourself. Most LCD's today look very good. I bought a 15" KDS brand LCD a couple years ago when they were still a little expensive but I don't regret it at all since saving so much space on my desk. I believe KDS also manufactured a number of LCD panels for Apple Computer. The KDS was less expensive than comparable LCD's from Samsung, Philips, Sony, NEC, etc. I also looked for convenience features like a height adjustable and tilt stand that was durable. Of all the LCD's I looked at (2 years ago) the Philips had the cheapest plastic construction and the display was less sharp compared to the others.

One BIG problem when looking at LCD's in some stores is that they run a single PC output thru a video distribution amplifier to drive a dozen or more LCD's with the same video signal. The quality of the cable and where the LCD is located in the long chain will have an adverse affect on it's display quality. Once you finally narrow down your choices, see if you can attach the display directly to the PC vs going thru the video distribution amp and long cables. Also note that LCD's have a specific 'native' resolution. Running at a different resolution will work but it won't give you the best image.

Is your graphics card up to the task? Can you run at the LCD's native resolution in 24-bit color mode? Also, some LCD's and recent graphics cards come with an all digital DVI interface. Driving the pixels directly via DVI without the usual D/A then back to A/D conversion can potentially result in better image quality vs running the analog signal thru the "VGA" or even separate R.G.B lines.