Monitors...Standard or Wide

[according to jim]

Looking to upgrade my monitor. Standard or Widescreen is it just personal preference .... I would like to hear from experience.

Thanks
Jim

[kevin_c]

I have a standard, but good quality 19" TFT, but wish I could have afforded (at the time) a nice widescreen - The extra width would be very useful for editing and browsing images etc.

All comes down to cost at the end of the day - the widescreens are more expensive.

[DocFrankenstein]

Widescreens are more expensive per area. I got two standard ones side by side and they work nicely.

[Rumjungle]

I prefer widescreen since my primary focus is editing images. If you're thinking LCD, Dell tends to have good deals on theirs.

[DavidW]

I'm a widescreen user - currently I'm sitting behind my calibrated Dell 2007WFP. I find the extra space at the edges for palettes and the like to be very useful in both Microsoft Office and Adobe CS2 applications.



David

[airbutchie]

I purchased a Viewsonic 22" LCD Widescreen at Costco for $299 when they were on sale a few months ago... Never looked back... I love this widescreen perspective...

- airbutchie :D

PS. I upgraded from a Scepter 19" LCD (standard 4:3 size)...

[davidfig]

I'm with DavidW. I currently have a regular screen. But would rather have a wide screen. I think the most important items of the computer is
1. chair
2. keyboard
3. screen

Yes speed is important, and other things. But the screen has become more and more important to me.

[Nick_C]

How do other things look on a widescreen LCD, like gaming for example? surely unless a game supports the widescreen mode it will be like a 4:3 image with borders down the left & right of the screen?

My next monitor is going to be either a 19" widescreen, or a 21", my 19" Sony CRT is getting on a bit now.

Nick :-)

[Tsmith]

You need a monitor that'll handle 8 bit color space for best results in photo editing, which can range widely in price. Just about all these low cost windscreens at holiday discount pricing are 6 bit monitors.

[TMR Design]

I use a HP f1905e 19" LCD. It's exceptional. I do wish I had more desktop real estate but that comes at a price and I really didn't want to sacrifice image quality for screen size. My next monitor will be a 22" or 23" widescreen. Who knows, maybe even the Apple 30", which is sweeter than sweet.

[sboerup]

The Viewsonic vx2235 is a fabulous monitor. By no means did I expect it do be a great photo-editing monitor, but its better than any other monitor I have seen or used. I've used Dells, NECs and other monitors, but once this is calibrated, it's amazing. Oh ya, its only $350 at Costco, 22" wide is really nice.

8-bit is subjective (although my panel is), as long as the prints come out the way you want it doesnt matter. Using this monitor in conjunction with WHCC, I have been only impressed by the accuracy.

[Throlkim]

Most games support some form of widescreen, and quite a few will support it at the high resolutions. I can, for example, play BF2142 at nearly full resolution on this 20" widescreen, and it's not out of proportion or stretched.
You'd be hard pressed to find a game that doesn't support widescreen :D

[Nick_C]

Neat!!

[sapearl]

Any of you folks using two 19" LCD's side by side, one connected DVI and one analog?

I currently have a 2 year old Dell 19" that I'd like to leave as the "right hand" analog monitor for my CS2 menus, and then purchase a new 19" LCD to be used for images.

[Dorman]

I'm using a 20" Widescreen Ultrasharp from Dell and it's great, love the extra space and ability to rotate when editing portrait. I don't game on my pc so that's not a consideration for me.

[tjrenegade]

I have dual 20" standard flat screens I use for video editing but I also use PS on that same computer....I love having the extra room to slide palettes over to the other screen.

[sapearl]

I have dual 20" standard flat screens I use for video editing but I also use PS on that same computer....I love having the extra room to slide palettes over to the other screen.

It sounds like PS knows how to use 2 monitors then. .... palettes on one and artwork/photos on the other. I've heard tales of some programs not "knowing" how to handle 2 screens, but apparently PS is not one of them. What model LCD to you have?

[sapearl]

I'm using a 20" Widescreen Ultrasharp from Dell and it's great, love the extra space and ability to rotate when editing portrait. I don't game on my pc so that's not a consideration for me.

Hello again Brad :D - I recall seeing your earlier posts in the "monitor quest". I'm happy to hear that things worked out well for you.

Do you have one of the screens connected as DVI? I started another monitor post today regarding the Dell Ultrasharp 1907FP - one Cnet review claims that there is no contrast control (I assume they meant software toggle since the Dells don't seem to have those physical buttons on the bezel) on the 19".

If that's the case, then you could not calibrate it using a hardware calibrator like the Monaco Optrix or some of the others. Just curious if you ran into that with your 20". - Stu

[theague]

Any of you folks using two 19" LCD's side by side, one connected DVI and one analog?

