Which monitor should I get?

ahhhwhereditgo · 01-02-2008, 12:05 PM

Well im building a new system. Going with a 512 8800GT. I want to get a reasonably large monitor, Im in the military and only have so much living space so I would like to combine my computer and dvd system for just an all around gaming multimedia system.

I want to try to get a monitor that will fit in a closet that I have where my computer would be. Now I dont know what would look better. Im stuck between either the Samsung 24" 245BW Monitor, or getting a 24 inch HD TV. The card is DVI, but with a TV getting a DVI to HDMI cable is not very hard. As far as video alone goes the 2 cables are identical. Display wise anyway. I know about all the encryption and audio that goes along with HDMI but that doesnt really concern me at all with a computer system.

I would be getting a 720p tv. For 24, maybe 26 inches..Im on leave right now so I cant measure the cabinet, that would basically be the factor that would tell me what size to get, 1080p seems like a bit of a waste.

Would I get better picture quality with a 24-26 inch computer monitor or HDTV? Ive heard of a couple scaling issues with HDTVs, especially when it comes to gaming with games like BF2 that dont support Widescreen. They are both in the same pricerange more or less.

ebackhus · 01-02-2008, 12:26 PM

I use a 22" LCD monitor that works wonderfully for gaming and watching video. It's 16:10 widescreen that has 1680x1050 resolution. It's not quote full HD but you said you don't much care for that. Running 720p video it looks just incredible!

Acer AL2216 ~ $249USD

**FreoHeaveho** · 01-02-2008, 12:33 PM

I think the most important part is what connections you have too. Whatever size (i think that is a personal choice), make sure you have a decent connectivitiy so that you can use it into the future. I am not compoletely around the topic to be honest, but HDMI and other newer connections are coming out. The best place to start really, is to get yourself a PC mag, with a monitor review in it. There you will see 10 or so of the newest 19WS - 24" monitors that can be purchased with a great review. Such as this

http://www.custompc.co.uk/labs/60141.../products.html

and this

http://www.custompc.co.uk/labs/60141.../products.html

great mag too i must say

ahhhwhereditgo · 01-02-2008, 01:23 PM

Well as far as connections the video card is DVI. Now using a DVI to HDMI converter shouldnt degrade the quality. All of the really techincal stuff aside all HDMI really did was minimize cables. No more need for seperate digital audio cables. Picture quality that both send is pretty much identical. With either cable your still sending a digital picture.

Basically the main question is, will the picture look better with a 720p HDTV with a DVI to HDMI connection. Or a monitor with DVI to DVI connection.

ebackhus · 01-02-2008, 01:37 PM

I'm using a DVI-DVI connection since my PC has speakers. The speakers that often come with monitors are weak and fail to produce quality audio so having a cable to carry audio to the monitor would be a waste.

ahhhwhereditgo · 01-02-2008, 01:53 PM

Well that was pretty much my point. HDMI is pretty much worthless for a computer. Great for like DVD to a reciever, but computer wise no use. So using a HDMI to DVI cable doesnt matter. Basically Im just not sure what would look better with a digital picture, a 720p TV, or actually monitor.

A monitor similair to this:
Acer 24"

Sier · 01-02-2008, 04:28 PM

I have a Samsung 226BW ..
Very happy so far.

01-02-2008, 12:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
ahhhwhereditgo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Which monitor should I get? Well im building a new system. Going with a 512 8800GT. I want to get a reasonably large monitor, Im in the military and only have so much living space so I would like to combine my computer and dvd system for just an all around gaming multimedia system. I want to try to get a monitor that will fit in a closet that I have where my computer would be. Now I dont know what would look better. Im stuck between either the Samsung 24" 245BW Monitor, or getting a 24 inch HD TV. The card is DVI, but with a TV getting a DVI to HDMI cable is not very hard. As far as video alone goes the 2 cables are identical. Display wise anyway. I know about all the encryption and audio that goes along with HDMI but that doesnt really concern me at all with a computer system. I would be getting a 720p tv. For 24, maybe 26 inches..Im on leave right now so I cant measure the cabinet, that would basically be the factor that would tell me what size to get, 1080p seems like a bit of a waste. Would I get better picture quality with a 24-26 inch computer monitor or HDTV? Ive heard of a couple scaling issues with HDTVs, especially when it comes to gaming with games like BF2 that dont support Widescreen. They are both in the same pricerange more or less.

01-02-2008, 12:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Which monitor should I get? I use a 22" LCD monitor that works wonderfully for gaming and watching video. It's 16:10 widescreen that has 1680x1050 resolution. It's not quote full HD but you said you don't much care for that. Running 720p video it looks just incredible! Acer AL2216 ~ $249USD __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

01-02-2008, 12:33 PM	#3 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: Which monitor should I get? I think the most important part is what connections you have too. Whatever size (i think that is a personal choice), make sure you have a decent connectivitiy so that you can use it into the future. I am not compoletely around the topic to be honest, but HDMI and other newer connections are coming out. The best place to start really, is to get yourself a PC mag, with a monitor review in it. There you will see 10 or so of the newest 19WS - 24" monitors that can be purchased with a great review. Such as this http://www.custompc.co.uk/labs/60141.../products.html and this http://www.custompc.co.uk/labs/60141.../products.html great mag too i must say __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper Last edited by FreoHeaveho; 01-02-2008 at 12:34 PM.

01-02-2008, 01:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
ahhhwhereditgo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Which monitor should I get? Well as far as connections the video card is DVI. Now using a DVI to HDMI converter shouldnt degrade the quality. All of the really techincal stuff aside all HDMI really did was minimize cables. No more need for seperate digital audio cables. Picture quality that both send is pretty much identical. With either cable your still sending a digital picture. Basically the main question is, will the picture look better with a 720p HDTV with a DVI to HDMI connection. Or a monitor with DVI to DVI connection.

01-02-2008, 01:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Which monitor should I get? I'm using a DVI-DVI connection since my PC has speakers. The speakers that often come with monitors are weak and fail to produce quality audio so having a cable to carry audio to the monitor would be a waste. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

01-02-2008, 01:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
ahhhwhereditgo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: Which monitor should I get? Well that was pretty much my point. HDMI is pretty much worthless for a computer. Great for like DVD to a reciever, but computer wise no use. So using a HDMI to DVI cable doesnt matter. Basically Im just not sure what would look better with a digital picture, a 720p TV, or actually monitor. A monitor similair to this: Acer 24" Last edited by ahhhwhereditgo; 01-02-2008 at 01:59 PM.

01-02-2008, 04:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
Sier Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 40 OS: WinXP	Re: Which monitor should I get? I have a Samsung 226BW .. Very happy so far.