Monitor buying?

Question

I am looking at the smasung Syncmaster 931C

# 19" flat-panel LCD

# 5:4 aspect ratio

#1280 x 1024 resolution SXGA

# 2000:1 contrast ratio

# 2 ms. response time

#.294 mm pixel pitch

# 16.2 million colors

Is the 2ms response time better than a higher number?
Is the contrast being 2000 that much better than say, 700?

Also how is this resolution?

Answer 1

Samy are excellent monitors. Viewsonic are great too. Those two brands are significanly more reliable than their competitors. (not counting apple or dell). You didnt mention a purchace price. You can get a 22 viewsonic for 249. (ALL the monitors in my house are 22-24 viewsonics or dells.

BUT The specs are NOT as good as they appear, they are reporting under LAB conditions, the test standards are not "standardized" benchmarks are not made with the same program. There are several different lcd types and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. One with fast response times does not appear as good as a lower one on photos but may be better for gaming because they are built with different technologies. Based on the HIGH contrast and the fast response type, I already know what type technology this is. People who buy a product based strictly on specs can easily be fooled.

REMEMBER youre getting a lower aspect ratio (kinda square shape versus widescreen), that type monitor probably will not have HDCP over dvi, which will be important next year. That monitor will have black bars o the top and bottom when playing newer games and viewing movies. If youre using this as a work or school monitor, I'd highly recommend it, but as a photo editing or entertainment monitor, I'd pass.

Answer 2

Faster response time is better.

Higher contrast ratio is better.


1280 by 1024 is standard for 19" non-wide screens.

Answer 3

I have always had Samsung monitors and always been very happy.

2ms response is a very good time... the higher the number the slower the monitor. Same for the contrast, the higher the number the better.

Can you tell us the prise? 19" is good but 22" is better ;-)

http://www.eyo.com.au/prod_H-226BW-BL_proddesc_LCD_22_Samsung_Widerscreen_226BW_Black_Max._1680x1050_2ms_Response_Time_GtG_.html

Answer 4

2ms is better
2000:1 is better

The specs are excellent. I find bit troubling that it is only rated 4 of 5 stars at newegg.com
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16824001085&SortField=0&SummaryType=ALL&Pagesize=100&Page=

All LCD monitors
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=20&name=LCD-Monitors

Gaming Monitors
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2318&