Recommendations or Monitor Buying Guide for photogs?

I'm looking at getting a new monitor(or 2)

I'm a PC user(not MAC)

I'm not sure whats most important for image editing and what good deals are out there. I'd like to get a couple monitors, as large as possible but hopefully well under $300 each.

I'm a big CNET proponent and use them alot to help me with my technology buying decisions...but I just don't know where to start for monitors there seem to be way too many.

I don't care about:
Power consumption
Thinness
monitor aesthetics
speakers

Image quality/accuracy is my primary concern
with video playback being a far off secondary concern

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

NEC monotors have a good rep -- look at ones that have a bundled calibration setup. I don't know about the $300 limit, though, you might need to look at Dell for that.

+1 on what Tony suggests. I didn't have the budget for NEC so I picked up a Dell U2311H for $200 new iirc from a member on here. It's been fantastic and a huge step up from my previous crappy monitor. I plan on getting another one instead of selling the Dell and upgrading to one large NEC because I like to have a program on each monitor open but it's more for workflow purposes than anything else.

I'd rather have a good then a "big" monitor.
You might consider getting one good and one lesser monitor (for 2nd screen). That might help with your budget (which is too low for two good, big screens IMO)

Try to avoid TN screens.

Well I can start with one good monitor. And use my old crap monitors as a 2nd for now. I'll look at these NEC mentioned

If you are going to use it specifically for photos you want an ips or a pva screen this will give you the closest color representation, and as stated above avoid tn panels. I have a dell u2211 which got for about $250 and its good enough for me. I've seen NEC screens and the are much better but they do cost "abit" more. The suggestion above of getting one 'good' expensive monitor and a slightly cheaper might be a good idea.

Lastly take your time to calibrate your monitor

A couple of good links :
http://www.digitalvers​us.com …1=752&p1=8953&m​a2=52&ph=5

http://www.tftcentral.​co.uk/reviews.htm