The best 22" monitor on offer?

Galea

Galea

Galea

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8 Nov 2007
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235
Location
Malta, EU.
I'm looking for a new 22" LCD or TFT monitor to go with my rig (graphics card 8800GT).

Apologies for the fact that I know near zilch about monitors...

Does it make a difference whether it says LCD or TFT? Is one a better quality than the other?

For me these are the things that are important:

1) Good pixels, and good after-sales service ;

2) Having a dvi connection to connect to my 8800GT (vga, scarts, etc etc are not necessary);

3) Should I choose wide-screen or square? I'm currently using a square 19" olidata... it appears that square monitors are being phased out? Would my games be looking good on a wide-screen monitor? I know Oblivion gives the resolution choice, and Crysis...

4) I wouldn't be using the monitor's speakers at all. So I'd rather spend the same amount on a monitor without speakers and get a better quality one.

5) I don't understand the hype about viewing angle. While gaming my head faces the monitor at all times, if I'm really gaming intensively and get immersed and lost in the game I might angle my head some 5 degrees or so... Lol so I wouldn't really be caring whether I get a 170 degree view capability or a 150 degree one. Unless what I'm saying is stupid...

6) What I want is a bright crisp clear image, beautiful colours, with no ghosting, and minimal black dots (dead pixels). I'd hence take that as meaning that a 2ms response time monitor would be better than a 6ms response time one?

7) Is there any advantage of getting one of the more modern ones with the glossy screen? My dad's got a laptop with a glossy screen - he even paid extra for it way back then - but I don't like how it shows all reflections. I wouldn't want to have to see a mirror image of my window on my monitor while playing Oblivion...

8) While doing online research I read that: anything under 6ms generally means the monitor is "TN Film." TN film is standard amongst LCD screens these days. It's not 'junk' but it's not the best quality. When buying a monitor you want to find ones that are "PVA-panels." However, what is the advantage of PVA panel monitors, apparti minn the greater view angle? How can I recognise them? I've been touring some shops, locally and online, and they don't mention if the panels are PVA or TN film. Apparently if the viewing angle is higher than 176/176 then it'd be a PVA panel. But as I said before, viewing angle isn't that important for me.
This also conflicts with my 6th preference above. Does this mean that for a monitor to be good its response time must be greater than 6ms?

9) Many online shops / local shops here do not specify whether the response time is grey to grey or the other thing... (white to black?). How can I get to know which one they're referring to?

10) What contrast ratio would you be recommending for good gaming? Can one see a visual difference if one is gaming on a 1000:1 contrast ratio or a 3000:1 contrast ratio? For example, the first link I quote below says Contrast Ratio: DC 3000:1 (1000:1). What does that mean? Which one is it? Is it one or the other or are they just playing with words like they do with the ms response thing and quote grey to grey and whatnot?

11) What brightness would you recommend for good gaming? How does that specification affect the picture I'd see on the monitor? The ones I looked at all have the brightness of 300 cd/m2. Is that good?

12) What'd be a reputable brand you'd recommend?
I was giving preference to Samsung, but I'd appreciate your views...

I want to make my purchase from OcUK because I always had impeccable service. However what worries me is that they say I might get a different panel from the one shown in the picture? That I wouldn't like... :(

I had my eyes on this:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MO-062-SA

It was recommended by me even by people on other forums. But should I be worrying about the glossy screen? I don't want to be forced into seeing a mirror-image of my room on my screen while gaming!

Thank you from bearing to read all of this (if you made it till here! :p ).

I'd be appreciating ANY reply, certainly not expecting someone to answer all my questions. All feedback is welcome, and thanks once again.
 
Im in the same situation. I was lookin at the pebble and non pebble samsungs too, but kinda got put off by the whole samsung pannel lottery (which has apparently improved). I have though narrowed my choice down to a few monitors that u may like too:

1) HP2207 (OcUK dont sell it unfortunately) - good review at http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2007/review-hp-w2207.html

2) The Iiyama Prolite E2201B - which OcUK do sell; review here http://www.prad.de/en/monitore/review/2007/review-iiyama-e2201w.html

3) The new LG that OcUK have, the LG 227WT http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=mo-054-lg&groupid=703&catid=17&subcat=949
but cant find any reviews of it unfortunatly :(

all have good contrast ratios (usually the higher the better) & fast response times, espcially the iiyama. plus with the iiyama you are guaranteed a samsung 's' panel which is good and is something samsung cant guaranteed from their own tfts (from what ive heard)

overall the pebble is a good monitor, but dont buy it just because its samsung, there are other great monitors out there and what may appear to be samsung isnt always!!! take a look at http://www.behardware.com/articles/689-10/22-inch-lcd-monitors-the-3rd-wave.html

Im sure if you choose the pebble or any of the other three you will be really chuffed;)
 
I recently saw a 22" samsung pebble in pcworld and was well impressed. So I think if you want a glossy screen then go for the samsung. Otherwise the LG.
 
