Question about Monitors for working with Photos

[Moses]

I currently have a 21" (19.5 viewable) Nokia Multigraph 445X. It's been a pretty good monitor for about 5 years, but now the display is going all blurry for about 10 seconds at a time when it goes back to clear for about 2 to 15 minutes, only to cycle again through the same thing. I checked the cables (to make sure they were tight) and I'm not sure whether it's the monitor or the video card. The video card I have is an ATI All-in-Wonder Radeon 8500DV with 64MB. It's about 3 years old.

This is driving me totally insane as it makes me want to go cross-eyed whenever it happens.

What I'd like to know from someone who may have the answer, is do you believe it would more likely be the monitor, or the video card?

If the monitor,, does anyone have (the monitor or an opinion) of the ViewSonic VX2000 Flat Panel (TFT) Monitor and if this is a good monitor for working with photos?

It's a 20.1 inch screen, so it would be about a quarter inch larger all around over my current monitor. I really need something with excellent clarity and longevity. This monitor is about 1100 dollars, so I don't want to have to be buying another one for quite a while. Here are all the specs:

http://www.viewsonic.com/images/products/IMG_vx2000_lrg.jpg

Features

Full 20.1" viewable screen

1600x1200 optimum resolution
Displays a optimum resolution of 1600x1200 for outstanding image detail. Scalable resolution from VGA up to 1600x1200.

HDTV ready with scaling technology
Displays HDTV 1280x720p format with advanced scaling options.

SuperClearMVA™ technology
SuperClearMVA technology delivers high contrast, brilliant color, improved viewing angles and superior clarity for moving images.

3X speed-LCD display
ViewSonic's innovative 3X-LCD display utilizes an advanced liquid crystal panel technology to dramatically improve video response up to three times faster than existing wide-viewing-angle LCD technology. The result is superior picture clarity and perfect focus — even when viewing moving images.

OptiSync™ technology
This multimode input technology supports both digital (DVI) and analog (VGA) signals.

250 nits of high brightness (typ)

600:1 ultra-high contrast ratio (typ)

XtremeView™ performance
Up to 170º viewing angles horizontally and 170º vertically, providing image clarity from all directions.

Bezel-integrated speakers and built-in microphone

OSD/Power lock function

AutoTune® Function
Automatically monitors video input and optimizes display settings without requiring user adjustments.

Touch-sensitive digital controls
Sleek metallic soft-touch buttons utilize capacitive sensors to respond to the slightest touch for easy adjustments.

VESA® wall-mount compliant

Give your desktop a signature look
ViewSonic has a wide variety of accessories for your LCD, including stylish multifunctional keyboards and video solutions. For a complete accessories list, visit ViewSonic.com.

TCO'99 and ENERGY STAR® qualified

Three-year limited warranty
24/7 free technical and customer support*.

More details here:
http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/lcddisplays/xseries/vx2000/

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Moses,

My first inclination would be to check the monitor card. I have had my Sony Trinitron montior for some years and been through several graphics cards that gone funny with different symptoms. I must say I never come across the problem you describe, so I'm not going to bet my mortgage on it not being a monitor problem. :)

If you do need to replace the monitor, CRTs are still preferred for photographic work and tend to be cheaper than the flat panel ones anyway. Colour is more consistent and controllable, and you have less problems with viewing angles.

Regards,

[Moses]

Roger, thanks for the reply, I changed out the video card and found that it is indeed the monitor. I Went down to Frys last night where they had the Viewsonic VX6000 flat panel on display. I wasn't all that impressed with it for reading text on it. They just don't have the capability to render the pixels small enough on that large of monitor yet. The pitch is .29 which still isn't small enough to avoid the pixelation in small lettering.

I think what I've decided to do is buy a 21 inch CRT and wait a few years until they can get the LCD monitors right.

I started looking for them on the Web, and this is what I've come up with the below monitor. Anyone have this one?

http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/large_images/219/10328219.jpg

Featuring ViewSonic's PerfectFlat technology, the G220fb offers excellent big-screen performance for demanding CAD/CAM designers, graphic designers, gamers and corporate professionals. With an ultra-fine 0.21mm horizontal (0.25mm diagonal) dot pitch, this 21" (20.0" viewable) monitor renders brilliant, precise edge-to-edge images with sharp focus and crisp text. SuperClear screen technology enhances brightness and color fidelity for realistic, lifelike images. The ViewSonic G220fb offers the perfect combination of flat screen size and performance.

