Widescreen TFT Dilemma

clv101 · 31 Oct 2006 at 23:36

I'm looking for a 2nd monitor to go with my 21" Sony CRT. I plan to keep the CRT for photo editing and TV (I have a DigiTV card) and use the 2nd TFT for web sites, email, word processing, spread sheets etc. I very rarely play games and even if I did I'd be happy to use the CRT. Watching widescreen TV or films might be better on the TFT though. Currently using a 9800PRO though I expect to get a 7600GT in a new system in the new year.

Well, that's the idea, it may change depending on the capabilities of the monitor I get.

Initially I was looking at the:

Hanns-G HW191D
19" 1440x900
~£140

I almost bought it... but changed my mind at the last minute thinking the resolution was too low. I'm now looking at the:

LG L204WT
20" 1680x1050
~£220

But now that I'm spending a bit more money I'm thinking that the TN technology might be lacking.

So my questions, just how bad is TN technology in something like the LG L204WT and secondly can any recommend a 1680x1050 screen that is significantly better than the LG for less than £300?

DasFruitMachine · 31 Oct 2006 at 23:57

You can nab a P-MVA screen for ~£230ish if you don't mind VGA. The Belinea 102030W is a good bet

OCUK had the DVI version on special a while back, too.

clv101 · 1 Nov 2006 at 00:33

I wish the websites were clear on which technology the panels use. Something in my head tells me that DVI is the only way to go. With a digital graphics card and a digital screen, it seems daft to have a DAC and ADC in the chain.

fish99 · 1 Nov 2006 at 01:50

clv101 said:
So my questions, just how bad is TN technology in something like the LG L204WT and secondly can any recommend a 1680x1050 screen that is significantly better than the LG for less than £300?

Depends how you define better. If you want better viewing angles, then the Dell 2007WFP fits the bill and is available for just under £300.

clv101 · 1 Nov 2006 at 13:52

Okay - I think I'm down to two models:

LG L204WT ~£230
Belinea 102035W ~£270
Viewsonic VX2025wm ~£280

They are all 20" 1680x1050 panels with DVI. The main difference is that the LG uses a TN panel whereas the Belinea and Viewsonic use P-MVA technology. Is P-MVA worth the extra £40-£50? Any other models I should consider?

fish99 · 1 Nov 2006 at 14:48

Samsung 205BW is pretty similar to the LG and I've seen it for around £210. Did you get two of those prices the wrong way round btw?

Main difference between TN and MVA is viewing angles. On a TN you can see colours shift just from moving your head up or down an inch, and if you fill the screen with a single colour, it will look darker at the top than the bottom. This picture of the L204WT shows what I mean -

So it depends whether that will annoy you.

Baddass · 1 Nov 2006 at 17:52

clv101 said:
I wish the websites were clear on which technology the panels use. Something in my head tells me that DVI is the only way to go. With a digital graphics card and a digital screen, it seems daft to have a DAC and ADC in the chain.

you can check panels used including their technology on the database here: http://www.tftcentral.co.uk/

Regarding TN vs P-MVA /IPS, as said already, the main difference is in viewing angles. TN will show noticable colour and contrast shift with even slight movements vertically, and at an angle of around 45-50 degrees, it becomes quite noticably different and not desirable. The other differences include P-MVA / IPS typically having a true 8 bit colour depth, and so not needing to use FRC / dithering processes to create more colours from a 6 bit palette like TN Film panels do. Black depth is often better as well, a real strong point of VA in particular. Movie playback is also smoother and less noisy on P-MVA panels nowadays, with IPS and TN Film not being nearly as good. Overall, P-MVA offers some of the best all round performance in the market and if you dont spend the extra bit of cash now, you may find yourself regretting it in the long run perhaps

bikes · 1 Nov 2006 at 18:13

Baddass said:
and if you dont spend the extra bit of cash now, you may find yourself regretting it in the long run perhaps

I think you just hit the nail on the head tbh

clv101 · 1 Nov 2006 at 18:34

fish99 said:
Samsung 205BW is pretty similar to the LG and I've seen it for around £210. Did you get two of those prices the wrong way round btw?

Yeah, got the prices mixed.

Well, I am now the proud owner of the Samsung 205BW. Picked it up for £210, seemed too good a deal to pass up.