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Id remove the competitor name dude! And as long as the main light source eg window is behind the monitor and not directly shining on to the pannel, a glossy screen isnt too bad and some how improves colours (according to HP!)
 
Well... so far what's keeping me from ordering is the mat vs glossy screen issue. Which do you think is the best?
I'm itching to go for that Pebble otherwise.

Also, I've so far got various products (X-Fi and 8800GT) from OcUK and I'm very satisfied. But a monitor? Geez will it be packaged well enough to survive? (Maltese handlers can be quite very sloppy... :( )
 
Somehow a glossy screen does improve the picture to my eyes. Blacks appear deeper. But ultimately it's down to personal preference i think. TVs have glossy screens and does that bother folk?
 
Hi guys,

Just sat an HP w2207h next to my mates Samsung SM-2232BW Pebble and without a doubt the HP is a better screen, not just with the panel but with the whole build quality.

The HP has a fully adjustable stand (Height, tilt, swivel etc), its a stronger build in the materials used, the stand is solid not wobbly like the samsung.

Also the screen on the HP has a glossy look, it really makes the colours etc look quite stunning IMHO. The samsung has a glossy plastic but a matt-ish panel as per most TFTs.

Without a doubt I would have the HP over the Samsung anyday.

Also both the HP and the Samsung state 3000:1 contrast ratio but in reality its like 1000:1, they just use some kind of jiggery pokery to come up with that fiqure (maybe someone knows more about that).

I was already to get a Samsung until I saw it and was instantly put off, its cheap and nasty platic, wobbly stand, and not as good a picture as the HP.

Just my 2 pence worth ;)

Peace :)
 
D.M said:
Hi guys,

Just sat an HP w2207h next to my mates Samsung SM-2232BW Pebble and without a doubt the HP is a better screen, not just with the panel but with the whole build quality.

The HP has a fully adjustable stand (Height, tilt, swivel etc), its a stronger build in the materials used, the stand is solid not wobbly like the samsung.

Also the screen on the HP has a glossy look, it really makes the colours etc look quite stunning IMHO. The samsung has a glossy plastic but a matt-ish panel as per most TFTs.

Without a doubt I would have the HP over the Samsung anyday.

Also both the HP and the Samsung state 3000:1 contrast ratio but in reality its like 1000:1, they just use some kind of jiggery pokery to come up with that fiqure (maybe someone knows more about that).

I was already to get a Samsung until I saw it and was instantly put off, its cheap and nasty platic, wobbly stand, and not as good a picture as the HP.

Just my 2 pence worth ;)

Peace :)
Click to expand...

yea same thing happened to me. I'm glad i decided to go down to the big shop on the highstreet and take a look at them both for myself. In my opinion, the HP2207 completely thrashes the Samsung pebble.

The samsung is cheap, plasticy, horrible feel and imho a terrible picture quality. The 2207 is glossy, lovely colours, lovely picture and the build just oozes quality. Plus it's probably got the best stand I've ever seen on a monitor.

Infact I think I might write up a review for you guys, maybe over the weekend.
 
The samsung 226BW/CW are far nicer looking than the pebble.

Not a fan of the glossy screens, as despite looking good the reflection really bugs me.
 
irt sansnom, that would be really good if you could as I'm pretty sure ill be getting one the weekend after next, just need convincing 100% as my huge CRT has served me soooo well.:D
 
for what its worth, i have just got myself a samsung 2232BW pebble from OCUK and am very impressed with the quality. This is my first LCD after many many years of using 19" CRT and i was convinced it would not be as good.

no noticeable ghosting (playing TF2 / ETQW / HGL / UT4 / crisis), no dead pixles, all i needed to do after install was reduce the brightness a little and change all my game resolutions to 1680/1050. My Q6600 and 8800GT love this res :)

The stand is not that great though... bit of a pain to setup and not very stable.

I unconsciously run on the spot while sitting down playing games... almost as if im the character onscreen, it bugs the hell out of my wife and friends but its keeping me thin :P
So the screen tends to wobble slightly when the action kicks in... but then again the bookcase on the other side of the room wobbles when i run as well. Need a new desk, and a concrete floor.
 
hi
after a lot of research and reading reviews and checking out friends monitors
i went for the 22" pebble for about £200 from ocuk
[i live 3 minute walk away, was expecting to return it with dead pixels]
but
the response time is amazing
the native res matches that of your 8800gt
the panel is pixel perfect [on mine]
comes with a dvi connection and all the cables you need

people say it can be wobbly on its stand
i havent noticed this because...
A. i dont shake my monitor... because its a monitor not a naughty child
B. my monitor is on a desk, where it is stable

the only gripe i have noticed is that it does get dusty quickly and attracts finger prints worse than an ipod.

but when you think, "how many times do i really need to touch my monitor?" its ok.
plus samsung are kind enough to supply you with a nice antistatic cloth to clean it with!

out of all the panels i have checked out - this was the winner for me
great looks - great picture
best £ for £ price
 
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