I currently have a 2 year old Dell 19" that I'd like to leave as the "right hand" analog monitor for my CS2 menus, and then purchase a new 19" LCD to be used for images.

I have dual monitors at work, i ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT and I want it at home but my wife won't allow nor will my budget. The ones at work are FPD1940 Gateway monitors but they suffice for what I am doing at work. It's SO wonderful being able to have autoCAD up on one side as well as other pertinant items I need opened for my every day work-flow. Same principle could apply to at-home use for photo editing etc.

[René Damkot]

I use a 17" next to a 22". Both CRT. Still on seperate videocards. Need to get the correct adapter...
setup like this: click (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2544062&postcount=10)

[Citizen_Insane]

I originally was going to go with dual 19", but I've found in the past that dual monitors take up way too much space and I just don't like them. I somewhat recently upgraded from a 17" sony lcd to a 20.1" Viewsonic VX2025WM. I love the monitor. I much prefer widescreen to regular aspect ratio for gaming too.

[CyberDyneSystems]

When considering this decision and comparing models, it's important withe LCD's in particular with there fixed resolution, to select based on VERTICAL RESOLUTION..

ie Don't compare a "standard" 20" with 1600X1200 res to a "Wide" with 1680 x 1024

In the above case, if you work with portrait images at all, and aren't rotating your montir 90* then you only have 1024 pixels height.. yech! :p

So set your budget based on your minimum requirement for Vertical resolution.. (I'd say 1050 minimum for an LCD personally, but that's me)
Then see what monitor, standard or wide that fits the bill
Once you have the minimum vertical res number matched, then whatever a widescreen offers in additional width is a plus.

If you sacrifice Vertical res to get your widescreen then you are compromising, and maybe even loosing out.

[BaliHai]

Using wide screen Gateway gives plenty of room for palettes and allows rotation for portrait oriented pictures. Its also high definitio. I love it makes it tough to use the back up PC and monitor.

[Pekka]

Any of you folks using two 19" LCD's side by side, one connected DVI and one analog?

I currently have a 2 year old Dell 19" that I'd like to leave as the "right hand" analog monitor for my CS2 menus, and then purchase a new 19" LCD to be used for images.

The more the merrier!
I have now one horizontal 24" Eizo widescreen with two vertical 19" Eizos connected to two computers (24" Eizo has a front panel input switch). Sometimes I make one of the 19"'s grayscale (easy though Eizo control panel) for alternative photo view. Really a very productive environment!

[Dorman]

Hello again Brad :D - I recall seeing your earlier posts in the "monitor quest". I'm happy to hear that things worked out well for you.

Do you have one of the screens connected as DVI? I started another monitor post today regarding the Dell Ultrasharp 1907FP - one Cnet review claims that there is no contrast control (I assume they meant software toggle since the Dells don't seem to have those physical buttons on the bezel) on the 19".

If that's the case, then you could not calibrate it using a hardware calibrator like the Monaco Optrix or some of the others. Just curious if you ran into that with your 20". - Stu

Stu, I'm connected with VGA, no DVI output on my videocard. I do indeed have control over brightness/contrast when hooked up analog, no problems with getting 'er calibrated here. Yes it worked out well for me in the end, very nice monitor indeed.

[DocFrankenstein]

I've ran DVI and analog dual 21" NECs. It's nice to have 3200*1200 of resolution, but the colors are different on them since they are fed from different cards.

[KC Jr 54]

I quite literally just bought the Gateway 24" widescreen and love it so far (Same panle as the Dell 24"). The screen intially was a bit large, but i have come to appreciate it in all its glory now.

Wide screen is the way to go IMO.

[tjrenegade]

It sounds like PS knows how to use 2 monitors then. .... palettes on one and artwork/photos on the other. I've heard tales of some programs not "knowing" how to handle 2 screens, but apparently PS is not one of them. What model LCD to you have?

Your right some software doesn't like dual monitors....My Avid video editing software had to be configured to make it work correctly with it...drove me nuts for a few weeks before I figure out the problem.

I have (2) Samsung Syncmaster 214Ts

The other nice thing is when I am working with multiple files I can open Adobe Bridge on the other screen and easily swap files with out having them all open in CS2.

I have know idea what the technical specs on them are...they seem like real nice monitors and since they just showed up one day to replace my 19" CRTs I was not going to complain. You can flip them vertically too if you want a portrait layout...I would guess thats for print use layouts.

[sapearl]

.............The other nice thing is when I am working with multiple files I can open Adobe Bridge on the other screen and easily swap files with out having them all open in CS2....

This is very good to hear - that describes my workflow also.

Bridge is my main "file viewer" as I'm making the initial global adjustments for wedding proofs, and later on when I'm doing more detailed CS work for finished enlargements. Thanks.

