24" Monitor for movies only... in the bath

lbt · 21 Nov 2007 at 15:00

First post

I just got permission to upgrade to a couple of 2007WPs (which I just got my shipping email for - thanks OCuk) on condition that I do this project too!

So now I need a 24" (roughly) monitor and it's for movies only.

Yes, it's going to be for watching TV in the bath. I was told to do it so don't moan at me. :eek:

Now, I'll grant you that a bathroom install isn't for everyone - but I don't really think that bit matters - hopefully these questions are interesting to anyone who wants an LCD for a MythTV or MediaCentre TV

It will be RCD protected and in a big toughened-glass-enclosed (and vented) alcove which is in another room essentially. So don't worry about electrics, overheating or humidity - I've got that covered

It's going to be connected to a HTPC, not a tuner/dvd player so VGA or DVI.

Viewing will be at ~2m and it is going to be wall mounted on a tilt mechanism so it will be pretty much head on (and I can guarantee there won't be too much movement from the sweet spot

) This makes me think that TN may be OK.

So, options:
* TN based : Dell E248WFP (gamut benefit) or Samsung SM245B
* PVA based : Dell 2407WFP-HC or Hyundai W240D-PVA (glossy ... mmmm)

I suppose I'm wondering if I'm letting myself in for a problem using a TN screen as a TV - ie do they provide an acceptable video image?
If consensus is that they're OK then "problem solved" (well, easier anyhow!)

If TN isn't the way to go then I guess the Dell 2407 WFP and WFP-HC is the next obvious choice (better viewing angles) but extra £££s too.

I guess the 2407 WFP is a no-risk answer but the additional colour of the -HC would probably be nice for TV/film.
However (!) it has potential ghosting issues : do these ever show up in video or are they more specific to games?

Finally the Hanns-G HG281DP may be in the running 'cos it's cheap - but only if it fits and it's good for TV. The alcove is 680mm wide.

So, thoughts would be much appreciated

MumboJumbo · 21 Nov 2007 at 17:57

Out of curioucity... how are you gonig to sit in the bath long enough to watch a film or something. If so you may shrivel up

Crossy · 21 Nov 2007 at 18:21

Lets hope the steam doesn't damage your nice monitors.

neologan · 21 Nov 2007 at 18:27

he already explained the monitor will be in another room.

lbt · 21 Nov 2007 at 20:32

8igdave said:
Out of curioucity... how are you gonig to sit in the bath long enough to watch a film or something. If so you may shrivel up

Like I said, I'm under orders

The thing about networked PVRs (MythTV) is that you can watch 20mins of TV in the bath and then carry on watching it in the bedroom whilst you get dressed to go out; then finish it off before going to sleep...

The PC itself is an eBay special in the loft that will power up with the £10 amp (another eBay special) when you flick one of the light switches.

The bath installation side is just fun - I am seriously looking for some advice on a 24" LCD for use as a TV. I've been using some old Iiyama CRTs for years until one died last week so I have no experience of LCD technology. I've been told that TN really isn't the best for TV mainly because of the viewing angle limitation (which I don't think applies at 6' away) and it's worth the extra for PVA. However, given how little use it's really going to get I don't mind wasting a few hours installing it for her but I'm loathe to spend a fortune on it!!

Vertigo · 21 Nov 2007 at 21:17

Surely a monitor is overkill for this? Why don't you just get a TV?

Fozzie55 · 21 Nov 2007 at 22:16

You can get an LCD tile and put it on the wall at the side of the bath, that's if you are retiling bathroom. It has a heated glass front so it doesn't steam up. I know you didn't ask for it, but it may give you another option? Link below also has a 23" waterproof LCD

LCD Tile

lbt · 21 Nov 2007 at 22:52

Fozzie55 said:
You can get an LCD tile and put it on the wall at the side of the bath, that's if you are retiling bathroom. It has a heated glass front so it doesn't steam up. I know you didn't ask for it, but it may give you another option? Link below also has a 23" waterproof LCD

LCD Tile

Gorgeous but £2000+ for a 17" - I'll use my approach

(Actually this very lcd is what lead t'other half to go down this route... And I've also scoured the web for heated glass but I have a better solution now...)

