Help me choose new monitors... OcUK Gamer 198YP, any good?

Joe42 · 16 Apr 2006 at 20:06

I need your help and advice before purchasing a new monitor, and i also want to know if the OcUK Gamer 198YP monitor is any good, as the specs look ok. I currently have:
-1 dell 16" crt
-1 unbranded 15" lcd
In a dual monitor setup, powered by my 6800gt dual dvi (both via analogue adaptors)

I'm still exploring my options for an upgrade, i think i want two 19" monitors but i may consider larger sizes within my budget such as 20"+.

My requirements are:
-Must be <£250 each, preferably <£200.
-Must be 19"
-Must have <12ms response time, preferably 8

-Should have DVI
-Should have good viewing angles
-Should have a thin bezel
-Should have a good contrast ratio

-I would like it to be LG
-I would like it to be 1200 x 1600

-I'm not sure if i want widescreen, two might be too wide, and one of each might look messy.

The OcUK Gamer 198YP is of interest because it fulfulls all the 'musts' and most of the 'shoulds'. The monitor is made by yusmart, so its not unbranded as such. Compared with others it seems to have good specs, however i am concerned about the viewing angles and i'm wondering if the dvi implimentation is up to scratch as i've seen a few cheap monitors with dvi and it looks to good to be true.

Your thoughts?

Edit:
198yp viewing angles are common 140x130, website here.

Forgot to say what its for. Lots of gaming, lots of dvd viewing, lots of office work. I'm wondering if i can get two different monitors, one thats best at dvds and office stuff and one thats best for gaming?

superpc · 16 Apr 2006 at 22:16

As for gaming it will be great! 8ms is fine as you shoudn't see any ghosting. Everyone is different though so you may see what others can't! Movie playback should be fine if it is just for you. As for DVI v VGA, well, some people notice a big difference in quality between the 2 others don't. The Samsung 913 has a VGA only connection and people rave about the quality of it.

It all comes down to how sensitive you are etc.

Joe42 · 16 Apr 2006 at 22:19

Thanks for the reply

Well i'm using the most rubbish lcd ever atm and i'm fine with it, except its no use for gaming or movies, and scrolling down text is messy because the response time is so poor. Still, i've managed with it for a long time.

Do you think the dvi vs vga thing has anything to do with how well the dvi is implimented, or is a dvi connection a dvi connection regardless of how cheap the monitor is?

Is there a big differece between 140 - 130 viewing angles and something like 170 -170?

I'm not keen on samsungs because they seem very bright.

superpc · 16 Apr 2006 at 22:31

Most TFT screens are bright. I have found this out with a few different makes.

DVI is probably just that. A connection. Wether one maker has a better DVI interface than another is debateable. Maybe the most expensive TFT's have better connectors etc but then again the most expensive TFT can have problems.

Not sure on the viewing angles, Baddass is the guy for that. He is great on TFTs.

Just do your research, get some great reviews and match it to your budget. Then toss a coin as to wether or not you will get a perfect TFT!

MeatLoaf · 16 Apr 2006 at 22:31

Go for 2x Acer AL1916W widescreens. You wont be dissapointed at only £182 each

superpc · 16 Apr 2006 at 22:32

MeatLoaf said:
Go for 2x Acer AL1916W widescreens. You wont be dissapointed at only £182 each

The Acer has an awesome picture for the price. It has VGA connection but it still has a super picture! Depends what you are looking for?

Joe42 · 16 Apr 2006 at 22:35

MeatLoaf said:
Go for 2x Acer AL1916W widescreens. You wont be dissapointed at only £182 each

But how wide will that be? Its nice for dvd's but i'm not sure about it for everything else...

I do have a good reason for wanting dvi. I may want my pc a good distance away from my monitors and i don't want signal loss.

I don't mind if the screen is bright, as long as i can turn it down and still get a decent picture.

I certainly won't be tossing a coin, as i have plenty of differentiating features i need. It will be a case of choosing the best compromise i think.

I really love anything and everything that LG do, i'm looking at their site to see if theres anything i want. I've looked at the L1950SQ, and its good but no dvi. Great viewing angles tho.

Edit:
What i really want is an LG 1980Q, but at £270 its too expensive.

Joe42 · 16 Apr 2006 at 23:26

I've been having a look at the LG 1950b:
-£227
-Contrast 700.1
-Brightness 300
-Viewing angles 170/170
-Dvi
-Thin bezel and height adjustment

Comparing that with the Ocuk gamer 198YP, is the LG worth the extra £60?
Specs for the Yusmart/Ocuk Gamer:
-£170
-Contrast 600.1
-Brightness 250
-Viewing 140/130
-Dvi
-Thin bezel

What are the real world differences between these two?
Does anyone have either of them?

Joe42 · 17 Apr 2006 at 19:56

Does the Ocuk Gamer 198yp use the same panel as some of the other monitors?
I don't mind if the monitor itself is cheap as long as the panel is good.

superpc · 18 Apr 2006 at 07:50

What i meant by 'tossing a coin' was if you are lucky enough to get a TFT with no problems what-so-ever! So many come with either, Dead / lazy pixels, bad backlight bleed etc. It is down to luck if you get a perfect one!