Definitive monitor set-up

[Vince Debart]

James whats the deal on the Dell ..Link ?


Vince

[James Sudik]

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/prod...n&s=dhs&~ck=mn

This LCD was highly reviewed, there are additional links there. There was an additional 10-20% off the cost (if you were buying a machine too) but that ends today.

[James Sudik]

Here is a variant, looking for opinions on this...
Understanding that a NTSC monitor is the way to go for image/color QC, and also understanding that you can "never have enough real estate" on your desktop which of these options would be best?
(assume a NTSC monitor is in place)

1. Dual 15 (or possibly 17 inch) flat panel monitors
or
2. A single 23 inch widescreen format LCD/HDTV monitor.

I like the simplicity of the single monitor, and in the widescreen format 23 inches is huge compared to what I am used to. It is also obvious that the dual set-up has more inches, and may offer more versatility. I have never used anything larger than a single 19inch CRT, so I am making a lot of assumptions. The dual set up is more expensive with the 17's, close to the same with 15's.

[Glen Elliott]

James you don't want to use an LCD Television for a computer monitor. Television LCDs or Televisions in general are not created to handle the resolution of a computer. For example my native resolution on my 17" NEC LCD1765 is practically double that of HDTV.

I do, however have an NEC LCD1765 I'm looking to sell if your interested. Drop me an email for info.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Laz...my%20setup.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/Laz...y%20setup2.jpg

[Vince Debart]

thanks for the link James am looking for a computer monitor but the Dell TV looks nice

Vince

[James Sudik]

I was under the impression that a HDTV like the Dell LCD sets were very compatible as PC monitors. The PC Magazine review of the 17inch model spoke very highly of it, specificaly as a monitor. It was a "Editors Choice" product in December '03. However, after more time looking around I see I could easily get two large flatscreens for less than the cost of the 23 inch, that looks better to me now. Oh well, that is the intent - shop around and look at everything before you make a decision. Thanks for the offer Glen, I'll look at the NEC you are selling and let you know. Why are you getting rid of it?

[Glen Elliott]

<<<-- Originally posted by James Sudik : I was under the impression that a HDTV like the Dell LCD sets were very compatible as PC monitors. I'm sure they could be "compatable" as a computer monitor but a sub par one at best. Gateway used to make a presentation "monitor" that was 27", it was a TV/Computer monitor- however it's just marketing- it's basically a TV with a VGA connector. Looked terrible

The PC Magazine review of the 17inch model spoke very highly of it, specificaly as a monitor. It was a "Editors Choice" product in December '03.Unless it's the other way around- a computer LCD with a built in TV tuner it's not worth your time. Besides- why ARE you so intent on an LCD/TV combo?

However, after more time looking around I see I could easily get two large flatscreens for less than the cost of the 23 inch, that looks better to me now.Most definitly- you pay a premium for large screen real-estate. Two 17" will offer more screen and MUCH less cost than a single 23" widescreen LCD. As long as you have a more current Nvidia or Radeon graphics card- they ALL come OEM with two connections for monitors. Usually one VGA and the other DVI. If you have two monitors that use VGA simply use a VGA to DVI adapter on the one connection- and like-wise the other way around. Oh well, that is the intent - shop around and look at everything before you make a decision. Thanks for the offer Glen, I'll look at the NEC you are selling and let you know. Why are you getting rid of it? -->>> Getting rid of them beings I had difficulty doing accurate color graphics in photoshop- LCDs aren't known for their color accuracy and reproduction. I opted for a 22" LaCie Electron Blue IV CRT w/ hardware calibrator. I sold the one LCD already, just need to sell the other. They have only been used roughly 2 months- perfect condition- still have all original reciepts and packaging. Just get back to me whenever if your interested. Thanks.

[Glenn Chan]

Not all OEM cards have dual outputs. your best bet is to look at the pictures over at newegg.com and see what outputs they come with(and adapters if any). If you want dual DVI, then look at:
matrox cards
asus ti4200 and gainward fx5600 (there are a handful of gaming/3d cards with dual DVI)
workstation cards (if you need good openGL performance... i.e. not games, AE, boris Red, etc.)

[Glen Elliott]

What I said was all modern Radeon and Nvidia cards have dual monitor inputs. Plus the unified drivers for each both have settings to configure your dual monitor setup. Nvidia has "Nview" and Radeon has "Hydravision".

[James Sudik]

Moving along on this project (with my -just ordered- Vegas +DVD 5!!) I have looked at the available dual DVI video cards, and it has been a dissapointing search. Why in the world these are not more available, and with higher end GPU's is a mystery to me. I am a lifelong gamer, so that is important to me when deciding. It also rules out many of the "workstation" oriented cards, which are very expensive anyway. What if I got a cheap card with one DVI out, and used it for monitor 2, and my beefy card's DVI out for monitor 1? That seems so simple....I bet it won't work. Would I lose a lot of functionality that way? There must be a downside.

[Glenn Chan]

james, check out the ultramon website. It seems to be very useful for what you're looking at. If you dislike DVI (for your main montior) + VGA (for your second, which can't be used while gaming) then you probably want 2 video cards.

http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/
http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/db.asp