Flat Screen Monitor

criminal_smile

wolfman wrote:

Dead pixels are as the name describes, pixels on the screen that are dead. They don't respond and usually appear as a green (or black) dot on the screen. They're only really noticeable on a white background and you'd get used to it. They're not that common with newer LCD's anyway. Most online stores check the screen before shipping it. If you read the terms they'll usually allow for no more than 4 dead pixels on the screen. The best thing you can do is buy a decent quality monitor, instore, so that you can see it working before purchasing it. I bought my Sharp LL172GB online and it doesn't have any dead pixels.

Believe it or not, there are regulations which ALLOW dead pixels. The International Standards Organisation have produced guidelines on dead pixels. There are rules about how many, grouping, position on screen, etc. Be warned that if the monitor has dead pixels which fall into these categories, then you will have no recompense under UK consumer legislation.

T4i

wolfman wrote:

Check reviews on the Sharp LL172GB. I bought it a month ago. Brilliant monitor, I haven't seen anything better for £250. Check out

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/126/17in-tft-monitors/products.html

Watford Electronics (they're ok if nothing goes wrong) have it for £243 which is one of the cheapest. http://www.savastore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10279013&pid=206&rstrat=3236

It has a DVI connector too (for digital connection) but your machine probably won't be able to take advantage of that. I'd imagine you have the standard analog d-Sub connection. DVI is a lot more future proof and offers a better picture. If you don't feel you need that then TFT's without that connector are a bit cheaper. In that case the NEC looks very good.

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/buyer-labs/168/17in-flatpanels/products.html

Like wolfman says; TFT's are either good or poor. You have wolfmans word that the Sharp is a damn fine TFT. Apart from going round shops and actualy watching a DVD/Game or just looking how good the colours appear. Sharp do make some nice equipment, its all about personal choice.

Joe_Bloggs

TFT prices have been tumbling, and were predicted to do so, due to overproduction. These devices have become a commodity. Technological advances are forever progressing.
Overhyping of certain products is also common place. Sometimes you just have to see things with your own eyes to make a judgement.

Your purchase of a TFT need not have anything to do with the purchas of a base unit. You get better value by shopping around.
J_B.

Loobeylou

I am tempted by the recommendation of the Sharp, but I keep getting back to the fact that it has speakers, and that speakers on these TFT's are not that good - the chap in the shop where I was looking recently said the same. I think I would rather stick with my good quality sound speakers and try to go for a TFT without the speakers.

So ... I am still looking for sound recommendations - if anyone has actually purchased a 17" TFT and is able to highly recommend it as a quality product then I would like to hear from you.

tr3mor

the aria TFTs are really good, the screen itself is made by samsung and it's all just in different packaging. their service is good, it will prolly arrive within 24 hours. with your budget of £250 you could easily get a 19" one from there, it runs the same resolution as a 17" but each pixel is bigger, so better on your eyes.

cloud_dog

Was/am (??) considering the Aria (or Digimate) 19" TFT but one thing that is slightly putting me off is the feedback that the screen itself is not matt but is shiney so therefore light reflection / glare is a bigger consideration.

cloud_dog

T4i

If you buy a TFT with speakers surely you can turn them on/off. Turn them off and just use your speakers.....TFT speakers are rubbish, not enough space in the panel to put deep enough speakers in. Not sure if the speakers run off a line-in jack.....

I've heard good things about the Aria TFT's. Just not sure how many dead pixels you would expect.

If Arias are just Samsung in different cases goto pc-world or watever and look at the samsung range. I'd never pay £250 for something without seeing it working first with my own eyes.

wolfman

Here's a few more reviews for the Sharp:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1706838,00.asp
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,119407,00.asp
http://www.pcpro.co.uk/labs/69380/sharp-ll172gb.html

Alternatively, I've read a few good reviews about the

Illayama ProLite E431S
LG Flatron L1730P (£220)
Illayama ProLite E435S (£185)
Relisys TL795 (£180)

I wouldn't bother with speakers on an LCD screen. Buy the LCD for the screen, and use your current speaker setup for sound.

With regards to the above, your best bet is to pop into a decent computer store (preferably not a PC World or Dixons!), pretend to look interested and get them to show you a few of the above screens, then judge for yourself.

My recommendations would lie with the Sharp LL-172GB and the Illayama ProLite E431S (don't assume the E435S is better, it's a slightly different range).

Joe_Bloggs

Here is some good news for those who have not spent too much on LCD monitors http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=22565
Aria will do a visible pixelcheck for £14.99. This is too expensive for my taste Some manufacturers don't allow duff products to reach the market. Any that do should be exposed. Manufacturing expertise has improved, as yet I have never seen a defective pixel in working with 20 LCD screens.
J_B.

Loobeylou

Many thanks to those who have contributed so far - it is good to get objective comments. I have to confess, being a techie nerd, that I had just assumed that if you purchased a TFT with speakers, that you would have to use them - had not considered that I could still use my four speaker setup.