Need suggestions for new flat-screen monitor and cal system

After way too long, I'm finally working on replacing my old Win2K computer and my old 19" CRT monitor. I need suggestions for a flat-screen monitor that would be ideal for analyzing and editing photos. I definitely want to find a monitor with a really good contrast ratio (if that's the proper term these days).

I want to be able to calibrate the monitor, so it is critical that there be enough adjustment range for the black and white points (or brightness and contrast).

I currently have an old Pantone/Colorvision spyder and their OptiCAL software. I don't know if this will work with Win7 or not. I'd like suggestions for a modern package just in case I cannot use my old stuff.

I'm curious as to what display technologies (for the flat screen monitors, that is) are best these days.

Thanks in advance.....

What's your budget? What size do you want?

NEC with Spectraview is one of the best available. Advertised contrast ratios can be ignored. Make sure if you go with a cheap panel it's IPS. I hear that Dell and HP make some decent, reasonably priced IPS monitors, though the problem is they're usually way too bright even with the brightness turned way down.

Have a look at the new ASUS PA246 Q P-IPS monitor...I just got one and I love it. Check here: http://www.ipsmonitor.​com …sus-proart-pa246q-review/.

Cheers,

WesternGuy

tim wrote in post #12578402
What's your budget? What size do you want?

I'm looking for something in the 22" to 24" range or possibly just a tad larger.

As to budget, I thought I'd like to stay under $300 US if I can, but that is flexible. I see the Asus linked above is a bit pricier. I've decided to build my own computer again which should save me some cash there allowing me to put a bit more into the monitor.

One thing that's critically important to me is to have the monitor's surface be as non-reflective as possible. I cannot stand the shiny displays I see on a lot of today's laptops, for example.

SkipD wrote in post #12577998
I need suggestions for a flat-screen monitor that would be ideal for analyzing and editing photos.

My suggestion: Forget about this:

SkipD wrote in post #12579034
I thought I'd like to stay under $300 US if I can

Check out this post:
http://www.shootsmarte​r.com …view=entry&id=1​7&Itemid=1

Also check the Smart Monitor Recommendations. (You might have to log in)

Of course, this is only one persons opinion

SkipD wrote in post #12577998
I definitely want to find a monitor with a really good contrast ratio (if that's the proper term these days).

Contrast ratio is pretty much irrelevant: Just about any screen you can get has a contrast ratio that's "too high" compared to print.

SkipD wrote in post #12577998
I currently have an old Pantone/Colorvision spyder and their OptiCAL software. I don't know if this will work with Win7 or not. I'd like suggestions for a modern package just in case I cannot use my old stuff.

CEDP, BasICColor, Argyll.
https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12575709#po​st12575709
But the Spyder is quite old now. And I'm not sure how well suited for LCD screens.
https://photography-on-the.net …p?p=12575179#po​st12575179

SkipD wrote in post #12577998
I'm curious as to what display technologies (for the flat screen monitors, that is) are best these days.

IPS

http://www.colorwiki.c​om/wiki/NEC_PA241W_Rev​iew
http://www.colorwiki.c​om/wiki/Eizo_CG243W_re​view

Or PVA, but the viewing angles are a lot more restricted.
http://www.colorwiki.c​om/wiki/Eizo_CG222W_Re​view

Followup:

Thanks all. I just ordered a NEC PA231W-BK-SV which has the Spectraview kit bundled with it. This should be just the ticket for me, though the price is a bit higher than I was thinking of. The video board I put into the computer which I just built will handle that monitor at its native 1920x1080 resolution so it should work quite well.

Further followup:

I couldn't be any happier with my choice. The NEC monitor is beautiful and the Spectraview calibration package is extremely simple to use as it is designed for a specific group of NEC monitors which includes the one I bought.

I will have forgotten the $900 expense before long and will be pleased with my choice for a long time to come.

Good to hear

$900 My Chimei 22" is fading fast. I have had it for 5 years or so--it was the first 22" I ever saw or heard of. I spent $500 for it new, but now much better ones are available for $200--I even saw a nice looking 27" for about 240.00... Like you I want to get one that is good for photo work, but I will have to settle with much cheaper.

Hi SkipD. I've been looking at a few NEC monitors but read reports about operating noise with several of them. I was thinking of a monitor in their PA range, like the NEC PA241W (as I prefer a 16:10 ratio), but I want and need an absolute silent screen so I was wondering if your monitor is humming or buzzing at all.

Levina de Ruijter wrote in post #12767918
Hi SkipD. I've been looking at a few NEC monitors but read reports about operating noise with several of them. I was thinking of a monitor in their PA range, like the NEC PA241W (as I prefer a 16:10 ratio), but I want and need an absolute silent screen so I was wondering if your monitor is humming or buzzing at all.

I hear no sound from the monitor at all except for a tiny amount of somewhat random clicking that starts shortly after turning it on and which goes away after a little warmup period.

I am extremely satisfied with the monitor.

Jumping in here:
Is there any difference between the:NEC PA231W-BK-SV available at B&H bundled with calibration and the monitor alone?
I think I read somewhere that their specs are a bit different.
I will be using a spider 3 Elite 4.0 to calibrate.

If you're using the NEC you should use Spectraview to calibrate. The NEC has a hardware LUT, I don't know if calibrating using the Spider uses that. If the Spider doesn't work with the hardware LUT there's no point buying such an expensive monitor.

Point taken. Thanks.