Looking for pointers on selecting a monitor.

[Magilla]

I think I'm finally getting an LCD monitor. I don't know anything about them, their lifespan or features other than true black is hard to get. I do a lot of photo and video hobby work but not serious enough for high end stuff.

I'm thinking of a 19" screen hopefully on sale/rebate for less than $200.

Could you give me some pointers on the features and which ones are important?

I saw these ads just today.

Thanks

$178 delivered w/rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824163129

Brightness: 300 cd/m2
Contrast Ratio: 700:1
Display Colours: 16.7 Million
Display Type: SXGA
Horizontal Fresh Rate: 24kHz - 80kHz
Maximum Resolution: 1280x1024
Panel: Active Matrix, TFT LCD
Pixel Pitch: 0.294mm
Recommended Resolution: 1280x1024
Viewing Angle: 140°(H) / 130°(V)


a bit on the high side but this brand I've heard of.

Viewsonic VA1912wb
$200 delivered w/rebate
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1785939&CatId=170


Viewable Screen Size 19 inch

Display Area 16.1" x 10"

Speakers Integrated

Contrast Ratio 500:1

Response Time 8 ms

Horizontal Viewing Angle 160 degrees

Vertical Viewing Angle 160 degrees

Maximum Resolution 1440 x 900

 

[Timaphillips]

The 1st one has a faster response time (4ms I believe), so initially I'd say to go with that one (especially for gaming rigs). The resolution is another thing to look for. Notice it goes up to 1280 x 1024. I have a HP 17 inch with the same resolution and I run it at that all the time. Some people here will tell you to get something with a higher resolution especially for games but to be honest, unless you have a $600 graphics card that can play games at high settings then you should be fine. Plus, mine looks really good at it's setting. On a side note, I've never heard of "AG Neovo" brand before but Viewsonic has been in the game for a while now ( and it's widescreen if that's your thing). It's up to you which brand you prefer.

The AG Neovo will also be brighter since it has the higher contrast ratio (somebody please correct me if I am wrong about this). Give it a shot. 19 inches is gonna be sweet.

 

[Magilla]

I like NE's review list. I just checked it out and there's a lot of reviews on the AG Neovo. I'm thouroghly convinced NOT to buy it nor any products from that company...besides, it's a funky name.

Tiger eats up the rebate w/shipping cost. Just noticed NE has it for $20 delivered...hmmm

weekend sale $196 w/rebate, free S/H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824116011

still searching