Features Product Description - ViewSonic G220fb - display - CRT - 21"
Device Type - Display / CRT
Color - Black
Dimensions (WxDxH) - 19.6 in x 19.2 in x 20 in
Weight - 59.5 lbs
Diagonal Size - 21"
Viewable Size - 20.0"
Dot Pitch / Pixel Pitch - 0.21 mm
Max Resolution - 2048 x 1536 / 68 Hz
Compliant Standards - UL, CSA, DHHS, TUV, FCC-B, MPR-II, TUV/GS, TCO '95, NOM , EPA Energy Star, Energy 2000 , Plug and Play+
Power - AC 110/220 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Power Consumption Operational - 115 Watt
Manufacturer Warranty - 3 years warranty

[SuperFly]

Hi Moses

I'm also looking for a decent monitor, i'm currently using a Mitsubishi Diamond Pro 710 (a few years old) and i've seen that Sony 24" CRT monitor (GDM-FW900 ), looks like it will be pretty cool for the photos and the games :)

Has anyone got any opinions about this monitor? or any other suggestions about monitors in that price range ($1800 or so)

Well, just searching through all the posts, i noticed that CDS has one of these already and is very happy with it.

Later...

[John_T]

I have two Sony GDM-F520s which are excellent, but check out the Sony Artisan if you want top graphics and built in calibration.

[Moses]

$1,800.00? :shock:

Well, I wasn't willing to go that high for a monitor. I figured that since I wasn't too happy with the way the LCD flast panel screens look, I'd get a decent CRT to hold me over for maybe 3 years until they're able to get the flat panels a little better. So today, I ordered a Viewsonic P225FB. I did a lot of searching and reading about these on the Web, and most of the reviews are saying it's very good for both text and graphics. I found a local shop that would sell it to me for $599.00, so I ordered it. It will take 4 days to get it.

Here's the run-down:

http://www.viewsonic.com/images/products/P225fb_5_h.jpg

The outstanding monitor for the discriminating professional.

Immerse yourself in a visually brilliant experience on the monitors with virtually the best specs available — ViewSonic’s P225f and P225fB. Designers will appreciate aperture grill technology that delivers the RICHEST, MOST SATURATED COLOR WITH UNCOMPROMISING FIDELITY. Incredible 340MHz video bandwidth provides ULTRA-CRISP MOTION VIDEO AT EVERY RESOLUTION for enhanced gaming and video. The absolutely flat PerfectFlat® screen combined with advanced screen treatments ensures hours of comfortable, distortion-free viewing. And the big 20" viewable screen and ultra-high resolution guarantee you’ll fit just about everything on your desktop. Step up to ViewSonic’s legendary quality with the P225f and P225fB — the ultimate in CRT performance from ViewSonic.

Features

.24mm aperture grille
This super fine aperture grille pitch produces clear, crisp images with rich vivid colors, even at the highest resolutions.

PerfectFlat® screen for distortion-free images
ViewSonic’s award-winning PerfectFlat screen is absolutely flat, providing exceptional precision for video, graphics and engineering imaging.

Ultra-high contrast for brilliant color
SuperContrast™ technology incorporates an advanced glass filter that lowers transmission rate for bright, bold color.

OSD lock secures your settings

OnView® controls including ViewMatch® feature
All screen adjustments are made via an on-screen menu using simple controls. The ViewMatch feature allows the user to adjust color temperature and individual color intensity for screen-to-print matching.

Convenient zoom function
Automatically adjust image size with the touch of a button, filling the screen at any resolution.

Easy on the eyes
Specially formulated ARAG® screen treatment uses an advanced multi-layer process to eliminate glare and reflection while maintaining the highest image quality.

PC and Mac® compatible

TCO'99 and ENERGY STAR® qualified


More: http://www.viewsonic.com/products/desktopdisplays/crtmonitors/proseries/p225fb/

This is the best monitor Viewsonic makes, and it does sound like a good monitor. It rated higher for both text and graphics than many almost twice the price. Others were better for graphics, but worse for text. I need both.