So thanks for the pointer but I really just want to know what 24" monitor is best for TV.

Oh, Vertigo1. I did think of that. I actually bought one. It wasn't designed for a PC input and despite a native resolution of 1344x768 it only displayed 1024x768 on VGA. The HDMI input had terrible banding - overall it was crap and I sent it back. At least I know a monitor displays a PC vga signal properly and I can control the 1:1 pixel mapping myself.

MumboJumbo · 21 Nov 2007 at 22:53

I wouldn;'t get a TN screen. The viewing angles really are bad. Some say up close like where u are to your monitor now, on a 24" you can move your head to the side a bit and notice a change in colour. Especialy horzontaly. Not worth it.

lbt · 21 Nov 2007 at 23:22

8igdave said:
I wouldn;'t get a TN screen. The viewing angles really are bad. Some say up close like where u are to your monitor now, on a 24" you can move your head to the side a bit and notice a change in colour. Especialy horzontaly. Not worth it.

Thanks 8igdave - for this application we'll be viewing from about 6' away. I suppose I want someone with a TN to say "yep, it's not the best at 18" - but at 6' you really can't tell."

Cheers though.

sosrandom · 22 Nov 2007 at 00:46

As far as I know my samsung has a TN screen its pretty good (Viewing Angle (H/V): 170°/ 170°).
Although not as good as a tv its normal at 45 degrees left or right, 45 above but below only about 10, I dont have to move it around it im watching a film in bed. Id say its easily better than my 19" CRT Dell Trinitron in size and aspect ratio.

So i guess it depends on the screen, what about 1 of these

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/articles/benq_fp241w.htm

http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/guides/dell_2407wfp.htm

sosrandom · 22 Nov 2007 at 00:49

my bad

benjo plz. · 22 Nov 2007 at 00:52

For a monitor, TN is fine, but not too good as a tv, go for atleast a SPVA panel, if not SIPS

.

You might like to keep an eye on this thread.

Zefan · 22 Nov 2007 at 00:54

I can certainly reccomened the Dell 2407, I was blown away at both the picture and the build quality. A great set of inputs and awesome viewing angles make it a great choice.

No HMDI though!

benjo plz. · 22 Nov 2007 at 00:57

Zefan said:
No HMDI though!

Generally monitors won't have HDMI as they don't have speakers?

sosrandom · 22 Nov 2007 at 01:16

HDMI is basically DVI for TV's and stuff, but HDMI can(if it wants to) do sound where as DVI cant.
I cant remember but Im not sure if one of the consoles cant do sound through HDMI but most things have seperate sound input/outputs, so you could use a monitor with the PS3 and connect the sound to a seperate sub

benjo plz. · 22 Nov 2007 at 01:19

Which is why you generally won't find a monitor with HDMI, as it doesn't offer an advantage over DVI (they do exist... but what's the point?). And you can connect a ps3 to any dvi monitor, and then seperates + sub.

sosrandom · 22 Nov 2007 at 01:39

Plus HDMI to DVI cables are probably a lot cheaper than adding the extra port on the monitor.

Rebelius · 22 Nov 2007 at 01:42

Phnom_Penh said:
And you can connect a ps3 to any dvi monitor, and then seperates + sub.

just to point out to anyone reading this, it's not completely true - it only works if the monitor supports HDCP over DVI - which most (if not all) new monitors will, but not all old ones do.

benjo plz. · 22 Nov 2007 at 02:20

Rebelius said:
just to point out to anyone reading this, it's not completely true - it only works if the monitor supports HDCP over DVI - which most (if not all) new monitors will, but not all old ones do.

true, but not entirely