[sapearl]

Very helpful information here - which now raises another question: If you are using a single video card to output signals to one monitor that will be VGA & the other which will be via DVI connection, do you run into resolution mode issues if one of the monitors is a different size than the other?

From previous posts it looks like this is a non-issue if the PC has 2 video cards. But what happens if you are using a single card (with 2 outputs) and one monitor is 20" while the other is 19" ? I am guessing that they would both have to be set in the same resolution mode?

[Pekka]

Very helpful information here - which now raises another question: If you are using a single video card to output signals to one monitor that will be VGA & the other which will be via DVI connection, do you run into resolution mode issues if one of the monitors is a different size than the other?

From previous posts it looks like this is a non-issue if the PC has 2 video cards. But what happens if you are using a single card (with 2 outputs) and one monitor is 20" while the other is 19" ? I am guessing that they would both have to be set in the same resolution mode?

At least ATI and Nvidia adapters can do different resolution and color depth and orientation for each monitor.

[sapearl]

At least ATI and Nvidia adapters can do different resolution and color depth and orientation for each monitor.

Appreciate the quick response Pekka ..:D That hastens my path to understanding a bit more.

Right now I find viewing my older 19" at 1024x768 to be optimum for my "older eyes". But I imagine that if I got a 20" to sit next to it for actual image editing, I would probably set it for 1280X"something." My concern was whether or not the single card could send out the two different signal configurations.

It looks like I should be ok so long as I stick with a name brand card.

[rowdyred94]

Yup. I've been running various dual setups first on a Ti4200 and now on a Radeon 9800 Pro. As long as the card has dual outputs, Windows allows you to configure them separately. I have a Dell 1704FPT LCD and a Sony E200 CRT running together now. I used to think the Sony was a great monitor (being flatscreen and all), but the Dell, even at its lowest brightness setting, just blows the Sony away. Contrast is much better, too.

BTW, I've found that native resolution on the Dell (1280 x 1024) and 1182 x 768 on the Sony works fairly well. It's amazing how small a "17 inch" CRT really was.

[sapearl]

I've been researching a suitable second monitor, and discovered an interesting thing about the Dell 1907FP which may also be a factor in other similar monitors. It lacks a contrast control when connected as a DVI monitor. However, the contrast adjustment is PRESENT when cabled as an ANALOG monitor.

I'm not talking about a physical contrast button, but the typical contrast "control" that's normally present in the on screen control panel. It is "grayed out" when hooked up as digital.

A number of reviewers do like this monitor. It dishes out good performance, detail and great color for the price. I believe it was Cnet though that pointed out the lack of DVI contrast adjustment. I couldn't believe it, so I paid a visit to the local Dell kiosk. The salesman looked at me like I was crazy when I pointed at his display 1907FP and asked the question. Thirty seconds later he was singing a different tune after we opened the on screen menu and saw the "missing" contrast adjustment.

Supposedly some other monitors have this "feature", but why would it be lacking on a digital hookup? It's not missing on similar NEC and Viewsonic models to name a few.

How due you calibrate a Dell LCD with a Spyder, Gretach or Monaco calibrator if that adjustment control is missing? After all, contrast is part of the adjustment process when using a calibrator. The 1907FP is a very good monitor and nice size and match for what I currently have. But I don't want to purchase something I can't adjust. Anybody else run into this? - Stu

[Rumjungle]

It's the same thing with my 20" widescreens. Calibrates just fine as it is suggested by the calibration software to leave the contrast at the default settings (midpoint). I use a Colorvision Spyder 2.

[sapearl]

It's the same thing with my 20" widescreens. Calibrates just fine as it is suggested by the calibration software to leave the contrast at the default settings (midpoint). I use a Colorvision Spyder 2.

Hi Rum - so if I understand correctly, you have the Dell 20" widescreen with the "missing DVI contrast" adjustment and have found no issues? I didn't realize the the default setting was midpoint.

In my Monaco Optrix manual it says to skip the contrast adjustment if not available, so this is reassuring and tracks with what you just said.

And I suppose if I found the contrast level to be REALLY objectionable, I could just go into the video card's control panel (ATI in this case) and modify it that way. Do you run the 20" alone or in tandem with another monitor? Thanks. - Stu

[Rumjungle]

I use two 20" wides (Dell). One in landscape and the other in portrait. One hooked up as DVI and the other analog (my graphics card doesn't have 2 DVI ports). After calibration, they come out the same. If you really find the contrast objectionable, you could always covert to an analog connection to gain contrast control. However, if I had to pick one, then it would be the DVI connection as there is a slight amount of noise detectable on the analog monitor. I don't know if noise is the right word, but there's a little "something" going on in the background. You really have to stare very closely on a dark background to notice it, but it's there. For photo editing though, it's not even an issue.