LCD Monitor Recommendations or Review Links

[Mark_48]

I'm looking to replace an aging 17" CRT monitor and I think I'm going to go with something of a 20" LCD one. Can anyone offer some recommendations as to particular brand and model they are satisfied with and maybe some hints on what I should look for in the way of specs. I've looked at a few in stores and a good number of the ones on display just look very bad resolution-wise. I'm not sure if they just aren't setup properly or not. Most of the store clerks don't seem to have a clue.
Also I can't seem to find much in the way of online reviews for monitors that are aimed towards photo image editing, mostly reviews from the gaming crowd.

[tim]

I googled reviews of lcd's before I purchased one. Look at color accuracy, not refresh rate, unless you play games. My Sansung 19" 905 is good.

[Pekka]

For photo work a quality deal is Eizo L997, it uses same panel as acclaimed CG210, check it out. Check out also http://www.flatpanels.dk/panels.php - look for panels with S-PVA or S-IPS screens.

I'm very happy with my Eizo S2410W (works also great with games) but that is 24" widescreen.

[Mathiau]

NEC new $800 panel is fantastic

i love my Viewsonic vm2025xm, true 8bit panel

look at panels that us the new is-ips panels, or is it si-ips panels....

=

[csondagar]

I too am looking for an LCD monitor, and was wondering what specification should a photographer/graphic designed look for in a monitor?

[Mathiau]

you want 8bit panel - period. not 6bit, color replication is awful in 6bit panel.

if your not gaming response time is not near as important.
i will try to find the model of NEC i am thinking off, Asus also has a fantastic LCD out 20.1' as well.

[strikerstu]

I also use the Viewsonic 2025 and can find no fault with it, but found I do need to have the brightness and contrast set very low. I have also adjusted some of the colour controls for the graphics card to achieve the colour I require.
Regarding response rate, I often check for dust spots etc by holding the space bar down in CS2 and move the image around, on my monitor it stays sharp but a lower response rate means it is soft and blurry. That is what amazes me as the 2025 can be purchased for £280 and the Apple 20" cinema display is £480-500 and is awful in comparison. So the more you pay does not mean it will be better.
One last thing the higher the contrst ratio the better, try and get one 800 or higher.

Stu

[AirBrontosaurus]

I vote for the ViewSonic VM2025WM (widescreen edition). The widescreen gives you a TON of extra screen for things like photoshop toolbars and such. Being widescreen, you utilize your screen real-eastate so much better, it's like having dual monitors on one screen.

[Picture North Carolina]

A couple of questions.

I currently have a 6bpp FRC LCD monitor. If I purchase a true 8bpp, am I going to see a difference?

Second, could somebody recommend a few good 8bpp 19" or 20" monitors within reach? The monitors that Pekka recommends look good, but many of us cannot afford monitors that range between $1700 - $2400.

Edit:
Found a very good buyers guide (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1745344&enterthread=y) with very comprehensive info including recommendations on monitors for specific purposes such as photo editing, gaming, movie watching, etc.

[Mark_48]

A couple of questions.
Edit:
Found a very good buyers guide (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1745344&enterthread=y) with very comprehensive info including recommendations on monitors for specific purposes such as photo editing, gaming, movie watching, etc.
Thanks for the excellent link, "Everything I wanted to know about a monitor, but didn't know what to ask."

I think from some of the suggestions so far, I'm going to be saving up a bit longer to get something decent.

[Meaty0]

I have the NEC 2180UX (may be called something else outside of Australia) and it's been fantastic for editing and very easy to calibrate. And you can rotate it 90 degrees to portrait or back to landscape mode.

I think there may be a 2190 coming out.

[Mathiau]

A couple of questions.

I currently have a 6bpp FRC LCD monitor. If I purchase a true 8bpp, am I going to see a difference?

Second, could somebody recommend a few good 8bpp 19" or 20" monitors within reach? The monitors that Pekka recommends look good, but many of us cannot afford monitors that range between $1700 - $2400.

Edit:
Found a very good buyers guide (http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=31&threadid=1745344&enterthread=y) with very comprehensive info including recommendations on monitors for specific purposes such as photo editing, gaming, movie watching, etc.

The issue for LCD"s is getting true blacks, some do take some calibrating to get the colors just right, but some panels simple can not produce black blacks like a CRT does yet.

[Picture North Carolina]

The issue for LCD"s is getting true blacks, some do take some calibrating to get the colors just right, but some panels simple can not produce black blacks like a CRT does yet.

Just purchased a new monitor. I did consider the CRT issue very deeply, but because of a number of reasons I chose another LCD. But, I purchased a very good quality, true 8-bit LCD. It has the same panel in it as the Eiso monitors, and a contrast ratio of 1000:1. I am thoroughly please with the choice and purchase. There is no comparison with the 3 6-bit frame relay dithering LCDs I had before it. The blacks are black, and the colors astounding. It calibrated easily, and I am seeing things in previously PP'ed captures that I never saw before on LCD or CRT screens.

[Mathiau]

It is good to see that LCD makers are finally learning to do it properly, they are coming along nicely now.

[NeoDude]

I just got a Samsung 215TW 21" Syncmaster (http://www.samsung.com/Products/Monitor/LCD_Digital/LS21DPWABXAA.asp). It is a thing of beauty and I can't fault it at all.

[Picture North Carolina]

Some useful links for research and reviews can be found in this thread (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=212621), message #6.